Powder-based additive manufacturing temperature control by spatial light modulation
Assignee3D Systems, Inc.
InventorCharles W. Hull
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the temperature of powders in a powder-based additive manufacturing system using spatial light modulation. Powder layer temperatures can be measured and selectively controlled using a radiation source comprising a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator applies a visible light radiation and/or IR radiation. In addition to controlling the pre-fused temperature of the powder in the image plane, the spatial light modulator can also apply the radiation to fuse the powder.
Claims24
A powder-based additive manufacturing system for producing 3D objects from powder material, the system comprising:
- a supply of powder;
- a recoater for applying powder on a powder bed, wherein a top surface of the powder bed defines an image plane;
- a radiation source comprising a spatial light modulator adapted to selectively apply radiation to the image plane;
- a temperature measurement device for measuring a temperature of powder at one or more locations of the image plane;
- and
- a controller to control the radiation source based upon at least the measured temperature to maintain the powder of the image plane at a process temperature.
12-23. (canceled)
A method for producing a 3D object using a powder-based additive manufacturing system, the method comprising:
- applying powder on a powder bed, wherein a top surface of the powder bed defines an image plane;
- measuring a temperature of powder at one or more locations of the image plane;
- and
- applying radiation to the image plane with a radiation source comprising a spatial light modulator;
- wherein applying radiation is controlled based upon at least the measured temperature to maintain the powder of the image plane at a process temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.