Stratasys, Inc.

Benjamin N Dunn

Thomas J McDonough

Jerome W Goetzke

William J Swanson

Robert L Skubic

Martin G Zalusky

James E Orrock

David M Kozlak

Randall R Shay

Bryan L Smith

Claudia Mosher

James W Comb

Paul J Leavitt

Thomas L Taatjes

Vittorio L Jaker

Joseph Edward LaBossiere

Marvin E Eshelman

Joseph E Labossiere

Jason P Wanzek

Hans P Erickson

Thomas J Mc Donough

A method of 3D printing a part with an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system includes providing a filament having a semi-crystalline material as a majority component of a polymeric matrix to a liquefier having a liquefier tube having an overall length between an inlet end and an outlet end. An upper portion of the liquefier tube adjacent the inlet end has a first length and a first cross-sectional area substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and a lower portion of the liquefier tube adjacent the outlet end has a second length and a second cross-sectional area substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area. The method includes driving the filament into a melt zone located within the upper portion of the liquefier tube at a selected rate based upon a desired extrusion rate. The filament is melted within the melt zone forming a melt pool in the liquefier tube to provide the selected extrusion rate. The part is printed in a series of layers by extruding the melted filament having a majority of semi-crystalline material along tool paths representative of the part.

Method of printing semi-crystalline materials utilizing extrusion based additive manufacturing system

An automated support cleaning system comprising a tank disposed within a housing and configured to circulate an aqueous cleaning solution to remove a support structure from a three-dimensional model.

Support cleaning system

The present invention is a method for performing a calibration routine of a deposition device in a three-dimensional modeling machine that deposits a material to build up three-dimensional objects as directed by a controller on a substrate mounted on a platform. The method comprises generating a material build profile, which represents a three-dimensional structure at defined locations. A relative position of the material build profile is then determined. An expected build profile is identified and then compared to the determined relative position of the material build profile to identify any difference which represents an offset. The modeling system then positions the deposition device based upon the offset.

Auto tip calibration in an extrusion apparatus

An extrusion head comprising at least one drive wheel and an assembly positionable between at least a first state and a second state. The assembly comprises a first extrusion line configured to engage the at least one drive wheel while the assembly is positioned in the first state, and a second extrusion line configured to engage the at least one drive wheel while the assembly is positioned in the second state.

Single-motor extrusion head having multiple extrusion lines

A cassette for use in delivering a continuous length of filament. The cassette includes a housing having a first aperture and a spool rotatably mountable in the cassette housing. The spool contains a first female receptacle alignable with the first aperture, and a flexible boot is attached to the cassette housing and aligned with the first aperture. A removable plug is insertable through the first aperture and into the flexible boot for receipt within the first female receptacle of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool within the cassette housing.

Cassette spool lock

A modeling apparatus includes a platform and a substrate, which are adapted to be releasably locked together to provide a surface for building up models in an additive-process three-dimensional modeling machine. The substrate comprises a substantially rigid, non-dusting tray providing a modeling surface. Male connectors extending from the tray are seated in female connectors in the platform, to engage the substrate to the platform. The engaged substrate is locked to the platform, maintaining accurate positioning of the substrate while a model is built. After modeling is complete, the substrate is released from the platform, the model is removed, and the substrate may be reused.

Modeling apparatus with tray substrate

Three-dimensional modeling substrate

Growing community of inventors

Savage, MN, United States of America

Benjamin N Dunn