Integrated desktop 3-Dimensional printing apparatus

摘要

There is provided a 3D printing apparatus comprising: a printing module 200 comprising a print head 230 for effecting printing of media layers at a print location; a build module 300 for receiving printed media layers from the print module and building the printed media layers to form a 3D object; and transport means 160 configured to transport media layers to the print location for effecting a printing of the media layers and to transport the printed media layers from the print location to the collator or build module. The printing and build modules are provided integrated in-line. The transport means provides continuous in-line transport of the media through the printing module to the build module. The transport means may transport the media from a media input 111 through the printing module for single-side or duplex printing and to the build module for assembly. The build module may include adhesive dispensing means 320, cutting means 321 and a build plate 310, which can define a build chamber. An optical sensor may be provided to read fiduciary or fiducial marks to determine misalignment of a media layer. The build module may manufacture the 3D object by selective deposition lamination. The media layers may be sheets of paper.