Additive manufacturing using a mobile build volume
US11103928B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2018 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to additive manufacturing systems and methods on a large-scale format. One aspect involves a build unit that can be moved around in three dimensions by a positioning system, building separate portions of a large object. The build unit has an energy directing device that directs, e.g., laser or e-beam irradiation onto a powder layer. In the case of laser irradiation, the build volume may have a gasflow device that provides laminar gas flow to a laminar flow zone above the layer of powder. This allows for efficient removal of the smoke, condensates, and other impurities produced by irradiating the powder (the “gas plume”) without excessively disturbing the powder layer. The build unit may also have a recoater that allows it to selectively deposit particular quantities of powder in specific locations over a work surface to build large, high quality, high precision objects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.