Apparatus and method for aligning a removable build chamber within a process chamber
First Claim
1. A rapid prototype apparatus comprising:
- a. a process chamber including a powder bed and a support housing; and
b. a build chamber removably attached to said support housing, said support housing having at least one lifting device operable to move said build chamber between a load position and a build position, said build chamber having a moveable build platform and a plurality of alignment surfaces that are each adapted to releasably engage a corresponding surface on said support housing whereby movement of said build chamber into said build position causes said alignment surfaces to engage said corresponding surface so as to align said build platform with said powder bed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a rapid prototype apparatus having a removable build chamber and a plurality of alignments surfaces that can be used to properly align the build chamber with the process chamber with minimal adjustments by a user. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a process chamber attached to a support housing and a build chamber that is removably attached to the support housing. The build chamber may be inserted into the support housing and is moveable between a load position and a build position. The build chamber includes a moveable build platform and a plurality of alignment surfaces that are each adapted to releasably engage a corresponding surface on the support housing. As the build chamber moves into the build position, the alignment surfaces align the build platform the process chamber. As a result, the apparatus may be used to accurately align the build chamber with the process chamber.
165 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A rapid prototype apparatus comprising:
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a. a process chamber including a powder bed and a support housing; and
b. a build chamber removably attached to said support housing, said support housing having at least one lifting device operable to move said build chamber between a load position and a build position, said build chamber having a moveable build platform and a plurality of alignment surfaces that are each adapted to releasably engage a corresponding surface on said support housing whereby movement of said build chamber into said build position causes said alignment surfaces to engage said corresponding surface so as to align said build platform with said powder bed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for producing parts from a powder comprising:
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a removable build chamber having a build cylinder and a moveable build platform disposed therein, said build chamber being moveable between a load position and a build position, and wherein said moveable build platform defines a target area when said build chamber is in the build position;
a process chamber having a powder bed, an opening in said powder bed configured to removably attach to said build cylinder, and a powder spreader for spreading a layer of powder across said target area;
a means for generating an energy beam for fusing selected portions of the layer of the powder at the target area;
a powder dispensing system comprising at least one powder feed hopper for depositing a quantity of powder into said process chamber;
a moveable build carriage for supporting said build chamber, said build carriage including at least three upwardly extending projections;
a lifting device operable for moving the build chamber between the load position and the build position; and
a support housing for supporting said process chamber and having an interior space disposed below said process chamber that is adapted to receive said build carriage therein, said support housing having at least one recess for each of said upwardly extending projections, the recesses each being structured and arranged for releasably receiving one of said upwardly extending projections therein, and wherein movement of said build chamber into the build position causes said upwardly extending projections to be removably received into said recesses whereby said build cylinder becomes aligned with said opening in said powder bed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification