Three-dimensional printer with an inverted cutting surface and a movable platform for creating layered objects

Number: 10160165
Published: 2018-12-25
Filed: 2015-04-06
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: McCann; James; Peng; Huaishu; Hudson; Scott; Mankoff; Jennifer
CPC: B33Y10/00; B29C64/147; B29C64/141
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

3D printer hardware.

Abstract

There is provided a three-dimensional (3D) printer for creating a 3D object using a fabric including a cutting device, an inverted cutting surface, a securing mechanism to secure the fabric against the inverted cutting surface for cutting the fabric by the cutting device into a plurality of layers, a movable platform for receiving each of the plurality of layers, in sequence, from the inverted cutting surface after each layer is cut from the fabric, and a bonding tool to bond each layer of the plurality of fabric layers to a previously received layer as the fabric layers are sequentially received by the movable platform to create the 3D object.

Background

BACKGROUND(1) Three-dimensional (3D) printers allow users to manufacture custom objects on demand. Typically, 3D printers work by following a computer's digital instructions to print an object using materials such as plastic, ceramics and metal. The printing process involves building up an object one layer at a time until the printing is complete. Today, more and more 3D printers are being used at homes, and commercial suppliers and retailers to create custom objects.SUMMARY(2) There is provided a 3D printer with an inverted cutting surface and a movable platform for creating layered objects, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional (3D) printer system for creating a 3D object using a fabric, the 3D printer system comprising: a cutter; an inverted cutting surface, wherein the 3D printer system is configured to secure the fabric against the inverted cutting surface for cutting the fabric by the cutter into a plurality of fabric layers; and a movable platform moving to sequentially receive each of the plurality of fabric layers from the inverted cutting surface after each is cut from the fabric by the cutter, wherein the 3D printer system is configured to bond, on the movable platform, each of the plurality of fabric layers as sequentially received by the movable platform to a previously received layer of the plurality of fabric layers received by the movable platform to create the 3D object; wherein the cutter is moveable in a plane having an angle of variance from parallel to the inverted cutting surface, and wherein the angle of variance is greater than zero. 11. A method for use by a three-dimensional (3D) printer to create a 3D object using a fabric, the method comprising: securing the fabric against an inverted cutting surface of the 3D printer using a securing mechanism of the 3D printer; cutting the fabric using a cutter into a plurality of fabric layers, after the securing of the fabric against the inverted cutting surface; moving a movable platform to sequentially receive each of the plurality of fabric layers from the inverted cutting surface after each is cut from the fabric by the cutter; and bonding, on the movable platform, each of the plurality of fabric layers as sequentially received by the movable platform to a previously received layer of the plurality of fabric layers received by the movable platform to create the 3D object; wherein the cutter is moveable in a plane having an angle of variance from parallel to the inverted cutting surface, and wherein the angle of variance is greater than zero.