Recoat assemblies for additive manufacturing systems and methods for using the same

US12172370B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Vadim Bromberg · Niskayuna, US
• John Sterle · Clifton Park, US
• Joseph Lucian Smolenski · Slingerlands, US
• Carlos H. Bonilla · Lebanon, US
• Tyler Andrew Griffith · Norwood, US
• Victor Fulton · Amelia, US
• Robert Butler · Erie, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 22, 2020
• Grant date: Dec 24, 2024
• Expiry date: Jun 8, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P10/25
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for forming an object includes moving a recoat assembly (200) in a coating direction over a build material, wherein the recoat assembly (200) comprises a first roller (202) and a second roller (204) that is spaced apart from the first roller; rotating the first roller (202) of the recoat assembly in a counter-rotation direction, such that a bottom of the first roller moves in the coating direction; contacting the build material with the first roller of the recoat assembly, thereby fluidizing at least a portion of the build material; irradiating, with a front energy source (260) coupled to a front end of the recoat assembly, an initial layer of build material positioned in a build area; subsequent to irradiating the initial layer of build material, spreading the build material on the build area with the first roller, thereby depositing a second layer of the build material over the initial layer of build material; and subsequent to spreading the second layer of the build material, irradiating, with a rear energy source (262) positioned rearward of the front energy source, the second layer of build material within the build area.