公开(公告)号：US11590575B2

公开(公告)日：2023-02-28

申请号：US16842106

申请日：2020-04-07

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Mark A. Smith ,  Tyson W. Brown ,  HyungMin Chae ,  Md Ashabul Anam ,  Whitney A. Poling ,  Richard J. Skurkis

IPC: B22F10/00 ,  B22F3/10 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B22F10/10

Abstract: A system and method for additive manufacturing are provided. The system includes a structure defining a chamber for manufacturing parts via additive manufacturing. A powder metal applicator is configured to deposit layers of powder metal material to build a part on a build platform. A laser source is configured to direct one or more laser beams onto each layer of powder metal material to fuse the powder metal material, wherein metal condensate is created by the laser beam(s) contacting the powder metal material. An element spaced apart from the layers of powder material has a temperature different than the chamber temperature, so that the element is configured to attract or repel the metal condensate by virtue of the temperature differential between the element and the chamber. The method includes using the element having the different temperature to attract or repel the metal condensate within the chamber.

公开(公告)号：US20220161378A1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-26

申请号：US17103721

申请日：2020-11-24

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： HyungMin Chae ,  Tyson W. Brown ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Md Ashabul Anam ,  Wonhee M. Kim

IPC: B23Q3/08 ,  B23Q1/38

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for gripping of a workpiece with a layer jamming structure having rigid datum structures. A system includes a layer jamming structure configurable in an inactivated conformable state, with a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. The rigid structures engage the layer jamming structure. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity to change a pressure therein to transform the layer jamming structure from the inactivated conformable state to an activated rigid state disposed around the workpiece. The rigid structures help conform the layer jamming structure to the workpiece during transformation to the activated rigid state and to present datum fixturing surfaces in the activated rigid state.

公开(公告)号：US11534972B2

公开(公告)日：2022-12-27

申请号：US17007698

申请日：2020-08-31

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Richard J. Skurkis ,  Whitney A. Poling ,  Mark A. Smith ,  Tyson W. Brown ,  Md Ashabul Anam ,  HyungMin Chae ,  Blair E. Carlson

IPC: B29C64/35 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B28B17/04 ,  B28B1/00 ,  B22F10/00 ,  B29C64/245

Abstract: A post-build powder removal system includes a work bed, a platform wall having at least one powder evacuation port, and an evacuation port sealing system operable for selectively closing and opening the powder evacuation port. The platform wall cooperates with the work bed to define a powder chamber. The evacuation port sealing system includes an external sleeve slidingly fitted onto the exterior surface of the platform wall such that the external sleeve is slideable in a first direction closing the at least one powder evacuation port and slideable in an opposite second direction opening the at least one powder evacuation port.

公开(公告)号：US20210129353A1

公开(公告)日：2021-05-06

申请号：US16669827

申请日：2019-10-31

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： HyungMin Chae ,  Wonhee M. Kim ,  DOOIL HWANG

IPC: B25J15/06 ,  B25B11/00

Abstract: A vacuum cup assembly and a method of lifting an object are provided. The vacuum cup assembly includes a cup structure defining an opening at a proximal end, a recess at a distal end, and a cavity region between the proximal and distal ends, where the cavity region includes at least one cavity. The opening is in fluid communication with the recess and with the cavity region. Inner structures are disposed in the cavity region. The inner structures are configured to hold the cup structure in a gripping position when a negative pressure is applied to the cavity region through the opening in the cup structure. The cup structure is configured to be in a resting position without the negative pressure being applied to the cavity region. The vacuum cup assembly has a first shape in the resting position and a second shape in the gripping position.

公开(公告)号：US10919286B2

公开(公告)日：2021-02-16

申请号：US15405367

申请日：2017-01-13

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： HyungMin Chae ,  John P. Spicer ,  Mark A. Smith

IPC: B23K26/342 ,  B23K26/082 ,  B23K37/047 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B29C64/25 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29C64/255 ,  B29K105/00 ,  B22F3/105

Abstract: A powder bed fusion system includes a plurality of individual build chambers, with each individual build chamber including an area laser scanner optical device and a point laser scanner. A single, area beam delivery system and the plurality of build chambers are moveable relative to each other, such that the area beam delivery system may be positioned to provide an area scanning laser beam to any of the area laser scanner optical devices in any of the plurality of build chambers. The point laser scanners may be used to contour an edge of an object, and the area scanning laser beam may be used to fill in large areas of the object.

公开(公告)号：US11772162B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-03

申请号：US17083758

申请日：2020-10-29

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Md Ashabul Anam ,  Mark A Smith ,  Tyson W Brown ,  Richard J Skurkis ,  HyungMin Chae ,  Whitney A Poling

IPC: B22F10/00 ,  B22F3/10 ,  B29C64/35 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y10/00

CPC classification number: B22F10/00 ,  B22F3/1007 ,  B29C64/35 ,  B22F2201/20 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00

Abstract: A powder bed fusion system includes a powder bed including a build surface and a vacuum system. The vacuum system includes a collection device positioned over the build surface. The collection device includes a body, a pathway defined in the body, wherein the pathway ends in a passageway opening, and a particle retainer connected to the body near the passageway opening. A method of forming a component includes forming a layer of unfused metal powder on a powder bed with a recoater, introducing gas to the powder bed and applying a vacuum with a collection device, fusing a portion of the layer of unfused metal powder on the powder bed with a heat source to form a component layer and generating contaminants, collecting the contaminants from the powder bed with the gas and the vacuum applied by the collection device.

公开(公告)号：US20220134425A1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-05

申请号：US17083758

申请日：2020-10-29

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Md Ashabul Anam ,  Mark A. Smith ,  Tyson W. Brown ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  HyungMin Chae ,  Whitney A. Poling

IPC: B22F3/105 ,  B22F3/10

Abstract: A powder bed fusion system includes a powder bed including a build surface and a vacuum system. The vacuum system includes a collection device positioned over the build surface. The collection device includes a body, a pathway defined in the body, wherein the pathway ends in a passageway opening, and a particle retainer connected to the body near the passageway opening. A method of forming a component includes forming a layer of unfused metal powder on a powder bed with a recoater, introducing gas to the powder bed and applying a vacuum with a collection device, fusing a portion of the layer of unfused metal powder on the powder bed with a heat source to form a component layer and generating contaminants, collecting the contaminants from the powder bed with the gas and the vacuum applied by the collection device.

公开(公告)号：US20220063198A1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-03

申请号：US17007698

申请日：2020-08-31

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Richard J. Skurkis ,  Whitney A. Poling ,  Mark A. Smith ,  Tyson W. Brown ,  MD Ashabul Anam ,  HyungMin Chae ,  Blair E. Carlson

IPC: B29C64/35 ,  B28B1/00 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B28B17/04 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B22F3/105

Abstract: A post-build powder removal system includes a work bed, a platform wall having at least one powder evacuation port, and an evacuation port sealing system operable for selectively closing and opening the powder evacuation port. The platform wall cooperates with the work bed to define a powder chamber. The evacuation port sealing system includes an external sleeve slidingly fitted onto the exterior surface of the platform wall such that the external sleeve is slideable in a first direction closing the at least one powder evacuation port and slideable in an opposite second direction opening the at least one powder evacuation port.

公开(公告)号：US11745297B2

公开(公告)日：2023-09-05

申请号：US17103698

申请日：2020-11-24

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： HyungMin Chae ,  Tyson W. Brown ,  Mark A. Smith ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Wonhee M. Kim

IPC: B23Q7/04 ,  B25J9/14 ,  B25J13/08 ,  B25J9/16 ,  B25J15/00

CPC classification number: B23Q7/043 ,  B23Q7/046 ,  B25J9/14 ,  B25J9/1612 ,  B25J9/1633 ,  B25J13/082 ,  B25J15/0028

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for shape controlled gripping of a workpiece. A layer jamming structure includes a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity. A shape conforming tool includes at least one part configured to move to apply a force to the layer jamming structure. The shape conforming tool, by operation of the part, conforms the layer jamming structure to the workpiece. The pressure system, with operation of the pump, changes a pressure in the internal cavity to impart rigidity to the layer jamming structure.

公开(公告)号：US11666998B2

公开(公告)日：2023-06-06

申请号：US17103721

申请日：2020-11-24

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： HyungMin Chae ,  Tyson W. Brown ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Md Ashabul Anam ,  Wonhee M. Kim

IPC: B23Q3/08 ,  B23Q1/38 ,  B25B5/06 ,  B25B5/14

CPC classification number: B23Q3/088 ,  B23Q1/38 ,  B25B5/065 ,  B23Q2703/04 ,  B25B5/14

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for gripping of a workpiece with a layer jamming structure having rigid datum structures. A system includes a layer jamming structure configurable in an inactivated conformable state, with a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. The rigid structures engage the layer jamming structure. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity to change a pressure therein to transform the layer jamming structure from the inactivated conformable state to an activated rigid state disposed around the workpiece. The rigid structures help conform the layer jamming structure to the workpiece during transformation to the activated rigid state and to present datum fixturing surfaces in the activated rigid state.