Electrophotographic additive manufacturing process
US10723072B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jul 28, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y70/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for fabricating a 3D object. The apparatus may be comprised of a charged powder transferring system, a first charged powder layer generating device, a second charged powder layer generating device, a powder layer consolidation station, and an object build platform. In operation of the apparatus, a portion of a powder transferring surface of the flexible web traverses a directional change member during cyclic motion, and exceeds a radius of curvature defining a delamination threshold between the powder transferring surface and a first fused slice of the object. The apparatus may include an oven operable to fuse a stack of delaminated fused slices on a support substrate into a fused stack comprising fused second powder material and fused first powder material forming at least a portion of the object. A method of fabricating a 3D object is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.