Interdependent drive system
First Claim
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1. An interdependent dual drive extrusion system comprising:
- a static filament driver having a proximal end for receiving an associated thermoplastic filament and a distal end from which the associated thermoplastic filament is advanced, wherein the proximal end includes a first filament gate and the distal end includes a second filament gate;
a dynamic filament driver having a proximal end for receiving the associated thermoplastic filament advanced from the static filament driver and a distal end from which the thermoplastic filament is advanced; and
and an extruder;
wherein the proximal end of the dynamic filament driver is connected to the distal end of the static driver through a flexible tubing having a passageway for transmitting the associated thermoplastic filament, and the distal end of the dynamic filament driver is attachable to a filament extrusion head including the extruder; and
wherein the static filament driver and dynamic filament driver cooperate to advance the associated thermoplastic filament at a steady rate regardless of movement or position of the dynamic filament driver relative to the static filament driver; and
the static filament driver and the dynamic filament driver are connected to a controller which operates them in unison to prevent any slippage of the thermoplastic filament; and
wherein the interdependent dual drive extrusion system further comprises a gantry system, a heated build platform and a heated filament extrusion end; and
the gantry system serves to transport the dynamic filament drive assembly, the filament extrusion hot end and a filament extrusion nozzle in the x, y, and z directions.
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Abstract
An interdependent dual driver system for advancing and extruding thermoplastic material to be used in 3-dimensional printing applications. The system and process uses a two-driver system where one driver pushes the material through the device while the second driver pulls the material. The material is advanced through a nozzle designed to heat and extrude thermoplastic materials.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An interdependent dual drive extrusion system comprising:
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a static filament driver having a proximal end for receiving an associated thermoplastic filament and a distal end from which the associated thermoplastic filament is advanced, wherein the proximal end includes a first filament gate and the distal end includes a second filament gate; a dynamic filament driver having a proximal end for receiving the associated thermoplastic filament advanced from the static filament driver and a distal end from which the thermoplastic filament is advanced; and and an extruder; wherein the proximal end of the dynamic filament driver is connected to the distal end of the static driver through a flexible tubing having a passageway for transmitting the associated thermoplastic filament, and the distal end of the dynamic filament driver is attachable to a filament extrusion head including the extruder; and wherein the static filament driver and dynamic filament driver cooperate to advance the associated thermoplastic filament at a steady rate regardless of movement or position of the dynamic filament driver relative to the static filament driver; and
the static filament driver and the dynamic filament driver are connected to a controller which operates them in unison to prevent any slippage of the thermoplastic filament; andwherein the interdependent dual drive extrusion system further comprises a gantry system, a heated build platform and a heated filament extrusion end; and
the gantry system serves to transport the dynamic filament drive assembly, the filament extrusion hot end and a filament extrusion nozzle in the x, y, and z directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification