Patent · US Active

Powder circuit for use in an apparatus for producing three-dimensional work pieces

US10773304B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

0References

7Claims

0Family size

Assignee

SLM SOLUTIONS GROUP AG · DE

Inventors

Andreas Wiesner · Hof Perlberg, DE
Bodo Haack · Stade, DE
Dieter Schwarze · Hof Perlberg, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Nov 23, 2015
Grant date	Sep 15, 2020
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jan 8, 2039

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02P10/25
WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A powder circuit (36) for use in an apparatus (10) for producing three-dimensional work pieces by irradiating layers of a raw material powder with electromagnetic or particle radiation comprises a process chamber (12) accommodating a carrier (16) and a powder application device (14) for applying a raw material powder onto the carrier (16), the process chamber (12) being provided with a powder inlet (30) for supplying raw material powder to the powder application device (14) and a powder outlet (32) for discharging excess raw material powder from the process chamber (12). The powder circuit (36) further comprises a powder circulation line (34) connecting the powder outlet (32) of the process chamber (12) to the powder inlet (30) of the process chamber (12) and a conveying device (38) arranged in the powder circulation line (34) for conveying the raw material powder through the powder circulation line (34). A sensor arrangement (42) is adapted to detect at least one of a parameter characteristic of a powder supply to the conveying device (38) and a parameter characteristic of a powder discharge from the conveying device (38). A control unit (40) adapted to control operation of the co…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.