Head tool changer for use with deposition-based digital manufacturing systems
First Claim
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1. A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system for building layer-based three-dimensional models, the head tool changer comprising:
- a tooling unit configured to retain a deposition head of the deposition-based digital manufacturing system;
a master unit operably mounted to a gantry of the deposition-based digital manufacturing system, the master unit being configured to detachably engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit;
an actuator assembly operably mounted to the deposition-based digital manufacturing system, wherein at least a portion of the actuator assembly is configured to move along an axis toward the master unit; and
a grip unit secured to the actuator assembly and configured to detachably engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit;
wherein the relay of electrical power from the grip unit to the tooling unit is configured to be cut upon the tooling unit being disengaged from the grip unit and being engaged with the master unit.
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Abstract
A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system, the head tool changer comprising a tooling unit configured to retain a deposition head, a grip unit configured to engage with tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit, and a master unit operably mounted to a gantry and configured to engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system for building layer-based three-dimensional models, the head tool changer comprising:
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a tooling unit configured to retain a deposition head of the deposition-based digital manufacturing system; a master unit operably mounted to a gantry of the deposition-based digital manufacturing system, the master unit being configured to detachably engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit; an actuator assembly operably mounted to the deposition-based digital manufacturing system, wherein at least a portion of the actuator assembly is configured to move along an axis toward the master unit; and a grip unit secured to the actuator assembly and configured to detachably engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit; wherein the relay of electrical power from the grip unit to the tooling unit is configured to be cut upon the tooling unit being disengaged from the grip unit and being engaged with the master unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system for building layer-based three-dimensional models, the head tool changer comprising:
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a plurality of tooling units, each tooling unit being configured to retain a respective deposition head of the deposition-based digital manufacturing system; a master unit operably mounted to a gantry of the deposition-based digital manufacturing system, wherein the tooling units are configured to interchangeably engage with the master unit such that only one of the plurality of tool units engages the master unit at any given time; a plurality of actuator assemblies operably mounted to the deposition-based digital manufacturing system, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of actuator assemblies is configured to move along an axis toward the master unit; and a plurality of grip units, wherein each grip unit is secured to one of the plurality of actuator assemblies, each grip unit being configured to detachably engage with one of the plurality of tooling units; wherein the grip units are each configured to relay electrical power to the respective tooling unit attached thereto, and wherein the relay of electrical power from one of the grip units to the respective tooling unit attached thereto is configured to be cut upon the respective tooling unit being disengaged from the one grip unit and being engaged with the master unit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification