GB2561543A

GB2561543A - An additive manufacturing device and method

Info

Publication number: GB2561543A
Application number: GB1704661.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dixon Alistair; Noble Angus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-03-24
Filing date: 2017-03-24
Publication date: 2018-10-24
Also published as: GB201704661D0

Abstract

A additive manufacturing device (3D printer) comprising a platform 9, a dispensing head 3 configured to dispense a modelling material onto the platform, a gantry 5 configured to move the dispensing head relative to the platform, an apparatus 11 to maintain a liquid on the platform at a level approximate to the an outlet of the dispensing head and a thermostatic regulator configured to maintain the liquid at a predetermined temperature. Preferably the apparatus may comprises an open-top container 7. The platform may be fixed relative to the container or be able to move in the vertical direction with respect thereto. The dispensing head may print the container (7, Fig 6) on to the platform with the object (21, Fig 2) to be printed inside. The container may comprises an inlet 17 and/or outlet/over-flow 19 wherein the over-flow may be able to move in the vertical direction to vary the liquid in the container.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: An additive manufacturing device and method Abstract Title: AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING DEVICE AND METHOD (57) A additive manufacturing device (3D printer) comprising a platform 9, a dispensing head 3 configured to dispense a modelling material onto the platform, a gantry 5 configured to move the dispensing head relative to the platform, an apparatus 11 to maintain a liquid on the platform at a level approximate to the an outlet of the dispensing head and a thermostatic regulator configured to maintain the liquid at a predetermined temperature. Preferably the apparatus may comprises an open-top container 7. The platform may be fixed relative to the container or be able to move in the vertical direction with respect thereto. The dispensing head may print the container (7’, Fig 6) on to the platform with the object (21, Fig 2) to be printed inside. The container may comprises an inlet 17 and/or outlet/over-flow 19 wherein the over-flow may be able to move in the vertical direction to vary the liquid in the container.

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AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING DEVICE AND METHOD

The present invention relates generally to an additive manufacturing device and a method of additive manufacture and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in 3D printing.

A common problem with 3D printing various plastics is warping, which occurs when a printed layer is allowed to cool and thermally contract before the next layer is deposited. In particular, when hot expanded material is bonded on top of cold contracted material, large shear stresses are generated when the fresh material cools and contracts. Those inter-layer shear stresses then accumulate over many layers into largescale bending stresses that act to lift the edges of the printed product off the print bed, or in some cases the printed product may lift off the print bed entirely and/or may split between layers.

To prevent warping, the amount that a first layer is allowed to cool must be minimized before a second layer is deposited thereon. However, if the first layer is not permitted to cool sufficiently, the print product may sag, deform and/or creep. Therefore, it is important to closely control the amount that a printed product is cooled immediately after deposition.

An early solution was to heat the environment of the 3D printer to near the glass point of the material. However, the electrical and mechanical components comprising 3D printers (and human operators) are not optimized for this high temp, and in any event there is a significant energy cost in rapidly heating and cooling whole rooms in which 3D printers are located.

More recently, heated build chambers have been used that surround only the part being produced. The dispensing head extends into the chamber; however, the rest of the 3D printer is in thermal isolation, separated by a deformable thermal insulator.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an additive manufacturing device, the device comprising: a platform; a dispensing head configured to dispense a modelling material onto the platform; a gantry configured to move the dispensing head relative to the platform; an apparatus configured to maintain liquid on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and a thermostatic regulator configured to maintain the liquid on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

In this way, by using a liquid to maintain the temperature of the recently dispensed modelling material at a predetermined temperature, the requirement to construct a substantially air-tight build chamber incorporating a deformable thermal insulator, in order to thermally isolate the rest of the additive manufacturing device is avoided. This also allows external (e.g. user or automated) access to the dispensing head during the additive manufacturing process (for example, to permit cleaning).

In addition, the higher heat capacity of liquids (compared to air) enables much improved thermal stability around the dispensed modelling material and/or on the platform, and the higher thermal conductivity of liquids (compared to air) permits more rapid cooling of the recently-dispensed modelling material down to the predetermined temperature from the dispensed temperature.

The apparatus may be configured to maintain liquid on the platform at a level immediately below the dispensing head (or the outlet thereof) when dispensing modelling material therefrom. By holding the liquid level immediately below the dispensing head enables the air immediately above the liquid level to be much cooler than the predetermined temperature, also permits more rapid cooling of the recentlydispensed modelling material down to the predetermined temperature from the dispensed temperature.

Additive manufacturing may comprise adding and/or joining sequential layers of modelling material to form a 3D object. Additive manufacturing may include fused deposition modelling, Material Extrusion and/or Material Jetting.

The device may be an additive manufacturing machine, a 3D printer and/or a robot.

The platform may comprise a print base, and/or a substantially flat surface.

The dispensing head may comprise a nozzle for extruding modelling material therefrom. The outlet may comprise such a nozzle.

Dispensing may comprise depositing and/or extrusion.

The modelling material may comprise a thermoplastic and/or thermosoftening plastic. The modelling material may comprise ABS, PET, PLA, acetal, PEEK, polycarbonate, nylon, wax, epoxy resin (for instance UV cure epoxy resin) and/or polyester resin. The modelling material may comprise a thermoset resin; in this way, no heat is required to liquefy, and may therefore be disposed from a pressurised container through a nozzle.

The dispensing head may be configured to dispense the modelling material directly onto the platform, and/or may be configured to dispense the modelling material substantially above the platform, such that modelling material thus dispensed resides on modelling material previously dispensed onto the platform.

The gantry may be configured to move the dispensing head in a first direction substantially parallel to the platform and/or in a second direction substantially parallel to the platform and substantially at right angles to the first direction. The gantry may be configured to move the dispensing head substantially toward and/or substantially away from the platform.

The predetermined temperature may be approximately equal to a solidification temperature, a freezing temperature, a creep relaxation temperature and/or a glasstransition temperature of the modelling material. The predetermined temperature may be below the solidification temperature of the modelling material. The predetermined temperature may be below the freezing temperature of the modelling material. The predetermined temperature may be above the creep relaxation temperature of the modelling material. The predetermined temperature may be below the glass-transition temperature of the modelling material.

The thermostatic regulator may comprise a thermostat and/or a temperature sensor. The thermostatic regulator may comprise a heater (for instance an immersion heater, and/or a heater configured to heat the platform), for heating the liquid, for instance in response to a determination that a temperature of the liquid is below the predetermined temperature. Alternatively or additionally, the thermostatic regulator may comprise at least one inlet for receiving liquid substantially above the predetermined temperature, liquid substantially at the predetermined temperature and/or liquid substantially below the predetermined temperature. For example, the thermostatic regulator may comprise three such inlets for each temperature of liquid.

The liquid may have a boiling point substantially above the melting point and/or the glass-transition temperature of the modelling material.

The liquid may be water, in particular fresh water, pure water, distilled water, deionised water, tap water, and/or drinking water. The water may be substantially free from salt and/or other impurities. In this way, deposition of impurities within the build chamber can be limited. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid may comprise oils, for example vegetable oil and/or mineral oil, esters, glycols, water additive mixes and/or oil additive mixes.

The apparatus may be configured to maintain liquid on the platform at a predetermined minimum distance below the dispensing head. For instance, when dispensing modelling material therefrom, the printing head may be spaced from the level of the liquid by said minimum distance; however, when moving between dispensing locations above the product being formed, the dispensing head may be optionally permitted to move away from the surface of the liquid. The minimum distance may be between 0.5mm and 5mm, in particular between 1mm and 2mm, more particularly approximately 1.5mm.

The apparatus may further comprise an open-top container enclosing a region above the platform within which the dispensing head is configured to dispense the modelling material.

The device may be configured to dispense modelling material onto the platform to form a container enclosing a region above the platform within which the dispensing head is configured to dispense the modelling material.

In this way, a container may be formed of suitable dimensions to accommodate the product to be printed therein. The container may be printed at the same rate as the product therein, such that the top of the container wall is substantially level with the top of the product throughout the printing process. The dispensing head may be configured to dispense more than one type of modelling material, for instance to create composite products and/or to construct the container wall from a different material.

The container is arranged to be fixed in relation to the platform. In this way, the liquid level within the container may be raised or lowered to be just below the current layer being printed.

The platform is configured to be movable in a vertical direction in relation to the container. In this way, the platform may move up and/or down within the container, such that the current layer being printed may be raised or lowered to be just above the liquid level.

The container may comprise at least one liquid inlet/outlet. In this way, liquid may be permitted to enter and/or exit the container through the at least one liquid inlet/outlet. The at least one inlet/outlet may comprise only one inlet/outlet. The at least one inlet/outlet may comprise at least one inlet and/or at least one outlet. Any of the at least one inlet/outlet(s) may be bi-directional; that is, permitting liquid flow therethrough in either direction. In contrast, any of the at least one inlet/outlet(s) may be unidirectional; that is, permitting liquid flow therethrough in only one respective direction.

Liquid flow through any of the at least one inlet/outlet(s) may be substantially continuous during operation of the device. Any one of the at least one inlet/outlet(s) may be provided with a pump for driving the flow of liquid therethrough. Any one of the at least one inlet/outlet(s) may be provided with a valve for permitting the flow of liquid under pressure therethrough. The pump and/or the valve may be controlled by a controller.

The controller may control the or each pump and/or the valve in response to a detected level of liquid within the container (e.g. by optical, laser, acoustic and/or pressure sensor), a detected temperature of the liquid within the container and/or a signal from the thermostatic regulator.

The at least one liquid inlet/outlet may comprise a liquid overflow. In this way, the liquid level within the container may be controlled by the level of the liquid overflow.

The liquid overflow may be moved in a substantially vertical direction to vary the level of liquid with the container.

The apparatus may further comprise at least one reservoir for supplying liquid to/from the container via the at least one inlet/outlet.

The at least one reservoir may comprise only one reservoir, or may comprise a plurality of reservoirs holding liquid of different temperatures. Any one of the at least one reservoir(s) may comprise a mains water supply.

Any of the at least one inlet/'outlet(s) may be supplied with liquid under pressure, for instance from the at least one reservoir. The pressure may be provided by gravity.

The thermostatic regulator may comprise a heater. The heater may be configured to heat liquid within the container directly. The heater may be configured to heat liquid within the reservoir.

The surface of the liquid may be covered by a plurality of floating beads, for instance made from a plastics material. In this way, heat may be retained within the liquid.

Alternatively of additionally, the surface of the liquid may be covered by a layer of a further liquid having a lower density than that of the liquid. For example, a layer of oil may be placed on top of the water. In this way, evaporation of the liquid would be inhibited.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for use with an additive manufacturing device of the kind comprising: a platform; a dispensing head configured to dispense a modelling material onto the platform; a gantry configured to move the dispensing head relative to the platform; the system comprising: an apparatus configured to maintain liquid on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and a thermostatic regulator configured to maintain the liquid on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of additive manufacture, the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus according to the first aspect; dispensing modelling material onto the platform with the dispensing head; moving the dispensing head relative to the platform with the gantry; maintaining liquid on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and maintaining the liquid on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an additive manufacturing device, the device comprising: a platform; a dispensing head configured to dispense a modelling material onto the platform; a gantry configured to move the dispensing head relative to the platform; an apparatus configured to maintain a fluidized bed on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and a thermostatic regulator configured to maintain the fluidized bed on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for use with an additive manufacturing device of the kind comprising: a platform; a dispensing head configured to dispense a modelling material onto the platform; a gantry configured to move the dispensing head relative to the platform; the system comprising: an apparatus configured to maintain a fluidized bed on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and a thermostatic regulator configured to maintain the fluidized bed on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of additive manufacture, the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus according to the fourth aspect; dispensing modelling material onto the platform with the dispensing head; moving the dispensing head relative to the platform with the gantry; maintaining a fluidized bed on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and maintaining the fluidized bed on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

The fluidized bed may comprise a solid-gas mix, and/or a solid-liquid mix. In particular, the fluidized bed may comprise a powder and/or air.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first device, shown at the beginning of the additive manufacturing process.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first device, shown at an intermediate stage of the additive manufacturing process.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first device, shown at a further intermediate stage of the additive manufacturing process.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first device, shown at the end of the additive manufacturing process.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second device, shown at the beginning of the additive manufacturing process.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second device, shown at an intermediate stage of the additive manufacturing process.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second device, shown at the end of the additive manufacturing process.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a third device, shown at the beginning of the additive manufacturing process.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the third device, shown at an intermediate stage of the additive manufacturing process.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the third device, shown at a further intermediate stage of the additive manufacturing process.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the third device, shown at the end of the additive manufacturing process.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term “connected”, used in the description, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device A connected to a device B” should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Connected” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. For instance, wireless connectivity is contemplated.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first device comprising a support frame 1, a dispensing head 3 disposed on a movable gantry 5, a liquid-filled container 7, in which is provided a vertically-movable platform 9. The means by which the platform 9 is vertically movable is not crucial to the present invention; however, hydraulic and/or telescopic support tubes 11 are shown for illustrative purposes.

A reservoir 13 is provided that holds a supply of liquid to be pumped via pump 15 and inlet supply tube 17 to the container 7. An overflow pipe 19 takes any excess liquid from the container 7 and returns it to the reservoir 13 so as to maintain the level of liquid within the container 7 constant. The pump 15 works continuously or intermittently, to ensure that liquid within the container 7 is well mixed and of a uniform temperature. A heating element within the reservoir 13 (not shown for clarity) ensures that liquid introduced into the container 7 is at a predetermined temperature.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first device, shown at an intermediate stage of the additive manufacturing process. As can be seen, the platform 9 has been lowered to allow a series of layers of modelling material (dispensed by the dispensing head 3) to be built up to form a product 21. As each layer is built up, the platform 9 is lowered to move the recently deposited layer below the surface of the liquid 23.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first device, shown at a further intermediate stage of the additive manufacturing process in which the platform 9 has been lowered further into the liquid to allow additional layers of modelling material to be added to the product 21.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first device, shown at the end of the additive manufacturing process, where the dispensing head 3 has been moved to one side, so that the platform 9 can be lifted clear of the liquid so that the product 21 can be removed therefrom.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second device, where similar reference numerals have been used to indicate similar elements. Notably, the second device does not include a container. Rather, the inlet supply pipe 17 and overflow pipe 19 pass directly through the platform 9, ending just below the platform's uppermost surface in the position shown in figure 5.

In addition to forming the product (hidden from view in Figure 6), the dispensing head 3 also produces a containing wall 7' around the product, into which liquid may be pumped via inlet supply pipe 17. Inlet supply pipe 17 is extensible/contractible, for instance telescopically, or it may be flexible, such that fluid is always introduced within the containing wall at the level of the platform 9. In contrast, the overflow pipe 19 is fixed, such that the liquid level within the containing wall is always maintained constant.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second device, shown at the end of the additive manufacturing process with the product and the containing wall 7' complete and ready for removal from the platform 9.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a third device, again where similar reference numerals have been used to indicate similar elements. In this arrangement, the gantry 5 is configured to move the dispensing head 3 in a vertical direction in addition to the two horizontal directions, and the platform 9 is fixed in position at the bottom of the container 7.

Figure 9 shows how, in the third device, the liquid level 23 rises with the dispensing head 3, due to movement of the overflow pipe 19 by motor 25.

Figure 10 shows the liquid level 23 in the third device having risen higher still, with the product 21 nearing completion.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the third device, shown at the end of the additive manufacturing process, with the dispensing head 3 moved to one side, and the liquid having been removed by the lowered overflow pipe 19, so that the product 21 may be removed from the platform 9.

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing device, the device comprising: a platform;

a dispensing head configured to dispense a modelling material onto the platform;

a gantry configured to move the dispensing head relative to the platform; an apparatus configured to maintain liquid on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and a thermostatic regulator configured to maintain the liquid on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

2. The additive manufacturing device of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises an open-top container enclosing a region above the platform within which the dispensing head is configured to dispense the modelling material.

3. The additive manufacturing device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the device is configured to dispense modelling material onto the platform to form a container enclosing a region above the platform within which the dispensing head is configured to dispense the modelling material.

4. The additive manufacturing device of any preceding claim, wherein the container is arranged to be fixed in relation to the platform.

5. The additive manufacturing device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the platform is configured to be movable in a vertical direction in relation to the container.

6. The additive manufacturing device of any one of claims 2 to 3, or any one of claims 4 to 5 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the container comprises at least one liquid inlet/outlet.

7.

The additive manufacturing device of claim 6, wherein the at least one liquid inlet/outlet comprises a liquid overflow.

8. The additive manufacturing device of claim 7, wherein the liquid overflow may be moved in a substantially vertical direction to vary the level of liquid with the container.

9. The additive manufacturing device of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one reservoir for supplying liquid to/from the container via the at least one inlet/outlet.

10. The additive manufacturing device of any preceding claim, wherein the thermostatic regulator comprises a heater.

11. The additive manufacturing device of claim 10 when dependent directly or indirectly on any one of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the heater is configured to heat liquid within the container directly.

12. The additive manufacturing device of claim 10 or claim 11, when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 9, wherein the heater is configured to heat liquid within the reservoir.

13. A system for use with an additive manufacturing device of the kind comprising: a platform; a dispensing head configured to dispense a modelling material onto the platform; a gantry configured to move the dispensing head relative to the platform; the system comprising:

an apparatus configured to maintain liquid on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and a thermostatic regulator configured to maintain the liquid on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

14. A method of additive manufacture, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12; dispensing modelling material onto the platform with the dispensing head; moving the dispensing head relative to the platform with the gantry; maintaining liquid on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and maintaining the liquid on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

15. An additive manufacturing device, the device comprising: a platform;

a gantry configured to move the dispensing head relative to the platform; an apparatus configured to maintain a fluidized bed on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and a thermostatic regulator configured to maintain the fluidized bed on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

16. A system for use with an additive manufacturing device of the kind comprising: a platform; a dispensing head configured to dispense a modelling material onto the platform; a gantry configured to move the dispensing head relative to the platform; the system comprising:

an apparatus configured to maintain a fluidized bed on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and a thermostatic regulator configured to maintain the fluidized bed on the platform at a temperature substantially equal to a predetermined temperature.

17. A method of additive manufacture, the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus according to claim 15;

dispensing modelling material onto the platform with the dispensing head; moving the dispensing head relative to the platform with the gantry;

maintaining a fluidized bed on the platform at a level approximately equal to an outlet of the dispensing head when dispensing modelling material therefrom; and maintaining the fluidized bed on the platform at a temperature substantially 5 equal to a predetermined temperature.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1704661.6 Examiner: Mr James Tagg