Rapid prototyping system with controlled material feedstock
AssigneeStratasys, Inc.
InventorsJoseph Edward LaBossiere, Marvin E. Eshelman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A deposition modeling system incorporates a drive mechanism to feed a strand of filament to create a model. The drive mechanism comprises a pivot block that is rotatably connected to a fixed block and a motor that rotates a drive shaft. A drive roller is connected to the drive shaft and an idler roller is connected to an idler axle that extends from the pivot block in a substantially perpendicular direction to the direction of rotation of the pivot block with respect to the fixed block and in a substantially parallel direction to the drive shaft.
Claims20
A drive mechanism for use in a deposition modeling system to receive a strand of filament and control the movement of the filament in a desired direction, the drive mechanism comprising:
- a fixed block having a bore extending within the fixed block;
- a pivot block rotatably connected to the fixed block and having a through hole that aligns with the bore of the fixed block;
- a fastener extending through the through hole of the pivot block and into the bore of the fixed block;
- a motor that rotates a drive shaft;
- a drive roller connected to the drive shaft;
- an idler axle that extends from the pivot block in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of rotation by the pivot block and parallel with the drive shaft;
- and
- an idler roller mounted on the idler axle such that the idler roller is free to rotate and its outer rim opposes an outer rim of the drive roller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.