초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects by laser sintering that includes the use of dense phase pneumatic conveying to internally recycle overflow powder, and to thoroughly blend overflow, recovered and virgin powder to provide a consistent powder feed mix to a laser sintering m

A method and apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects by laser sintering that includes the use of dense phase pneumatic conveying to internally recycle overflow powder, and to thoroughly blend overflow, recovered and virgin powder to provide a consistent powder feed mix to a laser sintering machine. Overflow powder from the laser sintering machine is recovered and recycled back into the laser sintering machine for reuse. The approach results in a compact and reliable powder recycle system with complete blending and minimum attrition to the handled powder.

대표청구항 ▼

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 1. A laser sintering powder recycle system comprising:(a) a laser sintering machine in which a layerwise build process is performed to produce at least one three-dimensional object, the laser sintering machine comprising a dense phase conveyin

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 1. A laser sintering powder recycle system comprising:(a) a laser sintering machine in which a layerwise build process is performed to produce at least one three-dimensional object, the laser sintering machine comprising a dense phase conveying device for transferring an amount of overflow powder from a receiving device within the laser sintering system directly to a powder feed hopper within the laser sintering system, wherein the overflow powder is kept within the laser sintering system;(b) a breakout station for receiving a part cake that includes the three-dimensional object from the laser sintering machine and an amount of unfused powder surrounding the three-dimensional object, the breakout station comprising a separation device for separating the unfused powder into recovered powder and spent powder and further comprising a dense phase conveying device for transferring the recovered powder from the breakout station to the powder feed hopper of the laser sintering system;(c) a virgin powder supply from which virgin powder is transferred to the powder feed hopper of the laser sintering system; and(d) a powder processing unit that comprises:(i) a recovered powder inlet for receiving the recovered powder from the breakout station;(ii) a virgin powder inlet for receiving the virgin powder from the virgin powder supply;(iii) a blender vessel for blending and storing combinations of recovered powder and virgin powder; and(iv) a dense phase conveying device for transferring the combined recovered and virgin powder from the blender vessel to the powder feed hopper of the laser sintering machine.