Apparatus and methods for handling materials in a 3-D printer
Assignee3D Systems, Inc.
InventorThomas Davidson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of controlling the flow of unbound powder in a build chamber. A build surface for receiving the powder is provided, with the build surface including a first plate defining holes and a second plate defining a plurality of openings spaced apart and offset from the plurality of holes in the first plate. The second plate is disposed below and spaced from the first plate. A vacuum source is provided below the build surface.
Claims13
A build chamber for use in a three-dimensional printer and adapted for receiving powder for producing three-dimensional objects, the chamber comprising:
- a build surface for receiving the powder, the build surface comprising:
- a first plate defining a plurality of spaced holes having a pitch;
- and
- a second plate defining a plurality of openings spaced apart and offset from the plurality of holes in the first plate, the second plate disposed below and spaced from the first plate, and
- a mechanism for vibrating the build surface, wherein the pitch corresponds to the space between proximate edges of adjacent holes;
- and a vacuum source to create a vacuum beneath the build surface.
A build chamber for use in a three-dimensional printer and adapted for receiving powder for producing three-dimensional objects, the chamber comprising:
- a build surface for receiving, the powder, the build surface comprising:
- a first:
- plate defining a plurality of spaced holes having a pitch;
- and
- a second plate defining a plurality of openings spaced apart and offset from the plurality of holes in the first plate, the second plate disposed below and spaced from the first plate,
- wherein the pitch corresponds to the space between proximate edges of adjacent holes, and the space between the plates is variable.
A method of controlling the flow of unbound powder in a build chamber, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a build surface for receiving the powder, the build surface comprising:
- a first plate defining a plurality of spaced apart holes having a pitch;
- and
- a second plate defining a plurality of openings spaced apart and offset from the plurality of holes in the first plate, the second plate disposed below and spaced from the first plate, wherein the pitch corresponds to the space between proximate edges of adjacent holes;
- providing a vacuum source, below the build surface;
- and
- activating the vacuum source to create a vacuum beneath the build surface to cause the powder to flow through the first and second plates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.