Universal adapter for consumable assembly used with additive manufacturing system

摘要

A universal adapter for use with a consumable assembly that is configured for use with an additive manufacturing system, the universal adapter comprising an inlet opening configured to receive a guide tube of the consumable assembly, and a connection member at the outlet end, which is configured interface with a mating panel of the additive manufacturing system.

主权项

1. A consumable assembly for use with an additive manufacturing system having a print head and a mating panel that is disposed at remote location from a print head, the consumable assembly comprising:
a container portion having a supply of a consumable filament; a flexible guide tube having a first end disposed in the container portion and a second end; and a universal adapter that is separate from the container portion, and comprising:
an inlet opening through which the second end of the guide tube extends;a coupling mechanism configured to secure the universal adapter to the mating panel;an outlet orifice configured to engage a reciprocating opening of the mating panel; anda filament drive mechanism engaged with a segment of the consumable filament that is fed from the container portion, through the guide tube, and into the universal adapter, wherein the filament drive mechanism is configured to relay the consumable filament from the outlet orifice of the universal adapter and into the reciprocating opening of the mating panel.