Selective inhibition of bonding of power particles for layered fabrication of 3-D objects
AssigneeUniversity of Southern California
InventorBehrokh Khoshnevis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for fabricating a three-dimensional (3-D) object is disclosed. The method includes providing a layer of powder material, and selectively depositing bonding inhibitor on selected areas of the layer of powder material. The areas to be deposited with the bonding inhibitor are selected according to a cross-section design of the 3-D object. The method also includes promoting bonding of uninhibited areas of the entire layer of powder material by either sintering or balk deposition of chemical binders. The method further includes repeating the steps of providing a layer of powder material, selectively depositing bonding inhibitor, and promoting bonding until the 3-D object is formed.
Claims36
A method for fabricating a three-dimensional (3-D) object, comprising:
- providing a layer of powder material;
- selectively depositing bonding inhibitor on selected areas of said layer of powder material, where said areas to be deposited with said bonding inhibitor are selected according to a cross-section design of said 3-D object;
- promoting bonding of uninhibited areas of said layer of powder material substantially simultaneously;
- and
- repeating said providing, selectively depositing and promoting bonding, until said 3-D object is formed.
A method for fabricating a three-dimensional (3-D) object, comprising:
- providing a layer of powder material;
- selectively depositing sintering inhibitor on selected areas of said layer of powder material, where said areas to be deposited with said sintering inhibitor are selected according to a cross-section design of said 3-D object;
- repeating said providing and selectively depositing, until entire programmed layers of the 3-D object has been deposited;
- and
- sintering said entire programmed layers of the 3-D object.
An apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional (3-D) object, comprising:
- a first means for providing a layer of powder material;
- a second means for selectively depositing bonding inhibitor on selected areas of said layer of powder material, where said areas to be deposited with said bonding inhibitor are selected according to a cross-section design of said 3-D object;
- a third means for promoting bonding of uninhibited areas of said layer of power material substantially simultaneously;
- and
- a controller configured to integrate said first, second, and third means to form said 3-D object.
An apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional (3-D) object, comprising:
- a roller configured to provide a layer of powder material;
- an extrusion nozzle adapted to selectively deposit bonding inhibitor on selected areas of said layer of powder material, where said areas to be deposited with said bonding inhibitor are selected according to a cross-section design of said 3-D object;
- a radiating heat source configured to promote sintering of uninhibited areas of said layer of power material substantially simultaneously;
- and
- a controller configured to integrate said roller, extrusion nozzle, and radiating heat to form said 3-D object.
An apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional (3-D) object, comprising:
- a first means for providing a layer of powder material;
- a second means for selectively depositing sintering inhibitor on selected areas of said layer of powder material, where said areas to be deposited with said sintering inhibitor are selected according to a cross-section design of said 3-D object;
- a third means for sintering entire programmed layers of the 3-D object;
- and
- a controller configured to integrate said first, second, and third means to form said 3-D object.
An apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional (3-D) object, comprising:
- a roller configured to provide a layer of powder material;
- an extrusion nozzle adapted to selectively deposit sintering inhibitor on selected areas of said layer of powder material, where said areas to be deposited with said sintering inhibitor are selected according to a cross-section design of said 3-D object;
- a sintering oven configured to sinter entire programmed layers of the 3-D object;
- and
- a controller configured to integrate said roller, extrusion nozzle, and sintering oven, to form said 3-D object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.