The present document relates to a dispensing head for continuous fiber reinforced fused filament type additive manufacturing. The dispensing head is configured for dispensing a material onto a substrate carrier platform, and comprises one or more inlets for receiving a strand of meltable solid material and a reinforcement fiber and a material passage extending from the receiving inlets to a dispensing outlet. The dispensing head further comprises a material heating unit for liquefying the material and drive means for driving the material through the material passage. The material heating unit comprises a solid radiation body extending from the dispensing outlet at least in a direction parallel to the substrate carrier platform, defining a radiation face toward the substrate carrier platform, wherein the radiation body is thermally separated from the dispensing outlet.

The present document relates to a dispensing head for continuous fiber reinforced fused filament type additive manufacturing. The dispensing head is configured for dispensing a material onto a substrate carrier platform, and comprises one or more inlets for receiving a strand of meltable solid material and a reinforcement fiber and a material passage extending from the receiving inlets to a dispensing outlet. The dispensing head further comprises a material heating unit for liquefying the material and drive means for driving the material through the material passage. The material heating unit comprises a solid radiation body extending from the dispensing outlet at least in a direction parallel to the substrate carrier platform, defining a radiation face toward the substrate carrier platform, wherein the radiation body is thermally separated from the dispensing outlet.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a thermal runaway protection circuit (TRPC). In an illustrative example, the TRPC may include a state controller, a temperature sensor input to the state controller, a power output operated by the state controller to selectively provide power to a heater element, and at least one visual indicating element operated by the state controller. The state controller, for example, may activate the power output and a first predetermined indication of the at least one visual indicating element in response to the temperature input being less than a first predetermined temperature threshold. When the power output is activated, the state controller, for example, may disable the power output and deactivate the first predetermined indication, in response to the temperature sensor input rising above the first predetermined temperature threshold. Various embodiments may advantageously interlock the power to the heating element based on the temperature sensor.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a thermal runaway protection circuit (TRPC). In an illustrative example, the TRPC may include a state controller, a temperature sensor input to the state controller, a power output operated by the state controller to selectively provide power to a heater element, and at least one visual indicating element operated by the state controller. The state controller, for example, may activate the power output and a first predetermined indication of the at least one visual indicating element in response to the temperature input being less than a first predetermined temperature threshold. When the power output is activated, the state controller, for example, may disable the power output and deactivate the first predetermined indication, in response to the temperature sensor input rising above the first predetermined temperature threshold. Various embodiments may advantageously interlock the power to the heating element based on the temperature sensor.

A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes: a discharge unit having a nozzle opening and configured to discharge a shaping material from the nozzle opening; a stage having a shaping surface supporting the shaping material discharged from the discharge unit; a sensor unit configured to detect the shaping material supported on the shaping surface; and a control unit configured to control the discharge unit to laminate the shaping material on the shaping surface, thereby shaping a three-dimensional shaped object. The control unit is configured to execute, before start of the shaping of the three-dimensional shaped object, a remaining detection step of detecting the shaping material remaining on the shaping surface by controlling the sensor unit.

A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes: a discharge unit having a nozzle opening and configured to discharge a shaping material from the nozzle opening; a stage having a shaping surface supporting the shaping material discharged from the discharge unit; a sensor unit configured to detect the shaping material supported on the shaping surface; and a control unit configured to control the discharge unit to laminate the shaping material on the shaping surface, thereby shaping a three-dimensional shaped object. The control unit is configured to execute, before start of the shaping of the three-dimensional shaped object, a remaining detection step of detecting the shaping material remaining on the shaping surface by controlling the sensor unit.

A material delivery device includes: a plasticization unit having a screw and configured to plasticize a material by rotation of the screw to produce a plasticized material; a flow path through which the plasticized material flows; a nozzle having a nozzle opening that communicates with the flow path and delivers the plasticized material to an outside; a cylinder coupled to the flow path; a rod inserted into the cylinder; and a first pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure of the plasticized material in the flow path via the rod. In a longitudinal direction of the rod, the rod has a rod end surface facing the flow path and a transmission unit at an opposite side of the rod end surface, and transmits a force due to the pressure received at the rod end surface to the first pressure detection unit via the transmission unit.

A material delivery device includes: a plasticization unit having a screw and configured to plasticize a material by rotation of the screw to produce a plasticized material; a flow path through which the plasticized material flows; a nozzle having a nozzle opening that communicates with the flow path and delivers the plasticized material to an outside; a cylinder coupled to the flow path; a rod inserted into the cylinder; and a first pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure of the plasticized material in the flow path via the rod. In a longitudinal direction of the rod, the rod has a rod end surface facing the flow path and a transmission unit at an opposite side of the rod end surface, and transmits a force due to the pressure received at the rod end surface to the first pressure detection unit via the transmission unit.

Described herein are 3D printers capable of printing high-performance materials and uses thereof.

Described herein are 3D printers capable of printing high-performance materials and uses thereof.