US 12,076,927 B2
Device and method for cutting a continuous fiber 3D printing filament
Matthew Smith, Atlanta, GA (US); Andrew Myers, Suwanee, GA (US); Thomas Bougher, Coppell, TX (US); and Jacob Lloyd, Atlanta, GA (US)
Assigned to TCPoly, Inc., Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Matthew Smith, Atlanta, GA (US); Andrew Myers, Suwanee, GA (US); Thomas Bougher, Coppell, TX (US); and Jacob Lloyd, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/559,890.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/130,082, filed on Dec. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0194006 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 64/321 (2017.01); B29C 64/118 (2017.01); B29C 64/209 (2017.01); B29C 64/295 (2017.01); B29C 64/314 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/10 (2020.01)
CPC B29C 64/321 (2017.08) [B29C 64/118 (2017.08); B29C 64/209 (2017.08); B29C 64/295 (2017.08); B29C 64/314 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/10 (2020.01); B29C 2793/0027 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A 3D printer comprising:
a first extruder head comprising:
a first heater block; and
a cutting mechanism attached to the first heater block and configured to cut a filament that is extendable through the first heater block, wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a blade that is movable relative to the first heater block, the blade having a cutting end and a drive end opposite the cutting end, wherein the drive end of the blade has a surface configured to receive a force from outside of the first extruder head, such that the blade moves relative to the first heater block;
a second extruder head that is movable relative to the first extruder head in a first direction and a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction, the second extruder head comprising:
a second heater block; and
a force applicator attached to the second heater block; and
a proximity probe configured to determine a distance between the first heater block and the second heater block
wherein the second extruder head is configured to move in the first direction and into contact with the first extruder head, such that the force applicator of the second extruder head applies a force to the surface of the drive end of the blade and the blade moves relative to the first heater block and cuts the filament.