Apparatus, system and method of providing dynamic hob pinch force in an additive manufacturing print head
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.
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 communicatively connected with the dynamic force adjustment and capable of controlling the force exertion thereof.
2. The print head of claim 1 , wherein both of the two hobs are driven.
3. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the controlling of the force is 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 the motor encoding and current draw of the motor.
7. The print head of claim 3 , wherein the algorithmic factor comprises at least one of filament type and filament diameter.
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.
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 least one of the hobs comprises gripping teeth.
16. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the exerted force is constant.
17. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the exerted force is pulsed.
18. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the controller is user-modifiable in-print.
19. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the force-urged hob is cammed.
20. The print head of claim 1 , wherein each of the two hobs each has a diameter in a range of about 8-40 mm.
21. The print head of claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises a servo motor.