Liquefier assembly for use in extrusion-based additive manufacturing systems
AssigneeStratasys, Inc.
InventorsWilliam J. Swanson, Kevin C. Johnson, Timothy A. Hjelsand, J. Samuel Batchelder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising a downstream portion having a first average inner cross-sectional area, and an upstream having a second average inner cross-sectional area that is less than the first inner cross-sectional area, the upstream portion defining a shoulder configured to restrict movement of a melt meniscus of a consumable material.
Claims20
A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising:
- a downstream portion comprising a first end and a second end opposite of the first end along a longitudinal length of the liquefier assembly, wherein the downstream portion has a first average inner cross-sectional area;
- an upstream portion disposed adjacent to the first end of the downstream portion, the upstream portion being configured to receive a consumable material,
- wherein the upstream portion has a second average inner cross-sectional area that is less than the first inner cross-sectional area, and wherein the upstream portion defines a shoulder between the first inner cross-sectional area and the second inner cross-sectional area, the shoulder being configured to restrict movement of a melt meniscus of the consumable material;
- and
- an extrusion tip disposed at the second end of the downstream portion.
A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising:
- a liquefier tube having an inlet end, an outlet end, and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the liquefier tube defines a first average inner cross-sectional area;
- a hollow liner disposed at least partially within the liquefier tube such that an outlet end of the hollow liner is disposed within the liquefier tube at a location between the inlet end of the liquefier tube and the outlet end of the liquefier tube, wherein the hollow liner has an inner surface that defines a second average inner cross-sectional area, and wherein the first average inner cross-sectional area is greater than the second average inner cross-sectional area to define a shoulder;
- and
- an extrusion tip disposed at the outlet end of the liquefier tube at an offset location from the outlet end of the hollow liner.
A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising:
- a downstream portion compositionally comprising a material having an average thermal conductivity greater than about 10 watts/meter-Kelvin, wherein the downstream portion has an inner surface with a first average inner cross-sectional area;
- an upstream portion disposed adjacent to the downstream portion, the upstream portion having an inner surface that has a surface energy less than about 75 millinewtons/meter and a second average inner cross-sectional area, wherein the first average inner cross-sectional area is at least 105% of the second average inner cross-sectional area;
- and
- an extrusion tip disposed at an opposing end of the downstream portion from the upstream portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.