FUSED FILAMENT FABRICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20150037446A1
• Filed: 07/31/2014
• Published: 02/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Douglass Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Carl R. Douglass III
• Inventors: Douglass, Carl R. III, DOUGLASS, BRIAN L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,469,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 425/131.1
• 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]

Abstract

A fused filament fabrication system and method comprises a motor for moving the system along a linear rail during operation, a drive gear coupled to the motor. The drive gear rotates in the direction of the motor during operation and selectively operatively engages first or second idler gears during operation of the system. The system also comprises first and second filaments for the selective passage of material to corresponding first and second extruders, the first filament is positioned between the first idler gear shaft and idler bearing and the second filament is positioned between the second idler gear shaft and idler bearing.

Claims

1. A fused filament fabrication system comprising:

a drive gear coupling to a motor during operation, the drive gear selectively operatively engaging first or second sets of idler gears during operation of the system;

first and second filaments for the selective passage of material to corresponding first and second extruders, the first filament being positioned between said first idler gear shaft and idler bearing and said second filament being positioned between said second idler gear shaft and idler bearing.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said selectively operatively engaging one said first or second idler gears is achieved by changing the rotational direction of said drive gear.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said selectively operatively engaging one of said first or second idler gears is achieved by an actuation device.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a motor coupled to said drive gear, the motor providing both movement of the system along a linear rail and operably rotating said drive gear.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a latch coupled to an actuation device which selectively allows the drive gear to remain engaged with said first or second idler gears during changing of rotational direction of said drive gear, to allow for filament retraction.

6. A fused filament fabrication system comprising:

a drive gear coupling to a motor during operation, the drive gear selectively operatively engaging first or second idler gears during operation of the system; and

first and second filaments for the selective passage of material to corresponding first and second extruders, the first filament being positioned between said first idler gear shaft and a first idler bearing and said second filament being positioned between said second idler gear shaft and a second idler bearing;

said system during use dispensing material from said first filament when said first idler gear is engaged by said drive gear while said second filament remains free from dispensing, and said system during use dispensing material from said second filament when said second idler gear is engaged by said drive gear while the first filament remains free from dispensing.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said selectively operatively engaging one said first or second idler gears is achieved by changing the rotational direction of said drive gear.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said selectively operatively engaging one of said first or second idler gears is achieved by an actuation device.

9. The system of claim 6 further comprising a motor coupled to said drive gear, the motor providing both movement of the system along a linear rail and operably rotating said drive gear.

10. The system of claim 6 further comprising a latch coupled to an actuation device which selectively allows the drive gear to remain engaged with said first or second idler gears during changing of rotational direction of said drive gear, to allow for filament retraction.

11. A fused filament fabrication system comprising:

a drive gear coupling to a motor during operation , the drive gear selectively operatively engaging first or second sets of idler gears during operation of the system;

first and second filaments for the selective passage of material to corresponding first and second extruders, the first filament being positioned between said first idler gear shaft and a first idler bearing and said second filament being positioned between said second idler gear shaft and a second idler bearing; and

a latch coupled to an actuation device for selectively controlling the selective engagement and release of said first and second idler gears during the change of directional rotation of said drive gear such that retraction of material in said first and second filaments is controlled;

said system during use dispensing material from said first filament when said first idler gear is engaged by said drive gear while said second filament remains free from dispensing, and said system during use dispensing material from said second filament when said second idler gear is engaged by said drive gear while the first filament remains free from dispensing.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said selectively operatively engaging one said first or second idler gears is achieved by changing the rotational direction of said drive gear.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said selectively operatively engaging one of said first or second idler gears is achieved by an actuation device.

14. The system of claim 11 further comprising a motor coupled to said drive gear, the motor providing both movement of the system along a linear rail and operably rotating said drive gear.