Self-dispensing automated 3D printing kiosk
This technology is an automated mechanism that removes finished 3D-printed objects from the print bed without human intervention. A lever-style ejector arm converts vertical motion into horizontal scraping motion, sliding a blade across the print surface to dislodge completed parts. This allows a 3D printer to operate continuously and autonomously, much like a vending machine that can produce and dispense objects on demand without an operator present to manually remove each print.
What you could build
An automated 3D printing kiosk or vending machine that accepts orders, prints objects, and dispenses them without staff intervention — sold to retail locations, libraries, makerspaces, or corporate campuses wanting on-demand fabrication with no operator overhead.
Who in Virginia should care
Makerspaces, defense contractor prototyping labs, and university fab facilities across Virginia would be natural early adopters of automated print-and-dispense systems.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Kevin D. Kline
- Granted
- April 3, 2018
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 9931784
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.