公开(公告)号：US11660809B2

公开(公告)日：2023-05-30

申请号：US17311242

申请日：2019-12-05

Applicant: Stratasys Powder Production Ltd.

Inventor： Frederik Tjellesen ,  Anders Hartmann ,  Neil Hopkinson

IPC: B29C64/165 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B29C64/209 ,  B29C64/236 ,  B29C64/218 ,  B33Y40/10 ,  B22F10/14 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F12/13 ,  B22F12/45 ,  B29C64/282 ,  B29C64/314 ,  B29C64/277 ,  B22F12/67 ,  B22F10/68 ,  B22F10/73 ,  B22F12/41 ,  B22F12/90

CPC classification number: B29C64/165 ,  B22F10/14 ,  B22F10/28 ,  B22F12/13 ,  B22F12/45 ,  B22F12/67 ,  B29C64/209 ,  B29C64/218 ,  B29C64/236 ,  B29C64/277 ,  B29C64/282 ,  B29C64/314 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/10 ,  B22F10/68 ,  B22F10/73 ,  B22F12/41 ,  B22F12/90

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus (1) comprising: a build bed (201) having a build area (190), wherein successive layers of said three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed (201); a powder distribution sled (300) operable to distribute a layer of powder within the build area (190), the powder distribution sled (300) being driveable in a first direction along a first axis, across the build area (190), and driveable in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the first axis; and a print sled (350) operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area (190) to define the cross section of said object in said layer, the print sled (350) being driveable in the first direction along a second axis across the build area, and driveable in the second direction along the second axis; wherein the first axis is parallel to, or coaxial with, the second axis; wherein the print sled (350) comprises one or more droplet deposition heads (370) for depositing the fluid, a first radiation source assembly (L1), and a second radiation source assembly (L2); wherein the powder distribution sled (300) comprises a powder distribution device (320) for distributing the powder, a third radiation source assembly (L3) and a fourth radiation source assembly (L4); and wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth radiation source assemblies is operable to both preheat and sinter powder within the build area (190). A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder using such apparatus is also provided.

公开(公告)号：US20230082932A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-16

申请号：US17943994

申请日：2022-09-13

Applicant: Stratasys Powder Production Ltd.

Inventor： Gianluca Dorini

IPC: B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y40/10 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  G01J5/10

Abstract: A method of manufacturing 3D objects with an apparatus having first and second heat sources and a thermal sensor. The method includes carrying out a build process after a thermal calibration process for a thermal control component(s). The calibration and build processes include a layer cycle including (i) providing a layer of particulate material defining a build bed surface; (ia) heating the surface; (ii) depositing absorption modifier over a layer-specific region and/or a surrounding area; (iii) heating the layer-specific region with the first heat source; and (iv) measuring a temperature of the surface after at least one of (i) to (iii). The layer cycle includes heating the surface of each layer with the second heat source and repeating until the calibration/build processes are complete. The outcome of each calibration routine being based on the measured temperature and being applied to the thermal control component for the subsequent layer cycle.

公开(公告)号：US20230082033A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-16

申请号：US17943814

申请日：2022-09-13

Applicant: Stratasys Powder Production Ltd.

Inventor： Gianluca Dorini

IPC: B29C64/393 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/165

Abstract: A method for calibrating a heat source, used in manufacturing 3D object(s) from particulate material, including layer cycle steps of: (a) distributing a layer of particulate material; (b) heating a region of the layer with a heat source at a power input over a period of time; (c) measuring the temperature of the region; (d) depositing a radiation absorber over the region and/or an absorption inhibitor over a surrounding area; (e) heating the region and a second region within the surrounding area at a second power input and period of time; and (f) measuring a second temperature of the region and a third temperature of the second region; repeating the layer cycle using different pairs of input powers from the preceding pairs; and determining for each layer an adjusted input power(s); and applying the adjusted input powers to the heat source in steps (b) and (e) for a subsequent cycle.

公开(公告)号：US20230079559A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-16

申请号：US17943904

申请日：2022-09-13

Applicant: Stratasys Powder Production Ltd.

Inventor： Gianluca Dorini

IPC: B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y40/10 ,  G01J5/10

Abstract: A method of manufacturing 3D objects in an apparatus having a thermal sensor, a stationary heat source and one or more further heat sources. The method includes a warm up and a build process; each processing multiple layers by a layer cycle. The layer cycles include (a) providing build bed surface of particulate material; (b) heating the surface using the stationary or a first moving heat source; (b1) depositing absorption modifier (absorber) over one or more layer-specific regions and/or depositing absorption modifier (inhibitor) over a surrounding area; (c) heating the surface by the first or a second moving heat source; and (d) measuring the temperature of the surface after (a) and/or (b) and/or (c). During one or more of (a) to (c), heating the surface to a target temperature, such that (c) causes the layer-specific region of each layer to melt and form a portion of the 3D object.

公开(公告)号：US20230028987A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-26

申请号：US17784523

申请日：2020-12-11

Applicant: Stratasys Powder Production Ltd.

Inventor： Gianluca DORINI ,  Anders HARTMANN ,  Marcel GARRIDO BARRABES ,  Steffen KONGENSBJERG LARSEN

IPC: B29C64/282 ,  B33Y30/00

Abstract: An infrared radiation deflector (100) for an elongate infrared lamp (110), the radiation deflector (100) comprising opposing first and second elongate side walls (130_1, 130_2); at least one end support (170) connecting the ends of the side walls (130_1, 130_2); an upper opening (140) and a lower opening (150) arranged to pass lamp radiation to an exterior of the radiation deflector (100); and a mounting point (172) provided at the/each end support (170) for mounting the infrared lamp (110) and defining between them a lamp axis location (114); wherein the first and second elongate side walls (130_1, 130_2) comprise a first elongate mirror (130_1) and a second elongate mirror (130_2) extending parallel to the lamp axis location (114) and along at least a lower internal portion of the respective first and second side walls (130_1, 130_2); wherein the lamp axis location (114) extends along and between the first mirror (130_1) and the second mirror (130_2), the first and second mirror (130_1, 130_2) each having a concave surface with respect to the lamp axis location (114); and wherein the first mirror (130_1) is an upward deflecting mirror and further arranged to be concave with respect to the upper opening (140) for redirecting at least a portion of direct lamp radiation through the upper opening (140).

公开(公告)号：US20220339881A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-27

申请号：US17727006

申请日：2022-04-22

Applicant: Stratasys Powder Production Ltd.

Inventor： Gialuca Dorini

IPC: B29C64/393 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/165

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining the onset of melting of a material and comprising providing a layer of the material; defining a reference area within the layer of material; providing a temperature sensor and a heat source above the reference area, the temperature sensor comprising a plurality of pixels configured to monitor the temperature of the reference area; selecting a first pixel and a second pixel to form a first reference pair of pixels of the temperature sensor to detect the temperature of corresponding first and second regions within the reference area; operating the heat source to heat the reference area over a duration of time, while monitoring, using the reference pair of pixels, the temperature of the two regions, wherein the heat source causes a temperature difference between the two regions such that the first and second pixel detect respective different temperatures over the duration of time; and determining the onset of melting of the material from the evolution of the temperature difference over the duration of time. Further provided is a controller for carrying out the method and an apparatus for the layer by layer formation of a three-dimensional object from particulate material is also provided, comprising the temperature sensor, and in which the onset of melting as determined in situ may be applied as a set point for measurement of the temperature sensor.