Abstract: A polymeric material used for 3D printing is preheated, at a first zone in a 3D printer, to a temperature in excess of its glass transition temperature prior to being melted, at a second zone, for incorporation into a build object. This enables the polymer to be processed more rapidly than in the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for quickly removing and installing a filament tube and nozzle in an FFF extrusion system. The system utilizes a primary manifold that includes a cooling block, a heating block and a quick-change mechanism. This primary manifold is adapted to mate a filament tube/nozzle assembly. The quick-change mechanism, which in a particular embodiment utilizes a recessed biased-bearing arrangement, enables the filament/nozzle assembly to be removed and inserted without the use of any tools, and without causing any significant downtime for the FFF extrusion system. Once removed, the filament tube/nozzle assembly can be refurbished by a technician, trained so as not to over torque the tube/nozzle threaded interface. This refurbishment (typically consisting of a cleaning and the installation of a new nozzle) could be accomplished “off-line”, without any impact on the continued use of FFF extrusion system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for additive manufacturing wherein a fiber composite filament having an arbitrarily shaped cross section is softened and then flattened to tape-like form factor for incorporation into a part that is being additively manufactured.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional (3D) object, comprising preheating a feed comprising a polymer material to a temperature in excess of a glass transition temperature and below a melting point of the polymer material. The preheating may occur at a first location in an additive manufacturing apparatus. Next, the polymer material may be melted at a second location that is spatially distinct from the first location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for quickly removing and installing a filament tube and nozzle in an FFF extrusion system. The system utilizes a primary manifold that includes a cooling block, a heating block and a quick-change mechanism. This primary manifold is adapted to mate a filament tube/nozzle assembly. The quick-change mechanism, which in a particular embodiment utilizes a recessed biased-bearing arrangement, enables the filament/nozzle assembly to be removed and inserted without the use of any tools, and without causing any significant downtime for the FFF extrusion system. Once removed, the filament tube/nozzle assembly can be refurbished by a technician, trained so as not to over torque the tube/nozzle threaded interface. This refurbishment (typically consisting of a cleaning and the installation of a new nozzle) could be accomplished “off-line”, without any impact on the continued use of FFF extrusion system.

Abstract: A method of heating thermoplastic filament in additive manufacturing systems, such as 3D printing systems. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the temporal rate dE dt at which heat dE is added to a portion of a segment of filament is a function of the temporal rate d ? ? m dt at which the mass dm of the portion of the segment of filament is deposited. In particular, the temporal rate dE dt at which heat dE is added to a portion of a segment of filament is a non-linear function of the temporal rate d ? ? m dt .

Abstract: A method and apparatus for additive manufacturing wherein a fiber composite filament having an arbitrarily shaped cross section is softened and then flattened to tape-like form factor for incorporation into a part that is being additively manufactured.

Abstract: A polymeric material used for 3D printing is preheated, at a first zone in a 3D printer, to a temperature in excess of its glass transition temperature prior to being melted, at a second zone, for incorporation into a build object. This enables the polymer to be processed more rapidly than in the prior art.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for additive manufacturing wherein a fiber composite filament having an arbitrarily shaped cross section is softened and then flattened to tape-like form factor for incorporation into a part that is being additively manufactured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for additive manufacturing wherein a fiber composite filament having an arbitrarily shaped cross section is softened and then flattened to tape-like form factor for incorporation into a part that is being additively manufactured.