Method for producing parts
First Claim
1. A method of applying a layer of powder over a region of a target area comprising the steps of:
- providing a volume of a powder;
after said providing step, moving a drum across said region;
during said moving step, rotating the drum counter to the direction of movement of said drum across said region; and
contacting the volume of powder with the counter-rotating drum as it moves across said region so that a layer of powder remains over said region after said moving step.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for selectively sintering a layer of powder to produce a part comprising a plurality of sintered layers. The apparatus includes a computer controlling a laser to direct the laser energy onto the powder to produce a sintered mass. The computer either determines or is programmed with the boundaries of the desired cross-sectional regions of the part. For each cross-section, the aim of the laser beam is scanned over a layer of powder and the beam is switched on to sinter only the powder within the boundaries of the cross-section. Powder is applied and successive layers sintered until a completed part is formed. Preferably, the powder dispensing mechanism includes a drum which is moved horizontally across the target area and counter-rotated to smooth and distribute the powder in an even layer across the target area. A downdraft system provides controlled temperature air flow through the target area to moderate powder temperature during sintering.
314 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of applying a layer of powder over a region of a target area comprising the steps of:
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providing a volume of a powder; after said providing step, moving a drum across said region; during said moving step, rotating the drum counter to the direction of movement of said drum across said region; and contacting the volume of powder with the counter-rotating drum as it moves across said region so that a layer of powder remains over said region after said moving step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification