Modified frame and recoating system
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsLucas Christian JONES, Jonathan ORTNER, John MOORES, Patrick KENNEY
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Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing with improved powder distribution capabilities. Specifically, the methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure incorporate powder distribution vanes to improve the lateral deposition of powder from a hopper. Such methods and apparatuses have the potential to reduce powder overhead costs, mitigate associated health and environmental risks, and increase manufacturing efficiency.
Claims13
A method of fabricating an object, comprising:
- (a) fusing at least a portion of a given layer of a powder to form at least one fused region;
- (b) providing a subsequent layer of the powder, the powder being delivered down through a recoater mechanism, the mechanism having a plurality of vanes oriented at an angle to spread powder in a lateral direction toward the edges of a powder bed;
- and
- (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the object is formed.
An apparatus for forming an object by additive manufacturing, comprising:
- a powder bed area defined by a build plate, the build plate adapted to lower as the object is being made;
- a powder fusion mechanism for fusing portions of powder within the powder bed;
- and
- a powder recoater mechanism for providing a layer of powder, the mechanism having two opposite ends and having a plurality of vanes oriented at an angle to spread powder in a lateral direction toward the edges of a powder bed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.