Print head assembly and print head for use in fused deposition modeling system

• US 10,576,693 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2015
• Issued: 03/03/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stratasys Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stratasys Incorporated
• Inventors: Swanson, William J., Batchelder, J. Samuel, Johnson, Kevin C., Hjelsand, Timothy A., Comb, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Christina A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Liu, Xue H
• Application Number:
  US14/887,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20160039146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,596 Days
• Field of Search: 425150
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/52 Measuring, controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/106 using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/118 using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/209 Heads; Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/25 Housings, e.g. machine housings
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor

Abstract

A print head assembly that includes a print head carriage and multiple, replaceable print heads that are configured to be removably retained in receptacles of the print head carriage. The print heads each include a cartridge assembly and a liquefier pump assembly retained by the cartridge assembly.

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing device comprising:

a receptacle configured to receive a print head, the receptacle comprising a first sloped surface wherein the first sloped surface comprises a first longitudinal axis; and

a print head configured to be positioned within the receptacle, the print head comprising a second sloped surface and comprising a second longitudinal axis wherein the second sloped surface is configured to engage the first sloped surface as the print head is positioned within the receptacle such that lateral movement of the print head relative to the receptacle is minimized.

2. The additive manufacturing device of claim 1 and further comprising:

a securing mechanism in communication with the receptacle, the securing mechanism comprising spaced apart upper and lower surfaces configured to engage the print head to inhibit vertical movement of the print head relative to the receptacle.

3. The additive manufacturing device of claim 2 and wherein the print head further comprises:

spaced apart first and second substantially horizontal surfaces wherein the upper surface on the securing mechanism is configured to engage first substantially horizontal surface on the print head and the lower surface of the securing mechanism is configured to engage the second substantially horizontal surface of the print head.

4. The additive manufacturing device of claim 1 and wherein a first cross section of the first sloped surface taken substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis comprises a circle.

5. The additive manufacturing device of claim 1 and wherein a second cross section of the second sloped surface taken substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis comprises a circle.

6. An additive manufacturing device comprising:

a receptacle comprising a first surface defining a space, wherein the first surface comprises a first portion wherein the first portion comprises a first sloped surface having a first longitudinal axis; and

a print head having an outer surface wherein at least a portion of the outer surface comprises a complimentary configuration to the first surface, wherein the print head is configured to be positioned into the space such that an engagement of the portion of the outer surface with the first surface prevents lateral movement of the print head relative to the receptacle, and wherein the print head is configured to be removably positionable within the receptacle with manual force.

7. The additive manufacturing device of claim 6 and further comprising:

a securing mechanism in communication with the receptacle, the securing mechanism comprising spaced apart upper and lower surfaces configured to engage the print head to inhibit vertical movement of the print head relative to the receptacle.

8. The additive manufacturing device of claim 7 and wherein the print head further comprises:

spaced apart first and second substantially horizontal surfaces wherein the upper surface on the securing mechanism is configured to engage first substantially horizontal surface on the print head and the lower surface of the securing mechanism is configured to engage the second substantially horizontal surface of the print head.

9. The additive manufacturing device of claim 6 and wherein a first cross section of the first sloped surface substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis comprises a circle.

10. The additive manufacturing device of claim 6 and wherein the portion of the outer surface of the print head comprises a second sloped surface wherein the second sloped surface comprises a second longitudinal axis, wherein the second sloped surface is configured to engage the first sloped surface as the print head is positioned within the receptacle such that lateral movement of the print head within the receptacle is minimized.

11. The additive manufacturing device of claim 10 and wherein a second cross section of the second sloped surface substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis comprises a circle.

12. The additive manufacturing device of claim 10 and wherein the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface both comprise mating frusto-conical configurations.

13. An additive manufacturing device comprising:

a receptacle configured to receive a print head, the receptacle comprising a first sloped surface, the first sloped surface comprising a first longitudinal axis wherein a cross section of the first sloped surface taken substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis comprises a circle;

a print head configured to be positioned within the receptacle, the print head comprising a second sloped surface having a second longitudinal axis, wherein a cross-section of the second sloped surface taken substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis comprises a circle, and wherein the second sloped surface is configured to engage the first sloped surface as the print head is positioned within the receptacle such that lateral movement of the print head relative to the receptacle is minimized; and

a securing mechanism in communication with the receptacle, the securing mechanism comprising spaced apart upper and lower surfaces configured to engage the print head to inhibit vertical movement of the print head within the receptacle.

14. The additive manufacturing device of claim 13 and wherein the print head further comprises:

spaced apart first and second substantially horizontal surfaces wherein the upper surface on the securing mechanism is configured to engage first substantially horizontal surface on the print head and the lower surface of the securing mechanism is configured to engage the second substantially horizontal surface of the print head.

15. The additive manufacturing device of claim 13 and wherein the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface both comprise mating frusto-conical configurations.

16. An additive manufacturing device comprising:

a receptacle configured to receive a print head, the receptacle comprising a first sloped surface wherein the first sloped surface comprises a first longitudinal axis; and

a print head configured to be positioned within the receptacle, the print head comprising;

a second sloped surface wherein the second sloped surface comprises a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the second sloped surface is configured to engage the first sloped surface as the print head is positioned within the receptacle such that lateral movement of the print head relative the receptacle is minimized; and

a locking surface within the print head wherein the locking surface is substantially horizontal when the print head is positioned within the receptacle; and

a securing mechanism in communication with the receptacle, the securing mechanism comprising a surface configured to engage the print head to inhibit vertical movement of the print head relative to the receptacle.

17. The additive manufacturing device of claim 16 and wherein a first cross section of the first sloped surface taken substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis comprises a circle.

18. The additive manufacturing device of claim 16 and wherein a second cross section of the second sloped surface taken substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis comprises a circle.

19. The additive manufacturing device of claim 16 and wherein the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface both comprise mating frusto-conical configurations.