Three-dimensional printer with a supporting element insertion apparatus

Abstract

According to an example, in a method for forming a three-dimensional (3D) printed object, a plurality of layers of the 3D printed object and a channel that extends through the plurality of layers may be formed, in which the plurality of layers is formed of a first material. In addition, a supporting element may be inserted into the channel such that the supporting element extends through multiple layers of the plurality of layers, in which the supporting element is formed of a second material that differs from the first material.

1 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A three-dimensional (3D) printer comprising:
 a first material deposition apparatus to be implemented in forming a plurality of layers of a first material on a platform, wherein a channel is formed through the plurality of layers; and   a supporting element insertion apparatus, wherein the supporting element insertion apparatus is to insert a second material into the channel formed through the plurality of layers, wherein the second material differs from the first material and wherein the second material is to provide structural support to the plurality of layers of the first material.   
     
     
         10 . The 3D printer according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a processor;
 a memory on which is stored machine readable instructions that are to cause the processor to: 
 control the first material deposition apparatus to form the channel to extend continuously through a subset of the plurality of deposited layers; and 
 control the supporting element insertion apparatus to insert the second material into the channel. 
   
     
     
         11 . The 3D printer according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a sensing system to obtain sensed data regarding the channel;   wherein the machine readable instructions are further to cause the processor to:   receive the sensed data;   determine a location of the channel from the received sensed data; and   control the supporting element insertion apparatus to insert the second material into the channel based upon the determined location of the channel.   
     
     
         12 . The 3D printer according to  claim 9 , wherein the second material comprises a solid supporting element and wherein the supporting element insertion apparatus is to drive the solid supporting element into the channel. 
     
     
         13 . The 3D printer according to  claim 9 , wherein the second material comprises a solid supporting element, wherein the solid supporting element comprises a helical groove, and Wherein the supporting element insertion apparatus is to insert the solid supporting element into the channel through application of a screwing motion on the solid supporting element. 
     
     
         14 . The 3D printer according to  claim 9 , wherein the channel is formed at an angle that is between about normal and about parallel to a plane of a layer of the plurality of layers. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled)