Binder jetting apparatus and methods

US11712843B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Vadim Bromberg · Niskayuna, US
• Victor Fulton · Amelia, US
• Carlos H. Bonilla · Lebanon, US
• Travis Gene Sands · Cincinnati, US
• Brian Harlow Farrell · Amsterdam, US
• Joseph Lucian Smolenski · Slingerlands, US
• Younkoo Jeong · Clifton Park, US
• Glen Charles Fedyk · Hamilton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 2018
• Grant date: Aug 1, 2023
• Expiry date: Jan 13, 2039

Classification

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

Abstract

A binder jet printing apparatus (10), along with methods of its use, is provided. The binder jet printing apparatus (10) may include: a job box (18) having a actuatable build plate (46) therein; a supply box (54) having a bottom platform (56) that is actuatable within the supply box (54); a print system including at least one print head (32) connected to a binder source (38) and configured to apply a pattern of binder onto an exposed powder layer (42) over the build plate (46) of the job box (18); a recoat system (16) including a recoater configured to move from the supply box (54) to the job box (18) to transfer powder from the supply box (54) to the job box (18) so as to form a new powder layer (48) over the build plate (46) of the job box (18); and a cure system (14) configured to direct electromagnetic radiation onto the job box (18).