Method for producing a part using a deposition technique
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for producing a part layer-by-layer comprising the steps of:
- i. depositing a first layer of particulate matter into a building box having a build platform;
ii. selectively applying a particulate binder to a predefined subarea of the layer so that the layer has treated particulate matter in the predefined subarea and untreated particulate matter outside of the predefined subarea, wherein the binder is a free-flowing powder;
iii. providing support to both the treated particulate matter and the untreated particulate matter by the building box so that partial consolidation of the treated particulate matter is not required to prevent the treated particulate matter from flowing beyond the predefined subarea of the layer;
iv. repeating steps i. through iii. until the part is complete, wherein the building platform provides support for the layered composite and reduces the danger of damage to the uncured layered composite;
v. binding the particulate matter in the predefined subareas after step iv. is complete by heating the part so that the part is bonded, wherein the binding of the particulate matter particles in the predefined subareas is achieved with the binder;
wherein the steps of depositing the layer of particulate material and applying the particulate binder are done in the absence of an initiator.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for producing a part using a deposition technique. A layered composite is built up in layers, the individual layers each containing particulate material and binding material as well as optionally, a treatment agent. The layers maintain a predetermined porosity. The layer composite is built up in the absence of hardening agent. Once construction is complete, the layer composite is hardened.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method for producing a part layer-by-layer comprising the steps of:
-
i. depositing a first layer of particulate matter into a building box having a build platform; ii. selectively applying a particulate binder to a predefined subarea of the layer so that the layer has treated particulate matter in the predefined subarea and untreated particulate matter outside of the predefined subarea, wherein the binder is a free-flowing powder; iii. providing support to both the treated particulate matter and the untreated particulate matter by the building box so that partial consolidation of the treated particulate matter is not required to prevent the treated particulate matter from flowing beyond the predefined subarea of the layer; iv. repeating steps i. through iii. until the part is complete, wherein the building platform provides support for the layered composite and reduces the danger of damage to the uncured layered composite; v. binding the particulate matter in the predefined subareas after step iv. is complete by heating the part so that the part is bonded, wherein the binding of the particulate matter particles in the predefined subareas is achieved with the binder; wherein the steps of depositing the layer of particulate material and applying the particulate binder are done in the absence of an initiator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A method for producing a part layer-by-layer, comprising the steps of:
-
i. depositing a first layer of particulate matter into a building box having building platform; ii. selectively applying a liquid binder to a predefined subarea of the layer so that the layer has treated particulate matter in the predefined subarea and untreated particulate matter outside of the predefined subarea, wherein the binder is applied in the form of liquid drops according to an inkjet or a drop-on-demand technique; iii. providing support to both the treated particulate matter and the untreated particulate matter by the building box so that partial consolidation of the treated particulate matter is not required to prevent the treated particulate matter from flowing beyond the predefined subarea of the layer; iv. repeating steps i. through iii. until the part is complete;
wherein the building platform provides support for the layered composite and reduces the danger of damage to the uncured layered composite;v. binding the particulate matter in the predefined subareas after step iv. is complete by heating the part so that the part is bonded, wherein binding of the particulate matter particles in the predefined subareas is achieved with the binder; wherein the steps of depositing the layer of particulate material and applying the liquid binder are done in the absence of an initiator; and wherein no bonding step is provided per layer and bonding of the plurality of layers employs just one step at the end of the process. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for producing a part layer-by-layer, comprising the steps of:
-
i. depositing a layer of material including a dry binder into a building box having a building platform; ii. applying a treatment agent to a predefined subarea of the layer so that the treatment agent soaks into the dry binder and makes the treated binder more amenable for bonding through the application of heat compared with the untreated dry binder outside of the predefined subarea; iii. repeating steps i. through ii. until the part is complete;
wherein the building platform provides support for the layered composite and reduces the danger of damage to the uncured layered composite;iv. curing the treated binder in the part after step iii. is complete by heating the part so that the part is bonded; and wherein the steps of depositing the layer of particulate material and applying the dry binder are done in the absence of an initiator; and wherein the binder is applied as a free-flowing powder; and no bonding step is provided per layer and bonding of the layers occurs only at the end of the process. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
17. A method for producing a part layer-by-layer, comprising the steps of:
-
i. depositing a first layer of particulate matter into a building box having building platform; ii. applying a resinous binder to a predefined subarea of the layer so that the layer has treated particulate matter in the predefined subarea and untreated particulate matter outside of the predefined subarea; iii. providing support to both the treated particulate matter and the untreated particulate matter by the building box so that partial consolidation of the treated particulate matter is not required to prevent the treated particulate matter from flowing beyond the predefined subarea of the layer; iv. repeating steps i. through ii. for depositing additional layers over the previously deposited layer until a multi-layered part is complete; and v. curing the resinous binder in the part after step iv. is complete by flooding or flowing a gas curing agent through the part; wherein the steps of depositing the layer of particulate material and applying the resinous binder are done in the absence of an initiator; and wherein no bonding step is provided per layer and bonding of the layers occurs only at the end of the process. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
Specification