Depowdering of additively manufactured objects with small and/or complex internal geometries
US12208573B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of depowdering objects (e.g., heat exchangers) having small and/or complex internal geometries and manufactured using an additive manufacturing technique performed with a powder material. The method includes applying a pressurized fluid to the objects via a pressurized fluid applicator operatively coupled to the object, thereby removing a portion of unbound powder material on or in the object. The method further includes applying vortex vibration to the object via a vortex vibration source operatively coupled to the object, thereby loosening a portion of the unbound powder material remaining on or in the object, and applying the pressurized fluid to the object via the pressurized fluid application, thereby removing a portion of the loosened, unbound powder material from the object. The latter two applying steps are repeated until a specified amount of the unbound powder material has been removed from the object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.