REMOVAL SYSTEM FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING ARTICLES

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system for aiding in the removal of an article of manufacture from a build plate. The system may include a catch mechanism, namely a catch basket, a support surface to which the catch mechanism is mounted and a net disposed across the catch basket. The support surface may include a spring mechanism. The net may be disposed of at a distance above a bottom portion of the catch basket.

Claims

1. A removal system for aiding in the removal of an article of manufacture produced by additive manufacturing from a build plate, the system comprising: a catch mechanism disposed below the build plate surface, the catch mechanism comprising a catch basket; a support surface to which the catch mechanism is mounted and including a spring mechanism; and a net disposed across the catch basket at a distance above a bottom portion of the catch basket.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the catch mechanism includes a polymeric stop for dampening the fall of the article of manufacture.

3. A removal system according to claim 1 in combination with an EDM.

4. A removal system according to claim 2 in combination with an EDM.

5. A method of removing an article of manufacture produced using additive manufacture from a build plate, the method comprising: positioning a catching mechanism below a build plate surface having an article of manufacture thereon wherein the catching mechanism comprises a catch basket; removing the article of manufacture from the build plate using EDM; and, catching the article of manufacture after it is removed from the build plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be illustrative rather than limiting.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric discharge machine (EDM) which may be used with a removal system for a removal of an article of manufacture made by additive manufacture from a build plate according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electric discharge (EDM) of FIG. 1 and the removal system.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electric discharge machine (EDM) shown in FIG. 2 with the article of manufacture on the build plate and the removal system positioned to catch the article of manufacture once removed using EDM according to an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a close up perspective view of the removal system according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Several embodiments will be described more fully in reference to the accompanying figure. However, this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawing, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0016] The terminology used herein is for the purposed of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “and,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0017] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “attached,” “coupled” or “connected” to another element, it can be directly attached, coupled or connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly attached,” “directly coupled” or “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0018] All patents, patent applications and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of a conflict in terminology, the present specification is controlling.

[0019] It is noted that any one or more aspects or features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the specification set forth below.

[0020] The present disclosure relates to a removal system 10 for aiding in the removal of an article of manufacture 15 produced by additive manufacturing in combination with an electric discharge machine (EDM) 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the EDM 20 may include a main machine body 23, and dielectric fluid unit 25, an upper wire guide 27 and a wire electrode 30. Within the dielectric fluid unit 25 is a base 31 having a floor surface 33. Referring to FIG. 2, the removal system 10 is mounted on the floor surface 33 of the base 31 of the EDM 20. Also mounted on the floor surface 33 is a support plate 43 wherein an article of manufacture 15 on a build plate 40 may be positioned on the build plate as shown in FIG. 3.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the removal system 10 comprises a catch mechanism 50 disposed below the build plate surface. The catch mechanism 50 may include a catch basket 55. The catch mechanism 50 is mounted on a support surface 60 and includes spring mechanism 65 on a suspension mount 67. The support surface 60 may be adjustable to facilitate use with multiple EDM's with different height drops. To facilitate removal (by catching) a net 70 may be disposed across the catch basket at a distance above a bottom portion of the catch basket 55. The catch mechanism 50 may also include a polymeric stop 75 to facilitate avoidance of the article of manufacture damaging the dielectric fluid unit 25 when removed from the build plate 40.

[0022] In operation, the article of manufacture (part) 15 is removed from the build plate 40 using EDM 20 and the wire electrode 30. Once the article 15 is completely removed, namely cut off the build plate 40, the article falls into the catch mechanism 50. The catch mechanism and the support structure 60 thereof including the catch basket 55, the netting 70, the springs 65 and the polymeric stop 75 cushions or dampens the fall of the article of manufacture into the catch basket 55 of the catch mechanism 50.

[0023] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.