Extrusion system for 3-D printing of viscous elastomers
AssigneeOregon State University
InventorsOsman Dogan Yirmibesoglu, Yi{hacek over (g)}it Mengüç
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is direct ink write (DIW) print extrusion head for 3D printing of viscous elastomers. The disclosed print extrusion head comprises a mixer assembly, comprising a fluid distribution cap coupled to a carrier, an in-line mixer coupled to the fluid distribution cap. A cooling jacket surrounds the in-line mixer. A nozzle is coupled to the in-line mixer and protrudes below the cooling jacket over a work surface. The position of the nozzle relative to the work surface is changeable. At least one heat source is on the chassis and disposed adjacent to the fluid distribution cap. The at least one heat source comprises a heat guiding element to direct heat to a region onto the work surface below the nozzle.
Claims14
A printing apparatus, comprising:
- a 3D print extrusion head assembly, comprising:
- a fluid distribution cap mechanically affixed to a carrier;
- an in-line mixer fluidically coupled to the fluid distribution cap;
- a cooling jacket mechanically affixed to the fluid distribution cap, wherein at least a portion of the in-line mixer is within a cavity within the cooling jacket;
- and
- a nozzle mechanically affixed to the in-line mixer, wherein the nozzle extends from the in-line mixer through a wall of the cooling jacket;
- and
- two or more heater wings adjacent to the in-line mixer, wherein the two or more heater wings are mechanically affixed to the carrier, wherein the two or more heater wings comprise a heating block having a first surface and a second surface separated by a thickness of the heating block, wherein a blower is mechanically attached to the first surface, and wherein the heating block comprises one or more openings that extend from the first surface to the second surface through the thickness of the heating block.
A system, comprising:
- a 3D print extrusion head assembly, comprising:
- a fluid distribution cap mechanically affixed to a carrier;
- an in-line mixer fluidically coupled to the fluid distribution cap;
- a cooling jacket mechanically affixed to the fluid distribution cap, wherein at least a portion of the in-line mixer is within a cavity within the cooling jacket;
- a nozzle mechanically affixed to the in-line mixer, wherein the nozzle extends from the in-line mixer through a wall of the cooling jacket;
- and
- two or more heater wings adjacent to the in-line mixer, wherein the two or more heater wings are mechanically affixed to the carrier, wherein the two or more heater wings comprise a heating block having a first surface and a second surface separated by a thickness of the heating block, wherein a blower is mechanically attached to the first surface, and wherein the heating block comprises one or more openings that extend from the first surface to the second surface through the thickness of the heating block;
- and
- a reservoir to contain an elastomer precursor is fluidically coupled to the fluid distribution cap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.