Three-dimensional modeling system and method
Inventors
BRUGGEMAN, Thomas Jonathan • BRUGGEMAN, Adrianus • Wölbers, Martijn Johannes • Voss, Kevin Hendrik Jozef • KUIPER, Bouwe • BARTELDS, Jan Teun • KUIT, Koendert Hendrik • GROEN, Klaas
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10960601-B2
Publication Date
2021-03-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A three-dimensional modeling system for creating an object having a printhead having a tubular feed member and a nozzle having a nozzle outlet for dispensing modeling material. The tubular feed member having a feed channel for feeding the modeling material to the nozzle outlet. The system further having modeling material feeding means arranged at an end of the tubular feed member opposite of the nozzle, wherein the modeling material feeding means are arranged for exerting a pressure on the modeling material within the feed channel towards the nozzle. The system further having a pressure determining means for determining a first parameter indicative for a pressure exerted on the modeling material. The system further having a control system arranged for controlling the modeling material feeding means based on the determined first parameter indicative for a pressure exerted on the modeling material. A method of three-dimensional modeling using the system.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a three-dimensional modeling system that uses a three-dimensional modeling printhead with a tubular feed member and a nozzle. The nozzle is arranged at one end of the tubular feed member and includes a nozzle outlet and a nozzle tip that interfaces previously deposited tracks of modeling material on an object to be created. The tubular feed member includes a feed channel for feeding modeling material to the nozzle outlet.
Modeling material feeding means are arranged at an end of the tubular feed member opposite the nozzle to exert a pressure on the modeling material within the feed channel towards the nozzle. The system further includes pressure determining means for determining a first parameter (P_M) indicative of a pressure exerted on the modeling material. A control system controls the modeling material feeding means based on the determined first parameter (P_M) indicative of the pressure exerted on the modeling material.
The control system is also arranged for controlling positioning means and the printhead for depositing two first tracks spaced apart and depositing an intermediate track between the two first tracks while controlling the pressure using the first parameter (P_M). The pressure determining means can further determine a second parameter indicative of pressure exerted on the modeling material within the feed channel, and can determine additional parameters indicative of pressure exerted on modeling material within the intermediate track being deposited.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00016, clm-00029) that share a common architecture: a tubular feed printhead with a nozzle and a pressure-controlled modeling-material feeding mechanism using a first pressure parameter (P_M). Each independent claim includes at least one additional inventive constraint regarding how pressure is determined and/or how the intermediate track is deposited relative to the two spaced tracks.
Tubular-feed printhead with nozzle tip interfacing previously deposited tracks
A three-dimensional modeling printhead includes a tubular feed member and a nozzle arranged at one end of the tubular feed member, the nozzle having a nozzle outlet and a nozzle tip for interfacing previously deposited tracks of modeling material on the object to be created, wherein the tubular feed member comprises a feed channel for feeding modeling material to the nozzle outlet.
Pressure-exerting modeling material feeding means controlled by first pressure parameter (P_M)
Modeling material feeding means arranged at an end of the tubular feed member opposite the nozzle are arranged for exerting a pressure on the modeling material within the feed channel towards the nozzle, wherein pressure determining means determine a first parameter (P_M) indicative for a pressure exerted on the modeling material and a control system controls the modeling material feeding means based on said determined first parameter (P_M) indicative for a pressure exerted on the modeling material.
Intermediate track deposition between spaced first tracks under pressure control using P_M
The control system is arranged for controlling the positioning means and the printhead for depositing two first tracks that are spaced apart and depositing an intermediate track between said two first tracks while controlling the pressure exerted on the modeling material using said first parameter (P_M) indicative for a pressure exerted on the modeling material.
Second pressure-related parameter indicative of pressure within the feed channel
The pressure determining means for determining said first parameter (P_M) indicative for the pressure exerted on the modeling material further comprises pressure determining means for determining a second parameter indicative of a pressure exerted on the modeling material within the feed channel.
Pressure parameter derived from pressure of deposited intermediate track
The pressure determining means for determining said first parameter (P_M) indicative of a pressure exerted on the modeling material comprise pressure determining means for determining a third parameter indicative of a pressure exerted on the modeling material within the intermediate track being deposited.
Intermediate track deposited in a gap where gap width is substantially equal to track width
Depositing two first tracks each having a first width, wherein said two first tracks are spaced apart by a gap having a second width, said second width being substantially equal to the first width, and depositing an intermediate track in said gap between said two first tracks while controlling the pressure exerted on the modeling material using said first parameter (P_M) indicative for a pressure exerted on the modeling material.
Across the independent claims, the shared inventive concept is pressure-controlled modeling-material feeding in a tubular-feed printhead based on a first pressure parameter (P_M), combined with controlled deposition of two spaced tracks and an intermediate track between them. Dependent refinements in the provided text further narrow how pressure is determined, including additional pressure parameters tied to the feed channel or intermediate track, and how the intermediate track is positioned relative to track widths and gap widths.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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