Patent ID: 8282380
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: B29C,B33Y

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a build platform including a surface that is rigid and substantially planar; a conveyor formed of a sheet of material that moves in a path passing through a working volume proximal to the surface of the build platform, thereby providing a working surface on the sheet of material within the working volume, the conveyor including a motor to move the sheet along the path; an extruder including a chamber to receive a build material and an extrusion tip that extrudes the build material at a controlled volumetric rate; a x-y-z positioning assembly adapted to three-dimensionally position the extrusion tip within the working volume, wherein the conveyor is coupled to and moves with the build platform relative to the x-y-z positioning assembly; and a controller electrically coupled to each of the build platform, the conveyor, the extruder, and the x-y-z positioning assembly, the controller operable to control the build platform, the conveyor, the extruder, and the x-y-z positioning assembly to fabricate an object in three-dimensions from the build material.