Patent ID: 11969937
Assignee: PAXIS LLC
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 10:
11. An apparatus comprising:
a build surface configured to support a three-dimensional object during building of the three-dimensional object using a first polymer material, wherein the build surface is provided by a flexible component;
a first supply of the first polymer material;
a first roller in communication with the first supply of the first polymer material such that the first polymer material is configured to be applied to an outer surface of the first roller, wherein the first roller is rotatable relative to the build surface and is configured for rotating to carry the first polymer material to the build surface for application to produce the three-dimensional object on the build surface using a layer-by-layer technique,
wherein the apparatus is configured to produce relative linear movement of the first roller with respect to the build surface to apply the first polymer material to different locations on the build surface, and wherein the first roller is configured for rotating such that the outer surface of the first roller at a point most proximate to the build surface travels in a same direction as a direction of relative linear movement of the build surface with respect to an axis of rotation of the first roller, such that first roller is configured to apply the first polymer material as a build material for building a permanent portion of the three-dimensional object;
a second supply of a second polymer material;
a second roller in communication with the second supply of the second polymer material such that the second polymer material is configured to be applied to an outer surface of the second roller, wherein the second roller is rotatable relative to the build surface and is configured for rotating to carry the second polymer material to the build surface for application to produce the three-dimensional object on the build surface using the layer-by-layer technique in conjunction with the first roller and the first polymer material, such that the first roller and the second roller are configured to pass the build surface consecutively and linearly and are spaced such that the first roller and the second roller are configured to apply the first polymer material and the second polymer material to the build surface simultaneously,
wherein the apparatus is configured to produce relative linear movement of the second roller with respect to the build surface to apply the second polymer material to different locations on the build surfaces, and wherein the second roller is configured for rotating such that the outer surface of the second roller at a second point most proximate to the build surface travels in a same direction as a direction of relative linear movement of the build surface with respect to an axis of rotation of the second roller, such that second roller is configured to apply the second polymer material as a support material for building a removable support portion of the three-dimensional object;
a vertical adjustment mechanism configured for adjusting a distance from the build surface to the first roller and the second roller, such that the first roller and the second roller are configured to pass the build surface consecutively and linearly at the same distance from the build surface; and
an exposure device configured for emitting electromagnetic waves toward an exposure site within a build area to solidify the first polymer material and the second polymer material applied by the first roller and the second roller to produce the three-dimensional object.