Method for building three-dimensional models with 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 method for building a three-dimensional model with an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system having an extrusion head, the method comprising depositing a consumable material from a liquefier assembly at an extrusion rate to substantially normalize a meniscus height within the liquefier assembly.
Claims17
A method for building a three-dimensional model with an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system having an extrusion head, the method comprising:
- depositing a consumable material from a liquefier assembly of the extrusion head at one or more extrusion rates while moving the extrusion head along a first portion of a first generated tool path;
- reducing the extrusion rate from the one or more extrusion rates to a slower, constant extrusion rate at a predetermined point along the first generated tool path, the predetermined point being before an end point of the first generated tool path;
- depositing the consumable material from the liquefier assembly at the reduced, constant extrusion rate while moving the extrusion head along a second portion of the first generated tool path, the second portion bounded by the predetermined point and the end point to substantially normalize a meniscus height within the liquefier assembly before or upon the extrusion head reaching the end point of the first generated tool path;
- moving the extrusion head to a successive-layer tool path while substantially maintaining the normalized meniscus height and without performing a purge operation;
- and
- depositing the consumable material from the liquefier assembly while moving the extrusion head along the successive-layer tool path.
A method for building a three-dimensional model with an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system having an extrusion head, the method comprising:
- generating tool paths for building a plurality of layers of the three-dimensional model, wherein each of the generated tool paths comprises a start point and an end point;
- generating a set point between the start point and the end point for at least a first tool path of the generated tool paths;
- depositing a consumable material from a liquefier assembly of the extrusion head at one or more extrusion rates while moving the extrusion head along the first tool path between the start point and the set point;
- depositing the consumable material from the liquefier assembly at a reduced and constant extrusion rate while moving the extrusion head along the first tool path between the set point and the end point to substantially normalize a meniscus height within the liquefier assembly;
- and
- moving the extrusion head to a successive-layer tool path of the generated tool paths while substantially maintaining the normalized meniscus height and without performing a purge operation;
- and
- depositing the consumable material from the liquefier assembly while moving the extrusion head along the successive-layer tool path.
A method for building a three-dimensional model with an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system having an extrusion head, the method comprising:
- feeding a consumable material filament into a liquefier assembly of the extrusion head;
- melting the consumable material filament in the liquefier to form a melt of molten material, wherein the melt defines a meniscus in the liquefier tube;
- extruding the melt out of the liquefier assembly;
- moving the extrusion head along a first tool path while extruding the melt;
- restricting movement of the meniscus along a longitudinal length of the liquefier assembly while moving the extrusion head along the first tool path, such that a height of the meniscus within the liquefier assembly is substantially normalized upon reaching an endpoint of the first tool path;
- moving the extrusion head to a successive-layer tool path while substantially maintaining the normalized meniscus height and without performing a purge operation;
- and
- depositing the melt from the liquefier assembly while moving the extrusion head along the successive-layer tool path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.