Three-dimensional printer systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hot end for building three-dimensional objects from layered consumable material, the hot end comprising:
- an extruder comprising an extrusion channel configured to direct consumable material through the extruder;
a heating element in thermal communication with the extruder, the heating element configured to heat the consumable material passing through the extruder;
an isolator comprising an isolator channel configured to direct the consumable material toward the extruder, the isolator being less thermally conductive relative to the extruder, wherein the isolator is sized to accept a filament tube within the isolator channel through at least a part of a length of the isolator channel along an extrusion direction of the consumable material through the hot end, the filament tube configured to direct the consumable material into the isolator; and
a lining positioned within the isolator channel downstream of the filament tube along the extrusion direction, the internal tube configured to direct the consumable material along the isolator channel toward the extruder, wherein the lining has a higher melting or glass transition temperature relative to the filament tube,wherein when layering the consumable material to build a three-dimensional object, the heating element generates heat that is conducted through the extruder to the consumable material passing through the extrusion channel while the isolator mitigates heat transfer to the consumable material passing through the isolator channel.
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Abstract
Disclosed are embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) printer for building 3D objects with layer based, additive manufacturing techniques. The 3D printer can have an extrusion assembly including a hot end for heating consumable material and depositing the consumable material in layers on a printing bed. The hot end can be moved in a horizontal plane parallel the printing bed while the printing bed can be moved perpendicular to the horizontal plane to print the 3D object.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A hot end for building three-dimensional objects from layered consumable material, the hot end comprising:
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an extruder comprising an extrusion channel configured to direct consumable material through the extruder; a heating element in thermal communication with the extruder, the heating element configured to heat the consumable material passing through the extruder; an isolator comprising an isolator channel configured to direct the consumable material toward the extruder, the isolator being less thermally conductive relative to the extruder, wherein the isolator is sized to accept a filament tube within the isolator channel through at least a part of a length of the isolator channel along an extrusion direction of the consumable material through the hot end, the filament tube configured to direct the consumable material into the isolator; and a lining positioned within the isolator channel downstream of the filament tube along the extrusion direction, the internal tube configured to direct the consumable material along the isolator channel toward the extruder, wherein the lining has a higher melting or glass transition temperature relative to the filament tube, wherein when layering the consumable material to build a three-dimensional object, the heating element generates heat that is conducted through the extruder to the consumable material passing through the extrusion channel while the isolator mitigates heat transfer to the consumable material passing through the isolator channel. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An extrusion assembly for a three-dimensional printer configured to build three-dimensional objects from layered consumable material, the extrusion assembly comprising:
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an extrusion housing configured to connect to a support configured to move the extrusion housing; and a hot end assembly configured to connect to the extrusion housing, the hot end assembly comprising; an extruder comprising an extrusion channel configured to extrude consumable material through the extruder; a heating element in thermal communication with the extruder, the heating element configured to heat the consumable material passing through the extruder; an isolator comprising an isolator channel configured to direct the consumable material toward the extruder, the isolator being less thermally conductive relative to the extruder, wherein the isolator is sized to accept a filament tube within the isolator channel through at least a part of a length of the isolator channel along an extrusion direction of the consumable material through the hot end assembly, the filament tube configured to direct the consumable material into the isolator; and a lining positioned within the isolator channel downstream of the filament tube along the extrusion direction, the lining configured to direct the consumable material along the isolator channel toward the extruder, wherein the lining has a higher melting or glass transition temperature relative to the filament tube, wherein when layering the consumable material to build a three-dimensional object while the hot end assembly is moved via the support moving the extrusion housing connected to the hot end assembly, the heating element generates heat that is conducted through the extruder to the consumable material passing through the extrusion channel while the isolator mitigates heat transfer to the consumable material passing through the isolator channel. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A hot end for building three-dimensional objects from layered consumable material, the hot end comprising:
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an extruder comprising an extrusion channel configured to direct consumable material through the extruder; a heating element in thermal communication with the extruder, the heating element configured to heat the consumable material passing through the extruder; an isolator comprising an isolator channel configured to direct the consumable material toward the extruder, the isolator being less thermally conductive relative to the extruder, wherein the isolator is sized to accept a filament tube within the isolator channel through at least a part of a length of the isolator channel along an extrusion direction of the consumable material passing through the hot end, the filament tube configured to direct the consumable material into the isolator; and a lining positioned within the isolator channel following a perimeter of the isolator channel, the lining configured to direct the consumable material along the isolator channel toward the extruder, wherein the lining has a higher melting or glass transition temperature relative to the filament tube, wherein when layering the consumable material to build a three-dimensional object, the heating element generates heat that is conducted through the extruder to the consumable material passing through the extrusion channel while the isolator mitigates heat transfer to the consumable material passing through the isolator channel. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification