System for identifying parts formed in an additive manufacturing build
AssigneeHexcel Corporation
InventorsWhitney Kline, Alden Winn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for identifying test bars formed during a selective laser sintering build. A part cake is formed during a selective laser sintering build. The part cake comprises parts formed from a powder by selective laser sintering and unsintered powder around the formed parts. The parts include test bars for performing material testing. Each test bar includes a plurality of indentations in a first grip section and a second grip section. The plurality of indentations are arranged in a information providing pattern that is adapted to be readable after the test part is removed from the part cake.
Claims32
A system for identifying test bars formed during a selective laser sintering build, comprising:
- a part cake formed during a selective laser sintering build, the part cake comprising a plurality of parts formed from a powder by selective laser sintering and further comprising unsintered powder disposed around the formed parts,
- the plurality of parts comprising a plurality of test bars for performing material testing, each test bar of the plurality of test bars extends along an axis between a first end and a second end, each test bar of the plurality of test bars having a first grip section proximate to the first end and a second grip section proximate to the second end,
- each test bar of the plurality of test bars further comprises a plurality of indentations in one or more of the first grip section and the second grip section, the plurality of indentations being arranged in an information providing pattern that is adapted to be readable after the test part is removed from the part cake;
- wherein each indentation of the plurality of indentations comprises a notch in an edge of one or more of the first grip section and the second grip section.
A test bar formed in a selective laser sintering build, comprising:
- a
- body extending along an axis from a first end to a second end;
- a first grip section at the first end;
- a second grip section at the second end;
- a front surface extending in a plane between the first end and the second end;
- a rear surface extending in a plane between the first end the second end;
- a side surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface;
- a plurality of indentations in one or more of the first grip section and the second grip section, the plurality of indentations being arranged in an information providing pattern that is adapted to be readable;
- wherein the indentations comprise notches formed in an edge of the one or more of the first grip section and the second grip section.
A method for encoding a unique identifier on a test bar formed in a cake bed during a selective laser sintering build, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an identifier;
- converting the identifier into a digital form;
- building a test bar from a powder by selective laser sintering, the test bar comprising a body extending along an axis from a first end to a second end, a first grip section at the first end, a second grip section at the second end;
- forming a plurality of indentations via the selective laser sintering in one or more of the first grip section and the second grip section, the plurality of indentations being arranged in a information providing pattern that is adapted to be readable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.