Patent ID: 7920936

Claim:
A three dimensional object creation system for printing a three dimensional object comprised of layers stacked vertically with respect to each other, the system comprising: a series of printheads for printing the layers, the series of printheads simultaneously printing at least two layers of different vertical positions within the stack; and a semiconductor memory for storing data defining at least one layer, wherein the series of printheads are arranged in groups of one or more printheads per group, each group being fixedly positioned downstream of a preceding group with respect to the three dimensional object; and each group of printheads is adapted to print a layer at a predetermined vertical position within the stack, wherein upon failure of a group of printheads to print at a respective layer, each group of printheads downstream of the failed group of printheads is dynamically reconfigured to complete the printing of at least part of a layer preceding the respective layer that each subsequent group is configured to initially print to.