Abstract:
Powder spreaders suitable for use with layered manufacturing processes are disclosed in which a strip of flexible material of a width which spans the powder bed is used to spread, level, and, optionally, compact deposited powder to form a layer of the powder bed. The strip surface moves relative to the deposited powder it is spreading as the working portion of the strip, i.e., the portion of the strip that is in contact with the powder, traverses across the powder bed so that it can provide lift to the powder in front of it and, optionally, compaction to the powder below it. The working portion of the strip can be configured to have its leading and trailing surface contours to be different from one another, and, optionally, to have these contours and its bottom edge contour be independently adjustable. Layered manufacturing systems comprising such powder spreaders are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Equipment for changing a blade (43) in a coating device (51) changes several blades (43) arranged in a band (43). The equipment includes reels (11, 40) connected to the ends of the blade holder (45), for holding the reeled unused and used band (43); transfer devices (13, 20) for moving the band (43) in connection with the blade holder (45), and lifting devices (17) for lifting the band (43) up and lowering it into the blade holder (45). Indentations (44) at least the length of the hollow shaft (52) are arranged at regular intervals on the band (43), and are arranged to permit the blade (43) to be lowered into the blade holder (45).
Abstract:
The invention relates to equipment for changing a blade, which blade is intended to be placed in a blade holder (10) and which is preferably arranged as a flexible band (16). The equipment includes reels (14, 15) for keeping the band (16) reeled and transfer devices (18) for moving the band (16) in the blade holder (10) between the reels (14, 15). In addition, the equipment includes guide devices (17) for guiding the band (16) from a reel (14, 15) to the blade holder (10) and vice versa. The guide devices (17) are also arranged to turn the band (16) longitudinally to be essentially parallel to the blade holder (10). The closest guide member (20) of the guide members (20, 20null) belonging to the guide devices (17) is rotated to a position that essentially corresponds to the position of the blade holder (10) turned to the blade-changing position. The invention also relates to a method for changing the blade.
Abstract:
In a pull through doctor blade transfer system, the blade ends are slotted at their working edges. The slots are arranged and configured to accept complimentarily shaped portions of a connecting link used to detachably connect the trailing end of a spent or worn blade to the leading end of a fresh blade.
Abstract:
An automatic dispensing device (10) for wallboard joint taping is provided, including a body (12) for holding a supply of viscous material and having a rear end (16) and an opposite front end (18), a spool assembly disposed on the body and configured for supporting a spool (20) of tape; at least one drive roller (34) positioned at the front end and receiving an end of the spool of tape. Certain embodiments include an adhesive application assembly connected to the drive roller and mounted in operational relationship to the front end for dispensing a measured amount of adhesive upon an upper surface of the tape upon rotation of the at least one drive roll. In such embodiments, the body may be configured for holding sufficient adhesive to cover tape advanced by at least 200 rotations of the at least one drive roller.
Abstract:
A method for patterning an article, the article comprising a first layer (14) of a first material, the method comprising providing a thread (20) carrying a first species, e.g. a solvent in which the first material is soluble, and contacting the thread with the first layer to remove at least part of the first layer. Apparatuses suitable for the method are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Coating device for one- or two-sided coating of a travelling web (5), comprising at least one counter-means and at least one first metering means (7) placed on the opposite side of the web (5) for applying onto said web, in cooperation with said counter-means, a coating agent, characterized in that the metering means (7) comprises an evening or metering member (11) extending across the web over its full width and which is made of a flexible, elongate element (21, 23), the length of said element (21, 23) substantially exceeding the width of the web (5) and being arranged to be fed across the web (5) so that new sections of the element will come into contact with the web to ensure correct evening or metering of the supplied coating agent. The coating device according to the invention can be used for transfer coating as well as direct coating.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for forming a layer from a fluid mixture on a web are provided. The system includes a fluid delivery apparatus for delivering the fluid mixture onto the web. The fluid delivery apparatus includes a cascade device and a chemical dispenser device. The system also includes a fluid stirring apparatus comprising at least one fan positioned over the web and configured to generate a flow pattern that stirs the fluid mixture on the web while the layer is being formed, without the at least one fan contacting the fluid mixture. The system further includes a fluid removal apparatus having a rinsing device and a suction device. The rinsing device is configured to dispense a rinsing fluid onto the web. The suction device is configured to remove by suction the rinsing fluid and a remaining portion of the fluid mixture remaining on the web after formation of the layer.
Abstract:
The invention relates to equipment for changing a blade (43) in a coating device (51). In the invention, several blades (43) are arranged in the band (43) and the blades (43) are changed using the equipment, which includes: reels (11, 40) connected to the ends of the blader holder (45), for holding the reeled unused and used band (43), transfer devices (13, 20) for moving the band (43) in connection with the blade holder (45), and lifting devices (17) for lifting the band (43) up and lowering it into the blade holder (45). Indentations (44) at least the length of the hollow shaft (52) are arranged at regular intervals on the band (43), and are arranged to permit the blade (43) to be lowered into the blade holder (45).