Powder bed fusion apparatus and methods
US11123924B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2018 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.