Additive machine utilizing rotational build surface
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJohn Michael McCarren, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Eric Alan Estill, Peter Andrew Flynn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for manufacturing an axi-symmetric part. The apparatus includes a vessel configured to contain the powder. The vessel is also configured to receive a part such that at least a portion of the part contacts the powder contained within the vessel. A first energy source is configured to generate a first beam of energy. The first beam of energy is configured to melt the powder at a first predetermined location such that the melted powder fuses to the part.
Claims20
An apparatus for manufacturing an axi-symmetric part, the apparatus comprising:
- a vessel configured to contain a powder, one or more walls of the vessel defining supports configured to rotatably receive a workpiece such that at least a portion of the workpiece contacts the powder contained within the vessel;
- a first energy source configured to generate a first beam of energy to melt the powder at a first radial location such that the melted powder fuses to the workpiece at the first radial location;
- and
- a means for rotating the workpiece around an axis between the first radial location and a second radial location such that at least a portion of the workpiece at the second radial location contacts the powder contained within the vessel and the first radial location of the workpiece is submerged in the powder.
A method for manufacturing an axi-symmetric part using a powder-fed additive manufacturing system that includes a vessel that is configured to contain a powder, one or more walls of the vessel defining supports to rotatably support a workpiece and that includes a first energy source configured to generate a first energy beam sufficient to melt the powder at a predetermined location, the method comprising the steps of:
- operating the first energy source;
- fusing the powder onto a surface of the workpiece when the workpiece is at a first radial position to form a first fused layer;
- rotating the workpiece to a second radial position such that the first radial location of the workpiece is submerged in the powder;
- fusing the powder onto a surface of the workpiece when the workpiece is at the second radial position;
- rotating the workpiece to the first radial position;
- and
- fusing the powder onto the first fused layer to form a second fused layer.
An apparatus for manufacturing an axi-symmetric part, the apparatus comprising:
- a box defining a reservoir configured to contain a powder;
- supports defined by one or more walls of the box for supporting the part such that the part is rotatable;
- the supports being configured such that the part is in contact with the powder;
- a motor for indexing the part between multiple predetermined radial positions;
- and
- an energy source configured to fuse the powder to the part at each radial position while another of the radial positions is submerged in the powder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.