Abstract: A 3D printer includes an enclosed build chamber thermally separated from a tool chamber. An upward-facing tool tray coupled to or integral with a carriage has an open bottom providing a tool port for accessing the heated build chamber. A thermal barrier is mounted in the tool tray, covering the tool port but penetrable through an aperture thereof. The aperture provides an entry point to the build chamber for a working end of an active print head, wherein when the working end is positioned though the aperture, the tool port is substantially closed.

Abstract: An extrusion-based 3D printer configured to print parts in a layer-wise manner includes a build chamber and an unheated region above the build chamber. A print head is located in the unheated region and moves in an x-y plane across the build chamber and is lifted and lowered in a z dimension where a nozzle of the print head is configured to extend into the build chamber when the print head is lowered. The printer includes an umbilical within the unheated region configured to support a plurality of operational feeds, the umbilical having a length between a first end and a second end that is configured to be coupled to the print head. The umbilical includes a backbone running the length of the umbilical configured to provide support and flexibility to the plurality of operational feeds and a plurality of fixtures spaced along a length of the umbilical.

Abstract: A consumable assembly for a 3D printer includes a spool carrying wound filament. A 3D printer includes a print head configured to receive filament material and a spool cabinet configured to have a filament spool positioned therein to provide a controlled environment for filament on the filament spool. A dock of the 3D printer is located outside of a chamber of the spool cabinet and is configured to receive a filament key fob, including a spool chip, of the filament spool to maintain the spool chip outside of the controlled environment of the chamber.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes an enclosed build chamber thermally separated from a tool chamber. An upward-facing tool tray coupled to or integral with a carriage has an open bottom providing a tool port for accessing the heated build chamber. A thermal barrier is mounted in the tool tray, covering the tool port but penetrable through an aperture thereof. The aperture provides an entry point to the build chamber for a working end of an active print head, wherein when the working end is positioned though the aperture, the tool port is substantially closed.

Abstract: A consumable assembly for a 3D printer includes a spool carrying wound filament. The spool is configured to be installed into a spool cabinet to maintain the filament in a controlled environment. A filament key fob that carries a spool chip programmed with identification data for the consumable assembly is tethered to the spool. The filament key fob is configured to be received in a dock of the 3D printer outside of a controlled environment of a chamber of the spool cabinet while remaining tethered to the spool installed in the chamber of the spool cabinet.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes a chamber configured to receive extruded material to print a part and a tool chamber above the chamber, the tool chamber comprising a viewing window and a tool rack. The 3D printer includes a plurality of print heads, each of the plurality of print heads residing in a docked position on the tool rack and when not in use. Each of the plurality of print heads comprising a illuminated status indicator configured to emit a plurality of signals indicative of a status or error of the print head or a status of the 3D printer, wherein the illuminated status indicator faces the viewing window and a plurality of sensors located on the print head or in the 3D printer and configured to detect a status of the print head or other printer components or an error in the print head or other printer components.

Abstract: An extrusion-based 3D printer configured to print 3D parts in a layer-by-layer manner includes a platen configured to accept and support extruded material, at least one print head configured to extrude material to print a 3D part and a gantry configured to move the at least one print head as the material is extruded. The 3D printer includes at least one head carriage configured to engage the at least one print head. The at least one carriage is configured to engage and retain the at least one print head, where a filament cutter positioned above the at least one print head. The filament cutter includes a blade configured to be moved by the user, such that the blade is positionable between a non-cutting position where filament can be fed to the at least one print head and a cutting position wherein the filament is cut above the print head.

Abstract: A consumable assembly for a 3D printer includes a spool carrying wound filament. The spool is configured to be installed into a spool cabinet to maintain the filament in a controlled environment. A filament key fob that carries a spool chip programmed with identification data for the consumable assembly is tethered to the spool. The filament key fob is configured to be received in a dock of the 3D printer outside of a controlled environment of a chamber of the spool cabinet while remaining tethered to the spool installed in the chamber of the spool cabinet.

Abstract: A consumable assembly for a 3D printer includes a spool carrying wound filament. A 3D printer includes a print head configured to receive filament material and a spool cabinet configured to have a filament spool positioned therein to provide a controlled environment for filament on the filament spool. A dock of the 3D printer is located outside of a chamber of the spool cabinet and is configured to receive a filament key fob, including a spool chip, of the filament spool to maintain the spool chip outside of the controlled environment of the chamber.

Abstract: A low pull force system for feeding a filament along a feed path from a source to a liquefier in a 3D printer includes a low compressive force loading drive for advancing filament from the source, a feed drive for advancing filament into the liquefier, and an in-line accumulator comprising a telescoping joint positioned in the feed path between the loading drive and the feed drive. When the telescoping joint is in a contracted position, the loading drive activates to feed filament into the feed path at a rate faster than a rate at which the feed drive advances filament into the liquefier, causing the telescoping joint to expand and accrue a slack of filament in the feed path. When the telescoping joint reaches an extended position, the loading drive deactivates while the feed drive continues to advance filament into the liquefier, and the slack of filament is consumed.

Abstract: A low pull force system for feeding a filament along a feed path from a source to a liquefier in a 3D printer includes a low compressive force loading drive for advancing filament from the source, a feed drive for advancing filament into the liquefier, and an in-line accumulator comprising a telescoping joint positioned in the feed path between the loading drive and the feed drive. When the telescoping joint is in a contracted position, the loading drive activates to feed filament into the feed path at a rate faster than a rate at which the feed drive advances filament into the liquefier, causing the telescoping joint to expand and accrue a slack of filament in the feed path. When the telescoping joint reaches an extended position, the loading drive deactivates while the feed drive continues to advance filament into the liquefier, and the slack of filament is consumed.

Abstract: A low pull force system for feeding a filament along a feed path from a source to a liquefier in a 3D printer includes a low compressive force loading drive for advancing filament from the source, a feed drive for advancing filament into the liquefier, and an in-line accumulator comprising a telescoping joint positioned in the feed path between the loading drive and the feed drive. When the telescoping joint is in a contracted position, the loading drive activates to feed filament into the feed path at a rate faster than a rate at which the feed drive advances filament into the liquefier, causing the telescoping joint to expand and accrue a slack of filament in the feed path. When the telescoping joint reaches an extended position, the loading drive deactivates while the feed drive continues to advance filament into the liquefier, and the slack of filament is consumed.

Abstract: A low pull force system for feeding a filament along a feed path from a source to a liquefier in a 3D printer includes a low compressive force loading drive for advancing filament from the source, a feed drive for advancing filament into the liquefier, and an in-line accumulator comprising a telescoping joint positioned in the feed path between the loading drive and the feed drive. When the telescoping joint is in a contracted position, the loading drive activates to feed filament into the feed path at a rate faster than a rate at which the feed drive advances filament into the liquefier, causing the telescoping joint to expand and accrue a slack of filament in the feed path. When the telescoping joint reaches an extended position, the loading drive deactivates while the feed drive continues to advance filament into the liquefier, and the slack of filament is consumed.