Abstract: Provided herein is an additive manufacturing system having a build chamber, a plurality of tools and a plurality of tool bays where each tool bay is arranged to store one tool. A gantry is arranged to select one tool and removes the selected tool from a tool bay. A tool mount is slidably arranged on the gantry and to detachably couple the selected tool to the gantry. Two guide rails extend in a first direction and are arranged to receive the selected tool. The guide rails are movable along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, so as to enable alignment of the guide rails with one of the tool bays at a time. Channel seals expand or contract based on a relative movement between the tools and the sliders.

Abstract: A method of creating instructions for an FFF printer for printing an infill structure of a 3D object is described. Instructions are created for printing a first layer (1) comprising a number of substantially parallel traces (11) that are separated by intermediate elongated first voids (12) with a first predefined width, and for printing a second layer (2) with traces (21) running substantially in parallel to the traces of the first layer, but with a first offset to the traces of the first layer, such that the traces of the second layer are arranged above the elongated first voids in the first layer, and for printing a third layer (3) with traces (31) running substantially in parallel to the traces of the second layer, but with a second offset to the traces of the second layer, wherein the traces in the third layer are separated by intermediate elongated third voids.

Abstract: A dual filament feeder assembly (110) for an additive manufacturing system (400) comprises a drive wheel (206) and a drive shaft (134) connected to the drive wheel. The dual filament feeder assembly (110) comprises a first feeder wheel (210) and a second feeder wheel (250) rotatably arranged around the drive shaft at a first side and a second side of the drive wheel (206). The dual filament feeder assembly further comprises a coupling member (270) arranged to selectively couple the drive wheel with the first feeder wheel (210) or the second feeder wheel (250). A shifting member (280) is arranged to move the coupling member between a first position and a second position. The coupling member drivably couples the drive wheel (206) with the first feeder wheel in the first position and couples the drive wheel with the second feeder wheel in the second position.

Abstract: A filament feeder (1) for use in a fused filament fabrication printer comprises a feeder body (2) which comprises a channel (3) for guiding a filament (F) there through. A first and a second driven grip roller (4, 5) are arranged on opposing sides of the channel (3) for clamped engagement with the filament (F), wherein the first grip roller (4) is rotationally arranged about a first roller axis (4a) and the second grip roller (5) is rotationally arranged about a second roller axis (5a). The feeder comprises a first drive gear (6) for driving the first grip roller (4), the first drive gear (6) being rotatably arranged about the first roller axis (4a), a second drive gear (7) for driving the second grip roller (5), the second drive gear being rotatably arranged about the second roller axis (5a), and a suspension system (S) for suspension of the first and second grip roller (4,5) and of the first and second drive gear (6,7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining toolpaths for an infill structure for a digital 3D model. The invention provides for a framework for planning toolpaths with control over the adaptive width for minimizing over- and underfill and introduce a beading scheme which reduces the bead width variation compared to the state of the art. We show that this framework supports various control schemes (so-called ‘beading schemes’) for determining the bead spacing and extrusion widths. Furthermore we present an approach to accurately realize adaptive bead width. The proposed method provides for a geometric framework allowing various adaptive bead width control schemes used to generate contour-parallel toolpaths which minimize under- and overfill.

Abstract: A fused filament fabrication system (1) is described comprising a number of print heads (31,32,33), a print head mount (4) arranged for releasable connection with any of the print heads and a gantry (5) arranged to move the print head mount (4). So-called filament modules (61,62,62) are provided that can be connected to the print heads (31,32,33). The print heads can be docked into a special print head dock (8) or they can be docked into one of the filament docks (71,72,72) if a filament module is arranged in between. A number of filament feeders (9) is arranged for feeding filament (11) to the respective filament modules. A control system (25) is arranged to control the gantry so as to select one print head from the number of print heads, to obtain a selected print head (31). The selected print head can be used for a printing job having the current filament attached, or it can be moved to another filament dock to first pickup a different filament.

Abstract: A filament feeder (1) for use in a fused filament fabrication printer comprises a feeder body (2) which comprises a channel (3) for guiding a filament (F) there through. A first and a second driven grip roller (4, 5) are arranged on opposing sides of the channel (3) for clamped engagement with the filament (F), wherein the first grip roller (4) is rotationally arranged about a first roller axis (4a) and the second grip roller (5) is rotationally arranged about a second roller axis (5a). The feeder comprises a first drive gear (6) for driving the first grip roller (4), the first drive gear (6) being rotatably arranged about the first roller axis (4a), a second drive gear (7) for driving the second grip roller (5), the second drive gear being rotatably arranged about the second roller axis (5a), and a suspension system (S) for suspension of the first and second grip roller (4,5) and of the first and second drive gear (6,7).

Abstract: A method of determining one or more printer properties of an FFF printer, comprising the steps of: a) depositing a pattern (1) of one or more lines on a support (2) using the FFF printer; b) making an image of the deposited pattern (1) on the support (2) using an imaging device; c) analysing one or more geometric features of the pattern (1) in the image; and d) determining the one or more printer properties of the FFF printer based the one or more geometric features.

Abstract: The invention relates to an FFF printing system (100), the FFF printing system comprising a print head (105), a feeder (91;126) arranged to feed a filament (4) into the print head (105), and a container (801) for storing the filament on one or more filament spools (88). The system also comprises a prefeeder (81) arranged to feed the filament from the spools to the feeder (91;126), and a first flexible tube (D01;102;121) for guiding the filament (4). A filament path length measuring device (1) is arranged to detect a misalignment between the feeder and the prefeeder. Measurement signals are sent to a processing system to correct any misalignment.

Abstract: A fused filament fabrication device comprising a print head having an inlet for receiving a filament of printable material, a melt chamber and an outlet for letting out flowable printable material. A filament feeder is arranged to feed the filament into the print head and arranged to retract the filament from the print head. A controller is configured to a) order the filament feeder to retract the filament over a first distance, wherein the filament is not yet broken; b) stop heating the melt chamber; c) cooling the filament to a predefined temperature, and then d) order the filament feeder to further retract the filament over a second distance so as to break the filament. By letting the filament in the print head cool off to a temperature at which the print material hardens, a controlled breakage can be realized without the occurrence of a thread at the retracted filament.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fused filament fabrication device (1) comprising a print head (2) comprising a melt chamber (22) and a nozzle (4). The print head (2) is movably arranged relative to a build surface (10) in at least two perpendicular directions. A feeder (3) is arranged to feed filament material to the print head (2). A sensor is arranged to directly or indirectly measure a pressure in the melt chamber (22), the sensor producing pressure data. A flow sensor is arranged to measure a flow of filament into the print head (2) to obtain flow data. The device (1) also comprises a controller (7) arranged for a) controlling movement of the nozzle (4) over the build surface (10), b) controlling deposition of molten filament material on the build surface (10) during the movement of the nozzle (4), c) receiving the pressure data and the flow data, and d) determining a local height of the build surface (10) fora plurality of locations on the build surface (10), using the pressure data and the flow data.

Abstract: A bidirectional magnetic clutch for an additive manufacturing system, comprising a concentric arrangement of an inner drive member (2) and an outer drive member (3) enclosing the inner drive member (2), the inner and outer drive members (2,3) being rotatable relative to each other. The inner drive member (2) comprises at least two outward facing recesses (5, 6) and the outer drive member (3) comprises at least two inward facing recesses (8,9). Each outward facing recess (5,6) comprises a radially moveable roller member (10,11) of ferromagnetic material. The inner drive member (2) further comprises a magnetic biasing system (12) configured to magnetically bias the roller members (10,11) into the outward facing recesses (5,6). The bidirectional magnetic clutch further comprises a magnet actuator (13) at least partially circumferentially arranged around the outer drive member (3) and configured to maintain an engaged state or disengaged state of the bidirectional magnetic clutch.

Abstract: A bidirectional magnetic clutch for an additive manufacturing system, comprising a concentric arrangement of an inner drive member (2) and an outer drive member (3) enclosing the inner drive member (2), the inner and outer drive members (2,3) being rotatable relative to each other. The inner drive member (2) comprises at least two outward facing recesses (5, 6) and the outer drive member (3) comprises at least two inward facing recesses (8,9). Each outward facing recess (5,6) comprises a radially moveable roller member (10,11) of ferromagnetic material. The inner drive member (2) further comprises a magnetic biasing system (12) configured to magnetically bias the roller members (10,11) into the outward facing recesses (5,6). The bidirectional magnetic clutch further comprises a magnet actuator (13) at least partially circumferentially arranged around the outer drive member (3) and configured to maintain an engaged state or disengaged state of the bidirectional magnetic clutch.

Abstract: A method of printing an object comprises a first step in which a first region (2) is printed by delivering flowable material from a print nozzle travelling at a first print speed (V1). During a second step, an intermediate region (6) is printed by delivering material from the nozzle travelling (8) for: a first travel distance (D1) at a first travel speed (S1), a second travel distance (D2) at a second travel speed (S2), and a third travel distance (D3) at a third travel speed (S3). In a third step, the nozzle prints a second region 4 by delivering material from the nozzle travelling at a second print speed (V2). The first and third travel speeds (S1, S3) are both greater than the first and second print speeds (V1, V2) and the second travel speed (S2).

Abstract: A filament feeder for use in an additive manufacturing system, comprising a main feeder body having mounted thereon a first biasing roller and a driven first gripper roller arranged at an adjustable first roller distance from each other allowing a filament material to be received between the first biasing roller and the first gripper roller. The filament feeder further comprises a second biasing roller and a driven second gripper roller arranged at an adjustable second roller distance from each other for receiving the filament material. A biasing assembly is provided in resilient engagement with the first and second biasing rollers and configured to bias the first and second biasing rollers toward the first and second gripper rollers, respectively, during an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: An inductive nozzle heating assembly for an additive manufacturing system, comprises a rod shaped nozzle body of electrically conductive material provided with a passageway extending from an inlet end to an outlet end of the rod shaped nozzle body for dispensing an extrudable material. An induction coil unit is provided for magnetic engagement with the rod shaped nozzle body to allow heating thereof, wherein the induction coil unit encloses at least in part the rod shaped nozzle body. The induction coil unit and rod shaped nozzle body are spaced apart and separated by a minimum distance (Lg) larger than zero, and the rod shaped nozzle body comprises a heating piece having a predetermined Curie temperature.

Abstract: A print bed levelling system for an additive manufacturing system includes a nozzle head assembly movably arranged with respect to a substantially flat print bed member, wherein the nozzle head assembly comprises one or more nozzle bodies each having a nozzle end and a contactless sensor member disposed at a print bed engagement end of the nozzle head assembly. The contactless sensor member comprises a sensing surface in sensing engagement with the print bed member over a relative sensing distance range between a distal sensing position and a proximal sensing position.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for building three-dimensional objects, comprising a box-shaped build chamber (2) having a plurality of sides (4), and an x-y gantry (10) having mounted thereon a nozzle head assembly (12) for movement thereof relative to the build chamber (2). The additive manufacturing system (1) further comprises a plurality of roller units (14, 16) evenly arranged along a circumference (18) of one side of the plurality of sides (4), wherein each roller unit (14, 16) comprises a cover sheet (20, 22) rolled at least in part into coil form and wherein each cover sheet (20, 22) extends from the roller unit (14, 16) to the nozzle head assembly (12) for closing the build chamber (2) there between. Each roller unit (14, 16) is configured to allow the cover sheet (20, 22) to coil and uncoil in correspondence to the movement of the nozzle head assembly (12).

Abstract: A nozzle lifting assembly for an additive manufacturing system includes a base member and a lift member relatively movable with respect thereto, a first nozzle body arranged for being lifted by the lift member and a second nozzle body disposed on the base member. A wedge member is movably arranged relative to the base member and in wedging engagement with the lift member between a first and second wedge position, wherein the first and second wedge position correspond to a lowered position and a lifted position of the first nozzle body with respect to the second nozzle body, respectively.

Abstract: A nozzle for a three-dimensional printing apparatus, comprising a main nozzle body (2) having an inlet end (4), an outlet end (6) and a central conduit (8) arranged there between, wherein the main nozzle body (2) is made of an electrically non-conductive body material. The main nozzle body (2) is provided with an electrically conductive first layer (10) and/or an electrically non-conductive second layer (12) arranged around the main nozzle body (2).