EXTRACTION SYSTEM FOR APPARATUS FOR THE LAYER-BY-LAYER FORMATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS AND CONTROLLER

    公开(公告)号:US20240367378A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-11-07

    申请号:US18770067

    申请日:2024-07-11

    Abstract: An apparatus for the layer-by-layer formation of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes a gas extraction system and an enclosed working space. The working space includes a working space inlet allowing gas to enter, a working space outlet allowing gas to exit, and a build bed surface in which a the object is formed. The gas extraction system includes: a primary conduit having a first primary inlet, a first interfacing inlet, and a primary outlet connectable to an external extraction source; and a first secondary conduit having a first secondary inlet and outlet. The first secondary inlet is in fluidic communication with the working space. The first secondary outlet is in fluidic communication with the first interfacing inlet. The gas extraction system further includes a flow controller to control the flow of gas from the working space into the first secondary conduit, and thereafter into the primary outlet.

    THERMAL CONTROL FOR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS

    公开(公告)号:US20240342986A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-10-17

    申请号:US18637175

    申请日:2024-04-16

    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from particulate material. The apparatus includes a work space bounded by a first side wall on a first side of the work space, and a second side wall on a second side of the work space, the first side wall opposing the second side wall: a build bed having a build bed surface, the build bed surface being comprised in the floor of the work space and having a first edge on the first side of the work space, towards the first side wall, and a second edge on the second side of the work space, towards the second side wall: a first gas inlet at or near the first side wall; a second gas inlet at or near the second side wall; a first gas outlet above the floor of the work space, the position of the first gas outlet being coincident with the first edge of the build bed surface, or between the first edge of the build bed surface and the first gas inlet; and a second gas outlet above the floor of the work space, the position of the second gas outlet being coincident with the second edge of the build bed surface, or between the second edge of the build bed surface and the second gas inlet: wherein the first gas outlet is positioned higher in the work space than the first gas inlet, and the second gas outlet is positioned higher in the work space than the second gas inlet: and wherein one or more flow devices are operable to create first and second gas flows between the first gas inlet and the first gas outlet, and between the second gas inlet and the second gas outlet, respectively, such as to create respective first and second gas curtains on the first and second sides of the work space in use.

    Infrared radiation deflector for apparatus for the layer-by-layer formation of three-dimensional objects

    公开(公告)号:US11787116B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-10-17

    申请号:US17784523

    申请日:2020-12-11

    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).

    GAS FLOW DELIVERY STRUCTURE FOR APPARATUS FOR THE LAYER-BY-LAYER FORMATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS

    公开(公告)号:US20230036660A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-02-02

    申请号:US17789755

    申请日:2020-12-23

    Abstract: A structure for delivering a flow of gas across a window or aperture of an imaging or measurement device within an apparatus for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects by layer-by-layer consolidation of particulate matter, the structure comprising: a hollow body having an upper aperture for mounting in correspondence with the window/aperture of said device, a gas flow intake region below the upper aperture, and a lower aperture; wherein the gas flow intake region is provided on opposing sides of the hollow body when viewed in cross-section along a longitudinal axis that runs from the upper aperture to the lower aperture, and comprises one or more channels configured to allow, in use, a flow of intake gas to enter the hollow body from the opposing sides of the hollow body with a flow component that predominantly lies in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper aperture, and to come into confluence within the hollow body; and wherein the hollow body is symmetrically shaped about the longitudinal axis so as to redirect the confluent flow of intake gas to form a substantially axial flow of gas along the longitudinal axis, and a backflow of gas near the internal wall of the hollow body, wherein the upper aperture is substantially shielded from the backflow by the intake flow, and wherein the velocity of the backflow is relatively low in comparison to the velocity of the intake flow. Also provided is an apparatus for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects by layer-by-layer consolidation of particulate matter, incorporating such a structure, and a method of delivering a flow of gas using such a structure.

    IMPROVED THERMAL CONTROL FOR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS

    公开(公告)号:US20230001635A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-01-05

    申请号:US17782817

    申请日:2020-12-03

    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from particulate material, the apparatus comprising: a work space (100) bounded by a first side wall (100A) on a first side of the work space, and a second side wall (100B) on a second side of the work space, the first side wall opposing the second side wall; a build bed (170) having a build bed surface (160), the build bed surface being comprised in the floor of the work space and having a first edge (160′) on the first side of the work space, towards the first side wall, and a second edge (160″) on the second side of the work space, towards the second side wall; a first gas inlet (101A) at or near the first side wall; a second gas inlet (101B) at or near the second side wall; a first gas outlet (102A) above the floor (100C) of the work space, the position of the first gas outlet being coincident with the first edge of the build bed surface, or between the first edge of the build bed surface and the first gas inlet; and a second gas outlet (102B) above the floor of the work space, the position of the second gas outlet being coincident with the second edge of the build bed surface, or between the second edge of the build bed surface and the second gas inlet; wherein the first gas outlet is positioned higher in the work space than the first gas inlet, and the second gas outlet is positioned higher in the work space than the second gas inlet; and wherein one or more flow devices (210, 211, 212) are operable to create first and second gas flows between the first gas inlet and the first gas outlet, and between the second gas inlet and the second gas outlet, respectively, such as to create respective first and second gas curtains on the first and second sides of the work space in use.

    Thermal control for apparatus for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects

    公开(公告)号:US11986998B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-05-21

    申请号:US17782817

    申请日:2020-12-03

    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from particulate material, the apparatus comprising: • a work space (100) bounded by a first side wall (100A) on a first side of the work space, and a second side wall (100B) on a second side of the work space, the first side wall opposing the second side wall; • a build bed (170) having a build bed surface (160), the build bed surface being comprised in the floor of the work space and having a first edge (160′) on the first side of the work space, towards the first side wall, and a second edge (160″) on the second side of the work space, towards the second side wall; • a first gas inlet (101A) at or near the first side wall; • a second gas inlet (101B) at or near the second side wall; • a first gas outlet (102A) above the floor (100C) of the work space, the position of the first gas outlet being coincident with the first edge of the build bed surface, or between the first edge of the build bed surface and the first gas inlet; and • a second gas outlet (102B) above the floor of the work space, the position of the second gas outlet being coincident with the second edge of the build bed surface, or between the second edge of the build bed surface and the second gas inlet; • wherein the first gas outlet is positioned higher in the work space than the first gas inlet, and the second gas outlet is positioned higher in the work space than the second gas inlet; and • wherein one or more flow devices (210, 211, 212) are operable to create first and second gas flows between the first gas inlet and the first gas outlet, and between the second gas inlet and the second gas outlet, respectively, such as to create respective first and second gas curtains on the first and second sides of the work space in use.

Patent Agency Ranking