High speed extrusion 3d printer nozzle

Abstract

A method for receiving and dispensing a 3D printer filament includes receiving the 3D printer filament using a nozzle having a barrel and an end tip. The barrel includes an internal bore, an exterior surface and a heat break defined in the exterior surface of the barrel. The internal bore has a filament receiving end and a filament discharge end, the end tip being positioned proximate to the filament discharge end. The method includes heating the 3D printer filament with a heating element proximate the filament discharge end, where the heating element includes a heating wire wrapped around the exterior surface of the barrel. The method also includes dispensing the 3D printer filament through a discharge orifice of the end tip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for receiving and dispensing a 3D printer filament, the method comprising:
 receiving the 3D printer filament using a nozzle having a barrel and an end tip, the barrel including an internal bore, an exterior surface and a heat break defined in the exterior surface of the barrel, wherein the internal bore has a filament receiving end and a filament discharge end, the end tip being positioned proximate to the filament discharge end;   heating the 3D printer filament with a heating element proximate the filament discharge end, wherein the heating element includes a heating wire wrapped around the exterior surface of the barrel; and   dispensing the 3D printer filament through a discharge orifice of the end tip.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising mechanically retaining the end tip to the barrel using a retaining cap. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein mechanically retaining the end tip to the barrel using the retaining cap further comprises receiving the barrel and end tip within a first open end of the retaining cap, wherein the end tip extends through the retaining cap. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising mechanically retaining a first shank of the barrel to a second shank of the barrel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising positioning the heating element on the second shank of the barrel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising attaching a temperature sensor within a channel defined in the second shank of the barrel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retaining a first shank of the barrel to a second shank of the barrel by micro-welds. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the 3D printer filament using a nozzle having a barrel further comprises receiving the 3D printer filament using a barrel having a first diameter portion, a second diameter portion, a third diameter portion and a fourth diameter portion. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein receiving the 3D printer filament using a barrel having a first diameter portion, a second diameter portion, a third diameter portion and a fourth diameter portion further comprises receiving the 3D printer filament using a barrel having a first diameter portion having a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the second diameter portion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein receiving the 3D printer filament using a barrel having a first diameter portion, a second diameter portion, a third diameter portion and a fourth diameter portion further comprises receiving the 3D printer filament using a barrel having a third diameter portion having a diameter that is equal to the diameter of the first diameter portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein receiving the 3D printer filament using a barrel having a first diameter portion, a second diameter portion, a third diameter portion and a fourth diameter portion further comprises receiving the 3D printer filament using a barrel having a fourth diameter portion having a diameter that is less than the diameter of the third diameter portion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising attaching a temperature sensor to the exterior surface of the barrel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising attaching a plurality of temperature sensors to the exterior surface of the barrel, wherein the plurality of temperature sensors are positioned within a channel of the barrel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reducing a transfer of heat along the barrel by the heat break, wherein the heat break is one of the following: a necked down section of the barrel and a split in the barrel. 
     
     
         15 . A method for receiving and dispensing a 3D printer filament, the method comprising:
 receiving the 3D printer filament using a nozzle having a barrel and an end tip, the barrel including an internal bore, an exterior surface and a heat break defined in the exterior surface of the barrel, wherein the internal bore has a filament receiving end and a filament discharge end, the end tip being positioned proximate to the filament discharge end;   heating the 3D printer filament with a heating element proximate the filament discharge end, wherein the heating element includes a heating wire wrapped around the exterior surface of the barrel;   reducing a transfer of heat along the barrel by the heat break, wherein the heat break is one of the following: a necked down section of the barrel and a split in the barrel; and   dispensing the 3D printer filament through a discharge orifice of the end tip.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising mechanically retaining the end tip to the barrel using a retaining cap. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein mechanically retaining the end tip to the barrel using the retaining cap further comprises receiving the barrel and end tip within a first open end of the retaining cap, wherein the end tip extends through the retaining cap. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising mechanically retaining a first shank of the barrel to a second shank of the barrel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising positioning the heating element on the second shank of the barrel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising attaching a temperature sensor within a channel defined in the second shank of the barrel.