Method and apparatus for in-situ formation of three-dimensional solid objects by extrusion of polymeric materials
US6067480A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 23, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C64/106
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for thermal extrusion of a polymeric material to manufacture prototype mechanical elements from said polymeric material, said apparatus used for deposition of a liquefied ribbon of said polymeric material in patterned layers which solidify to form a three-dimensional prototype element, said apparatus comprising in combination, a mounting frame, said mounting frame including a mounting plate with a movable platen movable in the x and y directions, said frame further including an extrusion cylinder, said extrusion cylinder comprising a cylindrical housing having a uniform diameter cylindrical through passage, a head member having a uniform diameter bore connected with a reduced diameter, integral tip opening, said head member attached by a clamp to one end of the cylindrical housing to align the bore with the through passage, said-bore and through passage having an equal diameter, said head member including a circumferential heater to liquefy contents of the head member, a reciprocal piston slidably positioned in the cylindrical housing, and a piston actuator for driving the piston into the through passage to eject material through the tip opening.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.