CARTRIDGE FOR AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A method for constructing a three-dimensional structure within an additive manufacturing apparatus, the method comprising:
- reading an identifier from a cartridge transiently loaded into the additive manufacturing apparatus;
based on the identifier, retrieving from a computer network a laser fuse profile for powdered material contained within the cartridge;
leveling a volume of powdered material dispensed from the cartridge into a layer of substantially uniform thickness across a build platform within the additive manufacturing apparatus; and
selectively fusing regions of the layer according to a fuse parameter defined in the laser fuse profile.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One variation of a method for constructing a three-dimensional structure within a additive manufacturing apparatus includes: reading an identifier from a cartridge transiently loaded into the additive manufacturing apparatus; based on the identifier, retrieving from a computer network a laser fuse profile for powdered material contained within the cartridge; leveling a volume of powdered material dispensed from the cartridge into a layer of substantially uniform thickness across a build platform within the additive manufacturing apparatus; and selectively fusing regions of the layer according to a fuse parameter defined in the laser fuse profile.
142 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for constructing a three-dimensional structure within an additive manufacturing apparatus, the method comprising:
-
reading an identifier from a cartridge transiently loaded into the additive manufacturing apparatus; based on the identifier, retrieving from a computer network a laser fuse profile for powdered material contained within the cartridge; leveling a volume of powdered material dispensed from the cartridge into a layer of substantially uniform thickness across a build platform within the additive manufacturing apparatus; and selectively fusing regions of the layer according to a fuse parameter defined in the laser fuse profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for constructing a three-dimensional structure within a laser sintering apparatus, the method comprising:
-
reading a first identifier from a first cartridge transiently loaded into the additive manufacturing apparatus; reading a second identifier from a second cartridge transiently loaded into the additive manufacturing apparatus; based on the first identifier, retrieving from a database a first build cycle history datum for powdered material contained within the first cartridge; based on the second identifier, retrieving from the database a second build cycle history datum for powdered material contained within the second cartridge; setting a dispense order for the first cartridge and the second cartridge based on the first build cycle history datum and the second build cycle history datum; dispensing powdered material from the first cartridge into a build chamber within the additive manufacturing apparatus; and in response to depletion of powdered material within the first cartridge, dispensing powdered material from the second cartridge into the build chamber according to the dispense order. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A cartridge, comprising:
-
a vessel defining an outlet; an engagement feature configured to transiently support the vessel within a additive manufacturing apparatus; a resealable lid arranged over the outlet and configured to transiently engage an element within the additive manufacturing apparatus, the element selectively transitioning the lid between a closed setting, the resealable lid sealing powdered material in an inert gas environment within the vessel in the closed setting, and an open setting, the resealable lid releasing powdered material into the vessel in the open setting, an identifier stored on the vessel and defining a pointer to an electronic database comprising data specific to material contained within the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification