Robotic additive manufacturing system

Abstract

An additive manufacturing system includes: (a) a build platform dispensing assembly carrying a plurality of build platforms; (b) at least two additive manufacturing apparatus, each apparatus configured for receiving a removable build platform on which objects can be produced; (c) a build platform buffering assembly configured for removably receiving at least one build platform on which an object has been produced; (d) a cleaning apparatus; and (e) a robot operatively associated with each cleaning apparatus, the at least two additive manufacturing apparatus, the build platform dispensing assembly, and the build platform buffering assembly.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A robot end effector for an additive manufacturing system, comprising:
 (a) a body;   (b) a coupling connected to said body and configured to connect said end effector to a robot arm;   (c) a first engagement assembly connected to said body, said first engagement assembly configured to releasably engage a removable build platform for an additive manufacturing apparatus; and   (d) a second engagement assembly connected to said body, said second engagement assembly configured to releasably engage a drip tray in a position beneath said build platform when the build platform is engaged by said first engagement assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The end effector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (e) a third engagement assembly connected to said body, said third engagement assembly configured to releasably engage a removable window cassette of a bottom-up stereolithography apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The end effector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (f) a first sensor connected to said body and positioned for sensing the presence or absence of a build platform on said first engagement assembly; and   (g) a second sensor connected to said body and positioned for sensing the presence or absence of a drip tray on said second engagement assembly.   
     
     
         4 . A build platform for a robotic additive manufacturing system, comprising:
 (a) a body;   (b) a build surface portion on said body and configured for producing an object thereon by additive manufacturing;   (c) a pallet connected to said body, said pallet optionally having a pair of alignment openings formed therein; and   (d) a coupling connected to said body, said coupling configured to removably connect said build platform to an additive manufacturing apparatus.   
     
     
         5 . The build platform of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 (e) a sensor triggering element operatively associated with said body, which sensor triggering element is configured for triggering a sensor of a robotic arm end effector.   
     
     
         6 . The build platform of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 (f) a front bumper connected to said pallet; and/or   (g) a rear bumper connected to said pallet.   
     
     
         7 . A drip tray for a robotic additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a frame having opposite side portions;   (b) a pan connected to said frame and positioned between said opposite side portions;   (c) a pair of skids, each said skid connected to one of said frame opposite side portions, with said skids positioned above said pan, and spaced apart from one another (e.g., so that a build platform and/or objects produced on said build platform can extend between said skids when said drip tray and a build platform are mounted together on a robotic end effector), each said skid optionally having an alignment opening formed therein.   
     
     
         8 . The drip tray of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 (e) a sensor triggering element operatively associated with said frame, which sensor triggering element is configured for triggering a drip tray sensor of a robotic arm end effector.