Carbon fiber sheet separation with flickers for 3-dimensional printing
US11904532B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 2021 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/177
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for lifting substrate sheets off of a stack of porous sheets one at a time, even though the sheets tend to stick together. A felt tamp is lowered onto the stack of sheets, and as the tamp is raised, a set of edge flickers create a downward force on the corners of the top sheet. This causes the edges of the top sheet to bend downward slightly just enough to pry the second sheet loose from the top sheet. The tamp can then be further raised with only the top sheet adhering to the felt, and the lifted sheet can be deposited at the next station in the process. Periodically, a brush is used to renew the surface of the felt to prevent matting of the felt fibers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.