Claims
- 1. A method for loading filament into a three-dimensional modeling machine of the type having a liquifier which receives modeling material in the form of a filament strand and extrudes the filament in molten form, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting into the modeling machine primary and secondary cassettes containing spooled filament; feeding filament from the primary cassette into the liquifier; and switching the feed from the primary cassette to the secondary cassette, without operator intervention, while modeling is in progress.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of switching comprises:
automatically withdrawing from the liquifier a filament strand supplied by the primary cassette; and automatically feeding to the liquifier a filament strand supplied by the secondary cassette.
- 3. A method for loading filament into an extrusion apparatus of the type having a liquifier to which a strand of filament is advanced under the control of a controller, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting into the apparatus a plurality of cassettes containing spooled filament; automatically advancing a strand of a first filament from a first one of the cassettes to the liquifier for extrusion; automatically withdrawing the first filament strand from the liquifier in response to a trigger event; and automatically advancing a strand of a second filament from a second one of the cassettes to the liquifier after withdrawl of the first filament strand.
- 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the trigger event is an identification that the first filament has reached a predetermined minimum length.
- 5. The method of claim 4, and further comprising the step of:
identifying that the filament remaining in the first one of the cassettes has reached the predetermined minimum length.
- 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the trigger event is a command initiated by a user and received by the controller.
- 7. A method for loading filament into an extrusion apparatus of the type which receives a strand of filament and extrudes the filament in molten form, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting into the apparatus a plurality of filament spools; feeding a strand of a first filament from a first one of the spools to the liquifier for extrusion; automatically withdrawing the strand of the first filament from the liquifier in response to a trigger event; and automatically feeding a strand of a second filament from a second one of the spools to the liquifier after withdrawl of the first filament strand.
- 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the trigger event is an identification that the first filament has reached a predetermined minimum length
- 9. The method of claim 8, and further comprising the step of:
identifying that the first filament has reached the predetermined minimum length.
- 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the trigger event is a command initiated by a user.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/804,401, filed Feb. 27, 2001, which claims priority to provisional application serial No. 60/218,642, filed Jul. 13, 2000, and which is also a continuation-in-part of PCT International Application No. US00/17363, filed Jun. 23, 2000 (designating the United States), which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein, and which is a non-provisional of provisional application serial No. 60/140,613, filed Jun. 23, 1999. Parent application Ser. No. 09/804,401 is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60218642 |
Jul 2000 |
US |
|
60140613 |
Jun 1999 |
US |
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09804401 |
Feb 2001 |
US |
Child |
10858122 |
Jun 2004 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
PCT/US00/17363 |
Jun 2000 |
US |
Child |
10858122 |
Jun 2004 |
US |