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US 5,017,753 AGranted
Method and apparatus for producing parts by selective sintering
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorCarl R. Deckard
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AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorCarl R. Deckard
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus for selectively sintering a layer of powder to produce a part comprising a plurality of sintered layers. The apparatus includes a computer controlling a laser to direct the laser energy onto the powder to produce a sintered mass. The computer either determines or is programmed with the boundaries of the desired cross-sectional regions of the part. For each cross-section, the aim of the laser beam is scanned over a layer of powder and the beam is switched on to sinter only the powder within the boundaries of the cross-section. Powder is applied and successive layers sintered until a completed part is formed. Preferably, the powder dispensing mechanism includes a drum which is moved horizontally across the target area and counter-rotated to smooth and distribute the powder in an even layer across the target area. A downdraft system provides controlled temperature air flow through the target area to moderate powder temperature during sintering.
An apparatus for producing a part comprising:
A method of producing a part comprising the steps of:
An apparatus for moderating temperature of a powder being sintered in a target area, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.