Rotating direct metal laser melting systems and methods of operation

US11141818B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• William Thomas Carter · Galway, US
• Todd Jay Rockstroh · Maineville, US
• Brian Scott McCarthy · Schenectady, US
• Subhrajit Roychowdhury · Schenectady, US
• Younkoo Jeong · Clifton Park, US
• David Charles Bogdan, JR. · Charlton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 5, 2018
• Grant date: Oct 12, 2021
• Expiry date: Aug 31, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P10/25
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system includes a rotatable base, and a build plate mounted on and supported by the rotatable base, where the build plate includes a build surface. The DMLM system also includes a first actuator assembly, a first powder dispenser disposed proximate the build plate and configured to deposit a weldable powder on the build surface of the build plate. In addition, the DMLM system includes a first powder spreader disposed proximate the build plate and configured to spread the weldable powder deposited on the build surface of the build plate, and a first laser scanner supported by the first actuator assembly in a position relative to the build plate, such that at least a portion of the build surface is within a field of view of the first laser scanner. The first laser scanner is configured to selectively weld the weldable powder. The first laser scanner is further configured to translate axially relative to the build surface on the first actuator assembly.