MULTIPLE-ZONE LIQUEFIER ASSEMBLY FOR EXTRUSION-BASED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
First Claim
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1. A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising:
- a liquefier tube having a first end and a second end offset along longitudinal length;
an extrusion tip secured to the first end of the liquefier tube;
a first thermal unit operably secured to the liquefier tube adjacent the first end of the liquefier tube; and
a second thermal unit operably secured to the liquefier tube between the first thermal unit and the second end of the liquefier tube, wherein the first thermal unit and the second thermal unit are configured to be operated independently of each other.
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Abstract
A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, and a method for building a three-dimensional model with the extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, where the liquefier assembly includes a liquefier tube having multiple, independently heatable zones along a longitudinal length of the liquefier tube.
75 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising:
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a liquefier tube having a first end and a second end offset along longitudinal length; an extrusion tip secured to the first end of the liquefier tube; a first thermal unit operably secured to the liquefier tube adjacent the first end of the liquefier tube; and a second thermal unit operably secured to the liquefier tube between the first thermal unit and the second end of the liquefier tube, wherein the first thermal unit and the second thermal unit are configured to be operated independently of each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising:
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a liquefier tube having a first end and a second end offset along longitudinal length; an extrusion tip secured to the first end of the liquefier tube; and a plurality of thermal units operably secured to the liquefier tube at different locations along the longitudinal length of the liquefier tube, wherein each of the plurality of thermal units is configured to be operated independently of each other. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for building a three-dimensional model with an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system having an extrusion head, the method comprising:
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providing a liquefier tube of the extrusion head having multiple heatable zones along a longitudinal length of the liquefier tube; heating a first zone of the multiple heatable zones; at least partially melting a portion of a filament of a thermoplastic material within the first zone of the liquefier tube; and extruding the molten thermoplastic material from an extrusion tip mounted to a bottom end of the liquefier tube. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification