Filament cassette and loading system
US6776602B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49826
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are a filament cassette and a filament loading assembly for supplying filament in a three-dimensional deposition modeling machine. The filament cassette contains a rotatable spool of filament, and has an exit orifice through which a filament strand may exit the cassette. The filament loading assembly is mounted on the modeling machine and receives the filament cassette. The filament loading assembly has conduit for receiving a strand of filament from the cassette and a drive means for advancing the filament strand through the conduit. The filament cassette and loading assembly of the present invention provide a convenient manner of loading and unloading filament from the modeling machine. The filament cassette and the conduit may be made airtight so that the filament is protected from moisture in the environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.