Additive manufacturing apparatuses with removable build boxes and lid management systems
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJacob Mayer, Victor Fulton, Carlos H. Bonilla
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Abstract
An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article having successive layers of a powder material, which layers correspond to successive cross-sections of the three-dimensional article includes a process chamber that includes a process chamber floor having an opening therethrough, the opening defining a part processing area and a lid management system. The lid management system includes an actuator including a movable arm that moves between retracted and extended positions and a machine lid connected to the movable arm. The machine lid is sized and configured to sealingly engage a perimeter of the opening of the process chamber floor with the movable arm in the extended position.
Claims20
An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article having successive layers of a powder material, which layers correspond to successive cross-sections of the three-dimensional article, the apparatus comprising:
- a process chamber comprising a process chamber floor having an opening therethrough, the opening defining a part processing area;
- and
- a lid management system comprising:
- an actuator comprising a movable arm that moves between retracted and extended positions;
- and
- a machine lid connected to the movable arm by a connector located on a top face of the machine lid, the machine lid sized and configured to sealingly engage a perimeter of the opening of the process chamber floor with the movable arm in the extended position.
A build box for an apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article having successive layers of a powder material, which layers correspond to successive cross-sections of the three-dimensional article, the build box comprising:
- an enclosure body forming a build volume;
- a build platform slidably disposed in the build volume;
- and
- a build box lid covering the build volume that is removable from the enclosure body, the build box lid comprising a connector located on a top face of the machine lid.
A method of sealing a process chamber of an apparatus, the apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article having successive layers of a powder material, which layers correspond to successive cross-sections of the three-dimensional article, the method comprising:
- sealing an opening that defines a part processing area in a process chamber floor using a machine lid, the machine lid connected to a movable arm of an actuator for moving the machine lid toward and away from the opening in the process chamber floor, the movable arm connected to a connector located on a top face of the machine lid;
- and
- removing the machine lid from the opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.