Direct writing nozzle system for additive manufacturing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10730138-B2
Application number	US-201615208829-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 13, 2016
Priority date	Jul 13, 2016
Publication date	Aug 4, 2020
Grant date	Aug 4, 2020

Abstract

A nozzle apparatus used for extruding a material includes an internal spindle that imparts motion into the extruding material, the internal spindle having a base; a multiple degree-of-freedom pivot at the base of the internal spindle, and a drive mechanism that controls the motion of the internal spindle. In one embodiment the material is a semi-solid metal or alloy. In another embodiment the material is a shear thinning mixture or material. In yet embodiment the material is a thixotropic mixture or material. The nozzle apparatus can be used for making a three-dimensional object with the steps of providing a material; providing a nozzle that extrudes the material, the nozzle having an internal spindle that imparts motion into the material; positioning the nozzle above a support structure; and moving the nozzle in a three-dimensional pattern while extruding the material through the nozzle onto the support structure or onto the material previously deposited.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object, comprising:
an additive manufacturing print head,
extruding material in said additive manufacturing print head,
a nozzle in said additive manufacturing print head that extrudes said extruding material,
a controller that moves said print head and said nozzle to produce the object,
an internal spindle in said nozzle that imparts motion into said extruding material, and
a multiple degree-of-freedom drive mechanism connected to said internal spindle,
said multiple degree-of-freedom drive mechanism comprising
a first eccentric hub,
a first stepper motor connected to said first eccentric hub,
a first link connecting said first eccentric hub to said internal spindle,
a second eccentric hub,
a second stepper motor connected to said second eccentric hub, and
a second link connecting said second eccentric hub to said internal spindle.

2. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein the material is a semi-solid metal or alloy.

3. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein the material is a shear thinning mixture or material.

4. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein the material is a thixotropic mixture or material.

5. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein said multiple degree-of-freedom drive mechanism is a flexural multiple degree-of-freedom drive mechanism.

6. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein said spindle has a diameter and a length and wherein said diameter varies along said length.

7. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein said multiple degree-of-freedom drive mechanism constrains said spindle against axial rotation and allows oscillation of said spindle.

Assignees

• L Livermore Nat Security Llc

Inventors

• Rosso Paul A
• Kuntz Joshua D

Classifications

• B33Y10/00 Primary

  Processes of additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B29C64/209

  Heads; Nozzles · CPC title

• B29C64/106

  using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material · CPC title

• B33Y30/00

  Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor · CPC title

• B23K20/26 Primary

  Auxiliary equipment · CPC title