Patent ID: 9141015
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: B33Y,G03G

Abstract:
1. An additive manufacturing system for printing a three-dimensional part, the additive manufacturing system comprising: a development engine configured to develop layers from one or more materials; a transfer medium configured to move in a rotating manner, and to receive the developed layers from the development engine; a platform assembly configured to receive the developed layers from the transfer medium in a layer-by-layer manner to print the three-dimensional part from the layers received from the transfer medium; a first mechanism having one or more motor-operated rollers, wherein the first mechanism is engaged with the transfer medium at a first location that is downstream from the development engine and upstream from the platform assembly; and a second mechanism having one or more motor-operated rollers, wherein the second mechanism is engaged with the transfer medium at a second location that is downstream from the platform assembly and upstream from the development engine; wherein the first mechanism and the second mechanism maintain tension on the transfer medium such that the transfer medium rotates past the development engine at a substantially steady line speed while the platform assembly receives the developed layers from the transfer medium.