US 12,103,224 B2
Near net shape additive manufacturing apparatus
Kenneth J. Susnjara, Birdseye, IN (US); Brian S. Smiddy, Newburgh, IN (US); and John Fuquay, Boonville, IN (US)
Assigned to Thermwood Corporation, Dale, IN (US)
Filed by Thermwood Corporation, Dale, IN (US)
Filed on Mar. 27, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/618,324.
Application 18/618,324 is a continuation of application No. 18/188,034, filed on Mar. 22, 2023, granted, now 11,969,936.
Application 18/188,034 is a continuation of application No. 17/653,531, filed on Mar. 4, 2022, granted, now 11,628,614, issued on Apr. 18, 2023.
Application 17/653,531 is a continuation of application No. 17/402,820, filed on Aug. 16, 2021, granted, now 11,298,873, issued on Apr. 12, 2022.
Application 17/402,820 is a continuation of application No. 17/021,730, filed on Sep. 15, 2020, granted, now 11,117,313, issued on Sep. 14, 2021.
Application 17/021,730 is a continuation of application No. 16/692,825, filed on Nov. 22, 2019, granted, now 10,786,944, issued on Sep. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0239037 A1, Jul. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. B29C 64/118 (2017.01); B29C 64/188 (2017.01); B29C 64/209 (2017.01); B29C 64/218 (2017.01); B29C 64/236 (2017.01); B29C 64/245 (2017.01); B29C 64/25 (2017.01); B29C 64/30 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/20 (2020.01)
CPC B29C 64/118 (2017.08) [B29C 64/188 (2017.08); B29C 64/209 (2017.08); B29C 64/218 (2017.08); B29C 64/236 (2017.08); B29C 64/245 (2017.08); B29C 64/25 (2017.08); B29C 64/30 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/20 (2020.01); B29C 2793/009 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
a horizontally-extending work surface;
a vertically-extending work surface; and
an applicator head configured to transition between a horizontal-printing configuration employing the horizontally-extending work surface and a vertical-printing configuration employing the vertically-extending work surface.
 
11. An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
a horizontally-extending work surface;
a vertically-extending work surface;
an applicator head including a nozzle, the applicator head being configured to transition between a horizontal-printing configuration employing the horizontally-extending work surface and a vertical-printing configuration employing the vertically-extending work surface; and
a gear pump configured to be driven by a motor to meter out a material to the nozzle.
 
16. An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
a movable, horizontally-extending work surface;
a vertically-extending work surface; and
an applicator head configured to transition between a horizontal-printing configuration employing the movable, horizontally-extending work surface and a vertical-printing configuration employing the vertically-extending work surface.