Volumetric feed control for flexible filament
US6085957A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 8, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 8, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/31
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A volumetric feed control apparatus for a build material element such as a filament used in a three-dimensional modeling machine having an application tip includes a pair of feed rollers feeding the filament to the application tip, and a sensor or sensor system feeding information to a central processing unit that continuously computes the effective cross section of the filament using the signals received from the sensor or sensor system. The central processing unit controls the speed of a DC servo or stepper motor which in turn rotates the feed rollers to advance the filament toward the application tip of the modeling machine. The central processing unit adjusts the speed of the feed rollers to supply a constant flow rate of material to the application tip. Alternatively, the sensor system can be incorporated into the feed rollers, eliminating the need for further space constraints.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.