Method and apparatus for 3D printing by selective sintering
AssigneeStratasys, Inc.
InventorYehoshua Sheinman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system (100) for building a three dimensional object includes a powder delivery station (10) for applying a layer of powder material on a building tray (200), a digital printing station (30) for printing a mask pattern on the layer, a sintering station (50) for selectively sintering the portion of the layer that is defined by the mask to be sintered and a stage (250) for repeatedly advancing the building tray (200) to each of the powder delivery station, digital printing station and sintering station to build a plurality of layers that together form the three dimensional object. The mask pattern defines a negative portion of the layer to be sintered. Optionally, the system includes a die compaction station (40) for compacting per layer of powder material.
Claims18
A system for building a three dimensional object comprising:
- a powder delivery station for applying a layer of powder material on a building tray;
- a digital printing station for printing a mask pattern on the layer, wherein the mask pattern defines a negative of a portion of the layer to be sintered;
- a thermal mass roller configured to sinter the portion of the layer that is defined by the mask pattern to be sintered as it is rolled on the layer and to apply pressure to the layer to promote adhesion between the layer and a previous layer, wherein the thermal mass roller is stationed in a sintering station and wherein the sintering station includes an anti-peeling mechanism, the anti-peeling mechanism including a foil positioned between the thermal mass roller and the layer;
- and
- a stage for repeatedly advancing the building tray to each of the powder delivery station, digital printing station and sintering station to build a plurality of layers that together form the three dimensional object.
A system for building a three dimensional object comprising:
- a powder delivery station for applying a layer of powder material on a building tray;
- a digital printing station for printing a mask pattern on the layer, wherein the mask pattern defines a negative of a portion of the layer to be sintered;
- a die compacting station for compacting the layer of powder material, wherein the compacting station includes a die for receiving the layer, wherein the die compacting station includes an anti-peeling mechanism, the anti-peeling mechanism including a foil positioned between the building tray and the die, wherein the foil is supported by two opposite edges to allow bowing of the foil during separation between the building tray and the die;
- and
- a thermal mass roller configured to sinter the portion of the layer that is defined by the mask pattern to be sintered as it is rolled on the layer and to apply pressure to the layer to promote adhesion between the layer and a previous layer, wherein the thermal mass roller is stationed in a sintering station;
- and
- a stage for repeatedly advancing the building tray to each of the powder delivery station, digital printing station and sintering station to build a plurality of layers that together form the three dimensional object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.