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 the 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.
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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
15 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 the 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12)
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11. A method for advancing a thermoplastic filament to be used in additive manufacturing application comprising:
providing a thermoplastic filament; and
advancing the thermoplastic filament with an interdependent dual drive system having a static filament driver with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein a filament entry gate is disposed at the proximal end and a filament exit gate is disposed at the distal end, a dynamic and synergic filament driver having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is connected to the static drive system through a flexible element and the distal end is attachable to a filament extrusion nozzle.
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13. A method of extruding a thermoplastic filament comprising:
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placing a spool of single stranded thermoplastic filament into a material holder, loading the thermoplastic filament into a static filament driver through a filament entry gate, pushing the filament through a filament exit gate, flexible tubing and dynamic filament driver, pulling the filament through the dynamic filament driver, pushing the filament from the dynamic filament driver into a heating component and extrusion nozzle, and extruding the filament. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification