Patent ID: 7374712
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: B29C,B29K,B33Y,C08K,G05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An additive method for building a three-dimensional model with a modeling machine by depositing a moisture-sensitive thermoplastic material from a dispensing head of the modeling machine, comprising the steps of: providing the thermoplastic material in solid form in a cassette, the cassette comprising a pathway and a pair of rollers mounted on opposing sides of the pathway for advancing the thermoplastic material, wherein a first roller of the pair of rollers has a floating axis of rotation in a direction perpendicular to the pathway; drying the thermoplastic material in the cassette to less than 700 ppm moisture; loading the cassette containing the dry thermoplastic material to the modeling machine; engaging a drive wheel of the modeling machine with the first roller of the cassette, thereby causing the first roller to press against a portion of the thermoplastic material disposed in the pathway; and feeding the dry thermoplastic material from the cassette to the dispensing head by rotation of the drive wheel.