Patent · US Active

Apparatus and methods for handling materials in a 3-D printer

US8185229B2 · kind B2 · utility

89Cited by
211References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 7, 2011
Grant dateMay 22, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 7, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/86187
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of controlling the flow of unbound powder in a build chamber. A build surface for receiving the powder is provided, with the build surface including a first plate defining holes and a second plate defining a plurality of openings spaced apart and offset from the plurality of holes in the first plate. The second plate is disposed below and spaced from the first plate. A vacuum source is provided below the build surface.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.