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 base comprising a base channel configured to direct the consumable material to the extruder, the base connected to the extruder, the base having a heating element configured to heat the base, wherein at least a portion of a wall forming the base channel is in direct contact with the consumable material passing through the base; and
an isolator comprising an isolator channel configured to direct the consumable material to the base, the isolator connected to the base, the isolator being less thermally conductive relative to the base and the extruder,wherein when layering the consumable material to build a three-dimensional object, the heating element generates heat that is conducted through the base and the extruder to the consumable material passing through the base channel and the extrusion channel while the isolator mitigates heat transfer to the consumable material passing through the isolator channel.
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Accused Products
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.
73 Citations
66 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 base comprising a base channel configured to direct the consumable material to the extruder, the base connected to the extruder, the base having a heating element configured to heat the base, wherein at least a portion of a wall forming the base channel is in direct contact with the consumable material passing through the base; and an isolator comprising an isolator channel configured to direct the consumable material to the base, the isolator connected to the base, the isolator being less thermally conductive relative to the base and the extruder, wherein when layering the consumable material to build a three-dimensional object, the heating element generates heat that is conducted through the base and the extruder to the consumable material passing through the base channel and the extrusion channel while the isolator mitigates heat transfer to the consumable material passing through the isolator channel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 13, 16, 17, 25)
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2-9. -9. (canceled)
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11. (canceled)
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12. (canceled)
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14. (canceled)
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15. (canceled)
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18-24. -24. (canceled)
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26. (canceled)
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27. (canceled)
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28. 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; a tip comprising a tip connecting surface and a tip internal conduit configured to extrude consumable material through the tip, the tip having a first heat transfer rate, the tip connecting surface extending directly from the tip internal conduit; a base comprising a base connecting surface and a base internal conduit configured to direct the consumable material through the base to the tip and heat the consumable material, the base connected to the tip and in direct thermal communication with tip via the base connecting surface being in direct contact with the tip connecting surface, the base connecting surface extending directly from the base internal conduit, the base housing a heating element configured to heat the base to a predetermined temperature, the base having a second heat transfer rate that is substantially equal to the first heat transfer rate of the tip; and a sleeve comprising a sleeve conduit configured to direct the consumable material through the sleeve to the base, the sleeve connected to the base, the sleeve having a third heat transfer rate that is less than the first and second heat transfer rates, 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 base and the tip to the consumable material passing through the base internal conduit and the tip internal conduit while the sleeve mitigates heat transfer to the consumable material passing through the sleeve conduit. - View Dependent Claims (37, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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29-36. -36. (canceled)
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38-44. -44. (canceled)
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53-55. -55. (canceled)
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62. (canceled)
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63. (canceled)
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64. 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; 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, the lining having a lower coefficient friction with the consumable material relative to the isolator, 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 (65)
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66-78. -78. (canceled)
Specification