Three-dimensional printer head including an automatic touchdown apparatus
US11065811B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y50/02
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A three-dimensional printer head includes a drive motor, the drive motor including a drive shaft, a feed plate is affixed to the drive motor, and a feed hob is mounted to the drive shaft. The feed hob includes drive teeth configured to engage a filament. An idle assembly mounted to the feed plate configured to bias the filament against the drive teeth. The printer head further includes a z-axis plate assembly, wherein the z-axis plate assembly includes at least two flexures coupling a z-axis plate to the feed plate and a print nozzle mounted to the z-axis plate assembly. The printer head also includes a sensor coupled to the feed plate, wherein the sensor is configured to be triggered by the z-axis plate assembly when the z-axis plate assembly moves a given distance in a first direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.