Three-dimensional printer tool systems

摘要

An extruder or other similar tool head of a three-dimensional printer is slidably mounted along a feedpath of build material so that the extruder can move into and out of contact with a build surface according to whether build material is being extruded. The extruder may be spring-biased against the forward feedpath so that the extruder remains above the build surface in the absence of applied forces, and then moves downward into a position for extrusion when build material is fed into the extruder. In another aspect, modular tool heads are disclosed that can be automatically coupled to and removed from the three-dimensional printer by a suitable robotics system. A tool crib may be provided to store multiple tool heads while not in use.

主权项

1. A device comprising:
a housing configured to removably and replaceably couple to a three-dimensional printer in a predetermined alignment to a drive assembly of the three-dimensional printer and an axis of a feedpath for a filament of build material driven by the drive assembly; and an extrusion head including an input proximal to the drive assembly along the feedpath when the housing is placed for use in the three-dimensional printer and a nozzle distal to the drive assembly along the feedpath, the input coupled to the nozzle by a chamber within the extrusion head, the extrusion head moveably coupled to the housing to permit movement of the extrusion head within the housing parallel to an axis of the feedpath.