Solid freeform fabrication using power deposition
AssigneeUniversity of Florida
InventorAshok V. Kumar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for producing three dimensional parts using layer-by-layer deposition of support powder and part compositional powder, where the deposition is accomplished using electro-photographic powder deposition technology to create a three-dimensional green part. Each successive loose powder layer is deposited directly onto the previously deposited powder layer, which has been compacted or fused to its underlying layer. After all powder layers have been deposited the green part is further processed such that the part compositional powder is fused to create a high-density part while the support powder is easily removed.
Claims28
A solid freeform fabrication method for constructing a three dimensional object through successive layer-by-layer deposition of powder comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing electrophotographic powder deposition means to create a transferable powder image, and creating said transferable powder image;
- (b) providing a platform to receive said transferable powder image;
- (c) transferring said transferable powder image to said platform to create a deposited powder layer;
- (d) providing another transferable powder image;
- (e) providing means to charge said deposited powder layer such that said deposited powder layer is charged opposite to said another transferable powder layer, and charging said deposited powder layer;
- (f) transferring said another transferable powder image onto said deposited powder layer previously transferred to create another deposited powder layer;
- (g) repeating steps (d) through (f) to construct a three dimensional object.
A solid freeform fabrication method for constructing a three dimensional object through successive layer-by-layer deposition of powder comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing electrophotographic powder deposition means to create a transferable powder image, and creating said transferable powder image;
- (b) transferring said transferable powder image to create a deposited powder layer;
- (c) providing another transferable powder image;
- (d) providing means to charge said deposited powder layer such that said deposited powder layer is charged opposite to said another transferable powder layer, and charging said deposited powder layer;
- (e) transferring said another transferable powder image onto said deposited powder layer previously transferred to create another deposited powder layer;
- (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) to construct a three dimensional object.
An apparatus for solid freeform fabrication for constructing a three dimensional object through successive layer-by-layer deposition of a transferable powder image onto a previously deposited powder layer, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) electrophotographic powder deposition means which creates plural deposited powder layers, said electrophotographic powder deposition means comprising a photoreceptor transfer member, means to create a charged image on said photoreceptor transfer member, means to deliver a powder to said photoreceptor transfer member where said powder adheres to said image to create a transferable powder image, and means to clean said photoreceptor transfer member after transferring said transferable powder image, where said electrophotographic powder deposition means creates a deposited powder layer on a previously deposited powder layer;
- (b) means to receive said deposited powder layer;
- and
- (c) means to charge said deposited powder layer to a charge opposite to the charge of said transferable powder image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.