US 2022/0016832 A1 · METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus comprising: a work surface (170); a build bed (201) having a build area (190), the build area (190) being comprised within the work surface (170), wherein successive layers of said three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed (201); a first powder supply module (2) fixedly arranged on a first side of the work surface (170), outward from a first side of the build bed (201); a second powder supply module (3) fixedly arranged on a second side of the work surface (170), outward from a second side of the build bed (201); a first powder distribution sled (300) operable to distribute powder dosed to the work surface (170) from the first powder supply module (2) while moving in a first direction from the first side of the work surface (170) towards the second side of the work surface (170), and from the second powder supply module (3) while moving in a second direction from the second side of the work surface (170) towards the first side of the work surface (170), so as to form a layer of powder within the build area (190), the first powder distribution sled (300) being driveable along a first axis across the build area (190); and a print sled (350) operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area (170) to define the cross section of said object in said layer, the print sled (350) being driveable along a second axis across the build area (170); wherein the first powder distribution sled (300) comprises a first powder distribution device (320) for distributing the powder; wherein the print sled (350) comprises one or more droplet deposition heads (370) for depositing the fluid, a first radiation source assembly located on one side of the one or more droplet deposition heads (370), and a second radiation source assembly located on the other side of the one or more droplet deposition heads (370); and wherein the first powder distribution sled (300) further comprises a third radiation source assembly. Also provided a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, using apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention to form each layer of said object.

Claims42

Dependent claims

Apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus comprising:

a work surface;
a build bed having a build area, the build area being comprised within the work surface, wherein successive layers of the three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed;
a first powder supply module fixedly arranged on a first side of the work surface, outward from a first side of the build bed;
a second powder supply module fixedly arranged on a second side of the work surface, outward from a second side of the build bed;
a first powder distribution sled operable to distribute powder dosed to the work surface from the first powder supply module while moving in a first direction from the first side of the work surface towards the second side of the work surface, and from the second powder supply module while moving in a second direction from the second side of the work surface towards the first side of the work surface, so as to form a layer of powder within the build area, the first powder distribution sled being driveable along a first axis across the build area;
and
a print sled operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area to define a cross section of the object in the layer, the print sled being driveable along a second axis across the build area;
wherein the first axis is parallel to, or coaxial with, the second axis;
wherein the first powder distribution sled comprises a first powder distribution device arranged to distribute powder;
wherein the print sled comprises one or more droplet deposition heads arranged to deposit the fluid, a first radiation source assembly located on one side of the one or more droplet deposition heads, and a second radiation source assembly located on the other side of the one or more droplet deposition heads;
and
wherein the first powder distribution sled further comprises a third radiation source assembly.

9 more elements

Apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus comprising:

a work surface;
a build bed having a build area, the build area being comprised within the work surface, wherein successive layers of the three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed;
a first powder supply module fixedly arranged on a first side of the work surface, outward from a first side of the build bed;
a second powder supply module fixedly arranged on a second side of the work surface, outward from a second side of the build bed;
a first powder distribution sled operable to distribute powder dosed to the work surface from the first powder supply module while moving in a first direction from the first side of the work surface towards the second side of the work surface, and from the second powder supply module while moving in a second direction from the second side of the work surface towards the first side of the work surface, so as to form a layer of powder within the build area, the powder distribution sled being driveable along a first axis across the build area;
and
a first print sled operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area to define the cross section of the object in the layer, the first print sled being driveable along a second axis across the build area;
wherein the first axis is parallel to, or coaxial with, the second axis;
wherein the first powder distribution sled comprises a first powder distribution device, a first radiation source assembly and a second radiation source assembly;
wherein the first print sled comprises one or more droplet deposition heads and a third radiation source assembly located on one side of the one or more droplet deposition heads, in a first direction relative to the one or more droplet deposition heads;
and
wherein the first print sled is positioned in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, relative to the powder distribution sled.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims42