Caterpillar Inc.
Hose Management System for Large Format 3D Printing System

Abstract:

A hose management system for a 3D printing system having a print medium pump and a print nozzle may include a base, a vertical tower extending upward from the base, a vertical pipe rotatably coupled to the vertical tower, a boom pipe extending laterally outward from and rotating with the vertical pipe, a stick connected to the boom pipe for relative rotation about at least two perpendicular axes, and a print hose connected between the boom pipe and the print nozzle so that the vertical pipe, the boom pipe and the print hose place the print medium pump in fluid communication with the print nozzle. The print hose may be suspended from the stick such that the vertical pipe, the boom pipe, the stick and the print hose follow movement of the print nozzle by the 3D printing system to print a 3D object.