公开(公告)号：US11465351B2

公开(公告)日：2022-10-11

申请号：US16733759

申请日：2020-01-03

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： HyungMin Chae ,  Mark A. Smith ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Whitney A. Poling

IPC: B29C64/245 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/25 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B29C64/393

Abstract: A configurable build volume system for a powder bed fusion manufacturing process includes a chamber wall defining a chamber, the chamber wall extending in the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions, a plurality of build platforms enclosed within the chamber, a plurality of adjustment mechanisms coupled to the plurality of build platforms such that each build platform is coupled to a separate adjustment mechanism, a sensor mounted within the chamber and configured to capture data regarding a Z-axis position of each of the plurality of build platforms, and a controller in electronic communication with the plurality of adjustment mechanisms and the sensor. The controller receives the Z-axis position data and generates a plurality of control signals to adjust a Z-axis position of each of the plurality of build platforms and each of the plurality of build platforms is actively and independently controlled by the controller.

公开(公告)号：US20220161380A1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-26

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 ,  B25J9/16 ,  B25J15/00 ,  B25J13/08

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：US11260542B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-01

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：US20210308759A1

公开(公告)日：2021-10-07

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: B22F3/105 ,  B22F3/10

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：US20210206072A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-08

申请号：US16733759

申请日：2020-01-03

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： HyungMin Chae ,  Mark A. Smith ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Whitney A. Poling

IPC: B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/25 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B29C64/153

Abstract: A configurable build volume system for a powder bed fusion manufacturing process includes a chamber wall defining a chamber, the chamber wall extending in the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions, a plurality of build platforms enclosed within the chamber, a plurality of adjustment mechanisms coupled to the plurality of build platforms such that each build platform is coupled to a separate adjustment mechanism, a sensor mounted within the chamber and configured to capture data regarding a Z-axis position of each of the plurality of build platforms, and a controller in electronic communication with the plurality of adjustment mechanisms and the sensor. The controller receives the Z-axis position data and generates a plurality of control signals to adjust a Z-axis position of each of the plurality of build platforms and each of the plurality of build platforms is actively and independently controlled by the controller.

公开(公告)号：US20180200835A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-19

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 ,  B29C67/00 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B23K26/082 ,  B23K37/047

CPC classification number: B33Y30/00 ,  B22F3/1055 ,  B22F2003/1056 ,  B29C64/153 ,  B29C64/25 ,  B29C64/255 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B29K2105/251 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  Y02P10/295

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.