System And Method For Moving Build Material Using A Gripper In A 3D Printing System

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018304533-A1
Application number	US-201815961846-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 24, 2018
Priority date	Apr 24, 2017
Publication date	Oct 25, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system and corresponding method to move build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a gripper. The gripper is arranged to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material. The at least two opposing lateral forces are applied to the build material, in conjunction with linear motion of the gripper, for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward an extrusion head.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An extrusion assembly for use in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system, the extrusion assembly including:
an extrusion head configured to receive a build material; and an actuation assembly including an actuating component and a gripper, the gripper arranged to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material, the at least two opposing lateral forces being applied to the build material for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward the extrusion head, the actuating component arranged to cause linear motion of the gripper for the at least a portion of the path.

2 . The extrusion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuation assembly further includes a gripper guide, the gripper guide arranged to cause the gripper to apply the at least two opposing lateral forces.

3 . The extrusion assembly of claim 2 , wherein the actuation assembly further includes a spring arranged to cause the gripper guide to move in a direction away from the extrusion head and toward a home position for the gripper guide within the actuation assembly.

4 . The extrusion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the extrusion assembly includes an extrusion frame arranged to house the gripper, a gripper guide for the gripper, and a spring.

5 . The extrusion assembly of claim 4 , wherein the extrusion frame defines a stopping ledge within the frame arranged to stop movement of the gripper guide in a direction away from the extrusion head, the stopping ledge defining a home position for the gripping guide and the gripper.

6 . The extrusion assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a traveling component, wherein the gripper is coupled to the traveling component, and wherein the actuation assembly further includes:
a gripper guide arranged to cause the gripper to dilate and contract within the gripper guide; and a driving component configured to drive the actuating component to cause the traveling component to move bi-directionally relative to the extrusion head.

7 . The extrusion assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a traveling component, wherein the traveling component defines a hollow core configured to enable the build material to pass through the traveling component and toward the extrusion head.

8 . The extrusion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the build material is in a form of a discrete rod or continuous feedstock.

9 . The extrusion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the gripper is arranged to apply the at least two lateral forces via vacuum.

10 . The extrusion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuation assembly further comprises a first belt and a second belt and wherein the build material is arranged between surfaces of the first belt and second belts.

11 . The extrusion assembly of claim 10 , wherein the gripper is coupled to the first belt and the second belt and arranged to apply the at least two lateral forces to the build material via the first and second belts.

12 . The extrusion assembly of claim 1 , wherein the gripper includes: a linear element; a first rolling element; a second rolling element; a first gripping element; and a second gripping element; and wherein the linear element is coupled to the first and second gripping elements and at least two rolling elements.

13 . The extrusion assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a linear guide and wherein the gripper is arranged to travel the linear guide.

14 . A method for moving build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system, the method comprising:
applying at least two opposing lateral forces to a build material via a gripper, the at least two opposing lateral forces being applied to the build material for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward an extrusion head; and causing linear motion of the gripper for the at least a portion of the path the build material travels toward the extrusion head.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the linear motion of the gripper causes the gripper to enter a gripper guide and wherein the method further comprises compressing and dilating the gripper via a profile of an internal surface of the guide.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the applying includes:
driving an actuating component in a manner that causes opposing surfaces of the gripper to engage with opposing surfaces of the build material via respective couplings and wherein the linear motion of the gripper causes rotation of the respective couplings.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the respective couplings are belts.

18 . An actuation system for use in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system, the actuation system comprising:
a gripper coupled to a traveling component; an actuating component coupled to the traveling component; a driving component configured to drive the actuating component; and a controller configured to activate and deactivate the driving component.

19 . The actuation system of claim 17 , wherein the driving component is further configured to drive the actuating component to cause the traveling component to move bi-directionally relative to an extrusion head.

20 . An apparatus for moving build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system, the apparatus comprising:
means for applying at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material, the at least two opposing lateral forces being applied to the build material for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward the extrusion head; and means for causing linear motion concurrent, with engagement of the build material, for the at least a portion of the path the build material travels toward the extrusion head in the 3D printing system.

Assignees

• Desktop Metal Inc

Inventors

• Burnham Richard
• Laplante John
• Preston Aaron
• Fontana Richard Remo

Classifications

• B29C64/141

  using only solid materials · CPC title

• B29C64/321

  Feeding · CPC title

• B33Y30/00

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

• B29C64/118

  using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM] · CPC title

• B29C64/227

  Driving means · CPC title