Three dimensional printer for fiber reinforced composite filament fabrication

摘要

Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an conduit nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to applying the filament from the conduit nozzle.

主权项

1. A three dimensional printer for additive manufacturing of a part comprising:
a supply of reinforced composite filament including a plurality of axial fiber strands extending within a matrix material; a deposition head including a conduit therethrough, a chamfer smoothly and continuously transitioning the conduit to a substantially rounded outlet tipped with an ironing lip; a deposition head drive configured to drive the ironing lip to flatten the reinforced composite filament against previously deposited portions of the part; a nozzle tip arranged along a path of the reinforced composite filament and configured to separate the reinforced composite filament to form an unattached terminal end; a filament drive configured to drive the unattached terminal end of the reinforced composite filament through the conduit to exit the outlet at the ironing lip; and a controller operatively connected to the filament drive and the deposition head drive.