Ribbon liquefier for use in extrusion-based digital manufacturing systems
First Claim
1. A ribbon liquefier for use in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the ribbon liquefier comprising:
- an outer liquefier portion configured to receive thermal energy from a heat transfer component;
a static channel at least partially defined by the outer liquefier portion, the static channel having an inlet end with dimensions that are configured to receive a ribbon filament, and an outlet end, wherein the ribbon liquefier is configured to melt the ribbon filament received in the static channel to at least an extrudable state with the received thermal energy to provide a melt flow, and wherein the dimensions of the channel are further configured to conform the melt flow to an axially-asymmetric flow within the static channel; and
an extrusion tip extending from the outer liquefier portion at the outlet end of the static channel, wherein the dimensions of the extrusion tip are configured to conform the melt flow from the axially-asymmetric flow in the static channel to a substantially axially-symmetric flow for extrusion from the extrusion tip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ribbon liquefier comprising an outer liquefier portion configured to receive thermal energy from a heat transfer component, and a channel at least partially defined by the outer liquefier portion, where the channel has dimensions that are configured to receive the ribbon filament, and where the ribbon liquefier is configured to melt the ribbon filament received in the channel to at least an extrudable state with the received thermal energy to provide a melt flow. The dimensions of the channel are further configured to conform the melt flow from an axially-asymmetric flow to a substantially axially-symmetric flow in an extrusion tip connected to the ribbon liquefier.
102 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A ribbon liquefier for use in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the ribbon liquefier comprising:
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an outer liquefier portion configured to receive thermal energy from a heat transfer component; a static channel at least partially defined by the outer liquefier portion, the static channel having an inlet end with dimensions that are configured to receive a ribbon filament, and an outlet end, wherein the ribbon liquefier is configured to melt the ribbon filament received in the static channel to at least an extrudable state with the received thermal energy to provide a melt flow, and wherein the dimensions of the channel are further configured to conform the melt flow to an axially-asymmetric flow within the static channel; and an extrusion tip extending from the outer liquefier portion at the outlet end of the static channel, wherein the dimensions of the extrusion tip are configured to conform the melt flow from the axially-asymmetric flow in the static channel to a substantially axially-symmetric flow for extrusion from the extrusion tip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An extrusion head subassembly for use in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the extrusion head subassembly comprising:
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a ribbon liquefier comprising; an inlet region; a heatable region extending from the inlet region; a static channel extending through the inlet region and the heatable region, the static channel comprising; an arcuate cross section; an inlet end at the inlet region that is configured to receive a ribbon filament; and an outlet end at the heatable region; and an extrusion tip extending from the heatable region at the outlet end of the static channel, the extrusion-tip having a substantially-circular inner-diameter cross section; and a heat transfer component coupled to the heatable region of the ribbon liquefier and configured to transfer thermal energy to the heatable region to melt the received ribbon filament in the heatable region to provide a melt flow that conforms from an axially-asymmetric flow in the static channel to a substantially axially-symmetric flow in the extrusion tip. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An extrusion head subassembly for use in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the extrusion head subassembly comprising:
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a ribbon liquefier comprising; an inlet region; a heatable region extending from the inlet region; a static channel extending through the inlet region and the heatable region, the static channel comprising; a substantially-rectangular cross section; an inlet end at the inlet region that is configured to receive a ribbon filament of a material; and an outlet end at the heatable region; and an extrusion tip extending from the heatable region at the outlet end of the static channel, the extrusion-tip having a substantially-circular inner-diameter cross section; and a heat transfer component coupled to the heatable region of the ribbon liquefier and configured to transfer thermal energy to the heatable region; wherein the heatable region of the ribbon liquefier is configured to transfer the thermal energy received from the heat transfer component to the received ribbon filament in the heatable region in a manner such that at least about 60% of the thermal energy diffuses through the ribbon filament in one cross-sectional dimension of the ribbon filament to provide a melt flow of the ribbon filament material that conforms from an axially-asymmetric flow in the static channel to a substantially axially-symmetric flow in the extrusion tip. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification