IP Library Granted Patent US 11,987,000
Granted Patent B2
US 11,987,000 · App. 17/391,740 · Granted May 21, 2024

Apparatus, system and method of providing dynamic hob pinch force in an additive manufacturing print head

Inventors: Scott Klimczak (St. Petersburg, FL); Luke Rodgers (St. Petersburg, FL); Darin Burgess (St. Petersburg, FL)
Assignee: JABIL INC.
B29C64/209B29C64/321B29C64/393B33Y10/00B33Y30/00B33Y50/02B29C64/118
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,987,000
App. No.
17/391,740
Granted
May 21, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure is of and includes at least an apparatus, system and method for a print head for additive manufacturing. The apparatus, system and method may include at least two proximate hobs suitable to receive and extrude therebetween a print material filament for the additive manufacturing; a motor capable of imparting a rotation to at least one of the two hobs, wherein the extrusion results from the rotation; a dynamic force adjustment capable of exerting force on one of the two hobs to urge the force-receiving hob toward the other of the two hobs; and a controller communicatively connected with the dynamic force adjustment and capable of controlling the force exertion thereof.

Claims (27)

1. A print head for additive manufacturing, comprising:

at least two proximate hobs suitable to receive and extrude therebetween a print material filament for the additive manufacturing;

a motor capable of imparting a rotation to at least one of the two hobs, wherein the extrusion results from the rotation;

a dynamic force adjustment capable of exerting force on one of the two hobs to urge the force-receiving hob toward the other of the two hobs; and

a controller adapted to control a feed speed and slippage of the print material filament in part by controlling the exerted force.

2. The print head of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two proximate hobs are driven.

3. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the feed speed pursuant to an algorithmic factor.

4. The print head of claim 3 , wherein the algorithmic factor is sensed by a sensor.

5. The print head of claim 3 , further comprising an encoder of the motor.

6. The print head of claim 5 , wherein the algorithmic factor is one of encoding by the motor encoder and a current drawn by the motor.

7. The print head of claim 3 , wherein the algorithmic factor comprises at least one of a filament type and a filament diameter of the print material filament.

8. The print head of claim 3 , wherein the algorithmic factor comprises one of print nozzle temperature, build platform temperature, and filament feed rates.

9. The print head of claim 3 , wherein the algorithmic factor comprises a print plan.

10. The print head of claim 3 , wherein the algorithmic factor comprises a printing clog.

11. The print head of claim 3 , wherein the algorithmic factor comprises motor current of the motor.

12. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic force adjustment comprises a very low friction cylinder.

13. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic force adjustment comprises a piston cylinder.

14. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic force adjustment comprises a mechanical screw.

15. The print head of claim 1 , wherein at the least one of the two hobs comprises gripping teeth.

16. The print head of claim 1 , wherein each of the two hobs each has a diameter in a range of about 8-40 mm.

17. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises a servo motor.

18. A print head for additive manufacturing, comprising:

at least two proximate hobs suitable to receive and extrude therebetween a print material filament for the additive manufacturing;

a motor capable of imparting a rotation to at least one of the two hobs, wherein the extrusion results from the rotation;

a threaded screw adjustor capable of exerting force on one of the two hobs to urge the force-receiving hob toward the other of the two hobs; and

a preemptive controller adapted to control a feed speed and slippage of the print material filament, in part by controlling the exerted force immediately prior to a needed print modification as indicated in a print plan communicatively associated with the preemptive controller.

19. The print head of claim 18 , wherein each of the two hobs each has a diameter in a range of about 8-40 mm.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2025
From: JABIL INC.
To: 3D PRINT INNOVATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 072886/0877 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2024
From: KLIMCZAK, SCOTT; RODGERS, LUKE; BURGESS, DARIN
To: JABIL INC.
Reel/Frame 066292/0041 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17417048
Provisional Application 62782574 · Dec 20, 2018
Related Publication 20210370593A1 · Dec 2, 2021