Patent ID: 9701064
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: B22F,B29C,B41J,Y02P

Claim:
1. A three-dimensional printer comprising: a cylindrical member having an outer surface; a frame having a mechanism that is configured to move between a first mechanism position at which the mechanism engages the cylindrical member so the frame rotatably supports the cylindrical member and a second mechanism position at which the mechanism is spaced from the cylindrical member to enable transfer of the cylindrical member to and from the frame; a first printhead mounted on the frame to enable the first printhead to eject material onto the outer surface of the cylindrical member; a first driver operatively connected to the cylindrical member to rotate the outer surface past the first printhead; a second driver operatively connected the mechanism of the frame to move the frame between the first mechanism position and the second mechanism position; a third driver operatively connected to the first printhead, the third driver being configured to move the first printhead relative to the outer surface of the cylindrical member; a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a gap between the sensor and a layer of elected material most distant from the outer surface of the cylindrical member; and a controller operatively connected to the first printhead, the first driver, the second driver, the third driver, and the sensor, the controller being configured to: