Method and apparatus for three-dimensional modeling
AssigneeStratasys, Inc.
InventorsWilliam J. Swanson, Minea A. Popa, Patrick W. Turley, William R. Priedeman, Jr., Paul E. Hopkins, Steve Brose
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for three-dimensional deposition modeling, which shield a supply of modeling filament fed through a deposition modeling machine from exposure to environmental moisture. Dry gas under pressure is supplied to a filament path leading from a material supply to a liquifier, creating an active moisture barrier along the filament path. In a preferred embodiment, an entrance of the filament path is configured to seal to an exit orifice of a cassette containing the material supply, and an exit of the filament path is vented to release exhaust gas.
Claims16
In a modeling machine that builds three-dimensional objects by depositing flowable modeling material, wherein the modeling material is provided to the machine in the form of flexible filament and a strand of the filament is advanced through the machine along a filament path to a liquifier where it is heated to a flowable temperature, the improvement comprising:
- means for creating an active moisture barrier along the filament path.
An apparatus for extruding moisture-sensitive material, comprising:
- a liquifier which receives material in the form of a filament strand and delivers the material in flowable form for extrusion;
- an enclosed filament path having an entrance for receiving a filament strand and an exit for delivering the filament strand to the liquifier;
- and
- means for creating an active moisture barrier along the filament path.
A method for shielding extrusion material from exposure to environmental moisture in an extrusion apparatus of the type that advances a continuous flexible filament of the extrusion material along a filament path leading from a filament supply to a liquifier, the method comprising the steps of:
- supplying dry gas under pressure to the filament path;
- and
- venting the gas from the filament path.
In a machine that builds three-dimensional objects by depositing flowable modeling material, wherein the modeling material is provided to the machine in the form of a flexible filament supply and a strand of the filament is advanced through the machine along a filament path to a liquifier where it is heated to a flowable temperature, a method for shielding the modeling material from exposure to environmental moisture comprising the steps of:
- supplying dry gas under pressure to the filament path;
- and
- venting the gas from the filament path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.