US 6,672,343 B1 · Device for supplying powder for a device for producing a three-dimensional object layer by layer

Abstract

An apparatus for delivering powder onto a plane surface (1) of a device for creating a three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer fashion, in particular of a laser sintering machine, is provided. It comprises a covering means (3) which can be moved back and forth in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction by means of a drive between a lateral first position and a second position located on the opposite side. In at least one of the positions it can be filled with powder. In order to simplify the apparatus and improve its operation, the covering means (3) comprises a slit (6) extending across the entire width and open at its top and its bottom as well as smoothening elements (7, 8) at the ends opposite of the surface. A store container (9) is provided above the covering means (3), the volume of said store container at each location across the entire width being at least equal to the volume of the slit cavity located underneath.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for supplying powder onto a plane surface of a device for creating a three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer fashion, the apparatus comprising:

a covering means extending across said surface in a first direction of said surface, which covering means can be moved back and forth in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction between a first lateral end position and a second lateral end position and which can be filled with powder from above in at least one of the said positions, wherein said covering means comprises a cavity having a width extending across said surface, the cavity being open at its top and its bottom;
and
a store container;
wherein said store container delivers to said covering means material to be used for the covering when the covering means is in said one lateral end position, said cavity thus being filled to a predetermined level across its entire width;
and
wherein, at each location across its entire width, the volume of said store container is equal to or greater than the volume of the adjacent cavity.

3 more elements

A laser sintering machine comprising an apparatus for supplying powder onto a plane surface, said apparatus comprising:

a covering means extending across said surface in a first direction of said surface, which covering means can be moved back and forth in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction between a first lateral end position and a second lateral end position and which can be filled with powder from above in at least one of the said positions, wherein said covering means comprises a cavity having a width extending across said surface, the cavity being open at its top and its bottom;
and
a store container;
wherein said store container delivers to said covering means material to be used for the covering when the covering means is in said one lateral end position, said cavity thus being filled to a predetermined level across its entire width;
and
wherein, at each location across its entire width, the volume of said store container is equal to or greater than the volume of the adjacent cavity.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for supplying powder for a device for producing a three-dimensional object layer by layer

Life of this patent

Device for supplying powder for a device for producing a three-dimensional object layer by layer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17