Methods and apparatus for additive manufacturing along user-specified toolpaths
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- (a) one or more I/O devices configured to accept user-inputted path instructions that specify a set of multiple deposition paths for an extruder to travel; and
(b) an actuator configured to actuate physical motion of the extruder along a trajectory that includes each of the deposition paths and also includes multiple non-deposition paths, in such a way that the physical motion of the extruder along the trajectory includes the extruder moving along a deposition path, then along a non-deposition path, and then along another deposition path;
wherein for each respective path in the set of deposition paths(i) the user-inputted path instructions specify a thickness of an object, and(ii) the extruder is configured to extrude the object in such a way that (A) the extruder extrudes the object only while the extruder is moving along the respective path, and (B) the extruder extrudes the object in accordance with fabrication instructions computed by a computer based at least in part on the thickness.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One or more input/output devices accept user-inputted path instructions that specify a set of multiple deposition paths for an extruder to travel. An actuator actuates motion of the extruder along a trajectory that includes each of the deposition paths and also includes multiple non-deposition paths. For each deposition path: (a) the user-inputted path instructions specify a thickness of an object; and (b) the extruder extrudes the object in accordance with fabrication instructions computed by a computer based at least in part on the thickness. As the extruder moves over the entire trajectory, the extruder extrudes a set of objects, one object per deposition path. The objects adhere to each other to form an integral 3D structure. In some cases, the objects include functionally graded material.
17 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. An apparatus comprising:
-
(a) one or more I/O devices configured to accept user-inputted path instructions that specify a set of multiple deposition paths for an extruder to travel; and (b) an actuator configured to actuate physical motion of the extruder along a trajectory that includes each of the deposition paths and also includes multiple non-deposition paths, in such a way that the physical motion of the extruder along the trajectory includes the extruder moving along a deposition path, then along a non-deposition path, and then along another deposition path; wherein for each respective path in the set of deposition paths (i) the user-inputted path instructions specify a thickness of an object, and (ii) the extruder is configured to extrude the object in such a way that (A) the extruder extrudes the object only while the extruder is moving along the respective path, and (B) the extruder extrudes the object in accordance with fabrication instructions computed by a computer based at least in part on the thickness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
Specification