Xerox Files 3D Printing Patent

Xerox inventors have filed a patent for a new way of seeing the 3D printing process. Patricia J. Donaldson and Jeffrey J. Folkins have filed a patent for Xerox Corporation that reimagines the way 3D printers actually operate. Instead of moving the printhead across a static print bed, the patent -- Digital Manufacturing System for Printing Three-Dimensional Objects on a Rotating Surface -- has drawn up two embodiments of the idea, both featuring moving surfaces. The technique they suggest is intended to reduce the time 3D printing takes and the waste it can create. Check out details about the patent in the full article: http://3dprint.com/37905/rotating-print-bed-patent/


Below is a drawing of the concept from the patent:
http://3dprint.com/wp-content/upload.../01/patent.jpg

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Originally Posted by Brian_Krassenstein

Xerox inventors have filed a patent for a new way of seeing the 3D printing process. Patricia J. Donaldson and Jeffrey J. Folkins have filed a patent for Xerox Corporation that reimagines the way 3D printers actually operate. Instead of moving the printhead across a static print bed, the patent -- Digital Manufacturing System for Printing Three-Dimensional Objects on a Rotating Surface -- has drawn up two embodiments of the idea, both featuring moving surfaces. The technique they suggest is intended to reduce the time 3D printing takes and the waste it can create. Check out details about the patent in the full article: http://3dprint.com/37905/rotating-print-bed-patent/


Below is a drawing of the concept from the patent:
http://3dprint.com/wp-content/upload.../01/patent.jpg

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Congrats to Xerox for obtaining the patent they've been working on for the past 2 years, but the rotating bed has already been done. The R-360 by Replicator Warehouse utilized the rotating bed on their open source platform shortly after Xerox filed a provisional (from what I can see, at least). I'm skeptical that it will have a significant impact on the 3D printing world, but we'll see how it plays out.

A needlessly complex polar printer? There are better variations. Meh.

Looks very familiar to what the university of Liverpool (Chris Sutcliffe & team) developed..

Apparatus For Manufacturing Three Dimensional Items
US 20080109102 A1

http://www.google.com/patents/US20080109102

Regardless of the basis of this patent, I think it says one thing that Xerox is looking into 3D printing. It's just a matter of time before numerous large cap companies enter the space. We've already seen Autodesk, HP, and Microsoft to some extent. Who's Next? Perhaps Xerox, Canon, or even someone like Google.