Fused filament fabrication using multi-segment filament

A method for preparing a continuous thermoplastic filament that has a plurality of segments, the method comprising:

• supplying a first thermoplastic filament and a second thermoplastic filament;
• guiding the first and the second thermoplastic filaments alternatingly and sequentially into position to be cut by a filament cutting component, with a respective first filament guide component mounted on a first reciprocally movable plate and a respective second filament guide component mounted on a second reciprocally movable plate;
• moving the first and second reciprocally moveable plate reciprocally from side to side on substantially the same horizontal plane;
• cutting each of the first and second thermoplastic filaments into segments with the filament cutting component in cooperation with the first and second reciprocally moveable plates, wherein each of the plurality of segments have a forward end and a trailing end that is spaced apart from the forward end;
• guiding and aligning the forward end of one segment of the plurality of segments into contact with the trailing end of another segment of the plurality of segments;
• and
• heating and joining the forward end of one segment of the plurality of segments to the trailing end of the other segment of the plurality of segments to form the continuous thermoplastic filament.

A method for preparing a continuous thermoplastic filament that has a plurality of segments, the method comprising:

• supplying a plurality of thermoplastic filaments;
• guiding each of the plurality of thermoplastic filaments alternatingly and sequentially into position to be cut by a filament cutting component, with a respective plurality of filament guide components that are each mounted on one of a respective plurality of reciprocally movable plates;
• moving the respective plurality of reciprocally movable plates reciprocally from side to side on substantially the same horizontal plane;
• cutting each of the plurality of thermoplastic filaments alternatingly and sequentially into segments with the filament cutting component in cooperation with one of the respective plurality of reciprocally movable plates, wherein each of the plurality of segments have a forward end and a trailing end that is spaced apart from the forward end;
• guiding and aligning the forward end of one segment of the plurality of segments into contact with the trailing end of another segment of the plurality of segments;
• and
• heating and joining the forward end of the one segment of the plurality of segments to the trailing end of the other segment of the plurality of segments to form the continuous thermoplastic filament.