3d printing device and method

Abstract

The invention provides a 3D printing device ( 500 ) comprising a printer nozzle ( 502 ) for depositing a material on a support structure ( 550 ) for the formation of a 3D object ( 10 ), wherein the printer nozzle ( 502 ) and the support structure ( 550 ) are arranged to be translated relative to each other with a translation speed in a translation direction ( 52, 62 ), and a vibration actuator arranged for providing a vibrating motion ( 50, 60 ) of at least a first part of the support structure ( 550 ) relative to the printer nozzle ( 502 ) in a direction different from the translation direction ( 52, 62 ).

1 . A 3D printing device comprising:
 a support structure,   a printer nozzle for depositing a material on the support structure for the formation of a 3D object, wherein the printer nozzle and the support structure are arranged to be translated relative to each other with a translation speed in a translation direction, and   a vibration actuator arranged for providing a vibrating motion of at least a first part of the support structure relative to the printer nozzle in a direction different from the translation direction.   
     
     
         2 . The 3D printing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure extends along a support structure plane, wherein the translation direction is parallel to the support structure plane, and wherein the vibrating motion is in a direction parallel to and/or perpendicular to the support structure plane. 
     
     
         3 . The 3D printing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the vibrating motion has a vibration frequency and the printed material has a width and wherein the width multiplied with the vibration frequency divided by the translation speed is larger than 0.5. 
     
     
         4 . The 3D printing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the vibrating motion is in a direction perpendicular to the support structure plane and has a vibration frequency, and the printed material has a height and wherein the height multiplied with the vibration frequency divided by the translation speed is smaller than 0.5. 
     
     
         5 . The 3D printing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the vibrating motion has a vibration frequency larger than or equal to 10 Hz. 
     
     
         6 . The 3D printing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the vibration actuator is arranged to provide a first vibrating motion of the first part of the support structure and a second vibrating motion of a second part of the support structure, the second vibrating motion being different from the first vibrating motion with respect to frequency and/or amplitude. 
     
     
         7 . The 3D printing device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a third part of the support structure is clamped to influence the vibrating motion of the third part of the support structure. 
     
     
         8 . The 3D printing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the vibration actuator is arranged to provide the support structure with a vibration pattern with a frequency and amplitude that varies over the support structure. 
     
     
         9 . The 3D printing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a processor arranged to control the vibrating motion of the support structure and the relative translation of the printer nozzle and the support structure. 
     
     
         10 . The 3D printing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a vibration plate, the vibration actuator being arranged to provide a vibrating motion to the vibration plate. 
     
     
         11 . The 3D printing device according to  claim 1 , the 3D printing device comprising a plurality of vibration actuators. 
     
     
         12 . A method for manufacturing a 3D object, comprising the steps of:
 depositing a material from a printer nozzle on a support structure while translating the support structure and the printer nozzle relative to each other with a translation speed in a translation direction, and   vibrating at least a first part of the support structure relative to the printer nozzle in a direction different from the translation direction.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the frequency and/or amplitude and/or the direction of the vibrating varies as a function of time. 
     
     
         14 . Computer-readable storage medium instructions that when executed by at least one processor of a 3D printing device causes the printing device to generate a 3D object, comprising:
 instructions for depositing a material from a printer nozzle on a support structure,   instructions for generating a translating motion of the support structure relative to the printer nozzle with a translation speed in a translation direction, and   instructions for generating a vibrating motion of a part of the support structure relative to the printer nozzle in a direction different from the translation direction.