SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTION OF PRINTED IMAGES FORMED ON SURFACES OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTED OBJECTS

摘要

A method of forming a three-dimensional printed object having a printed surface image includes ejecting drops of a build material to form the three-dimensional printed object from a plurality of layers of build material on a support member and applying a leveler to a surface of each layer of the build material. The method further includes ejecting drops of a marking agent on a surface of the three-dimensional printed object to form a printed image, ejecting drops of a transparent material over the printed image to form a layer of transparent material over the printed image, and applying the leveler to a surface of the layer of transparent material but not to the printed image.

主权项

1. A method of forming a three-dimensional printed object with a three-dimensional object printer comprising:
operating with a controller a first plurality of ejectors to eject drops of a build material to form the three-dimensional printed object with a plurality of layers of build material on a support member; applying a leveler to a surface of the three-dimensional printed object after forming each layer in the plurality of layers of build material; operating with the controller a second plurality of ejectors to eject drops of a marking agent on a surface of the three-dimensional printed object to form a printed image; operating with the controller a third plurality of ejectors to eject drops of a transparent material over the printed image to form a layer of transparent material over the printed image; and applying the leveler to a surface of the layer of transparent material without applying the leveler to the printed image prior to formation of the layer of transparent material over the printed image.