Multi-material powder fusion
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsMartin G. Keen, Sarbajit Kumar Rakshit, Jeremy R. Fox, Carolina Garcia Delgado
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems for powder fusion include dispensing a first powder on a powder fusion platform. A second powder is dispensed on the powder fusion platform. The first powder and the second powder are applied to a powder bed of the powder fusion platform using a roller that pushes the first powder and the second powder at the same time. The first powder and the second powder are fused, using an energy source, to form a three-dimensional structure.
Claims20
A method for powder fusion, comprising:
- dispensing a first powder on a powder fusion platform;
- dispensing a second powder on the powder fusion platform;
- applying the first powder and the second powder to a powder bed of the powder fusion platform using a roller that pushes the first powder and the second powder at the same time;
- and
- fusing the first powder and the second powder, using an energy source, to form a three-dimensional structure.
A powder fusion system, comprising:
- a powder fusion platform;
- a powder bed that includes a top surface which moves vertically with respect to a top surface of the powder fusion platform;
- a first powder;
- a second powder;
- a roller to apply the first powder and the second powder to the powder bed;
- and
- an energy source to fuse the first powder and the second powder on the powder bed into a three-dimensional object.
A powder fusion system, comprising:
- a powder fusion platform;
- a powder bed that includes a top surface which moves vertically with respect to a top surface of the powder fusion platform;
- a first dispenser holding a first powder;
- a second dispenser holding a second powder;
- a roller to apply the first powder and the second powder to the powder bed;
- an energy source to fuse the first powder and the second powder on the powder bed into a three-dimensional object;
- a processor set;
- one or more computer-readable storage media;
- and
- program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media to cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
- determining a powder pattern based on a design for the three-dimensional structure that determines placement of the first powder and the second powder the powder fusion platform;
- dispensing the first powder and the second powder in accordance with the powder pattern;
- and
- triggering application of the first powder and the second powder to the powder bed using the roller;
- and
- triggering fusion of the first powder and the second powder using the energy source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.