RU197232U1 - DEVICE FOR STORING AND DELIVERY OF THE SUPPLIES FOR THE 3D PRINTER - Google Patents

Abstract

A utility model relates to a consumable for a 3D printer for storing and dispensing a filament. The consumable contains a coil (1) with a filament wound on it (2) located in the casing in the form of a flexible shell (3) with an opening for the passage of the filament. A tube (5) of elastic material can be installed in the opening of the casing, through which a filament (2) passes, the free end (6) of which protrudes from this tube. The technical result achieved when using such a consumable material is to simplify manufacturing, reduce material consumption and the ability to use in various types of 3D printers.

Description

The utility model relates to additive printing technology, in particular, to a consumable for a 3D printer, intended for storage and delivery of filament.

3D printing and additive technologies are experiencing very fast growth and constant technological changes. The field of application is growing - prototyping, printing with metals, special plastics, including electrically conductive, ceramics, biotechnology, construction, prosthetics, industrial production of small-scale and structurally complex parts.

The rapid development of 3D printing technology leads to the emergence of a large number of new types of plastic for 3D printing. Multicolor 3D printing has not yet received wide distribution, so 3D printing is carried out using a large number of consumables with filament of different colors, which forces the manufacturer to produce consumables in an extremely wide assortment. Usually this assortment is a matrix of types of plastics (from 3 to 10) and their colors (more than 10). To this we can add still remaining variations of the filament thickness for some types of systems and the formats / weights of filament coils. All this makes it very costly for manufacturers to produce and maintain such a complex assortment.

In addition, difficulties arise in creating and maintaining sufficient representation on the shelves of such complex assortments, with production and logistics.

Attempts are being made to produce cartridges in plastic molded cases. Such cases are more likely intended for "closed" systems and are equipped with chips, by analogy with laser or inkjet printers. Now these attempts are not in line with the speed of technology development and most often lead to delays in innovation and do not give a competitive advantage.

“Open systems” in the conditions of a specific market and technological situation look more relevant to the present moment. At the same time, traditional coils used in "open" systems (usually 1 kg net weight, see, for example, Nova ABS-GF17 3D printing filament, https://novaprint3d.ru/nova_absgf17) have many disadvantages:

- large coils are quite heavy, inconvenient to manipulate and have a high retail price;

- many plastics used in the manufacture of filaments for 3D printing are hygroscopic, which can lead to printing difficulties;

- the filament can also become contaminated, contaminating the print channel, which can lead to burning and clogging of the extruder or nozzle;

- the material of the actual coils often turns out to be brittle, which leads to chips and the danger of the filament being caught in chips during operation;

- the filament of most plastics with a thickness of 1.75 mm is quite elastic, and in the process of winding it acquires the characteristic “familiar” shape of the coil. Therefore, if the print operator releases the end of the filament, it often seeks to return to the surface of the spool and can fall into the thick of the previous loops, fall under them and form a loop. This subsequently leads to difficulty in running, stopping and printing defects, and even potentially to fire situations.

Cartridges in plastic molded cases for “closed” systems are deprived of these drawbacks.

For example, da Vinci PLA cartridge with a diameter of 1.75 mm (XYZPrinting) (https://3dtool.ru/product/kartridzh-da-vinci-pla-diametrom-niti-1-75-mm-xyzprinting/), accepted as the nearest analogue of a utility model, contains a coil with a filament wound on it, located in a rigid casing with an opening for the passage of the filament.

Such a consumable for a 3D printer provides protection against contamination and from exposure to light or UV radiation, and is also convenient for manipulations, for example, when changing the type of plastic used or color.

However, this consumable is only suitable for XYZPrinting da Vinci printers, and has all the disadvantages of a “closed” system.

Thus, there is a problem in creating a consumable for a 3D printer, which allows combining the advantages of “open” systems in terms of production cost and breadth of assortment with the positive qualities of “closed” systems, which provide better filament protection compared to “open” systems and more ease of use.

This problem is solved due to the fact that in a consumable for a 3D printer containing a coil with a filament wound on it located in a casing with an opening for filament passage, according to a utility model, the casing is made in the form of a flexible shell.

The technical result achieved when using such a consumable for a 3D printer is to simplify manufacturing, reduce material consumption and, as a result, due to its “openness”, such consumables are suitable for a large number of systems, both existing and promising, which quickly An emerging market is very important.

The use of a flexible shell instead of a rigid cartridge with a molded case allows you to quickly and more flexibly release new modifications, in particular consumables can be produced in smaller runs, as they are not related to the production of molds and their payback. In addition, the shell can be made from more environmentally friendly types of plastic (for example, biodegradable or natural).

Preferably, the flexible sheath is made of an air- and moisture-proof material, which helps to increase the shelf life of the filament without compromising its properties.

At least part of the flexible shell can be made transparent, which allows you to control the filament consumption during operation.

Filament information may be applied to the flexible sheath.

Preferably, the flexible shell is made in the form of a package, one side of which contains a detachable tight connection. In this case, it is desirable that the detachable tight connection was made on the side through which the filament passes. This allows access to the coil in case of emergency.

Preferably, a tube of elastic material is installed in the opening of the housing, through which a filament passes, the free end of which protrudes from this tube. The presence of such a tube eliminates the possibility of "falling through" the free end of the filament into the shell and / or prevents the potential for tangling of the filament turns inside the shell.

It is desirable that the tube be made of a material having a low coefficient of friction, for example, fluoroplastic.

The utility model is illustrated in the drawing.

The figure schematically shows a consumable for a 3D printer according to a utility model, a sectional view.

The consumable for the 3D printer contains a coil 1 with a filament 2 wound on it, located in the casing in the form of a flexible shell 3 with an opening for the passage of the filament. The casing 3 is preferably made of an air- and moisture-proof material, protecting the filament from environmental influences. The flexible shell 3 or part thereof can be made transparent, providing the ability to control the amount of filament 2 on the coil 1. Information on the filament and / or its manufacturer can be applied to the flexible shell 3. Preferably, the flexible shell 3 is made in the form of a package, one of the sides of which, in particular, the side through which the filament passes, can contain a detachable tight connection 4, for example, in the form of a Zip-lock. In this hole, a tube 5 of elastic material is installed through which the filament 2 passes, the free end 6 of which protrudes from this tube. Preferably, the tube 5 is made of a material having a low coefficient of friction, for example, fluoroplastic.

In addition, the design of the consumable material may further comprise a cap worn on the free end of the tube 5, and means for mounting the consumable on a 3D printer, for example, in the form of hooks or a sealed ring with a through hole in the shell (not shown in the figure).

Purchased supplies are ready to use. The process of preparing it for installation on a 3D printer is reduced to removing the cap (if any) and filling the filament into the extruder. In this case, the consumable can be installed on the work surface near the body of the 3D printer or, if the above means for installing the consumable on the 3D printer is installed, it is suspended on a suitable element of the 3D printer. It is possible to use a special additional holder.

After the printing process is completed, the device can be replaced with another one similar to another type of plastic or color, or with a standard reel.

The use of a flexible shell instead of a rigid cartridge with a molded case and similar types of storage and operation has several advantages:

1. Due to its “openness” they are suitable for a large number of systems, both existing and prospective, which is very important in a rapidly developing market.

2. Allow faster and more flexible release of new modifications. They can be produced in smaller runs, as they are not related to the production of molds and their payback.

3. Shells have a more attractive appearance, can be performed in multi-color colorful design.

4. The shell makes the product more convenient for the consumer, makes it possible to place more information about the product in a more visual and colorful form.

5. Shells are easier to make transparent, which simplifies the process of controlling the degree of consumption of the material, its condition and more accurate recognition of the color of the plastic.

6. The cost of the shells is lower than cast and similar types of packaging.

7. Shells are less weight and more convenient to manipulate.

8. The shell can be made of multilayer materials, which provides opportunities for the development of complex and complex properties of the shell as a physical, practical, tactile, marketing or visual nature.

9. Shells can be made from more environmentally friendly types of plastic (for example, biodegradable or natural).

Claims (9)

1. A device for storing and dispensing consumables for a 3D printer, comprising a coil with a filament wound thereon located in a casing with an opening for filament passage, characterized in that the casing is made in the form of a flexible shell. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible shell is made of air- and moisture-proof material. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least part of the flexible shell is transparent. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that information about the filament is applied to the flexible shell. 5. The device according to p. 1, characterized in that the flexible shell is made in the form of a package, one of the sides of which contains a detachable tight connection. 6. The device according to p. 5, characterized in that the detachable tight connection is made on the side through which the filament passes. 7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a tube of elastic material is installed in the opening of the casing, through which a filament passes, the free end of which protrudes from this tube. 8. The device according to p. 7, characterized in that the tube is made of a material having a low coefficient of friction. 9. The device according to p. 8, characterized in that the tube is made of fluoroplastic.

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