Benchmarking

P16512 - Simple Ink Jetting Station

Print Head Docking Station● Printhead installation and retaining mechanism (EP 1013434 A2)

○ Straight line travel of the printhead relative to the printhead docking station is ensured using guide posts or other guiding mechanisms.

○ Non-abrupt actuation, such as a screw drive actuator is used to translate the printhead relative to the docking station. The screw drive actuator is oriented at near right angles to the direction of translation of the printhead relative to the printhead docking station.

○ The printhead and the printhead docking station are then aligned so that electrical and fluid connections can be made concurrently.

○ During the installation, a consistent insertion force, such as a spring loaded toggle mechanism, is applied to the printhead, regardless of part tolerances.

http://www.google.com/patents/EP1013434A2?cl=en

UV Lamp Systems:

Black light Battery powered UV lamp UV emitting halide lamp

UV Lamp systems (cont.)

UV Lamp system with controller UV emitting LED UV emitting LED w/power supply

Linear Motionhttp://us.misumi-ec.com/vona2/mech/M0100000000/M0118000000/M0118030000/?searchFlow=results2category

http://us.misumi-ec.com/vona2/mech/M0100000000/M0118000000/M0118010000/

http://www.newport.com/Long-Travel-Motorized-Linear-Stages/1017125/1033/content.aspx

http://www.edmundoptics.com/optomechanics/translation-stages-slides/linear-rack-pinion-stages/metric-long-travel-linear-translation-stages-tracks/2441/

http://www.physikinstrumente.com/product-detail-page/ls-270-1202700.html

http://www.physikinstrumente.com/product-detail-page/vt-75-1206200.html

http://www.directindustry.com/prod/franke/product-9310-552858.html

Adjustment Systems

http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2015/09/start/uv-3d-printer-disrupting-3d-printing

Not much precision, only pitch and roll adjustments can be made

https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=7022

Very precise, capable of adjusting roll, pitch and yaw

Existing systems

Z and X axis screw drive

Y belt drive

http://www.makergeeks.com/prmei3rekitp.html

http://printrbot.com/shop/assembled-metal-printrbot-plus/

^ similar set up but nicer presentation

Motion control systems with sensors

The following is an existing system of linear motion sensing that could be employed

http://www.controleng.com/single-article/linear-position-sensor-for-oem-motion-control-applications/ef724d8550bd4b2007bd10680c504355.html

The system can integrated with PLCs and servo drives.

There also existing encoders that can be used to accomplish the motion sensing.

http://www.ifm.com/ifmnz/web/pinfo015_010_040.htm

Reads the rotational motion of the stepper motors as digital signals. Can be used for very accurate motion sensing