Liquefier assembly for use in 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 downstream portion comprising a first end and a second end opposite of the first end along a longitudinal length of the liquefier assembly, wherein the downstream portion has a first average inner cross-sectional area;
an upstream portion disposed adjacent to the first end of the downstream portion, the upstream portion being configured to receive a consumable material, wherein the upstream portion includes a hollow liner having a second average inner cross-sectional area that is less than the first inner cross-sectional area, and wherein the hollow liner defines a shoulder between the first inner cross-sectional area and the second inner cross-sectional area, the shoulder being configured to restrict movement of a melt meniscus of the consumable material;
an external heat transfer component extending around the downstream portion between the first end and the second end of the downstream portion, the external heat transfer component being configured to conduct heat to the consumable material within the downstream portion; and
an extrusion tip disposed at the second end of the downstream portion.
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Abstract
A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising a downstream portion having a first average inner cross-sectional area, and an upstream having a second average inner cross-sectional area that is less than the first inner cross-sectional area, the upstream portion defining a shoulder configured to restrict movement of a melt meniscus of a consumable material.
90 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 downstream portion comprising a first end and a second end opposite of the first end along a longitudinal length of the liquefier assembly, wherein the downstream portion has a first average inner cross-sectional area; an upstream portion disposed adjacent to the first end of the downstream portion, the upstream portion being configured to receive a consumable material, wherein the upstream portion includes a hollow liner having a second average inner cross-sectional area that is less than the first inner cross-sectional area, and wherein the hollow liner defines a shoulder between the first inner cross-sectional area and the second inner cross-sectional area, the shoulder being configured to restrict movement of a melt meniscus of the consumable material; an external heat transfer component extending around the downstream portion between the first end and the second end of the downstream portion, the external heat transfer component being configured to conduct heat to the consumable material within the downstream portion; and an extrusion tip disposed at the second end of the downstream portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising:
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a liquefier tube having an inlet end, an outlet end, and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the liquefier tube defines a first average inner cross-sectional area; a hollow liner disposed at least partially within the liquefier tube such that an outlet end of the hollow liner is disposed within the liquefier tube at a location between the inlet end of the liquefier tube and the outlet end of the liquefier tube, wherein the hollow liner has an inner surface that defines a second average inner cross-sectional area, and wherein the first average inner cross-sectional area is greater than the second average inner cross-sectional area to define a shoulder; an external heat transfer component extending around the liquefier tube between the outlet end of the hollow liner and the outlet end of the liquefier tube; and an extrusion tip disposed at the outlet end of the liquefier tube at an offset location from the outlet end of the hollow liner. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising:
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a downstream portion compositionally comprising a material having an average thermal conductivity greater than about 10 watts/meter-Kelvin, wherein the downstream portion has an inner surface with a first average inner cross-sectional area; an upstream portion disposed adjacent to the downstream portion, the upstream portion having an inner surface that has a surface energy less than about 75 millinewtons/meter and a second average inner cross-sectional area, wherein the first average inner cross-sectional area is at least 105% of the second average inner cross-sectional area to define a shoulder; an external heat transfer component extending around the downstream portion between the first end and the second end of the downstream portion; and an extrusion tip disposed at an opposing end of the downstream portion from the upstream portion. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification