APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS

摘要

An apparatus for making three-dimensional physical objects of predetermined shape by sequentially depositing multiple layers of solidifying material on a base member in a desired pattern, the apparatus comprising:;a movable dispensing head (112) having a flow passage (124) therein in flow communication at one end thereof with a dispensing outlet configured in the form of a tip with a discharge orifice (126) of predetermined size therein to dispense material in a fluid state;;a supply of flexible strand of thermoplastic resin material that solidifies by cooling to a solidification temperature; heated relatively rapidly to a temperature just above its solidification temperature and will solidify due to a drop in temperature upon being dispensed onto said base member.;means for supplying said material in a fluid state through said flow passage to said dispensing outlet;;a delivery surface disposed in working proximity to said dispensing outlet of said dispensing head;;means for moving said dispensing head and said base member relative to each other in three dimensions in a predetermined sequence and pattern with respect to said dispensing outlet; and;means for metering the discharge of said material in a fluid state from said discharge orifice onto said base member as said dispensing head and base member are moved relative to each other so as to thus form a three-dimensional object, characterised in that:;material is provided to said movable dispensing head in the form of a continuous flexible strand;;said means for supplying said material in a fluid state comprises a heater (128) on said dispensing head proximate said flow passage that heats said flexible strand to a predetermined temperature above the solidification temperature of said material; and;said means for metering comprises a material advance mechanism operatively associated with said flexible strand which controllably advances said flexible strand towards said flow passage at an advance rate controlled in relation to said mechanism means, to thereby regulate the flow rate of said material in a fluid stream from said discharge orifice in relation to the relative movement of said discharge head and said base member;;said material advance mechanism comprises one or more roller pairs that grip said flexible strand therebetween and a speed-controlled driver motor (142) that supplies rotational power to said roller pairs.

主权项

1. An apparatus for making three-dimensional physical objects of predetermined shape by sequentially depositing multiple layers of solidifying material on a base member in a desired pattern, the apparatus comprising:
a movable dispensing head (112) having a flow passage (124) therein in flow communication at one end thereof with a dispensing outlet configured in the form of a tip with a discharge orifice (126) of predetermined size therein to dispense material in a fluid state; a supply of flexible strand of thermoplastic resin material that solidifies by cooling to a solidification temperature; heated relatively rapidly to a temperature just above its solidification temperature and will solidify due to a drop in temperature upon being dispensed onto said base member. means for supplying said material in a fluid state through said flow passage to said dispensing outlet; a delivery surface disposed in working proximity to said dispensing outlet of said dispensing head; means for moving said dispensing head and said base member relative to each other in three dimensions in a predetermined sequence and pattern with respect to said dispensing outlet; and means for metering the discharge of said material in a fluid state from said discharge orifice onto said base member as said dispensing head and base member are moved relative to each other so as to thus form a three-dimensional object, characterised in that: material is provided to said movable dispensing head in the form of a continuous flexible strand; said means for supplying said material in a fluid state comprises a heater (128) on said dispensing head proximate said flow passage that heats said flexible strand to a predetermined temperature above the solidification temperature of said material; and said means for metering comprises a material advance mechanism operatively associated with said flexible strand which controllably advances said flexible strand towards said flow passage at an advance rate controlled in relation to said mechanism means, to thereby regulate the flow rate of said material in a fluid stream from said discharge orifice in relation to the relative movement of said discharge head and said base member;said material advance mechanism comprises one or more roller pairs that grip said flexible strand therebetween and a speed-controlled driver motor (142) that supplies rotational power to said roller pairs.