A composite placement machine has a simplified fiber delivery path from a creel to a lay-up table. A carriage is mounted for motion in the Y-axis along the length of an overhead beam. A composite placement head having a shiftable compaction roller is supported by the carriage. A stationary creel at one end of the overhead beam forms a band of composite material having a width that extends in the X-axis. A lay-up table is mounted for motion in the X-axis and rotary motion about a C-axis that is perpendicular to the X and Y-axes. The motion of the head in the Y-axis, the shiftable compaction roller, and the motion of the lay-up table X-axis and the C-axis allows the head to apply composite material to the lay-up table in both Y-axis directions in any orientation without twisting the band of composite material relative to the X and Y-axes.

A system for detecting a filament for printing in three dimensional printing (3DP) which can automatically detect the presence of a filament includes a feeding device, a detection device, a driving device, and an indication module. The driving device drives the feeding device and the detection device detects and determines the normal presence of a filament from the feeding device. The indication module outputs a signal to correspond to the presence of a filament or otherwise. A 3DP filament detection method is also provided.

A roller assembly having a central axis can comprise a roller having an outer surface and defining an inner bore. The apparatus can further comprise a bushing comprising a sleeve having an outer surface and defining an inner bore. The inner bore of the sleeve can have an operative circumference. The sleeve comprises a bladder that is configured to expand radially upon receipt of a fluid to reduce the operative circumference of the inner bore. The bushing can further comprise a flange extending radially outwardly from the sleeve. The flange defines a vessel containing fluid therein. The vessel is in fluid communication with the bladder of the sleeve. The bushing comprises an actuator that is configured to cause the fluid from the vessel of the flange to flow into the bladder of the sleeve. An alignment feature can be configured to rotationally position the roller relative to the bushing.

A roller assembly having a central axis can comprise a roller having an outer surface and defining an inner bore. The apparatus can further comprise a bushing comprising a sleeve having an outer surface and defining an inner bore. The inner bore of the sleeve can have an operative circumference. The sleeve comprises a bladder that is configured to expand radially upon receipt of a fluid to reduce the operative circumference of the inner bore. The bushing can further comprise a flange extending radially outwardly from the sleeve. The flange defines a vessel containing fluid therein. The vessel is in fluid communication with the bladder of the sleeve. The bushing comprises an actuator that is configured to cause the fluid from the vessel of the flange to flow into the bladder of the sleeve. An alignment feature can be configured to rotationally position the roller relative to the bushing.

A separation unit for separating a web material along preformed lines of weakness. The separation unit has a width direction and includes a first roller having a rotational axis extending in the width direction and a web width extending in the width direction, and a second roller having a rotational axis extending parallel with the rotational axis of the first roller and a web width extending in the width direction. The second roller is positioned at a distance from the first roller. Each of the first and the second rollers is provided with a plurality of protrusion elements being spaced along the rotational axes and protruding perpendicular from the axes. Each of the protrusion elements has a maximum width in the width direction, a maximum radial extension from the rotational axes, an inner portion adjacent to the rotational axes, and an outer portion remote from the rotational axes.

This invention relates to a roller for a wire-feed device having a main cylindrical body forming a hub designed to be driven in rotation about its axis of symmetry, a peripheral cylindrical structure forming an idler roller mounted round the perimeter of the main body, and a means for the cylindrical structure to be driven in rotation by the main body. Moreover, the internal diameter of the cylindrical structure is greater than the external diameter of the main body so as to create a space between the cylindrical structure and the main body to enable a displacement of the cylindrical structure in relation to the main body with a misalignment of the axis of rotation of the cylindrical structure in relation to the axis of rotation of the main body.

This invention relates to a roller for a wire-feed device having a main cylindrical body forming a hub designed to be driven in rotation about its axis of symmetry, a peripheral cylindrical structure forming an idler roller mounted round the perimeter of the main body, and a means for the cylindrical structure to be driven in rotation by the main body. Moreover, the internal diameter of the cylindrical structure is greater than the external diameter of the main body so as to create a space between the cylindrical structure and the main body to enable a displacement of the cylindrical structure in relation to the main body with a misalignment of the axis of rotation of the cylindrical structure in relation to the axis of rotation of the main body.

A 3D printing filament feeding apparatus for feeding a filament (10) includes a primary driving wheel (100), a secondary driven wheel (300), a measurement scale rotating disk (400), an optical sensor (500) and a cleaning assembly (600). The primary driving wheel (100) is connected to a power source (200) and driven thereby to rotate. The secondary driven wheel (300) is arranged adjacent to and parallel with the primary driving wheel (100). The measurement scale rotating disk (400) includes scale structures (410) and rotates together with the secondary driven wheel (300). The optical sensor (500) detects the scale structures (410). The cleaning assembly (600) engages with the scale structures (410); wherein the secondary driven wheel (300) engages with the filament (10) and rotates along a driven direction (D) together therewith such that the scale structures (410) passes through the cleaning assembly (600), followed by detection of the optical sensor (500).

A 3D printing filament feeding apparatus for feeding a filament (10) includes a primary driving wheel (100), a secondary driven wheel (300), a measurement scale rotating disk (400), an optical sensor (500) and a cleaning assembly (600). The primary driving wheel (100) is connected to a power source (200) and driven thereby to rotate. The secondary driven wheel (300) is arranged adjacent to and parallel with the primary driving wheel (100). The measurement scale rotating disk (400) includes scale structures (410) and rotates together with the secondary driven wheel (300). The optical sensor (500) detects the scale structures (410). The cleaning assembly (600) engages with the scale structures (410); wherein the secondary driven wheel (300) engages with the filament (10) and rotates along a driven direction (D) together therewith such that the scale structures (410) passes through the cleaning assembly (600), followed by detection of the optical sensor (500).

A system for detecting a filament for printing in three dimensional printing (3DP) which can automatically detect the presence of a filament includes a feeding device, a detection device, a driving device, and an indication module. The driving device drives the feeding device and the detection device detects and determines the normal presence of a filament from the feeding device. The indication module outputs a signal to correspond to the presence of a filament or otherwise. A 3DP filament detection method is also provided.