Fine powder recoater for three-dimensional printer
US9486962B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2016 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Powder-layer three-dimensional printer recoaters, which are adapted for use with fine powders, are disclosed. The recoaters comprise a controllably vibrated traveling powder dispenser having a hopper section adapted to contain the build powder, an opening through which the powder can be controllably discharged laterally into a chamber which is located beside the opening and which has a mesh covering at least a portion of its bottom. The recoaters also comprise a vibrator that is operably connected to the traveling powder dispenser and is adapted to selectively cause the powder to flow from the hopper through the opening and be discharged through the mesh. In some embodiments, the recoaters also comprise a smoothing device which is adapted to smoothen the powder dispensed through the mesh. In some embodiments the smoothing device is adapted to compact the density of the dispensed powder level a selectable amount. Also disclosed are powder-layer three-dimensional printers having such recoaters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.