CONTROLLING BUILD CHAMBER TEMPERATURE

摘要

A build chamber of a three-dimensional printer uses directed heat to preheat a region within the chamber where a build will be initiated, and then uses circulating, heated air to maintain a target temperature for the entire build volume after the build is initiated. A fixed heating element and blower may advantageously be used for both heating steps, and preheating may be accomplished more quickly by initially directing heat at the locus of build initiation rather than diffusing heat throughout an entire build volume.

主权项

1. A device comprising:
a build chamber of a three-dimensional printer, the build chamber including a build region where a build is initiated; a heater; a blower configured to move air at a variable flow rate in response to a control signal, the blower positioned to move the air over the heater toward the build region; a sensor configured to provide a sensor signal indicative of a temperature of the build region; and a controller configured to vary the control signal in response to the sensor signal, wherein the control signal drives the blower at a first flow rate to preheat the build region before initiating the build, and at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate to heat the build chamber after initiating the build.