SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOVING BUILD MATERIAL USING A GRIPPER

• US 20190322046A1
• Filed: 07/02/2019
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Desktop Metal, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Desktop Metal, Inc.
• Inventors: Burnham, Richard, LaPlante, John, Preston, Aaron, Fontana, Richard Remo
• Granted Patent: US 11,498,273 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/118 using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/141 using only solid materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/205 Means for applying layers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/209 Heads; Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/227 Driving means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/232 for motion along the axis orthogonal to the plane of a layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/321 Feeding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/393 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/00 Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 50/02 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes

Abstract

A system and corresponding method to move build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a gripper. The gripper is arranged to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material. The at least two opposing lateral forces are applied to the build material, in conjunction with linear motion of the gripper, for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward an extrusion head.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A device for additive manufacturing, the device comprising:

an extrusion head having a first longitudinal axis that extends in a direction along which a build material is extruded by the extrusion head; and

a gripper configured to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material, wherein the gripper is configured to move along the longitudinal axis in a first direction toward the extrusion head in and a second direction away from the extrusion head.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the gripper includes a first surface portion configured to apply a first of the at least two opposing lateral forces, and a second surface portion configured to apply a second of the at least two opposing lateral forces.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the gripper includes a collet.

24. The device of claim 21, further comprising a lead screw, wherein the lead screw is coupled to the gripper and configured to cause the gripper to move along the longitudinal axis in the first and the second directions.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the lead screw has a hollow core configured to receive the build material therein.

26. The device of claim 21, further comprising a tube having an inner surface configured to contact the gripper and to cause the gripper to apply the at least two opposing lateral forces as the gripper moves relative to the tube in the first direction.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the inner surface includes a camming surface.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the tube is configured to move along the longitudinal axis relative to the extrusion head in the first and second directions.

29. A device for additive manufacturing, the device comprising:

an extrusion head; and

a collet configured to receive a rod of build material within an opening of the collet, wherein the collet is configured to have a first configuration in which the opening has a first width and a second configuration in which the opening has a second width smaller than the first width, and wherein, in the second configuration, the collet is configured to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the rod of build material.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the extrusion head has a first longitudinal axis that extends in a direction along which the rod of build material is extruded by the extrusion head, and wherein the collet is configured to move along the longitudinal axis in a first direction toward the extrusion head and in a second direction away from the extrusion head.

31. The device of claim 29, further comprising a lead screw coupled to the collet, wherein the lead screw is configured to cause the collet to move along the longitudinal axis in the first and the second direction.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the lead screw has a hollow core configured to receive the rod of build material therein.

33. The device of claim 29, further comprising a tube having an inner surface configured to contact the collet and to cause the collet to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration as the collet moves relative to the tube in the first direction.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the inner surface includes a camming surface.

35. The device of claim 33, wherein the tube is configured to move relative to the extrusion head.

36. A device for additive manufacturing, the device comprising:

an extrusion head; and

a gripper, wherein;

in a first configuration, the gripper is configured to move along a longitudinal axis in a first direction relative to the extrusion head and relative to a rod of build material;

in a second configuration, the gripper is configured to move along the longitudinal axis in the first direction relative to the extrusion head and to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the rod of build material so that the rod of build material moves in conjunction with the gripper; and

in a third configuration, the gripper is configured to move along the longitudinal axis in a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the extrusion head and relative to the rod of build material.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the longitudinal axis extends in a direction along which the rod of build material is extruded by the extrusion head.

38. The device of claim 36, wherein the first direction is toward the extrusion head, and wherein the second direction is away from the extrusion head.

39. The device of claim 36, wherein the gripper includes a collet.

40. The device of claim 36, further comprising a lead screw, wherein the lead screw is coupled to the gripper and configured to cause the gripper to move along the longitudinal axis in the first and the second directions.