WO2020053694A1

WO2020053694A1 - An additive manufacturing machine, system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2020053694A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/057317
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sean Nicholas POOLE
Original assignee: Provolution (Pty) Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-13
Filing date: 2019-08-30
Publication date: 2020-03-19

Abstract

3D printer/additive manufacturing machine (14.1-14.7). The machine (14.1-14.7) includes a bed (20) on which an article can be manufactured, a manufacturing arrangement (22) which is configured to manufacture an article on the bed (20), and a control module (24) which is configured to control the operation of the manufacturing arrangement (22). The control module (24) is configured to (a) receive/retrieve/obtain instructions to manufacture a particular article (200), (b) determine/retrieve/establish dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured (202, 204), and (c) determine whether there is space available on the bed (20) to manufacture the particular article by using the dimensional information (206). If space is available, the control module (24) allocates a particular space on the bed (20) for manufacturing the article (208) and then manufactures the particular article in that space (212).

Description

AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING MACHINE, SYSTEM AND METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine, system and network. The invention also relates to a 3D printing/additive manufacturing method.

Current 3D printers cater well for 1 -off prototyping. The typical process includes (a) activating a print process, (b) waiting for the part to print, (c) once complete, removing the part from the print bed, and (d) then initiating the print process again. This process is repeated until all required parts are printed.

This process can however be very time-consuming when a large number of parts/products need to be printed and when a number of additional printing jobs are received, while the printer is still busy with a previous printing job. The Inventor wishes to address this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine which includes:

a bed on which an article can be manufactured during operation; a manufacturing arrangement which is configured to manufacture an article on the bed; and a control module which is configured to control the operation of the manufacturing arrangement, wherein the control module is configured to receive/retrieve/obtain instructions to manufacture a particular article,

determine/retrieve/establish dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured, and

determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article by using the dimensional information, and if so, allocating a particular space on the bed for manufacturing the article and then manufacturing the particular article in that space.

A “module”, in the context of the specification, includes an identifiable portion of code, computational or executable instructions, or a computational object to achieve a particular function, operation, processing, or procedure. A module may be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, modules need not necessarily be consolidated into one device.

The 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine may be for manufacturing an article(s) through Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine may therefore be a FFF machine. It should therefore be clear that the“additive manufacturing” and“3D printing” includes FFF.

The manufacturing arrangement may be configured to manufacture the article on the bed layer-by-layer.

The bed may be a print bed. The print bed may define a flat/planar surface.

The manufacturing arrangement may include a manufacturing head which is configured to manufacture the article by using source material. The manufacturing head may be a print head for printing the article layer-by- layer. The manufacturing arrangement may include a movement arrangement which is configured to move/displace the manufacturing head, relative to the bed, in order to manufacture an article. The movement arrangement may more specifically be configured to move/displace the manufacturing head, relative to the bed in at least two, preferably three, dimensions. The axes may be arranged perpendicular relative to one another (e.g. an X, Y and Z axis).

The manufacturing arrangement may be configured such that, when a first article has previously been manufactured and is still present on the bed, it is capable of printing a second article next to the first article on the bed.

The machine may define a printing space within which an article can be manufactured by the manufacturing arrangement, wherein the printing space extends upwardly from the bed. The manufacturing arrangement may include an elongate member which is connected to the movement arrangement and which extends downwardly toward the bed. The manufacturing head may be connected to a lower free end of the elongate member.

A length of the elongate member may be sufficient in order to allow an article to be manufactured in the printing space, while the movement arrangement remains located outside the printing space during the entire manufacturing of the article. More specifically, a distance between (a) the manufacturing head and (b) an upper end of the elongate member which is connected to the movement arrangement may be at least equal to a height of the manufacturing space, wherein the height of the manufacturing space is measured upwardly from the bed.

The manufacturing arrangement may include a feeder for feeding source material to the manufacturing head in order to manufacture an article. The source material may be filament. The feeder may therefore be a filament feeder. More specifically, the feeder may be a dual filament feeder. The dual filament feeder may use two different sources for source material, in order to manufacture an article.

The machine may include an illumination arrangement (e.g. an LED bed) which is operatively connected to the control module, wherein the illumination arrangement is configured to illuminate different parts/areas of the bed in order to indicate which area(s) on the bed is/are available for printing and which are not available. The illumination arrangement may also be configured to identify to the user a specific article(s)/part(s) which has already been manufactured. More specifically, the illumination arrangement may be configured to identify to the user a specific part(s)/area(s) of the bed on which an article(s) has/have already been manufactured. The illumination arrangement may be incorporated/form part of the bed.

The control module may be configured to determine/retrieve/establish dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured by: analysing instructions (computer/processor-readable instructions) for printing the particular article; and

determining at least two dimensions of the particular article.

The control module may be configured to determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article based on the two dimensions, and if so, allocate a particular space on the bed for manufacturing the article.

The control module may be configured to determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article by comparing the dimensional information with an amount of available space on the bed.

The control module may be configured to determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article by comparing the dimensional information, as well as dimensional/size information on the manufacturing head, with an amount of available space on the bed. The dimensional information on the manufacturing head may include at least two dimensions of the manufacturing head (e.g. an X and Y dimension (when viewed perpendicular to a plane in which the bed extends)).

The machine may include a database which includes information on available and unavailable space on the bed.

The control module may be configured, when the particular space on the bed has been allocated, storing information on the database of the machine which indicates that the particular space has been allocated for the particular article and is unavailable.

The control module may be configured to determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article by comparing the dimensional information on the article and on the manufacturing head with information on available and unavailable space on the bed stored on the database.

The control module may be configured to divide the bed into a grid which includes a plurality of grid sections on which articles can be manufactured. The control module may be configured to store information on each grid section as being available or unavailable. The control module may then be configured to determine whether there is space available on the bed by analysing the available grid sections.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a 3D printing/additive manufacturing method, wherein the method includes: receiving/retrieving/obtaining, by using a processor, instructions to manufacture a particular article;

determining/retrieving/establishing, by using a processor, dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured; and determining, by using a processor, whether there is space available on a bed of a 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine on which articles can be manufactured, to manufacture the particular article by utilising the dimensional information, and if so, allocating a particular space on the bed for manufacturing the article.

The method may be a Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) manufacturing method.

The method may be for manufacturing articles layer-by-layer.

The method may more specifically be a printing/additive manufacturing method for printing articles on a plurality of 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines. The plurality of 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines may form a network of 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines.

The step of determining whether there is space available may more specifically include:

determining whether there is space available on a bed of any one of the 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines on which articles can be manufactured, to manufacture the particular article by utilising the dimensional information, and if so, allocating a particular space on the bed with available space, for manufacturing the article.

determining whether there is space available on a bed of a particular 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine, which forms part of the plurality of 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines, on which articles can be manufactured, in order to manufacture the particular article by utilising the dimensional information; and

if not, determining whether there is space available on a bed of one of the other 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines which forms part of the plurality of 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines. The step of determining/retrieving/establishing dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured may more specifically include: analysing instructions (e.g. computer/processor-readable instructions) for printing/manufacturing the particular article, and

determining at least two dimensions of the particular article.

The step of determining whether there is space available may more specifically include utilising the two dimensions. Even more specifically, the step of determining whether there is space available may include comparing the dimensional information with an amount of available space on the print bed.

The step of determining whether there is space available may include comparing the dimensional information, as well as dimensional/size information on a manufacturing head of the particular 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine, with an amount of available space on the print bed. The dimensional information on the manufacturing head may include at least two dimensions of the manufacturing head (e.g. an X and Y dimension (when viewed perpendicular to a plane in which the bed of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine extends)). More specifically, the dimensional information on the manufacturing head may include at least four dimensions of the manufacturing head relative to the printing nozzle (e.g. an X+ , X- and Y+, Y- dimension (when viewed perpendicular to a plane in which the bed of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine extends)).

The method may include, when the particular space on the bed has been allocated, storing information on a database which indicates that the particular space has been allocated for a particular article and is unavailable.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a 3D printing/additive manufacturing system/network which includes a plurality of 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines which are communicatively connected to one another to form a network,

wherein each 3D printers/additive manufacturing machine includes (a) a bed on which an article can be manufactured during operation, (b) a manufacturing arrangement which is configured to manufacture an article on the bed and a control module which is configured to control the operation of the manufacturing arrangement;

wherein at least one, preferably each, of the 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines includes a control module which is configured to control the operation of the manufacturing arrangement, wherein the control module is configured to

receive/retrieve/obtain instructions to manufacture a particular article,

determine/retrieve/establish dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured,

determine whether there is space available on its own bed to manufacture the particular article, by using the dimensional information, and if not, sending a request to one or more, preferably all, of the other 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines in order to determine if one of them have space available to print the particular article,

wherein, upon receipt of such a request, the other 3D printer(s)/additive manufacturing machine(s) is/are configured to (a) determine whether there is space available on its own bed to manufacture the particular article, by using the dimensional information, (b) and if so, send a response to the printer/additive manufacturing machine which sent the request to indicate that it has space available and proceed to manufacture the article.

Each 3D printers/additive manufacturing machine may be configured to print an article layer-by-layer.

The 3D printing/additive manufacturing system/network may be for manufacturing an article through Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines may be 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines in accordance with the first and/or fourth aspects of the invention.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine which includes:

a bed on which an article can be manufactured during operation; a manufacturing arrangement which is configured to manufacture an article on the bed;

a control module which is configured to control the operation of the manufacturing arrangement; and

a detection arrangement which is configured to detect the presence of one or more articles/objects on the bed to thereby identify unobstructed/available space on the bed,

wherein the control module is further configured to

receive/retrieve/obtain instructions to manufacture a particular article,

utilise the detection arrangement in order to determine if there is currently space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article,

and if so, manufacturing the particular article on an unobstructed/available space on the bed.

The manufacturing arrangement may be configured to manufacture an article layer-by-layer on the bed;

The 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine may be for manufacturing an article(s) through Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine may therefore be a FFF machine.

The control arrangement may more specifically be configured to:

determine/retrieve/establish dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured, and determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article by using the dimensional information and the detection arrangement, and if so, allocating a particular space on the bed for manufacturing the article.

The detection arrangement may include a sensor which is configured to detect the presence of one or more articles/objects on the bed. More specifically the detection arrangement may include an image capturing device, such as a camera (e.g. a video camera), which is oriented to capture an image(s) of the bed. The image capturing device may be mounted on, or form part of, a manufacturing head of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine. The detection arrangement may include one or more illumination sources/devices/articles (such as LED’s) for illuminating different parts/areas of the bed. The illumination source(s) may be incorporated into the bed itself. The sensor may be configured to determine whether one or more articles/objects is/are present on a particular part/area of the bed, by analysing an image(s) of the particular part/area, while it is being illuminated.

More specifically, the detection arrangement may be configured to instruct the control arrangement to move the manufacturing head over a particular part/area of the print bed. The detection arrangement may be further configured, when the manufacturing head is in position over the particular part/area, to utilise the illumination source(s) in order to illuminate the particular part/area. The image capturing device may then be configured to capture an image(s) of the particular part/area. The detection arrangement may be configured to analyse/utilise the captured image(s) in order to determine if an article/object is present on the particular part/area.

It should be noted that the 3D printing/additive manufacturing machine in accordance with the first aspect of the invention may include the detection arrangement described above in relation to the fourth aspect of the invention. In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a 3D printing/additive manufacturing system/network which includes:

a server/processing module; and

a plurality of 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines which are communicatively connected to the server/processing module and which are located at different physical locations remote from the server/processing module,

wherein the server/processing module is configured to

receive a request from user, via a communication network, to manufacture a particular article, wherein the request also indicates at which one of the physical locations, where a 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine is located, the article should be printed, and

send an instruction to the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine which is located at the indicated location to manufacture the article.

The 3D printer/additive manufacturing machines may be for manufacturing an article(s) through Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The 3D printer/additive manufacturing machines may therefore be FFF machines.

The server/processing module may include a database on which additive manufacturing files are stored, which can be read/executed by 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines, in order to manufacture different articles.

The request from a user may include an indication of a particular manufacturing file stored on the database. The server/processing module may be configured to send, by utilising the particular manufacturing file, manufacturing instructions to the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine which is located at the indicated location to manufacture an article which is associated with the indicated manufacturing file. In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of managing the manufacturing of articles through additive manufacturing whereby a plurality of additive manufacturing machines are located at different physical locations, wherein the method includes:

receiving a request from a user, via a communication network, to manufacture a particular article, wherein the request also indicates at which one of the physical locations the article should be printed; and

sending an instruction to the additive manufacturing machine which is located at the indicated location to manufacture the article.

The 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine may be for manufacturing an article(s) through Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The 3D printer/additive manufacturing machines may therefore be FFF machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1a shows a schematic layout of a 3D print/additive manufacturing system/network in accordance with the invention;

Figure 1 b shows a schematic layout of a 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine in accordance with the invention, which forms part of the network shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 2a shows a schematic illustration of a manufacturing bed of a

3D printer/additive manufacturing machine in accordance with the invention, which indicates available and unavailable space for manufacturing articles;

Figure 2b shows a schematic representation of a footprint of an article to be printed (i.e. its X and Y dimensions); Figure 2c shows a schematic representation of the footprint of the article as shown in Figure 2b, where the footprint has been increased in order to accommodate the size of a manufacturing head of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine;

Figure 2d shows a schematic illustration of the manufacturing bed in

Figure 2a, where the footprint shown in Figure 2c has been arranged in a space which is available on the print bed;

Figure 3 shows a simplified flow diagram which illustrates part of the operation of a 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 shows a simplified flow diagram of how an article, which has been manufactured by a 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine in accordance with the invention, can be selected and removed from the manufacturing bed of the printer/machine;

Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration of the manufacturing bed which highlights the specific area on which a particular manufactured article, which was selected by a user via a user interface, is located;

Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view of part of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine of Figure 1 b;

Figure 7 shows another three-dimensional view of part of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine of Figure 1 b;

Figure 8 shows a top view of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine of Figure 1 b;

Figure 9 shows a further three-dimensional view of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine of Figure 1 b; Figure 10 shows a further three-dimensional view of part of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine of Figure 1 b;

Figure 11 shows a side view of part of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine of Figure 1 b;

Figure 12 shows a side view of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine of Figure 1 b;

Figure 13 shows a three-dimensional view of a feeder of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine of Figure 1 b;

Figure 14 shows another three-dimensional view of the feeder of

Figure 13;

Figure 15 shows a top view of the feeder of Figure 13;

Figure 16 shows a bottom view of the feeder of Figure 13;

Figure 17 shows a simplified flow diagram of an object detection process of the 3D printer/additive manufacturing machine of Figure 1 b; and

Figure 18 shows a simplified flow diagram of the operation of the system of Figure 1 a, when a user utilises the system to print and collect a 3D printed article.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a 3D printing/additive manufacturing system/network (hereinafter only referred to as the “network”) which includes a plurality of 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines. More specifically, the 3D printers/additive manufacturing machines may be for manufacturing an article(s) through Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). For ease of reference, reference is hereinafter only made to“printers”. It should however be appreciated that whenever reference is made to a“printer”, it also applies to any other type of additive manufacturing machine. Similarly, when reference is made to“print" or“printing” it should be interpreted to also refer to any other type of manufacturing through an additive manufacturing process (i.e. by an additive manufacturing machine).

These printers can typically be located at different physical locations (e.g. various coffee shops). Preferably, a number of printers are located at each physical location. Each printer is configured to receive an instruction to print a particular article (e.g. to print the article layer-by-layer) and then checks whether, based on the physical dimensions of the article to be manufactured, there is currently space available on a bed (i.e. print bed) of the printer to print the article. Information on which areas of the bed are available in which are unavailable, is typically stored on a database of the printer. If there is space available on the bed, then the available area/space on the bed is allocated for the printing of the article. The printer then accordingly also marks the allocated area/space as “unavailable” and stores it on the database. The printer therefore essentially creates a map of the bed which indicates unavailable and available areas/spaces/zones.

The printer therefore, in essence, determines/establishes the amount of space required on the bed to manufacture an article and then determines whether the article can be printed based on the map which indicates which areas are available and which are unavailable.

If no space is available for printing the article, or the printer is currently busy printing, then the printer can communicate with other printers which form part of the network (in some instances, preferably those at the same location), in order to find out if one of them might have capacity (e.g space and time) for printing the article. Each of these other printers then also determines availability using the same process as set out above. These other printers can therefore, in essence, be seen as acting as a“slave” for the primary printer which received the original printing instruction.

Reference is now specifically made Figure 1 a. In Figure 1 , reference numeral 10 refers generally to a 3D printing network/system in accordance with the invention. It is again emphasised that reference to“printer” also extends to any other type of additive manufacturing machine. The network 10 includes a server/processing module/station 12 and a plurality of printers 14.1 -14.7 (collectively hereinafter referred to as“14”) which are connected to the server/processing module/station 12 via a communication network 100 (e.g. the Internet, a mobile communication network, or a combination of both). The printers 14 are typically located at different physical locations, such as coffee shops or printing shops. The printers 14 which are located at the same location (e.g. 14.1 -14.3) are typically communicatively connected to one another or connected to a central processor 15.1 , 15.2.

The server station 12 includes a server 16 and a database 18. The database 18 typically includes a plurality of printing files for printing various articles, e.g. for printing the articles layer-by-layer. These files may, for example, be g-codes or another file format which can be read/executed by a printer 14 in order to print a particular article.

Each printer 14 includes a bed (e.g. a print bed) 20 on which articles can be printed during operation (see Figure 1 b). The printer 14 also includes a manufacturing arrangement 22 which is configured to printer an article on the bed 20. In one example, the manufacturing arrangement 22 is configured to printer an article layer-by-layer on the bed 20. The printer 14 further includes a control module 24 which is configured to control the operation of the manufacturing arrangement 22. In addition, the printer 14 also includes a detection arrangement 25 which is configured to detect the presence of one or more articles/objects on the bed 20.

The bed 20 defines a flat printing surface 30 which extends substantially horizontally and on which articles can be printed layer by layer (see Figure 6). This surface 30 has a particular X and Y dimension within which articles can be manufactured. For example, the surface 30 may be 400mm X 400mm, which means that articles can only be printed within the 400mm X 400mm square. The printer 14 typically defines a three-dimensional printing space within which articles can be printed. The printing space typically extends upwardly from the surface 30. In other words, the manufacturing space has the same X and Y dimensions as the surface 30 and also includes a Z dimension which extends upwardly from the bed.

The manufacturing arrangement 22 includes a print head 32 for printing an article layer by layer. A feeder 34 may form part of, or be connected to, the head 32 in order to supply source material (e.g. filament) to the head 32 so that it can be used for printing the article.

In one example, the feeder 34 may be a dual filament feeder and be configured to help provide a constant supply of printer material by automatically switching between two filament supplies. The dual filament feeder consists of 2 feeder units 35.1 , 35.2 in parallel feeding into a single nozzle 33. The feeder 34 includes guide tube 35.3 which extends from 34.1 to the nozzle 33, a filament feeder motor 34.2, a guide tube 34.3 to act as a buffer, a proxy switch 34.4 to detect filament, a second filament feeder motor 34.5, and the actual filament supply 34.6. The following should be noted with respect to the feeder 34:

1 . The filament supply reel 34.6 is feed through the second feeder 35.2, then through the proxy switch 34.4, then the guide tube 34.3, then the first feeder 35.1 , and then through the guide tube 35.3 to the nozzle 33.

2. This process is repeated for the second set of feeder mechanism.

3. If the proxy switch is tripped on the active filament feeder, it is assumed that the material has run out.

4. This will then initiate a faded transition to using the alternative feeder.

5. The user is notified that a filament supply is empty.

6. The user will then need to trim the end filament to remove any kinks. 7. A new filament supply will be fed through the second feeder 35.2 and butt up against the trimmed filament.

8. The proxy switch 34.4 would then be reactivated to indicate that a new supply has been loaded.

9. Throughout process steps 5-8, the first feeder has held the filament firm to prevent any movement of filament supply to the nozzle 33.

10. Once the alternative feeder runs out of material, the initial feeder will supply material again.

The manufacturing arrangement 22 further includes a movement arrangement 36 which is configured to move/displace the head 32, relative to the bed 20, in order to print the different parts of the article layer by layer (see Figure 6). In other words, the movement arrangement 36 moves the head 32 to the various places where it should print part of a layer of the article to be manufactured.

The movement arrangement 36 includes a mounting plate 39 to which the head 32 is mounted. More specifically, the print head 32 is connected to an elongate member 37 which extends downwardly from the plate 39. The plate 39 is mounted on a first set of spaced-apart, parallel guide rails 38.1 , 38.2. The movement arrangement 36 also includes a drive/displacement unit 40 is mounted on the plate 39 and operatively connected to the one guide rail 38.2 in order to allow the drive unit 40 to displace the plate 39 (and therefore also the print head 32) along the length of the rails 38.1 , 38.2. When seen in top view, the rails 38.1 , 38.2 typically extend parallel to an X-axis/direction (see reference numeral 39 in Figure 8) of the bed 20. In other words, the drive unit 40 can be used to displace the head 32 along the X-axis/direction of the bed 20.

Respective ends of the first set of guide rails 38.1 , 38.2 are slidably mounted on a second set of guide rails 42.1 , 42.2 via two mounting members 43.1 , 43.2. The movement arrangement 36 further includes a drive/displacement unit 44 which is operatively connected to the mounting member 43.2 and which is configured to drive/displace the rails 38.1 , 38.2, the plate 39 and the head 32, along the length of the rails 42.1 , 42.2. When seen in top view, the rails 42.1 , 42.2 typically extend parallel to a Y- axis/direction (see reference numeral 45) of the bed 20. In other words, the drive unit 44 can be used to displace the head 32 along the Y-axis/direction of the bed 20. The first set of guide rails 38.1 , 38.2 are therefore angled perpendicular to the second set of guide rails 42.1 , 42.2.

The bed 20 is slidably mounted on a third set of guide rails 50.1 , 50.2 via two mounting arrangements 52.1 , 52.2. The movement arrangement 36 further includes a drive/displacement unit which is connected to, or forms part of, one of the mounting arrangements 52.1 , 52.2, and which is configured to drive/displace the bed 20 up and down along the length of the rails 50.1 , 50.2. When seen in side view, the rails 50.1 , 50.2 typically extend parallel to a Z-direction 55 of a printing space which extends upwardly from the bed 20 (see Figure 12). In other words, the drive unit can be used to displace the bed 20 along the Z direction so that the head 32 can print the article layer by layer. The bed 20 is therefore effectively moved slightly downwardly each time a new layer is to be printed.

It should be clear that the third set of guide rails 50.1 , 50.2 are angled perpendicular to the first and second sets of guide rails 38.1 , 38.2, 42.1 , 42.2.

It should be noted that the length of the elongate member 37 is such that the distance from one end of the elongate member 37 which is attached to the plate 39, to the head 32, is at least as long as the Z-dimension of the printing space. In other words, the distance from the plate 39 to the head 32 is sufficient in order to allow, after an article has been printed and is still present on the bed 20, to print another article next to it. This clearance is therefore enough in order to prevent the presence of a previously printed article on the bed 20 from interfering with the printing of a new article. The control module 24 is configured to control the operation of the manufacturing arrangement 22. More specifically, the control module 24 is configured to

receive an instruction to print a particular article,

determine, based on the dimensions of the article to be manufactured, as well as the dimensions of the print head, (more specifically the X and Y dimensions of both), whether there is space, and if space is available, allocate part of the available space on the bed required for manufacturing the particular article (e.g. the particular X and Y dimensions of the article to be manufactured (when viewed from above) for manufacturing the article.

This allocation process will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2a-3. The printer 14 will receive an instruction to print a particular article (at block 200). The instruction will typically include a g-code for the article. The g-code is then analysed (at block 202) in order to determine the article’s size in both the X and Y directions (when viewed from above), and therefore the size of the bed space required for printing the article (see Figures 2b (see reference numeral 80) and 3 specifically).

The size of a nozzle 33 of the head 32 is then added (at block 204) to the article’s size (again in the C+, X- and Y+, Y- directions) in order to determine the effective space required (generally indicated by reference numeral 81 ) in order for the nozzle 33 not to collide with other printed parts which might have been printed earlier and are still on the bed 20 (see also Figure 2c). The effective bed space 81 is then compared against available space on the bed 20 (at block 206) (see Figures 2a and 2d). In this regard, reference numeral 84 indicates unavailable space, while reference numeral 86 indicates available space.

If space is available on the bed 20 (at block 207), then part of the available bed space is assigned/allocated to the printing of this particular article (see Figures 2d and 3). The size of the bed space being assigned/allocated (see reference numeral 87) would obviously be equal to the effective bed space mentioned above in order to manufacture the article.

The allocated bed space 87 is then reclassified as unavailable/used (at block 208). The print que of the printer 14 is then reduced (by one item) by this print being processed (at block 210). The g-code is then printed in the available/allocated space by adding X and Y offsets to all X and Y coordinates in the g-code, in order to place the print within the identified “available” section of the bed 20 (at block 212).

The bed 20 can typically be an LED print bed which is configured to illuminate different sections/parts of the bed 20. The LED print bed may therefore serve as a type of illumination arrangement. In this regard, reference is specifically made to Figures 4 and 5. In order to remove the correct article from the printer 14 (after being manufactured), the printer 14 can include a user interface screen which can be utilised in order to select a particular printed article (or set of articles) to be collected. Once selected (at block 300), then the LED print bed 20 highlights the corresponding part/area 90 of the print bed 20 on which the selected article was printed (at block 302). This helps to ensure that the correct article is identified and collected. The article can then be removed from the bed 20 (at block 304). Once removed, the particular section/area 90 which was allocated for the removed article can now be reassigned (at block 306) as“available” bed space, so that it can be used for future printing jobs (at block 308).

The LED print bed may be configured to indicate (e.g. by using different colours) which spaces/areas on the bed 20 are available and which are not. For example, yellow areas could indicate used space; green areas could indicate available spaces (i.e. spaces which could be used for future prints); and orange areas could indicate areas which is currently being processed. The LED print bed could also display other information/functions such as print item groups (print job, or prints from a single user) or the next space to be used for printing. LED waste energy could also be used to heat the bed. As illustrated in Figure 1 , printers 14 can be connected to a single controller/processor 15.1 , 15.2. The controller 15.1 , 15.2 is configured, when receiving a printing instruction to print a particular article, to communicate with various printers 14 which are connected thereto, in order to determine which printer 14 has space available on its bed 20 for printing a particular article. For example, the controller 15.1 may receive a printing instruction via the communication network 100 to manufacture a particular article. Once received, the processor 15.1 will communicate with the three printers 14.1 -14.3 in order to determine which one of the printers 14.1 -14.3 currently has space available for the manufacturing. The determination of whether or not space is available is generally the same process as described above.

A plurality of processors 15.1 , 15.2 can be connected via a network 100 (e.g. the Internet) in order to increase the number of available printers 14 and the speed at which a large number of articles/parts can be printed. In other words, the processors 15.1 , 15.2 are communicatively connected to one another via the network 100 in order to determine the availability of bed space within this larger network 10. Some parts of a particular product (which should be printed separately) might therefore be printed on the printers 14.1 -14.3, while other parts may be printed at a different location by the printers 14.4-14.6.

The system 10 can typically be a cloud-based system whereby all printers 14 within the system 10 are connected to the cloud. In essence, the printers are each able to assign itself as a“slave” printer, for other printers. This process works as follows:

• A printer (e.g. Printer S) is configured to assign itself as a slave to another printer (e.g. Printer A).

• When Printer A has a print queue to process, it can broadcast a request for available bed space according to the size (i.e. X and Y dimensions) of the next print job in the queue. • If Printer S is not currently printing and has suitable available bed space, it can accept the print job from Printer A. If, however, Printer S is not currently printing but does not have available bed space, it can reject the print job from Printer A and request a new print object.

• If Printer S does have available space, then it will process the print job in the assigned available bed space. The assigned available bed space will then be marked as“usedTunavailable”. At the same time, Printer A will remove the said item from its own print queue and process the next item in its print queue.

Each printer 14 includes a detection arrangement 96 which is configured to detect the presence of one or more articles present on its bed 20. The detection arrangement 96 includes an image capturing device in the form of a video camera 49 which is connected above the print nozzle 33 (mounted on the plate 39) and directed downwardly in order to capture images of the print bed (and any articles which may be provided there on). The detection arrangement is typically configured, by way of software, to instruct the movement arrangement 36 to move the nozzle 33 above an area of the bed 20 to be tested (see Figure 17) (at block 500). This particular area may, for example, have been selected by the user/client via a user interface.

The detection arrangement 96 then instructs the LED bed 20 to illuminate the particular area of the bed (at block 502) by flashing the LEDs in that particular area on and off. The detection arrangement 96 then utilises the camera 49 in order to try and detect the flashing (at block 504). If no flashing is detected, then the detection arrangement 96 determines that an article is present in the particular area on the bed 20 (at block 506). If the camera however detects the flashing, then the detection arrangement 96 determines that no object is present on the particular area on the bed 20 (at block 508). This process can be repeated for each area on the bed 20 in order to determine on which areas on the bed 20 objects might be located and which areas might be free from objects. The network/system 10 is typically configured to provide a user interface which can be accessed via a network, such as the Internet. More specifically, the server 16 (or another server) typically hosts a web interface which can be accessed by users/clients, via the web/Internet, by using a computer 104 or mobile communication device 102. More specifically, the network/system 10 can include a mobile application which can be downloaded onto the mobile communication devices (e.g. smart phones) of users/clients in order to access the network/system 10.

Reference is now specifically made to Figures 1 a and 18. The user will typically use his computer or smart device to log into the network/system 10 by providing an appropriate username and password (at block 600). In other words, only registered users will typically be able to utilise the network/system 10. The network/system 10 will therefore provide the option to register on the network/system 10 by providing suitable registration information such as a username, password and suitable payment information for making an online payment.

Once logged in, the user is provided with three main options (at block 602). The first option is to access a private library of g-codes which are ready to print. The second option is to access a public library of g-codes ready to print. The third option relates to access codes being generated. Each of these options is now described in more detail below.

The first option typically relates to 3-D print designs which the user/client created himself and uploaded it onto his own private library. All the files included in the private library are typically saved on a database, such as database 18, and are only accessible by the client himself (i.e. not others). If this option is selected, then the user is provided with the option to initiate/select the g-code print file (i.e. select the print from its private library) and indicate the number of copies which should be printed (at block 604). This information is then sent as part of a printing request to the server 16. Upon receiving the print request, the server 16 communicates with the processors 15.1 , 15.2 and printer 14.7 in order to identify any available space on one of the associated printers 14 (at block 606). This process of identifying available space has already been described earlier in the specification. In a slight alternative, the request can also include an indication from the user as to which location should be used for the printing, for example Coffee Shop A. In this instance, the server 12 will communicate only with the processor 15.1 in order to identify available space on one of the printers 14.1 -14.3. In addition to receiving a response from the processors 15.1 , 15.2 or printer 14.7 which indicates that space is available, the response can also specify an estimated completion time. The completion time can typically be determined based on the printing queue of the associated printer(s) and the amount of time the actual printing will take. The completion time calculation can typically be calculated by the printer 14 or one of the processors 15.1 , 50.2.

Once a response has been received from one of the processors 15.1 , 15.2 (or printer 14.7) to indicate that space is available, then the server 16 sends details on the location of the printer(s)s 14 which can print the particular article(s) and also provide the expected completion time for the print(s) (at block 608). The user will then be provided with the option to either accept or decline the print job (at block 610). If it accepts the print job, then the user will be presented with the option to pay for the printing by making use of an online payment platform (at block 612). Online payment platforms are well known and are therefore not be described in more detail. Once payment has been finalised, then the identified printer(s) 14 will be instructed by the server 16 to proceed with the printing. While the printing is in progress, the camera mounted on the printer 14 can be used to capture video of the actual printing and send it to the user via the server 16 (at block 614). The user will therefore be able to monitor the progress of the printing via the camera which effectively functions as a web cam.

Once the printing is complete, the server 12 notifies the user (e.g. by a mobile app, SMS or email) that the printing is complete and ready for collection (at block 616). The notification will also include a collection code which the user/client can use when collecting the print(s).

The user will then go to the specific location (e.g. at Coffee Shop A) in order to collect the print(s). The user will typically enter the collection code (at block 617) via a user interface provided at the location, which is linked to the processor 15.1. By entering the collection code, the associated print(s) will be displayed via the LED bed 20 in the same manner as described above (see also Figure 4). This will help prevent users from collecting the wrong items.

The second option (see block 602) is to access a public library of g-codes which are also ready to print. In other words, the system 10 includes a public library having a plurality of g-codes which can be accessed by all the registered users. In this instance, a small commission fee can typically be raised when printing a g-code from the public library. This commission fee would typically be included in the printing cost which will be raised against the user/client for printing an article associated with the g-code.

A user can typically select whether to make a particular g-code which he uploaded himself onto the system 10 either private or public. Users are therefore able to remove any of their g-codes from the public library by switching their status from public to private. The user can also set a commission fee for all his personal g-codes which have a public status. This commission fee will therefore be payable to him personally when another user prints one of his g-codes. This commission fee will therefore help incentivise users to make g-codes available to the public, thereby also providing other users with more printing options.

The third option (at block 602) allows users to generate an access code (at block 618) which can be provided to third parties (other users) in order to allow them to upload g-codes which are ready to print to the user’s account/private library. The user will then be able to print these files from his/her private libraries, whenever needed. The generation of the access code can typically be implemented by the server 16.

The Inventor believes that the present invention provides an effective way of increasing the effectiveness and productivity of 3D printers. The invention not only provides an effective solution for a single 3-D printer, but also provides an effective way of utilising a network of 3-D printers to print a large number of articles at the same time. The invention further also provides an effective way of allowing users to utilise printers from another system in order to (a) print articles, (b) monitor the progress of the printing and (c) collecting the relevant articles.

Furthermore, since the files in the public library are accessible to print directly without any technical knowledge (no processing/slicing of CAD design into machine files) the accessibility increases to anyone who is able to log into the system and process an order.

The proposed 3D printing hardware and software of the invention also allows for the continuous processing of parts while making maximum utility of the bed space and requiring minimal operator intervention. The software will also allow for utilisation of all printing hardware connected to the system to process the print queue in the quickest possible time.

Claims

1 . An additive manufacturing machine which includes:

a bed on which an article can be manufactured during operation; a manufacturing arrangement which is configured to manufacture an article on the bed; and

a control module which is configured to control the operation of the manufacturing arrangement, wherein the control module is configured to receive/retrieve/obtain instructions to manufacture a particular article,

2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the manufacturing arrangement includes a manufacturing head which is configured to manufacture the article by using source material.

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein the manufacturing head is a print head for printing the article layer-by-layer.

4. The machine of claim 2, wherein the control module is configured to determine/retrieve/establish dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured by:

analysing computer-readable instructions for printing the particular article; and

determining at least two dimensions of the particular article.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the control module is configured to determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article based on the two dimensions, and if so, allocate a particular space on the bed for manufacturing the article.

6. The machine of claim 5, wherein the control module is configured to determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article by comparing the dimensional information with an amount of available space on the bed.

7. The machine of claim 6, wherein the control module is configured to determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article by comparing the dimensional information, as well as dimensional/size information on the manufacturing head, with an amount of available space on the bed.

8. The machine of claim 7, wherein the dimensional information on the manufacturing head includes at least two dimensions of the manufacturing head.

9. The machine of claim 8, wherein the two dimensions of the manufacturing head are X and Y dimensions, when viewed perpendicular to a plane in which the bed extends.

10. The machine of claim 9, which includes a database which includes information on available and unavailable space on the bed, and wherein the control module is configured, when the particular space on the bed has been allocated, storing information on the database of the machine which indicates that the particular space has been allocated for the particular article and is unavailable.

1 1. The machine of claim 10, wherein the control module is configured to determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article by comparing the dimensional information on the article and on the manufacturing head with information on available and unavailable space on the bed stored on the database.

12. The machine of claim 1 1 , wherein the control module is configured to:

divide the bed into a grid which includes a plurality of grid sections on which articles can be manufactured;

store information on each grid section as being available or unavailable; and

determine whether there is space available on the bed by analysing the available grid sections.

13. The machine of claim 3, wherein the manufacturing arrangement includes a movement arrangement which is configured to move/displace the manufacturing head, relative to the bed, in order to manufacture an article.

14. The machine of claim 13,

wherein the machine defines a printing space within which an article can be manufactured by the manufacturing arrangement, wherein the printing space extends upwardly from the bed;

wherein the manufacturing arrangement includes an elongate member which is connected to the movement arrangement and which extends downwardly toward the bed; and

wherein the manufacturing head is connected to a lower free end of the elongate member.

15. The machine of claim 14, wherein a length of the elongate member is sufficient in order to allow an article to be manufactured in the printing space, while the movement arrangement remains located outside the printing space during the entire manufacturing of the article.

16. The machine of claim 15, wherein a distance between (a) the manufacturing head and (b) an upper end of the elongate member which is connected to the movement arrangement, is at least equal to a height of the manufacturing space, wherein the height of the manufacturing space is measured upwardly from the bed.

17. The machine of claim 14, wherein the manufacturing arrangement includes a feeder for feeding source material to the manufacturing head in order to manufacture an article, and wherein the source material is filament.

18. The machine of claim 17, wherein the machine includes an illumination arrangement which is operatively connected to the control module, wherein the illumination arrangement is configured to illuminate different parts/areas of the bed in order to indicate which area(s) on the bed is/are available for printing and which are not available, and wherein the illumination arrangement is further configured to identify to the user a specific part/area of the bed on which an article has already been manufactured.

19. An additive manufacturing method, wherein the method includes:

a) receiving/retrieving/obtaining, by using a processor, instructions to manufacture a particular article;

b) determining/retrieving/establishing, by using a processor, dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured; and

c) determining, by using a processor, whether there is space available on a bed of an additive manufacturing machine on which articles can be manufactured, to manufacture the particular article by utilising the dimensional information, and if so, allocating a particular space on the bed for manufacturing the article.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein step (c) more specifically includes: determining whether there is space available on a bed of any one of a plurality of printers/additive manufacturing machines on which articles can be manufactured, to manufacture the particular article by utilising the dimensional information, and if so, allocating a particular space on the bed with available space, for manufacturing the article.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein step (c) more specifically includes: determining whether there is space available on a bed of a particular additive manufacturing machine, which forms part of a plurality of additive manufacturing machines, on which articles can be manufactured, in order to manufacture the particular article by utilising the dimensional information; and

if not, determining whether there is space available on a bed of one of the other additive manufacturing machines which forms part of the plurality of additive manufacturing machines.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein step (b) includes:

analysing computer-readable instructions for printing/manufacturing the particular article, and

determining at least two dimensions of the particular article.

23. An additive manufacturing system which includes a plurality of additive manufacturing machines which are communicatively connected to one another to form a network,

wherein each additive manufacturing machine includes (a) a bed on which an article can be manufactured during operation, (b) a manufacturing arrangement which is configured to manufacture an article on the bed and a control module which is configured to control the operation of the manufacturing arrangement;

wherein each of the additive manufacturing machines includes a control module which is configured to control the operation of its manufacturing arrangement, wherein the control module is configured to receive/retrieve/obtain instructions to manufacture a particular article,

determine/retrieve/establish dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured, determine whether there is space available on its own bed to manufacture the particular article, by using the dimensional information, and if not, sending a request to one or more, preferably all, of the other additive manufacturing machines in order to determine if one of them have space available to print the particular article,

wherein, upon receipt of such a request, the other additive manufacturing machine(s) is/are configured to (a) determine whether there is space available on its own bed to manufacture the particular article, by using the dimensional information, (b) and if so, send a response to the additive manufacturing machine which sent the request to indicate that it has space available and proceed to manufacture the article.

24. An additive manufacturing machine which includes:

wherein the control module is further configured to

receive/retrieve/obtain instructions to manufacture a particular article,

utilise the detection arrangement in order to determine if there is currently space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article, and if so, manufacturing the particular article on an unobstructed/available space on the bed.

25. The machine of claim 24, wherein the control arrangement is configured to:

determine/retrieve/establish dimensional information of the particular article to be manufactured, and determine whether there is space available on the bed to manufacture the particular article by using the dimensional information and the detection arrangement, and if so, allocate a particular space on the bed for manufacturing the article.

26. The machine of claim 25, wherein the detection arrangement includes a sensor which is configured to detect the presence of one or more articles/objects on the bed.

27. The machine of claim 26, wherein the detection arrangement includes an image capturing device which is oriented to capture an image(s) of the bed.

28. The machine of claim 27, wherein the image capturing device is mounted on, or forms part of, a manufacturing head of the additive manufacturing machine.

29. The machine of claim 27, wherein the detection arrangement includes one or more illumination sources/devices/articles for illuminating different parts/areas of the bed.

30. The machine of claim 29, wherein the sensor is configured to determine whether one or more articles/objects is/are present on a particular part/area of the bed, by analysing an image(s) of the particular part/area, while it is being illuminated.

31. The machine of claim 25, wherein the detection arrangement is configured to instruct the control arrangement to move the manufacturing head over a particular part/area of the print bed; and

when the manufacturing head is in position over the particular part/area, to utilise the illumination source(s) in order to illuminate the particular part/area, wherein the image capturing device is configured to capture an image(s) of the particular part/area, and

wherein the detection arrangement is further configured to analyse/utilise the captured image(s) in order to determine if an article/object is present on the particular part/area.

32. An additive manufacturing system which includes:

a server/processing module; and

a plurality of additive manufacturing machines which are communicatively connected to the server/processing module and which are located at different physical locations remote from the server/processing module,

wherein the server/processing module is configured to

receive a request from user, via a communication network, to manufacture a particular article, wherein the request also indicates at which one of the physical locations, where an additive manufacturing machine is located, the article should be printed, and

send an instruction to the additive manufacturing machine which is located at the indicated location to manufacture the article.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the server/processing module includes a database on which additive manufacturing files are stored, which can be read/executed by additive manufacturing machines, in order to manufacture different articles.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein

the request from a user includes an indication of a particular manufacturing file stored on the database, and

the server/processing module is configured to send, by utilising the particular manufacturing file, manufacturing instructions to the 3D additive manufacturing machine which is located at the indicated location to manufacture an article which is associated with the indicated manufacturing file.

35. A method of managing the manufacturing of articles through additive manufacturing whereby a plurality of additive manufacturing machines are located at different physical locations, wherein the method includes: