A fused filament fabrication system (1) is described comprising a number of print heads (31,32,33), a print head mount (4) arranged for releasable connection with any of the print heads and a gantry (5) arranged to move the print head mount (4). So-called filament modules (61,62,62) are provided that can be connected to the print heads (31,32,33). The print heads can be docked into a special print head dock (8) or they can be docked into one of the filament docks (71,72,72) if a filament module is arranged in between. A number of filament feeders (9) is arranged for feeding filament (11) to the respective filament modules. A control system (25) is arranged to control the gantry so as to select one print head from the number of print heads, to obtain a selected print head (31). The selected print head can be used for a printing job having the current filament attached, or it can be moved to another filament dock to first pickup a different filament. The selected print head can also be parked so as to select another print head. In this way multiple print heads can be combined with multiple filaments without user intervention.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/236 - Driving means for motion in a direction within the plane of a layer
The invention relates to an FFF printing system (100), the FFF printing system comprising a print head (105), a feeder (91;126) arranged to feed a filament (4) into the print head (105), and a container (801) for storing the filament on one or more filament spools (88). The system also comprises a prefeeder (81) arranged to feed the filament from the spools to the feeder (91; 126), and a first flexible tube (D01;102;121) for guiding the filament (4). A filament path length measuring device (1) is arranged to detect a misalignment between the feeder and the prefeeder. Measurement signals are sent to a processing system to correct any misalignment.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 70/38 - Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns
G01B 7/02 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness
G01B 21/02 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring length, width, or thickness
3.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING OOZE FROM A PRINT NOZZLE
A method of printing an object comprises a first step in which a first region (2) is printed by delivering flowable material from a print nozzle travelling at a first print speed (V1). During a second step, an intermediate region (6) is printed by delivering material from the nozzle travelling (8) for: a first travel distance (D1) at a first travel speed (S1), a second travel distance (D2) at a second travel speed (S2), and a third travel distance (D3) at a third travel speed (S3). In a third step, the nozzle prints a second region 4 by delivering material from the nozzle travelling at a second print speed (V2). The first and third travel speeds (S1, S3) are both greater than the first and second print speeds (V1, V2) and the second travel speed (S2).
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
patents
