# US 10,870,237 B2 · Powder supply device for use with powder spreaders > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,237 B2 - Document ID: US10870237B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/346,728 - Filed: 2016-11-15 - Published: 2020-02-20 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-15 - Assignees: Tongtai Machine & Tool Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Tongtai Machine & Tool Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Huaien Kao; Hsinpao Chen; Juihsiung Yen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870237B2 ## CPC - B29C 64/153: using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting - B29C 64/321: Feeding - B22F 3/105: by using electric current {other than for infrared radiant energy}, laser radiation or plasma (B22F3/11 takes precedence){; by ultrasonic bonding (B22F3/115 takes precedence)} - B29C 64/165: using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber - B29C 64/205: Means for applying layers - B29C 64/241: for rotary motion - B29C 64/255: Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers - B29C 64/329: using hoppers - B29C 64/343: Metering - B33Y 30/00: Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor - B33Y 40/00: Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B22F: WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER (making alloys by powder metallurgy C22C); APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract A powder supply device (100) for use with powder spreaders, comprising: a fixation base (2), a powder storage unit (3), a powder supply unit (4) and a driving unit (5), wherein the powder supply unit (4) is provided with at least one stirring bar (41) and a powder spreading roller (42); using a design of a stirring bar and the powder spreading roller, powder may be stirred and extruded such that the powder becomes finer, more uniform, and does not cake during powder spreading. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A powder supply device of a powder spreading apparatus, comprising: a holder; a powder storage unit including a barrel disposed on the holder and configured to store powder, and an outlet formed on a lower edge of the barrel and configured to output the powder; a powder supply unit including at least one stir bar pivoted on the holder and located below the outlet, and a powder roller pivoted on the holder and located below the stir bar; and a driving unit including a motor and a linkage assembly, wherein the motor is configured to drive the linkage assembly to rotate the stir bar and the powder roller, wherein the linkage assembly includes a ratchet, a reducer, a plurality of wheels, and at least one belt, the ratchet is disposed on the holder and configured to drive the powder roller rotating, the reducer is configured to drive the stir bar and the powder roller rotating, so that a number of rotations of the powder roller is less than a number of rotations of the stir bar, and the wheels are mounted on the stir bar, the powder roller, and the motor, respectively, and the belt is disposed on the wheels. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The powder supply device of the powder spreading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powder supply unit further includes a scraper disposed on the holder and located below the powder roller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The powder supply device of the powder spreading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stir bar includes a screw and a threaded portion, and the threaded portion is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the screw. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The powder supply device of the powder spreading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powder roller includes a rod and a plurality of receiving slots, and the receiving slots are spaced and concaved on an outer circumferential surface of the rod. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The powder supply device of the powder spreading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a section width of the barrel is tapered toward the outlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The powder supply device of the powder spreading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powder supply unit includes two stir bars, a gap is formed between the two stir bars, and the powder roller is located below the gap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The powder supply device of the powder spreading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motor is a stepper motor or a servo motor.