Reducing caking of build material
US12076915B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 2019 |
| Grant date | Sep 3, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y50/02
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
According to one aspect, there is provided a method of selectively solidifying successive layers of build material in a 3D printing system. The method comprises obtaining data relating to a 3D object to be generated, forming a layer of build material on a build platform, applying to the formed layer a pattern of fusing agent corresponding to a portion of the layer to be solidified to form a layer of the object, applying to the formed layer a pattern of anti-caking agent on portions of the formed layer that are not to be solidified to form a layer of the object, and applying energy to the whole of the formed layer to cause portions of the layer on which fusing agent was applied to heat up, melt, coalesce, and then solidify upon cooling, and to cause portions of the formed layer on which anti-caking agent was applied to control caking of build material in those portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.