Method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article
First Claim
1. An apparatus for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed, which parts corresponds to successive cross sections of the three-dimensional article, said apparatus comprising:
- a powder distributor configured for evenly distributing a layer of powder on top of a work table; and
an energy beam configured for fusing the powder layer in selected locations corresponding to said cross section of the three-dimensional article,wherein;
said powder distributor comprises at least a first part and a second part, said first part being an elongated rod having a foremost edge and an opposing trailing edge, said first part being movably provided at a predetermined distance above the powder bed and with its central axis in parallel with a top surface of said work table, said second part being a foil having at least a first and a second opposite edge portions;
said foil is provided between said elongated rod and said work table and intermediate said foremost and trailing edges of said elongated rod;
said first and second opposite edge portions of the foil are attached to said elongated rod so that a distance between said first and second edge portions is smaller than the distance between said first and second edge portions of said foil when said foil is in a flat position;
said elongated rod comprises a protrusion disposed on said foremost edge and extending in a direction towards the work table, so as to create a volume under said elongated rod for decreasing a force from the powder acting on the elongated rod in a direction perpendicular to said work table while said layer of powder is evenly distributed over said work table.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for forming at least one three-dimensional article by fusing parts of a powder bed layer-wise. The apparatus comprising a powder distributor and an energy beam for fusing the powder layer. Said powder distributor comprises a first part being an elongated rod provided movable at a predetermined distance above the powder bed and with its central axis in parallel with a top surface of said work table and second part being a metal foil having at least a first and a second opposite edge portions. Said metal foil is provided between said elongated rod and said work table, said first and second opposite edge portions are attached to said elongated rod so that a distance between said first and second edge portions is smaller than the distance between said first and second edge portions of said metal foil when said metal foil is in a flat position.
153 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed, which parts corresponds to successive cross sections of the three-dimensional article, said apparatus comprising:
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a powder distributor configured for evenly distributing a layer of powder on top of a work table; and an energy beam configured for fusing the powder layer in selected locations corresponding to said cross section of the three-dimensional article, wherein; said powder distributor comprises at least a first part and a second part, said first part being an elongated rod having a foremost edge and an opposing trailing edge, said first part being movably provided at a predetermined distance above the powder bed and with its central axis in parallel with a top surface of said work table, said second part being a foil having at least a first and a second opposite edge portions; said foil is provided between said elongated rod and said work table and intermediate said foremost and trailing edges of said elongated rod; said first and second opposite edge portions of the foil are attached to said elongated rod so that a distance between said first and second edge portions is smaller than the distance between said first and second edge portions of said foil when said foil is in a flat position; said elongated rod comprises a protrusion disposed on said foremost edge and extending in a direction towards the work table, so as to create a volume under said elongated rod for decreasing a force from the powder acting on the elongated rod in a direction perpendicular to said work table while said layer of powder is evenly distributed over said work table. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification