NIKE, Inc.
METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING VISCOUS MATERIALS FOR THE CREATION OF ADDITIVE STRUCTURES

Abstract:

Various methods and systems are provided for mixing and dispensing viscous materials for the creation of additive structures. As one example, in a multi-dimensional printing apparatus, one or more materials flow into a mixing chamber via one or more corresponding inlet channels, a rotational speed of a mixing rod positioned within a mixing chamber is adjusted based on a volume of the mixing chamber and a flow rate of the one or more materials into the mixing chamber, the mixing rod including a set of straight cutaways extending along a length of a bottom portion of the mixing rod and forming flat side surfaces of the mixing rod; and a mixture of the one or more materials is dispensed from the mixing chamber via a dispensing nozzle of a mixing and dispensing head.