Apparatus and methods for handling materials in a 3-D printer
US7971991B2 · kind B2 · utility
19Cited by
207References
6Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86187
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is directed towards methods and apparatus for handling powder in a 3D printer. The invention includes a means of transporting powder from multiple sources to a powder dispensing apparatus with minimal user intervention, thus reducing contamination of the 3D printer and surrounding area with loose powder, while also providing a means of improving the recycling of powder for re-use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.