Three dimensional printing system with efficient powder handling system
Assignee3D Systems, Inc.
InventorRobert Beauchamp
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A three dimensional (3D) printing system includes a print engine, a first powder handling module, a sieve, a second powder handling module, and a controller. The controller operates the print engine to fabricate 3D articles of manufacture. The controller operates the first powder handling module to transfer excess powder from the print engine to the first powder handling module and to receive new powder. The first powder handling module dispenses powder to the sieve. The controller operates the second handling module to transfer powder from the sieve to the second powder handling module. The second powder handling module provides powder to the print engine.
Claims9
A three dimensional (3D) printing system comprising:
- a three dimensional print engine including a build chamber coupled to a supply chamber;
- a first silo configured to be coupled to the supply chamber for handling powder further including:
- an upper silo portion for receiving powder entrained by a gaseous stream, the upper silo portion including a vacuum outlet, and a cyclonic powder separator for removing powder from the gaseous stream whereby it exits from the powder separator in a downward direction;
- a pressure sensor mounted to an annular top of the powder separator;
- and
- a lower silo portion tapering in the downward direction toward a lower end from the upper silo portion, the lower end including a valve for dispensing the powder;
- a vacuum subsystem coupled to the vacuum outlet;
- and
- a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and the vacuum subsystem, the controller configured to receive a signal from the pressure sensor and to operate the vacuum subsystem to maintain a controlled flow rate of the gaseous stream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.