RAPID PROTOTYPING SYSTEM WITH FILAMENT SUPPLY SPOOL MONITORING

摘要

A filament spool (42) used in a rapid prototyping system carries a circuit (188) which maintains data regarding the type and amount of filament on the spool (42). When the spool (42) is mounted onto a spindle (43) in the rapid prototyping system, the circuit (188) is connected to the electronic control of the system. The data indicating the amount of filament on the spool (42) is updated as filament is used by the system. The filament spool (42) has a center barrel (180) on which filament may be wound and a sleeve (182) within the barrel (180) for receiving the spindle (43), the circuit (188) being mounted in the sleeve (182).