Abstract:
A continuous liquid interface production system includes a source of optical stimulation. The system includes a vessel configured to retain a pool or film of optically sensitive monomer and a substantially optically transparent plate retained by the vessel. The optical stimulation is directed through the plate and into the pool or the film based upon a sliced 3D model of the part. The system includes source of reaction inhibitor wherein the substantially optically transparent plate allows the reaction inhibitor to permeate through the plate and into the pool or the film such that a sufficient amount of reaction inhibitor is within the pool or the film to create a zone proximate the plate that prevents polymerization therein. A build platen is configured to be at least partially immersed into the pool or the film and above the zone as a part is initially being built, wherein a build platen actuator moves the build platen away from the pool or the film in a direction substantially normal to a top surface of the plate. A relative movement actuator provides relative movement between the plate and the part in a direction substantially parallel to the top surface of the plate such that a viscosity pump effect is created that forces monomer between the part being built and the plate.
Abstract:
A method of printing a three-dimensional part includes dividing each of a plurality of layers of a model of the three-dimensional part into a plurality of passes, where each of the plurality of passes is separated from one or more adjacent passes by a gap. The gap between passes in a first layer is offset from the gap between passes in an adjacent layer, such that the gap between passes in the first layer does not align with or stack with the gap between passes in the adjacent layer.
Abstract:
A method of additive three-dimensional object production includes depositing liquefied material to produce two roads and placing an extruder tip having a bottom surface that surrounds an orifice such that one portion of the bottom surface is sealed against one of the two roads and another part of the bottom surface is sealed against the other of the two roads and the orifice is positioned over a space between the two roads. Liquefied material is then extruded through the orifice to fill the space between the two roads.
Abstract:
A continuous liquid interface production system includes a source of optical stimulation. The system includes a vessel configured to retain a pool or film of optically sensitive monomer and a substantially optically transparent plate retained by the vessel. The optical stimulation is directed through the plate and into the pool or the film based upon a sliced 3D model of the part. The system includes source of reaction inhibitor wherein the substantially optically transparent plate allows the reaction inhibitor to permeate through the plate and into the pool or the film such that a sufficient amount of reaction inhibitor is within the pool or the film to create a zone proximate the plate that prevents polymerization therein. A build platen is configured to be at least partially immersed into the pool or the film and above the zone as a part is initially being built, wherein a build platen actuator moves the build platen away from the pool or the film in a direction substantially normal to a top surface of the plate. A relative movement actuator provides relative movement between the plate and the part in a direction substantially parallel to the top surface of the plate such that a viscosity pump effect is created that forces monomer between the part being built and the plate.
Abstract:
A pump assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system includes a viscosity pump having a first end and a second end wherein the first end has a cross sectional area greater than a cross sectional area of the second end. The viscosity pump has a conical shaped inner surface defining a pump chamber, an inlet proximate the first end and an outlet proximate the second end. The viscosity pump includes an impeller having an axis of rotation, where the impeller has a shaft positioned through the first end of the first housing and into the pump chamber. The impeller includes a distal tip-end at a distal end of the shaft wherein the impeller is configured to be axially displaced within the pump chamber of the viscosity pump parallel to the axis of rotation. An actuator is coupled to a proximal end of the impeller, wherein the actuator is configured to move the impeller parallel to the axis of rotation.
Abstract:
A method and program for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system, the method including generating or otherwise providing strain data from a digital model of the three-dimensional part, orienting the digital model to align the directions of high tensile strain in a build plane, and printing the three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer manner based on the oriented digital model with the additive manufacturing system.
Abstract:
A liquefier assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, which includes a rigid member having a gap, a liquefier tube operably disposed in the gap, one or more heater assemblies disposed in the gap in contact with the liquefier tube, and configured to heat the liquefier tube in a zone-by-zone manner, preferably one or more thermal resistors disposed in the gap between the rigid member and the heater assemblies, and preferably one or more sensors configured to operably measure pressure within the liquefier tube. The one or more heater assemblies may be operated to provide dynamic heat flow control.
Abstract:
A method and program for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system, the method including generating or otherwise providing strain data from a digital model of the three-dimensional part, orienting the digital model to align the directions of high tensile strain in a build plane, and printing the three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer manner based on the oriented digital model with the additive manufacturing system.
Abstract:
A coil assembly comprising a coil of a strand-based material retained in a figure-8 configuration, and having an inner layer and an outer layer, where the inner layer of the coil defines a core region of the coil, and where the coil is configured to unwind loop by loop beginning from the inner layer and moving towards the outer layer as the strand-based material is drawn through a payout hole. The coil assembly also comprises a permeable hub configured to reduce payout entanglement of the strand-based material.
Abstract:
A ribbon liquefier comprising an outer liquefier portion configured to receive thermal energy from a heat transfer component, and a channel at least partially defined by the outer liquefier portion, where the channel has dimensions that are configured to receive the ribbon filament, and where the ribbon liquefier is configured to melt the ribbon filament received in the channel to at least an extrudable state with the received thermal energy to provide a melt flow. The dimensions of the channel are further configured to conform the melt flow from an axially-asymmetric flow to a substantially axially-symmetric flow in an extrusion tip connected to the ribbon liquefier.