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US 11,376,778 B2Granted
Apparatus and methods for fabricating components
AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorKenneth Susnjara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An additive manufacturing method for fabricating a component having a surface substantially free of imperfections may include providing a mold having a configuration corresponding to the component, and depositing a material on at least one surface of the mold to fabricate the component having the surface substantially free of imperfections.
Claims19
An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
- a material guide configured to receive a thermoplastic material;
- an applicator assembly connected to the material guide and connected downstream of the material guide;
- a nozzle connected to the applicator assembly, the nozzle being positionable with the applicator assembly such that an axis of the nozzle forms a non-zero angle with a vertical direction;
- and
- a roller that is positionable behind the nozzle, the roller configured to follow the nozzle and to press upon material deposited with the nozzle while the nozzle forms the non-zero angle with the vertical direction;
- wherein the applicator assembly includes a sprocket configured to change a position of the roller.
3 more elements
An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
- an applicator assembly;
- a nozzle connected to the applicator assembly;
- a compression roller;
- a bracket connected to the compression roller to secure the compression roller to an end face of the applicator assembly, the applicator assembly being connected to a material guide extending from the nozzle;
- and
- a sprocket connected to the applicator assembly, the sprocket being configured to change a relative position of the compression roller as compared to the nozzle.
3 more elements
An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
- an applicator assembly including a nozzle;
- a material guide configured to guide thermoplastic material to an opening of the nozzle;
- a surface configured to receive the thermoplastic material;
- a compression device configured to follow the nozzle and to compress deposited thermoplastic material;
- and
- a sprocket configured to move the compression device.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.