Post-build quick powder removal system for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

A post-build powder removal system for a powder bed fusion system, comprising:

• a build platform including:
• a work bed;
• a platform wall cooperating with the work bed to define a powder chamber, wherein the platform wall includes an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and at least one port surface extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface to define at least one powder evacuation port in fluid communication with the powder chamber;
• and
• an evacuation port sealing system operable for selectively closing and opening the powder evacuation port;
• wherein the evacuation port sealing system includes:
• an external sleeve slidingly fitted onto the platform wall such that one of the platform wall and external sleeve is slideable in a first direction closing the at least one powder evacuation port and slideable in an opposite second direction opening the at least one powder evacuation port;
• and
• wherein the external sleeve includes:
• an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and at least one aperture surface defining an aperture extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the external sleeve,
• wherein the interior surface of the external sleeve is in sliding contact with the exterior surface of the platform wall, and
• wherein the external sleeve is slideable in the first direction sealing the at least one powder evacuation port, thus closing the at least one powder evacuation port, and in the second direction aligning the at least one aperture of the sleeve with the at least one powder evacuation port of the platform wall, thus opening the at least one powder evacuation port.