Powder refill system for an additive manufacturing machine
US11141918B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 2018 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An additive manufacturing machine (910) includes a build unit (920) including a powder dispenser (906) having a hopper (904) for receiving a volume of additive powder (902). A powder supply system (1000) includes a powder supply source (940) and a conveyor (1024) for transporting dispensed additive powder (902) to the hopper (904). A supply sensing system (1060) monitors the additive powder (902) that is dispensed from the powder supply source (940) and transported to the hopper (904) and a hopper sensing system (1040) monitors the additive powder (902) within the hopper (904). Each of these systems includes one or more powder level sensors (1042, 1044, 1062), weight sensors (1050, 1064), and/or vision systems (1054, 1070) for monitoring the additive powder (902).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.