CPC B29C 64/165 (2017.08) [B22F 12/84 (2021.01); B22F 12/86 (2021.01); B29C 64/188 (2017.08); B29C 64/209 (2017.08); B29C 64/218 (2017.08); B29C 64/232 (2017.08); B29C 64/245 (2017.08); B29C 64/255 (2017.08); B29C 64/268 (2017.08); B29C 64/295 (2017.08); B29C 64/343 (2017.08); B29C 64/35 (2017.08); B29C 64/379 (2017.08); B29C 64/386 (2017.08); B22F 12/55 (2021.01); B22F 12/57 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/00 (2014.12)] | 23 Claims |
1. A method for controlling operations of a printing system for manufacturing a three dimensional (3D) printed part comprised of a plurality of printed layers stacked on one another, the method comprising:
providing a design file defining a structure, materials and specifications of the printed part;
slicing the design file into a plurality of layers of the design file, each layer corresponding, respectively, to a corresponding one of the printed layers of the printed part, wherein at least one of the layers of the design file includes regions having different printing techniques for the at least one of the layers;
generating first program instructions by a processor for each of the layers of the design file, the first program instructions comprising instructions to different printer modules of the printing system to print using different printing techniques;
controlling the different printer modules of the printing system to print individual ones of the printed layers based on first program instructions, wherein each of the different printer modules comprises a jetted binder printer or an electrophotographic printer; and
controlling transfer modules of the printing system to transport and stack the individual ones of the printed layers based on second program instructions from the processor for transporting and stacking the individual printed layers following printing of the individual printed layers.
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