Patent classifications
B33Y40/00
Method for regulating temperature at a resin interface in an additive manufacturing process
A method for additive manufacturing includes: at a build tray arranged over a build window and containing a resin reservoir of a resin, heating the resin reservoir toward a target bulk resin temperature less than a heat deflection temperature of the resin in a photocured state; at a resin interface between a surface of the build window and the resin reservoir, heating an interface layer of the resin reservoir toward a target reaction temperature; and, in response to the resin reservoir exhibiting a first temperature proximal the target bulk resin temperature and to the interface layer exhibiting a second temperature proximal the target reaction temperature: at the resin interface, selectively photocuring a first volume of the resin to form a first layer of a build adhered to a build platform; and retracting the build platform away from the build window.
High flow differential cleaning system
A high flow differential cleaning system uses a source of pressurized compressed dry gas to pressurize a holding tank. A component to be cleaned is securely loaded and oriented against a blast plate designed specifically for the desired pressure, flow, and volume. A fast-actuated valve system opens to direct high volumes of pressurized gas from a holding tank through and around the component(s) held within the cleaning chamber for the removal of remnant powder and foreign particles from interior cavities as well as exterior component surfaces.
Sliding window screen for reducing resin refilling time in stereolithography
A sliding window is used in a projection-based stereolithographic process to more quickly deliver uncured resin after each curing pass. The sliding window may be configured in different patterns, and includes features for delivering resin and exposing resin to curing radiation. The window screen divides the stereolithographic building area divided into two portions, a light exposure portion for resin curing and a liquid resin refilling portion. The light exposure portion is used to selectively solidify liquid resin, while the liquid resin refilling portion is used to quickly refill liquid resin in order to build additional layers. During the layer fabrication process, a mask image is projected to the tank; however, the projection light only passes through the light exposure portion of the window screen.
Sliding window screen for reducing resin refilling time in stereolithography
A sliding window is used in a projection-based stereolithographic process to more quickly deliver uncured resin after each curing pass. The sliding window may be configured in different patterns, and includes features for delivering resin and exposing resin to curing radiation. The window screen divides the stereolithographic building area divided into two portions, a light exposure portion for resin curing and a liquid resin refilling portion. The light exposure portion is used to selectively solidify liquid resin, while the liquid resin refilling portion is used to quickly refill liquid resin in order to build additional layers. During the layer fabrication process, a mask image is projected to the tank; however, the projection light only passes through the light exposure portion of the window screen.
Heater for 3D printer auger screw
In example implementations, an apparatus includes a storage unit, an auger screw, a housing enclosing the auger screw and at least one heater coupled to the housing. The auger screw receives a build material from the storage unit and delivers the build material to a build platform via movement of the auger screw. The build material is heated by the at least one heater as the build material is being moved by the auger screw.
Heater for 3D printer auger screw
In example implementations, an apparatus includes a storage unit, an auger screw, a housing enclosing the auger screw and at least one heater coupled to the housing. The auger screw receives a build material from the storage unit and delivers the build material to a build platform via movement of the auger screw. The build material is heated by the at least one heater as the build material is being moved by the auger screw.
Methods and apparatus for mobile additive manufacturing of advanced roadway systems
The present disclosure provides various aspects for mobile and automated processing utilizing additive manufacturing. The present disclosure includes methods for adding line features to a roadway surface. In some examples, the line features may include wires, conduits and electronic components. In some examples, the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus may create communication means into an advanced roadway in line features, which may be used for various communications including communications to and from autonomous vehicles. The communications may involve data related to the operation of systems of autonomous vehicles. In other examples, the line features may be dynamically colored with LED components.
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS USING A SPLIT WIPER FOR THE REPAIR OF OBJECTS PROTRUDING ABOVE A POWDER BED
A method of repairing a component using an additive manufacturing process is presented. The method includes submerging the component into a powder bed so that a portion of the component to be repaired is level with a surface of the powder bed and a protruding portion of the component protrudes above the surface of the powder bed, positioning a split wiper that includes a first wiper segment and a second wiper segment in the powder bed at the surface, advancing a quantity of powder by translating the first wiper segment and the second wiper segment across the surface of the powder bed, and directing a laser beam across the surface to fuse powder particles of the powder bed to the underlying substrate forming a layer of the component. Each of the first wiper segment and the second wiper segment follow a different contour of the protruding portion at the surface.
PLATE, KIT AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATING AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING APPARATUS
A removable calibration plate (10) comprises a sheet (20) comprising an upper face (21) intended to face towards the powerful incident-radiation beam, and bearing a reference marking (30) and being intended to receive a test marking (40), and a lower face (23). The plate (10) comprises an etching layer (22) to be etched by a powerful incident-radiation beam (F),this layer being secured to the upper face (21) of the sheet (20) and opaque to visible light, and being able to be destroyed locally by the powerful incident-radiation beam (F) in order to form the at least one test marking (40), the sheet (20) being transparent to visible light, the lower face (23) of the sheet (20) being frosted.
IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS, KIT AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATING AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING APPARATUS
A removable image-capture apparatus (200) comprises an opening (202) intended to receive a calibration plate (10) bearing a reference marking (30) and possibly a test marking (40). The apparatus (200) comprises a source (204) of backlighting visible light situated beneath the opening (202), a sensor (205) for acquiring an image, in the backlighting visible light, of the plate (10), a guiding and supporting device (206) for positioning the sensor (205) above the opening (202) relative to the surround (201), a calculation device (207) configured to analyze the image, recognize the marking (30) and possibly the marking (40) in the image, and calculate aiming-command corrections intended for a firing system firing a powerful incident-radiation beam, which system belongs to an additive manufacturing apparatus, distinct and separate from the apparatus (200).