초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for dispensing and distributing a powder is disclosed which uses a rotary dispenser to dispense the powder by gravity onto a movable platen, the platen being movable to a position adjacent to a build bed, where the powder can be distributed across the build bed using a spreade

A method and apparatus for dispensing and distributing a powder is disclosed which uses a rotary dispenser to dispense the powder by gravity onto a movable platen, the platen being movable to a position adjacent to a build bed, where the powder can be distributed across the build bed using a spreader. The method and apparatus are also suited to dispensing of a plurality of powders used in build beds for solid free-form fabrication and three dimensional printing.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for dispensing and distributing a powder, comprising the steps of:(1) dispensing a powder by gravity feed from a hopper onto a platen, said platen being in a first platen position, where the first platen position is below said hopper;(2) conveying said platen hor

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for dispensing and distributing a powder, comprising the steps of:(1) dispensing a powder by gravity feed from a hopper onto a platen, said platen being in a first platen position, where the first platen position is below said hopper;(2) conveying said platen horizontally from the first platen position to a second platen position, where the second platen position is adjacent to a build bed;(3) distributing said powder from said platen in the second platen position over said build bed with a spreader, said spreader moving horizontally from a first spreader position to a second spreader position to distribute said powder across said build bed;(4) returning said spreader from the second spreader position to the first spreader position; and(5) returning said platen to the first platen position.