Title:
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PARTS BY SELECTIVE SINTERING
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO1988002677
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A method and apparatus (10) for selectively sintering a layer of powder to produce a part comprising a plurality of sintered layers. The apparatus includes a computer (40) controlling a laser (12) to direct the laser energy onto the powder to produce a sintered mass. The computer either determines or is programmed with the boundaries of the desired cross-sectional regions of the part. For each cross-section, the aim of the laser beam is scanned over a layer of powder and the beam is switched on to sinter only the powder within the boundaries of the cross-section. Powder is applied and successive layers sintered until a completed part is formed. The powder may consist of a plastic, metal, ceramic, or polymer substance. In the preferred embodiment, the aim of the laser is directed in a continuous raster scan and the laser turned on when the beam is aimed within the boundaries of the particular cross-section being formed. Preferably, the powder dispensing mechanism includes a drum which is moved horizontally across the target area and counter-rotated to smooth and distribute the powder in an even layer across the target area. A downdraft system provides controlled temperature air flow through the target area to moderate powder temperature during sintering.
Inventors:
DECKARD CARL R (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US1987/002635
Publication Date:
July 28, 1988
Filing Date:
October 14, 1987
Export Citation:
Assignee:
UNIV TEXAS (US)
International Classes:
B22F3/02; B05C19/00; B22F3/00; B22F3/035; B22F3/10; B22F3/105; B22F7/02; B22F7/04; B23K26/00; B23K26/04; B23K26/06; B23K26/08; B23K26/34; B28B1/00; B28B11/06; B29C35/08; B29C41/12; B29C41/46; B29C67/00; B29C67/04; C04B33/32; C04B35/64; C22C1/02; C23C24/08; C23C24/10; C23C26/02; G05B19/4099; G05B19/41; B29C35/04; (IPC1-7): B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B05D3/06; G05B19/41; B22F7/02; B05B3/02
Foreign References:
| DE2263777A1 | 1973-07-05 | |||
| EP0209366A1 | 1987-01-21 | |||
| GB1215184A | 1970-12-09 | |||
| DD137951A1 | 1979-10-03 | |||
| US2076952A | 1937-04-13 |
Other References:
Patent Abstracts of Japan, volume 8, no. 148 (M-308)(1585), 11 July 1984; & JP-A-5945089 (TOKYO SHIBAURA DENKI K.K.) 13 March 1984
Patent Abstracts of Japan, volume 8, no. 186 (M-320)(1623), 25 August1984; & JP-A-5976689 (FUJITSU K.K) 1 May 1984
Patent Abstracts of Japan, volume 8, no. 186 (M-320)(1623), 25 August1984; & JP-A-5976689 (FUJITSU K.K) 1 May 1984
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