Direct writing nozzle system for additive manufacturing
View Patent ↗A nozzle apparatus used for extruding a material includes an internal spindle that imparts motion into the extruding material, the internal spindle having a base; a multiple degree-of-freedom pivot at the base of the internal spindle, and a drive mechanism that controls the motion of the internal spindle. In one embodiment the material is a semi-solid metal or alloy. In another embodiment the material is a shear thinning mixture or material. In yet embodiment the material is a thixotropic mixture or material. The nozzle apparatus can be used for making a three-dimensional object with the steps of providing a material; providing a nozzle that extrudes the material, the nozzle having an internal spindle that imparts motion into the material; positioning the nozzle above a support structure; and moving the nozzle in a three-dimensional pattern while extruding the material through the nozzle onto the support structure or onto the material previously deposited.
1. An additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object, comprising:
an additive manufacturing print head,
extruding material in said additive manufacturing print head,
a nozzle in said additive manufacturing print head that extrudes said extruding material,
a controller that moves said print head and said nozzle to produce the object,
an internal spindle in said nozzle that imparts motion into said extruding material, and
a multiple degree-of-freedom drive mechanism connected to said internal spindle,
said multiple degree-of-freedom drive mechanism comprising
a first eccentric hub,
a first stepper motor connected to said first eccentric hub,
a first link connecting said first eccentric hub to said internal spindle,
a second eccentric hub,
a second stepper motor connected to said second eccentric hub, and
a second link connecting said second eccentric hub to said internal spindle.
2. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein the material is a semi-solid metal or alloy.
3. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein the material is a shear thinning mixture or material.
4. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein the material is a thixotropic mixture or material.
5. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein said multiple degree-of-freedom drive mechanism is a flexural multiple degree-of-freedom drive mechanism.
6. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein said spindle has a diameter and a length and wherein said diameter varies along said length.
7. The additive manufacturing apparatus for producing an object of claim 1 wherein said multiple degree-of-freedom drive mechanism constrains said spindle against axial rotation and allows oscillation of said spindle.