Precision Platform Assembly for Three-Dimensional Printer

摘要

A platform assembly has a rigid support with an array of threaded passages extending therethrough; threaded posts are engaged in the threaded passages and extend above the rigid support by a distance adjusted by rotation of each threaded post in its associated threaded passage. Manually-adjusted dog point screws can provide the threaded posts, and self-locking nuts can provide the threaded passages. A platform of smooth, slightly flexible material extends over the threaded posts and has an array of mounting elements that magnetically attach to the threaded posts to hold the platform tightly against the end of each post. Adjusting the positions of the threaded posts serves to adjust the precise position and flatness of the platform surface relative to the rigid support, and with respect to a print head of a 3D printer in which the rigid support is incorporated.

主权项

1. A platform assembly having a high-precision planar surface with particular utility serving as a build platform for a three-dimensional printer, the platform assembly comprising:
a rigid support extending generally along a reference plane and having an array of threaded passages extending therethrough and extending perpendicularly to the reference plane; a plurality of threaded posts formed of a magnetically attractive material, each of said threaded posts having an end portion defined by,
a planar end surface, anda cylindrical sidewall that is symmetrical about an axis that is perpendicular to said planar end surface,
each of said threaded posts threadably engaging one of said threaded passages in said rigid support such that said planar end surface is parallel to the reference plane; means for resisting rotation of each of said threaded posts in an associated one of said threaded passages to retain the position of said threaded post once adjusted relative to said threaded passage; a planar platform having a smooth working surface and a mounting surface, said platform being slightly deformable; a plurality of mounting elements affixed to said mounting surface of said platform and arrayed thereon so as to match the positions of said threaded posts, each of said mounting elements having,
a cylindrical recess configured to rotatably but not translatably engage said cylindrical sidewall of one of said threaded posts, anda magnet positioned in said cylindrical recess so as to be fixed in position relative to said platform, said magnet having a planar magnet bearing surface positioned to abuttably engage said planar end surface of said threaded post engaged with said recess,
said magnet providing sufficient magnetic force to cause flexing of said platform to maintain said magnet bearing surface in contact with said planar end surface as said threaded post is advanced or retracted in said threaded passage, thereby adjusting the local position of said platform relative to said rigid support as said threaded post is advanced or retracted.