Powder packing methods and apparatus
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsMichelle Lynn Sloderbeck, Christopher Hall, Laura Banks, Tim Murphy, David Ploetz, Zachary Fieldman, Christopher C. Chapman, Emily Bautista, MacKenzie Ryan Redding
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Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to powder packing for additive manufacturing (AM) methods and systems. Conventional powder packing methods are manual and non-standardized, and they result in operator fatigue and potentially product inconsistencies. Powder packing according to the present disclosure improves standardization and reduces turnaround time, with the potential to lower the cost of AM.
Claims20
A powder packing apparatus for use in a powder-based additive manufacturing system, the powder packing apparatus comprising:
- a vibration source;
- and
- at least one mechanical member characterized by a variable frequency and variable intensity vibration;
- wherein the at least one mechanical member is a sleeve configured to envelop at least a portion of the vibration source;
- and
- wherein a clamp engages a portion of the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.