US 12,083,743 B2
Methods and apparatus for processing and dispensing material during additive manufacturing
Kenneth J. Susnjara, Birdseye, IN (US); Nicolas Vote, Newburgh, IN (US); Robert Gaesser, Dale, IN (US); Brian S. Smiddy, Newburgh, IN (US); and Scott G. Vaal, Jasper, IN (US)
Assigned to Thermwood Corporation, Dale, IN (US)
Filed by Thermwood Corporation, Dale, IN (US)
Filed on Dec. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/529,991.
Application 16/877,864 is a division of application No. 16/455,877, filed on Jun. 28, 2019, granted, now 10,688,719, issued on Jun. 23, 2020.
Application 18/529,991 is a continuation of application No. 18/173,877, filed on Feb. 24, 2023, granted, now 11,872,752.
Application 18/173,877 is a continuation of application No. 17/806,618, filed on Jun. 13, 2022, granted, now 11,607,845, issued on Mar. 21, 2023.
Application 17/806,618 is a continuation of application No. 17/396,391, filed on Aug. 6, 2021, granted, now 11,383,438, issued on Jul. 12, 2022.
Application 17/396,391 is a continuation of application No. 16/877,864, filed on May 19, 2020, granted, now 11,104,072, issued on Aug. 31, 2021.
Application 16/455,877 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/253,290, filed on Aug. 31, 2016, granted, now 10,377,124, issued on Aug. 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0100773 A1, Mar. 28, 2024
Int. Cl. B29C 64/209 (2017.01); B29C 64/118 (2017.01); B29C 64/379 (2017.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/209 (2017.08) [B29C 64/118 (2017.08); B29C 64/379 (2017.08); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for additive manufacturing, comprising:
a carrier movable along an x-axis, along a y-axis, and along a z-axis;
a plurality of segments connected to a plurality of motors, the motors being configured to displace the segments relative to each other;
an extruder connected to the carrier, the extruder including an extruder screw configured to generate heat;
a hopper connected to a side of the extruder; and
a control computer configured to control movement of the carrier and operation of the extruder.