US Patent 10183444 Modular multi-station three-dimensional object printing systems

A three-dimensional object printing module has been developed. The printing module includes a first processing station configured to perform an operation. The printing module further includes a track configured to guide a cart moved by a motive force in a first direction to the first processing station and to guide the cart moved by the motive force in the first direction from the first processing station. The printing module further includes at least one lead screw disposed parallel to the first direction along the track at the first processing station and configured to engage the cart at the first processing station. The printing module further includes an actuator operatively connected to the at least one lead screw and configured to rotate the lead screw bi-directionally about a longitudinal axis of the lead screw to enable the cart to move along the track at the processing station without the motive force.