Multi-Diameter Wire Feeder
The present disclosure provides a system for printing a three-dimensional object. The system may comprise a support for holding a portion of the object and a wire(s) source configured to hold a wire(s) of substantially the same or different diameters. The system may also comprise a print head. The print head may comprise a guide for directing the wire to the support. The system may also comprise a driver roller comprising a groove configured to contact a portion of the wire and direct the wire to the guide, and a power source in electrical communication with the wire and the support. The system may also comprise a controller configured to direct the power source to supply electrical current to the wire and the support. The electrical current may be sufficient to melt the wire when the wire is in contact with the support or the portion of the object.
1 . A system for printing a three-dimensional object comprising:
a print head comprising a guide configured to direct a position of a wire towards a support or at least a portion of the three-dimensional object adjacent to the support;
a driver roller comprising a groove that is configured to accept at least a portion of the wire and direct the at least portion of the wire towards the guide;
wherein the groove has a concave shape comprising at least two sides and a vertex section, wherein the at least two sides have a radius of curvature, wherein the vertex section is between the at least two sides of the concave shape;
wherein the groove further comprises an opening comprising at least two walls adjacent to the at least two sides; and
a controller in communication with the driver roller, wherein the controller is configured to control the driver roller.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an angle between the at least two walls is different than an angle between the at least two sides.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the vertex section forms an angle different than an angle between the at least two sides.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the vertex section forms an angle different than an angle between the at least two walls.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pre-load roller configured to contact the at least portion of the wire and direct the at least portion of the wire into the groove of the driver roller.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein an outer circumference of the pre-load roller has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the groove of the driver roller.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is in communication with the print head to control the guide.
8 . A system for printing a three-dimensional object comprising:
a print head comprising a guide configured to direct a position of a wire towards a support or at least a portion of the three-dimensional object adjacent to the support;
a driver roller comprising a groove that is configured to accept at least a portion of the wire and direct the at least portion of the wire towards the guide;
wherein the groove has a concave shape comprising at least two sides, wherein the at least two sides have a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature;
wherein the concave shape has a distance between the at least two sides;
wherein the groove further comprises an opening; and
a controller in communication with the driver roller, wherein the controller is configured to control the driver roller.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the distance between the at least two sides is different than a combination of the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature.
10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the distance between the at least two sides is the same as a combination of the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature.
11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the driver roller comprises a position adjusting mechanism to move the driver roller into alignment with the wire, wherein the movement of the driver roller is along a rotational axis of the driver roller.
12 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising a pre-load roller comprising a position adjusting mechanism to move the pre-load roller into alignment with the wire, wherein the movement of the pre-load roller is along a rotational axis of the pre-load roller.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the pre-load roller is configured to contact the at least portion of the wire and direct the at least portion of the wire into the groove of the driver roller.
14 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the concave shape of the groove comprises a width and a depth, wherein the width of the concave shape and the depth of the concave shape are different.
15 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the concave shape of the groove comprises a width and a depth, wherein the width of the concave shape and the depth of the concave shape are the same.
16 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the controller is in communication with the print head to control the guide.
17 . A system for printing a three-dimensional object comprising:
a print head comprising a guide configured to direct a position of a wire towards a support or at least a portion of the three-dimensional object adjacent to the support;
a driver roller comprising a groove that is configured to accept at least a portion of the wire and direct the at least portion of the wire towards the guide;
wherein the groove has a concave shape comprising at least two sides and a vertex section, wherein the at least two sides have a first curve and a second curve, wherein the vertex section is between the first curve and the second curve; and
wherein the groove further comprises an opening opposite to the vertex section;
a controller in communication with the driver roller, wherein the controller is configured to control the driver roller.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the concave shape of the groove is an ellipsoid, wherein the vertex section of the groove corresponds to a vertex within the ellipsoid.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the concave shape of the groove is a vesica piscis, wherein the vertex section of the groove corresponds to a vertex within the vesica piscis.
20 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising a pre-load roller configured to contact the at least portion of the wire and direct the at least portion of the wire into the groove of the driver roller.
21 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the controller is in communication with the print head to control the guide.