Abstract: A removable and replaceable build plate for a three-dimensional printer supports magnetic coupling to a printer and advantageous adhesion for an initial layer of build material.

Abstract: A removable and replaceable build plate for a three-dimensional printer supports magnetic coupling to a printer and advantageous adhesion for an initial layer of build material.

Abstract: A cap for an extruder of a three-dimensional printer is removeable and replaceable on the hot end of the extruder, e.g., for cleaning or other maintenance of the cap or extruder. The cap may be formed of a polymer having a lower thermal conductivity than the hot end of the extruder such that the cap forms a thermal barrier between the hot end of the extruder and an external environment. Further, the cap may protect the hot end of the extruder from damaging contact with deposited build material (e.g., spatters) as well as other undesirable contact during a three-dimensional printing process.

Abstract: An extruder is fitted with a connector for coupling and decoupling with a filament feed source, such as a filament tube. When connected, the extruder and filament tube are aligned to define a feed path for a filament. A tool rack includes a plurality of filament tubes secured within respective openings. The tool rack may facilitate coupling and decoupling operations between the extruder and filament sources. For example, the tool rack may define an insertion path that engages a filament tube during insertion, and that secures the filament tube against an excursion from the insertion path. The extruder may disengage the coupling by initiating a motion along the insertion path and then moving off of the insertion path to decouple the filament tube and the extruder. In this manner, filaments may be swapped through engaging and disengaging the extruder with different filament tubes on the tool rack.

Abstract: A removable and replaceable build plate for a three-dimensional printer supports magnetic coupling to a printer and advantageous adhesion for an initial layer of build material.

Abstract: A cap for an extruder of a three-dimensional printer is removeable and replaceable on the hot end of the extruder, e.g., for cleaning or other maintenance of the cap or extruder. The cap may be formed of an polymer having a lower thermal conductivity than the hot end of the extruder such that the cap forms a thermal barrier between the hot end of the extruder and an external environment. Further, the cap may protect the hot end of the extruder from damaging contact with deposited build material (e.g., spatters) as well as other undesirable contact during a three-dimensional printing process.

Abstract: An extruder is fitted with a connector for coupling and decoupling with a filament feed source, such as a filament tube. When connected, the extruder and filament tube are aligned to define a feed path for a filament. A tool rack includes a plurality of filament tubes secured within respective openings. The tool rack may facilitate coupling and decoupling operations between the extruder and filament sources. For example, the tool rack may define an insertion path that engages a filament tube during insertion, and that secures the filament tube against an excursion from the insertion path. The extruder may disengage the coupling by initiating a motion along the insertion path and then moving off of the insertion path to decouple the filament tube and the extruder. In this manner, filaments may be swapped through engaging and disengaging the extruder with different filament tubes on the tool rack.

Abstract: An extruder is fitted with a connector for coupling and decoupling with a filament feed source, such as a filament tube. When connected, the extruder and filament tube are aligned to define a feed path for a filament. A tool rack includes a plurality of filament tubes secured within respective openings. The tool rack may facilitate coupling and decoupling operations between the extruder and filament sources. For example, the tool rack may define an insertion path that engages a filament tube during insertion, and that secures the filament tube against an excursion from the insertion path. The extruder may disengage the coupling by initiating a motion along the insertion path and then moving off of the insertion path to decouple the filament tube and the extruder. In this manner, filaments may be swapped through engaging and disengaging the extruder with different filament tubes on the tool rack.

Abstract: An extruder is fitted with a connector for coupling and decoupling with a filament feed source, such as a filament tube. When connected, the extruder and filament tube are aligned to define a feed path for a filament. A tool rack includes a plurality of filament tubes secured within respective openings. The tool rack may facilitate coupling and decoupling operations between the extruder and filament sources. For example, the tool rack may define an insertion path that engages a filament tube during insertion, and that secures the filament tube against an excursion from the insertion path. The extruder may disengage the coupling by initiating a motion along the insertion path and then moving off of the insertion path to decouple the filament tube and the extruder. In this manner, filaments may be swapped through engaging and disengaging the extruder with different filament tubes on the tool rack.

Abstract: A three-dimensional scanner uses a rotatable mounting structure to secure a laser line source in a manner that permits rotation of a projected laser line about an axis of the laser, along with movement of the laser through an arc in order to conveniently position and orient the resulting laser line. Where the laser scanner uses a turntable or the like, a progressive calibration scheme may be employed with a calibration fixture to calibrate a camera, a turntable, and a laser for coordinated use as a three-dimensional scanner. Finally, parameters for a scan may be automatically created to control, e.g., laser intensity and camera exposure based on characteristics of a scan subject such as surface characteristics or color gradient.