Patent ID: 9302431
Filing Date: 2016-04-05
CPC Classification: B28B,B29C,B29L,B33Y

Claim Text:
1. A rapid prototyping apparatus for producing a three-dimensional ceramic object, the rapid prototyping apparatus comprising: a construction platform, wherein a construction chamber is formed in the construction platform; a movable platform disposed above the construction platform, wherein the movable platform and the construction platform are movable relative to each other; a printing module installed on the movable platform, and comprising at least one printhead unit, wherein the printing module is synchronously moved with the movable platform; a cleaning and maintenance module installed on the movable platform, wherein the cleaning and maintenance module is synchronously moved with the movable platform; a construction material spreading element installed on the movable platform for spreading a ceramic construction material to the construction chamber; a heater disposed over the construction platform, wherein after the ceramic construction material is spread in the construction chamber, the construction material is heated by the heater; and a heat shield disposed over the at least one printhead unit for shielding the at least one printhead unit, wherein after the at least one printhead unit performs a printing operation, the at least one printhead unit is cleaned and maintained by the cleaning and maintenance module.