Auto eject mechanism?

I wonder if anyone has experimented with building auto eject mechanism for their 3-D printer. In other words, some gadget that kicks the completed print off the platform, leaving it free for the next print. Obviously, there is a limited class of prints that could work with this, some are far too delicate. And there is an issue of leaving residue on the platform. But for sufficiently stocky objects whose underside need not be perfect, it seems it should be possible.

This could allow for continuous unattended operation of the printer, which would be REALLY REALLY useful and could save our young business a lot of money.

I would think setting an alarm to swap prints would save far more money than wasting time and material to redo prints that break during the removal process.

That said, seeing one in action would be interesting.

Perhaps a device that swapped out build plates, in such a way that it remained somewhat calibrated, would allow for your idea, more than a mechanical boxing glove. Or even a build plate that would rapidly heat and then cool itself to break the material free without harming the build, then having an arm gently remove it. Of course this would require a build plate the could handle rapid heating and cooling.

http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?1,216570

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marm

... Perhaps a device that swapped out build plates, in such a way that it remained somewhat calibrated, would allow for your idea, more than a mechanical boxing glove...

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Like production CNC machines...

See the following.
http://3dprintboard.com/showthread.p...r-side-slicing

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4056


Edit: Was not first done here, but this one one of the first applications available to the general public.