Turret 3D Printer

Turret 3D printer is a type of 3D printer where multiple nozzles and tools are attached on a single rotary hub. As shown in images above, the 3D printer comprises a lead screw which moves the arm linearly in vertical direction. The turret assembly is attached at the end of cantilever branch. Here, the turret has capacity of 4 arms. That means, four arms can be attached to it for performing the operation. The assembly has concentric feeder arrangement. There are two cups, as shown in exploded Image, which have rotary fit. The material for one of the arm goes from the central pipe line, and for the other goes to concentric gap. If the number of arms used is odd, then to maintain the balance of the structure, a balancing block should be attached. Advantages of Turret 3D printer: 1. This 3D printer can be directed according to both cylindrical coordinates and Cartesian coordinates. 2. Since the final structure is circular, in turret 3D printer the rotary nozzle can be moved in circular motion. This will give better quality of output when compared to rasterized motion of 3D printing nozzles. 3. Multiple nozzles can be used to accelerate the 3D printing. 4. Along with multiple nozzles, machining tool can also be simultaneously used to save time of printing and finishing. For this assembly, I have used an “Adaptive Base”, this is inspired form InFORM created by Daniel Leithinger and Sean Follmer and overseen by Professor Hiroshi Ishii in MIT Media Lab. This type of Adaptive base will help keeping the object stable and also provide support. Through this, there will be no need to print the supporting structure during making a product in 3D printer. Thus, it will help saving extra time and material.