EP1286787A1 - Dispensing head and method for dispensing solidifying material - Google Patents

Dispensing head and method for dispensing solidifying material

Info

Publication number
EP1286787A1
EP1286787A1 EP00931732A EP00931732A EP1286787A1 EP 1286787 A1 EP1286787 A1 EP 1286787A1 EP 00931732 A EP00931732 A EP 00931732A EP 00931732 A EP00931732 A EP 00931732A EP 1286787 A1 EP1286787 A1 EP 1286787A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dispensing head
annular passage
dispensing
drive
strands
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00931732A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Frits Kornelis Feenstra
Steffi Finke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
Original Assignee
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO filed Critical Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
Publication of EP1286787A1 publication Critical patent/EP1286787A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C41/00—Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped article; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C41/34—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C41/36—Feeding the material on to the mould, core or other substrate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
    • B05C17/005—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes
    • B05C17/00523—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces for discharging material from a reservoir or container located in or on the hand tool through an outlet orifice by pressure without using surface contacting members like pads or brushes provided with means to heat the material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
    • B29C64/106—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
    • B29C64/106—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
    • B29C64/118—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/40—Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y10/00—Processes of additive manufacturing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y30/00—Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor

Definitions

  • Dispensing head and method for dispensing solidifying material Dispensing head and method for dispensing solidifying material.
  • the invention relates to a dispensing head for an apparatus for
  • heating means operatively associated with the
  • annular passage to form a liquifying zone for liquifying material in the
  • annular passage located between the input opening and the dispensing outlet
  • Such a dispensing head is known from EP 0 833 237 and is used for
  • a problem associated with the known dispensing head is that, in
  • the object of the invention is to provide a dispensing head of the
  • annular passage forms a continuous support
  • means provides for an increased material transport reliability, thereby preventing disturbance of the predetermined rate of flow due to leakage of
  • the drive elements can engage the strand when it is still solid.
  • the drive means comprise drive elements for engaging the strands of solid material, the drive elements being arranged to reach through corresponding apertures in the wall of the annular passage.
  • the drive means may also comprise e.g. a screw thread rotationally disposed on the inner wall of the annular passage at the drive zone.
  • the annular passage is at
  • the drive elements comprise drive wheels, which may be juxtaposed in radially opposite pairs for increased grip.
  • the drive means comprise two or more of such pairs which may be distributed
  • each drive wheel is driven.
  • the drive wheels have a common drive. It should be noted however, that the drive wheels can each be driven independently and that it is also possible to provide non-driven idler wheels.
  • the dispensing head comprises preheating
  • preheating means for preheating strands of solid material, the preheating means being
  • the metal can be heated in a controlled way, so that a preselected solid fraction can be obtained.
  • the solid fraction determines the
  • the invention further relates to a method of liquifying
  • dispensing solidifying material from a dispensing head as well as to an apparatus for making three-dimensional objects comprising a dispensing head.
  • fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a dispensing head
  • fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for making three- dimensional physical objects using the FDM technique.
  • Fig. 1 shows a dispensing head for an apparatus for making three-
  • the dispensing head 1 comprises an annular passage 2 in the form of a canal with a circular cross section.
  • the annular passage 2 extends from a
  • the dispensing head 1 furthermore, to a dispensing outlet 4.
  • heating means 5 shown as a coil of wire forming an electrical
  • the coil is wrapped around the thin-walled tubular member
  • the dispensing head 1 further comprises drive means 7 for driving material through the annular passage 2.
  • the drive means 7 are integrated in the annular passage 2, such that they can
  • the drive means 7 comprise drive elements, in the
  • passage 2 sealingly surrounds the drive wheels 9.
  • the drive wheels 9 are disposed, to reach with a part of their
  • annular passage 2 is used to engage a strand 8 inserted through the receiving inlet 3 and extending into the annular passage 2 at its
  • the tread surface is provided with a profile, e.g. an
  • the drive wheels 9 are juxtaposed in radially opposite pairs relative to the central axis A of the annular passage 2. In the drawing, two pairs of .
  • the drive wheels may be rotationally coupled.
  • the drive wheels are made of metal, preferably hardened steel.
  • the tread surface 13 may be slightly convex to improve cooperation with the cilindrical
  • the liquifying zone L In the liquifying zone the solid strand 8 is liquified.
  • Preheating means 16 shown as an electrical wire resistance heater
  • phase and/or temperature for processing are phase and/or temperature for processing.
  • strands of numerous materials can be processed, including: PA (polyamide), polyesther
  • PET poly-buthene-terephtalate
  • PBTP poly-ethene-terephtalate
  • PETP polycarbonate
  • PC polycarbonate
  • ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer
  • ASA acrylonitrile styrene acrylic copolymer
  • SAN Styrene acrylonitrile copolymer
  • POM polyacetal
  • CA cellulose acetate
  • PMMA polymethyl-methacrylate
  • PPO polyphenyloxide
  • PPS polyphenylenesulfi.de
  • PSO polysulphone
  • PTFE polytetrafluorethylene
  • PES Polyethersulphone
  • PEEK polyether-ether-ketone
  • PMP polymethylpentene
  • PPE/PS polyphenylether+polystyrene
  • PI polyimide
  • PEI polyetherimide
  • PNC polyvinylchloride
  • PS polystyrene
  • PE polyolefins
  • PE, PP polyvinylydenefluoride
  • PNDF polyvinylydenefluoride
  • ETFE tetrafluorethene-ethene copolymer
  • watersoluble polymers poly aery la ide (PAA), polyethylene oxide (PEO), biopolymers, thermoplastic elastomers: polyesther, polyether or polyolefin
  • filled or grafted grades fillers such as glass, minerals, fibres, grafted with
  • the strands may be composed, e.g. be built up of different filaments or coaxial layers.
  • preheating means may also be used
  • preheating means need not be part of the dispensing head, but may be arranged on a different portion of the machine
  • an apparatus 20 is shown for making three- dimensional physical objects 21 of a predetermined shape by sequentially
  • apparatus 20 comprises the dispensing head 1 of fig. 1 and means for
  • the apparatus 20 further comprises a base member 22 disposed in working proximity to the dispensing outlet 3 of the dispensing head 1 and means for
  • the means for moving the dispensing head are shown as linear drives 23A, 23B and 23C in which the dispensing head 1 can be moved in the X, Y and Z direction respectively.
  • the apparatus 20 further comprises control means 24, e.g. a computer, for controlling the linear drives 23 and the drive means 7 of the dispensing head 1, such that the dispensing head 1 can
  • the base member 22 is preferably disposed in a working chamber 25
  • the working chamber 25 may
  • the temperature of the environment in the working chamber 25 may be controlled, e.g. using a
  • Such an additional driving zone D' may be provided. Such an additional driving zone D' may be provided.
  • the additional driving zone D' is provided on an input
  • the annular passage may provide support against buckling.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Physical Vapour Deposition (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Measurement And Recording Of Electrical Phenomena And Electrical Characteristics Of The Living Body (AREA)
  • Input Circuits Of Receivers And Coupling Of Receivers And Audio Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

The invention generally relates to improvements in Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), such that the properties of the model can correspond more closely to the original object on which it was modelled or, in case of a prototype, to the end product. By varying the cross section of a road of deposited material in shape and/or area, the resolution of the product can be increased, without significantly increasing the total time needed to manufacture the product. The invention further relates to a dispensing head having a flat smear surface, and means for cleaning the smear surface. Further improvements to the FDM technique are also disclosed.

Description

Dispensing head and method for dispensing solidifying material.
The invention relates to a dispensing head for an apparatus for
making three-dimensional physical objects of predetermined shape by
sequentially depositing multiple layers of solidifying material on a base
member, comprising an annular passage, extending from a receiving inlet for
receiving strands of solid material to a dispensing outlet for dispensing the
material in a liquified state, heating means, operatively associated with the
annular passage to form a liquifying zone for liquifying material in the
annular passage, located between the input opening and the dispensing outlet,
and drive means for driving material through the annular passage by
engagement of the stands of solid material.
Such a dispensing head is known from EP 0 833 237 and is used for
liquifying solid strands of solidifying material and for depositing the liquified
material in repeated layers wherein the material solidifies until a three-
dimensional object is formed in a process generally known as Fused Deposition
Modelling (FDM). In use, a solid strand of material having a cross section
substantially corresponding to the cross section of the annular passage is fed
into the passage and is liquified, after which the material is dispensed to
solidify after dispensing in a layer.
A problem associated with the known dispensing head is that, in
practice, difficulties arise when processing strands of material having a relatively high viscosity in liquified state and/or which have a relatively low
stiffness. In particular, in the known dispensing head, processing the strands
includes the risk of buckling of the strand and/or disturbance of the desired
rate of flow of liquified material from the dispensing outlet. In practice, only strands of a limited number of materials can be processed using the known
dispensing head.
The object of the invention is to provide a dispensing head of the
above-identified type in which the above-mentioned problems are alleviated and which is capable of processing strands of a wider range of materials.
Thereto, the dispensing head according to the invention is
characterized in that the drive means are integrated in the annular passage,
such that they are arranged to engage the strands of solid material in a driving zone located between the receiving inlet and the liquifying zone of the
annular passage. This way, the annular passage forms a continuous support
surface extending from at least the area where the drive means engage the >.
strand to the area where the strand is liquified, such that buckling of the strand is prevented. Furthermore, the annular passage with integrated drive
means provides for an increased material transport reliability, thereby preventing disturbance of the predetermined rate of flow due to leakage of
material. By providing the drive zone between the receiving inlet and the
liquifying zone the drive elements can engage the strand when it is still solid.
Preferably, the drive means comprise drive elements for engaging the strands of solid material, the drive elements being arranged to reach through corresponding apertures in the wall of the annular passage. This way,
the force exerted by the drive elements on the strands in radial direction can
be adjusted, such that the force in axial direction of the strand provided by
friction can reach the required level for driving the material through the
relatively narrow dispensing outlet. By providing the apertures in the wall of
the annular passage such that they sealingly surround the drive elements, it can be prevented that, even when materials with a relatively high elasticity or
a relatively high viscosity are processed, material exits the annular passage at
the apertures. The drive means may also comprise e.g. a screw thread rotationally disposed on the inner wall of the annular passage at the drive zone.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the annular passage is at
least at the drive zone defined by a tubular member. This allows for a
relatively simple construction of the dispensing head.
Advantageously, the drive elements comprise drive wheels, which may be juxtaposed in radially opposite pairs for increased grip. Preferably, the drive means comprise two or more of such pairs which may be distributed
radially and/or axially in the drive zone. To optimize the traction exerted by
the tread surfaces of the drive wheels onto the strand, each drive wheel is driven. Preferably, the drive wheels have a common drive. It should be noted however, that the drive wheels can each be driven independently and that it is also possible to provide non-driven idler wheels. By providing the tread surface with a profile for enhancing friction,
the traction of the drive wheels and thus the axial force on the strand can be
increased.
By providing the drive wheels with at least a tread surface of metal or ceramic material, it is possible to engage the strands at relatively high
temperatures and/or relatively high contact forces.
In another embodiment, the dispensing head comprises preheating
means for preheating strands of solid material, the preheating means being
arranged to provide a preheating zone located on an input side of the drive zone. This way, it can be ensured that the strands are processed while having
the proper phase and/or temperature for processing. In particular, when
processing metal strands it can be assured that due to preheating, in the
liquifying zone the metal can be heated in a controlled way, so that a preselected solid fraction can be obtained. The solid fraction determines the
viscosity of the partially liquified material so that it can be deposited more
accurately.
The invention further relates to a method of liquifying and
dispensing solidifying material from a dispensing head, as well as to an apparatus for making three-dimensional objects comprising a dispensing head.
Further advantageous embodiments are discussed in the appended claims.
The invention will be further elucidated using an example shown in a drawing. In the drawing: fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a dispensing head; and
fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for making three- dimensional physical objects using the FDM technique.
The drawings are schematical representations and only serve as
no -limiting elucidations of a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, identical parts are denoted with the same reference numerals.
Fig. 1 shows a dispensing head for an apparatus for making three-
dimensional physical objects of predetermined shape by sequentially
depositing multiple layers of solidifying material on a base member.
The dispensing head 1 comprises an annular passage 2 in the form of a canal with a circular cross section. The annular passage 2 extends from a
receiving inlet 3 to a dispensing outlet 4. The dispensing head 1 further
comprises heating means 5, shown as a coil of wire forming an electrical
resistance heater. The coil is wrapped around the thin-walled tubular member
6 to form a liquifying zone L, located between the receiving inlet 3 and the dispensing outlet 4 of the annular passage 2. The dispensing head 1 further comprises drive means 7 for driving material through the annular passage 2.
The drive means 7 are integrated in the annular passage 2, such that they can
engage the strands 8 of solid material in a driving zone D located between the receiving inlet 3 and the liquifying zone L of the annular passage 2.
In particular, the drive means 7 comprise drive elements, in the
form of drive wheels 9, that reach through corresponding apertures 10 in the wall 11 of the tubular member 6. At the apertures, the wall 11 of the annular
passage 2 sealingly surrounds the drive wheels 9.
The drive wheels 9 are disposed, to reach with a part of their
circumference through the apertures 10 in the wall 11 of the annular passage,
such that, in each rotational position of a drive wheel, a portion 12 of the tread
surface 13 of the drive wheel extends in the passage 2. At any rotational
position, a portion 12 of the tread surface 13 is integrated with the wall 11 of
the annular passage 2 and is used to engage a strand 8 inserted through the receiving inlet 3 and extending into the annular passage 2 at its
circumference. To enhance friction between the tread surface 13 of the drive
wheels 9 and the strand 8, the tread surface is provided with a profile, e.g. an
hatched or knurled profile.
The drive wheels 9 are juxtaposed in radially opposite pairs relative to the central axis A of the annular passage 2. In the drawing, two pairs of .
juxtaposed drive wheels are shown that are axially distributed in the drive
zone. To prevent any slippage, the drive wheels may be rotationally coupled. The drive wheels are made of metal, preferably hardened steel. The tread surface 13 may be slightly convex to improve cooperation with the cilindrical
outer surface of the strand 8.
In operation, a strand 8 is inserted into the annular passage 2
through the receiving inlet 3. By rotation of the drive wheels 9 in the direction of arrows 14, the circumference of the strand 8 is engaged to be driven by the portions 12 of the tread surfaces 13 of the drive wheels 9 that reach through the apertures 10 in the wall 11 of the tubular member 6. This way, the strand 8 is transported in a processing direction indicated with an arrow 15 towards
the liquifying zone L. In the liquifying zone the solid strand 8 is liquified.
Under piston action of the solid portion of the strand 8, the liquified strand
material is subsequently forced through (the remaining portion of the annular passage 2 where it is dispensed through the dispensing outlet 4.
Preheating means 16, shown as an electrical wire resistance heater,
are provided in a preheating zone P located on an input side S of the drive zone
D. This way, a strand 8 to be processed can be preheated to have the proper
phase and/or temperature for processing.
With the dispensing head according to the invention, strands of numerous materials can be processed, including: PA (polyamide), polyesther
(PET,PBT), poly-buthene-terephtalate (PBTP), poly-ethene-terephtalate
(PETP), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS),
acrylonitrile styrene acrylic copolymer (ASA), Styrene acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), polyacetal (POM), cellulose acetate (CA), polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA), modified polyphenyloxide (PPO), polyphenylenesulfi.de (PPS),
polysulphone (PSO), polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), Polyethersulphone (PES), polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), polymethylpentene (PMP),
polyphenylether+polystyrene (PPE/PS), polyimide (PI), polyetherimide (PEI), polyvinylchloride (PNC), polystyrene (PS), polyolefins (PE, PP), polyvinylydenefluoride (PNDF), tetrafluorethene-ethene copolymer (ETFE),
watersoluble polymers: poly aery la ide (PAA), polyethylene oxide (PEO), biopolymers, thermoplastic elastomers: polyesther, polyether or polyolefin
based bloc copolymers (SBS, Hytrel, Arnitel), above polymers in unfilled, inert
filled or grafted grades (fillers such as glass, minerals, fibres, grafted with
maleic acid etcetera) and semi solid metals. The strands may be composed, e.g. be built up of different filaments or coaxial layers.
It should be noted that the preheating means may also be used
advantageously in an FDM apparatus incorporating a conventional dispensing
head. It shall also be clear that the preheating means need not be part of the dispensing head, but may be arranged on a different portion of the machine
such that it is associated with a portion of the strand to be processed that is
streamupward from the liquifying zone in processing direction 15.
Referring to fig. 2, an apparatus 20 is shown for making three- dimensional physical objects 21 of a predetermined shape by sequentially
depositing multiple layers of solidifying material on a base member. The
apparatus 20 comprises the dispensing head 1 of fig. 1 and means for
supplying strands of solidifying material to the receiving inlet of the dispensing head 1, shown as a filament spool 27 on which a strand 8 is wound. The apparatus 20 further comprises a base member 22 disposed in working proximity to the dispensing outlet 3 of the dispensing head 1 and means for
moving the dispensing head 1 and the base member 22 relative to each other
in three dimensions. The means for moving the dispensing head are shown as linear drives 23A, 23B and 23C in which the dispensing head 1 can be moved in the X, Y and Z direction respectively. The apparatus 20 further comprises control means 24, e.g. a computer, for controlling the linear drives 23 and the drive means 7 of the dispensing head 1, such that the dispensing head 1 can
move relative to the base member 22 in three dimensions in a predetermined
sequence and pattern with respect to the dispensing outlet 3 of the dispensing
head 1 and the strand 8 of solid material can be driven through the annular
passage 2 of the dispensing head, such that a sohdifying material is dispensed in a liquified state from the dispensing outlet in a predetermined rate onto the
base member, so as to thus form a three-dimensional object.
The constructional details and workings of the dispensing head and
the apparatus are known to the skilled man and are e.g. discussed in EP 0 833 237 to Stratasys Inc.
The base member 22 is preferably disposed in a working chamber 25
having a controlled atmosphere. In particular, the working chamber 25 may
contain a neutral gas environment which is particularly useful when strands
of material are processed that are prone to contamination, degradation or crystallisation, e.g. strands containing metal. Furthermore, the temperature of the environment in the working chamber 25 may be controlled, e.g. using a
heater 26. To enable processing of strands of material having a high liquifying
temperature, it is observed that the temperature of the working area should be
kept at or preferably closely under the glass transition temperature, e.g. 5- 30°C lower in order to enable stress relaxation to prevent (stress induced) warpage and shrinkage. It shall be clear that the ways of providing a controlled atmosphere
may each be used advantageously in combination with conventional FDM
methods and equipment.
It shall further be clear that the invention is not limited to the
specific embodiments described herein and that many variations are possible
within the scope of the appended claims. In particular, an additional driving
zone D' may be provided. Such an additional driving zone D' may be provided
integrated in the annular passage, but may also be provided streamupward from the dispensing head in processing direction.
Preferably, the additional driving zone D' is provided on an input
side S' of the preheating means, such that the preheating means are located
between driving zones. When the additional drive zone D' is integrated in the
annular passage, the annular passage may provide support against buckling.

Claims

Claims
1. A dispensing head for an apparatus for making three-dimensional
physical objects of predetermined shape by sequentially depositing multiple
layers of solidifying material on a base member, comprising:
an annular passage, extending from a receiving inlet for receiving strands of
solid material to a dispensing outlet for dispensing the material in a liquified
state,
heating means, operatively associated with the annular passage to form a liquifying zone for liquifying material in the annular passage, located between
the receiving inlet and the dispensing outlet, and
drive means for driving material through the annular passage by engagement of the strands of solid material,
wherein
the drive means are integrated in the annular passage, such that they are arranged to engage the strands of solid material in a driving zone located between the receiving inlet and the liquifying zone of the annular passage.
2. A dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the drive means
comprise drive elements for engaging the strands of solid material, the drive
elements being arranged to reach through corresponding apertures in the wall
of the annular passage.
3. A dispensing head according to claim 2, wherein, at the apertures,
the wall of the annular passage sealingly surrounds the drive elements.
4. A dispensing head according to any of the preceding claims, wherein
at least at the drive zone the annular passage is defined by a tubular member.
5. A dispensing head according to any of claims 2-4, wherein the drive
elements comprise drive wheels.
6. A dispensing head according to claim 5 wherein the drive wheels are
disposed to reach with a portion of a tread surface thereof through the
corresponding apertures in the wall of the annular passage.
7. A dispensing head according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the tread
surface of the drive wheels is provided with a profile for enhancing friction.
8. A dispensing head according to any of claims 5-7 wherein at least
the tread surface of the drive wheels is made of metal.
9. A dispensing head according to any of claims 5-7 wherein at least
the tread surface of the drive wheels is made of ceramic material.
10. A dispensing head according to any of the preceding claims, further
comprising preheating means for preheating strands of solid material, arranged to provide a preheating zone located on an input side of the drive zone.
11. An apparatus for making three-dimensional physical objects of a
predetermined shape by sequentially depositing multiple layers of sohdifying
material on a base member, comprising a dispensing head according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising
means for supplying strands of sohdifying material to the receiving inlet of the
dispensing head,
a base member disposed in working proximity to the dispensing outlet of the
dispensing head, moving means for moving the dispensing head and the base member relative
to each other in three dimensions and
control means for controlling the moving means and the driving means, such
that the dispensing head can move relative to the base member in three
dimensions in a predetermined sequence and pattern with respect to the dispensing outlet and the drive means drive the strands of solid material
through the annular passage such that material is dispensed in a liquified
state from the dispensing outlet in a predetermined rate onto the base
member, so as to form a three-dimensional object.
12. A method for making three-dimensional physical objects of predetermined shape by sequentially depositing multiple layers of solidifying
material on a base member, wherein a strand of solid material is driven
through a liquifying zone located between a receiving inlet for receiving the strand of solid material and a dispensing outlet for dispensing the material in
a liquified state of an annular passage and wherein the strand of sohd
material is engaged to be driven in a driving zone located between the receiving inlet and the liquifying zone of the annular passage.
EP00931732A 2000-05-19 2000-05-19 Dispensing head and method for dispensing solidifying material Withdrawn EP1286787A1 (en)

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EP00963138A Expired - Lifetime EP1286822B1 (en) 2000-05-19 2000-09-07 Improved fdm method and apparatus

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AT (1) ATE281924T1 (en)
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WO2001089714A1 (en) 2001-11-29
ATE281924T1 (en) 2004-11-15
AU2000249562A1 (en) 2001-12-03
DE60015813D1 (en) 2004-12-16
WO2001089814A1 (en) 2001-11-29
EP1286822A1 (en) 2003-03-05
AU2000274589A1 (en) 2001-12-03
EP1286822B1 (en) 2004-11-10
CA2411022A1 (en) 2001-11-29
JP2003534159A (en) 2003-11-18
JP2003534121A (en) 2003-11-18
CA2411025A1 (en) 2001-11-29

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