APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME SIMULTANEOUS ADDITIVE AND SUBTRACTIVE MANUFACTURING

    公开(公告)号:US20180345379A1

    公开(公告)日:2018-12-06

    申请号:US15609909

    申请日:2017-05-31

    Abstract: An apparatus for large-scale, real-time simultaneous additive and subtractive manufacturing is described. The build unit(s) of the apparatus includes a powder delivery mechanism, a powder recoating mechanism and an irradiation beam directing mechanism. The build unit and the machining mechanism are attached to a positioning mechanism that provides them with movement. The build platform of the apparatus is rotating and preferably vertically stationary. Embodiments of the build unit that further includes a gas-flow mechanism and the build platform having a dynamically grown wall are also described. A manufacturing method using the apparatus involves rotating the build platform; repetitive cycles of moving the build unit(s) to deposit a powder and irradiating the powder to form a fused additive layer; and machining the object being manufactured.

    APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANGULAR AND ROTATIONAL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

    公开(公告)号:US20180345371A1

    公开(公告)日:2018-12-06

    申请号:US15610177

    申请日:2017-05-31

    Abstract: An apparatus for powder-based additive manufacturing is described. The build unit(s) of the apparatus includes a powder delivery mechanism, a powder recoating mechanism and an irradiation beam directing mechanism. The build unit is attached to a positioning mechanism that provides the build unit with independent movements in at least two dimensions. The build platform of the apparatus is rotating and preferably vertically stationary. Embodiments of the build unit that further includes a gas-flow mechanism and the build platform having a dynamically grown wall are also described. An additive manufacturing method using the apparatus involves rotating the build platform and repetitive cycles of moving the build unit(s) in a radial direction to deposit at least one layer of powder, and irradiating a selected portion of the powder to form a fused additive layer.

    ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING USING A MOBILE BUILD VOLUME

    公开(公告)号:US20180281069A1

    公开(公告)日:2018-10-04

    申请号:US16002041

    申请日:2018-06-07

    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to additive manufacturing systems and methods on a large-scale format. One aspect involves a build unit that can be moved around in three dimensions by a positioning system, building separate portions of a large object. The build unit has an energy directing device that directs, e.g., laser or e-beam irradiation onto a powder layer. In the case of laser irradiation, the build volume may have a gasflow device that provides laminar gas flow to a laminar flow zone above the layer of powder. This allows for efficient removal of the smoke, condensates, and other impurities produced by irradiating the powder (the “gas plume”) without excessively disturbing the powder layer. The build unit may also have a recoater that allows it to selectively deposit particular quantities of powder in specific locations over a work surface to build large, high quality, high precision objects.

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