System and method for moving build material using a gripper

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019322046-A1
Application number	US-201916459782-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 2, 2019
Priority date	Apr 24, 2017
Publication date	Oct 24, 2019
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

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A device for additive manufacturing, the device comprising:
an extrusion head having a first longitudinal axis that extends in a direction along which a build material is extruded by the extrusion head; and a gripper configured to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material, wherein the gripper is configured to move along the longitudinal axis in a first direction toward the extrusion head in and a second direction away from the extrusion head.

22 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the gripper includes a first surface portion configured to apply a first of the at least two opposing lateral forces, and a second surface portion configured to apply a second of the at least two opposing lateral forces.

23 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the gripper includes a collet.

24 . The device of claim 21 , further comprising a lead screw, wherein the lead screw is coupled to the gripper and configured to cause the gripper to move along the longitudinal axis in the first and the second directions.

25 . The device of claim 24 , wherein the lead screw has a hollow core configured to receive the build material therein.

26 . The device of claim 21 , further comprising a tube having an inner surface configured to contact the gripper and to cause the gripper to apply the at least two opposing lateral forces as the gripper moves relative to the tube in the first direction.

27 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the inner surface includes a camming surface.

28 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the tube is configured to move along the longitudinal axis relative to the extrusion head in the first and second directions.

29 . A device for additive manufacturing, the device comprising:
an extrusion head; and a collet configured to receive a rod of build material within an opening of the collet, wherein the collet is configured to have a first configuration in which the opening has a first width and a second configuration in which the opening has a second width smaller than the first width, and wherein, in the second configuration, the collet is configured to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the rod of build material.

30 . The device of claim 29 , wherein the extrusion head has a first longitudinal axis that extends in a direction along which the rod of build material is extruded by the extrusion head, and wherein the collet is configured to move along the longitudinal axis in a first direction toward the extrusion head and in a second direction away from the extrusion head.

31 . The device of claim 29 , further comprising a lead screw coupled to the collet, wherein the lead screw is configured to cause the collet to move along the longitudinal axis in the first and the second direction.

32 . The device of claim 31 , wherein the lead screw has a hollow core configured to receive the rod of build material therein.

33 . The device of claim 29 , further comprising a tube having an inner surface configured to contact the collet and to cause the collet to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration as the collet moves relative to the tube in the first direction.

34 . The device of claim 33 , wherein the inner surface includes a camming surface.

35 . The device of claim 33 , wherein the tube is configured to move relative to the extrusion head.

36 . A device for additive manufacturing, the device comprising:
an extrusion head; and a gripper, wherein:
in a first configuration, the gripper is configured to move along a longitudinal axis in a first direction relative to the extrusion head and relative to a rod of build material;
in a second configuration, the gripper is configured to move along the longitudinal axis in the first direction relative to the extrusion head and to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the rod of build material so that the rod of build material moves in conjunction with the gripper; and
in a third configuration, the gripper is configured to move along the longitudinal axis in a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the extrusion head and relative to the rod of build material.

37 . The device of claim 36 , wherein the longitudinal axis extends in a direction along which the rod of build material is extruded by the extrusion head.

38 . The device of claim 36 , wherein the first direction is toward the extrusion head, and wherein the second direction is away from the extrusion head.

39 . The device of claim 36 , wherein the gripper includes a collet.

40 . The device of claim 36 , further comprising a lead screw, wherein the lead screw is coupled to the gripper and configured to cause the gripper to move along the longitudinal axis in the first and the second directions.

Assignees

• Desktop Metal Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• B29C64/205

  Means for applying layers · CPC title

• B29C64/118

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

• B29C64/321

  Feeding · CPC title

• B29C64/393

  for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes · CPC title

• B29C64/232 Primary

  for motion along the axis orthogonal to the plane of a layer · CPC title