Keywords
Citation
Rigelsford, J. (2001), "Thermoplastic extrusion", Assembly Automation, Vol. 21 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2001.03321dad.014
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Thermoplastic extrusion
Thermoplastic extrusion
Keyword: Thermoplastics
Applicant: Stratasys, Inc., Eden Prairie, USAPatent number: US6,238,613Publication date: 29 May 2001Title: Apparatus and method for thermoplastic extrusion
This invention relates to an electrically operated apparatus and method for altering the flow resistance experienced by a thermoplastic passing through a flow channel. This is achieved using one or more thermal valves having a short response time. The extrudate configuration of thermoplastic emerging from an extrusion orifices is alterable by selectively opening thermal valves that supply thermoplastic to the extrusion orifices. Each thermal valve is cooled by a heat sink and has an associated heater that is responsive to control signals. Each heater is independently activated in synchronization with movement of the apparatus in a predetermined spatial pattern with respect to a base. By extruding thermoplastic onto a base layer by layer in this manner, a three-dimensional object may be formed.