Resistive heating-compression method and apparatus for composite-based additive manufacturing
AssigneeImpossible Objects, Inc.
InventorsRobert Swartz, John Bayldon, Buckley Crist, Eugene Gore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for resistive heating usable in composite-based additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes providing a prepared stack of substrate sheets, placing the stack between electrode assemblies of a compression device, applying a current to thereby heat the stack to a final temperature to liquefy applied powder, compressing the stack to a final height, cooling the stack, and removing the cooled, compressed stack from the compression device. The apparatus comprises at least two plates, a power supply for providing current, a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly.
Claims25
An apparatus for performing resistive heating usable in composite-based additive manufacturing, comprising:
- a stack of electrically conductive substrate sheets, the stack having an upper surface and a lower surface;
- at least two pressure plates, a first plate of the at least two pressure plates at the upper surface of the stack, and a second plate of the at least two pressure plates at the lower surface of the stack, the plates constructed to compress the stack of electrically conductive substrate sheets;
- a power supply for providing current;
- and
- a first electrode assembly situated near the first plate, and a second electrode assembly situated near the second plate, each electrode assembly including an electrode connected to the power supply;
- wherein the power supply supplies a voltage to the electrode assemblies to cause current from the power supply to flow through the stack of electrically conductive substrate sheets placed between the electrode assemblies causing the electrically conductive substrate sheets to heat;
- a box of rigid insulation fitted around the stack of electrically conductive substrate sheets configured with slots to accommodate leads of the electrode assemblies during compression.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.