Patent ID: 8236227
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,B33Y,D01D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for building a three-dimensional model in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the method comprising: providing a consumable filament to the extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the consumable filament having a length, an exterior surface, and a plurality of tracks along at least a portion of the length, wherein the plurality of tracks provide a fractal dimensionality for at least a portion of the exterior surface that is greater than two for a length scale between 0.01 millimeters and 1.0 millimeter; engaging teeth of a rotatable drive mechanism retained by the extrusion-based digital manufacturing system with the plurality of tracks of the consumable filament; feeding successive portions of the consumable filament with the rotatable drive mechanism to a liquefier retained by the extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, wherein successive teeth of the rotatable drive mechanism are continuously engaged with successive tracks of the plurality of tracks while feeding the successive portions of the consumable filament; melting the consumable filament in the liquefier to provide a melted consumable material; extruding the melted consumable material from the liquefier; and depositing the extruded consumable material in a layer-by-layer manner to form at least a portion of the three-dimensional model, which generates back pressure in the liquefier.