Consumable assembly for use in extrusion-based layered deposition systems
First Claim
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1. A method for building a three-dimensional object with an extrusion-based layered deposition system having a mount, the method comprising:
- providing a first consumable assembly to the extrusion-based layered deposition system, wherein the first consumable assembly comprises a container portion retaining a supply of a filament, a first extruder portion, and a flexible guide tube configured to guide the filament from the container portion to the extruder portion;
placing the container portion at a location that is offset from the mount;
inserting the first extruder portion of the consumable assembly in the mount of the extrusion-based layered deposition system such that the guide tube extends between the location of the placed container portion and the inserted extruder portion;
building at least a portion of the three-dimensional object from the filament retained in the container portion; and
interchanging the first consumable assembly with the first extruder portion with a second consumable assembly with a second extruder portion.
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Abstract
A consumable assembly comprising a container portion configured to retain a supply of filament, a guide tube connected to the container portion, and a pump portion connected to the guide tube.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for building a three-dimensional object with an extrusion-based layered deposition system having a mount, the method comprising:
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providing a first consumable assembly to the extrusion-based layered deposition system, wherein the first consumable assembly comprises a container portion retaining a supply of a filament, a first extruder portion, and a flexible guide tube configured to guide the filament from the container portion to the extruder portion; placing the container portion at a location that is offset from the mount; inserting the first extruder portion of the consumable assembly in the mount of the extrusion-based layered deposition system such that the guide tube extends between the location of the placed container portion and the inserted extruder portion; building at least a portion of the three-dimensional object from the filament retained in the container portion; and interchanging the first consumable assembly with the first extruder portion with a second consumable assembly with a second extruder portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for building a three-dimensional object with an extrusion-based layered deposition system having a mount, the method comprising:
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providing a consumable assembly to the extrusion-based layered deposition system, wherein the consumable assembly comprises a container portion;
an extruder portion; and
a filament extending within and between the container portion and the extruder portion;placing the container portion at a location that is offset from the mount; inserting the extruder portion derived from the consumable assembly in the mount of the extrusion-based layered deposition system; building at least a portion of the three-dimensional object by drawing successive portions of the filament from the placed container portion to the inserted extruder portion; removing the consumable assembly with the extruder portion, the container portion, and any remaining portions of the filament that are within the extruder portion, within the container portion, and extending between the extruder portion and the container portion, from use with the extrusion-based layered deposition system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for building a three-dimensional object with an extrusion-based layered deposition system having a mount, the method comprising:
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providing an interchangeable consumable assembly to the extrusion-based layered deposition system, wherein the interchangeable consumable assembly comprises a container portion, an extruder portion comprising a liquefier tube and an extrusion tip, and a flexible guide tube interconnecting the container portion and the extruder portion to support a filament between the container portion and the extruder portion; placing the container portion at a location that is within or adjacent to the extrusion-based layered deposition system such that the container portion is not retained by the mount; inserting the extruder portion of the consumable assembly in the mount of the extrusion-based layered deposition system; moving successive segments of the filament from the container portion, through the guide tube, and into the liquefier tube of the inserted extruder portion; melting the successive segments of the filament in the liquefier tube of the inserted extruder portion to form an extrudable material; extruding the extrudable material from the extrusion tip of the inserted extruder portion; and moving the mount with the inserted extruder portion while extruding the extrudable material from the extrusion tip to build at least a portion of the three-dimensional object from the extruded material. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification