Additive manufacturing apparatuses with powder distributors and methods of use
AssigneeArcam AB
InventorKristofer Karlsson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An additive manufacturing apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of layers of a powder material, which parts correspond to successive cross-sections of the three-dimensional article includes a process chamber housing enclosing a process chamber. A rotatable support conveyor is rotatably connected to a bottom of the process chamber housing by a rotatable shaft. The rotatable support conveyor includes an opening that extends therethrough for dispensing powder material from a powder storage vessel located on the rotatable support conveyor and a powder distributor that includes a rake portion that is located between the rotatable support conveyor and the bottom of the process chamber housing.
Claims20
An additive manufacturing apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of layers of a powder material, which parts correspond to successive cross-sections of the three-dimensional article, the additive manufacturing apparatus comprising:
- a process chamber housing enclosing a process chamber;
- and
- a rotatable support conveyor rotatably connected to a bottom of the process chamber housing by a rotatable shaft, the rotatable support conveyor including an opening that extends therethrough for dispensing powder material from a powder storage vessel located on the rotatable support conveyor and a powder distributor comprising a rake portion that is located between the rotatable support conveyor and the bottom of the process chamber housing.
A method of delivering powder material to a build platform of an additive manufacturing apparatus, the method comprising:
- placing a powder storage vessel into a process chamber housing of the additive manufacturing apparatus, the powder storage vessel being placed over an opening through a rotatable support conveyor that is rotatably connected to a bottom of the process chamber housing such that powder material falls from the powder storage vessel, through the opening and into a space between the rotatable support conveyor and the bottom of the process chamber housing;
- and
- moving the powder material located in the space between the rotatable support conveyor and the bottom of the process chamber housing toward a build platform using a powder distributor comprising a rake portion located in the space between the rotatable support conveyor and the bottom of the process chamber housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.