公开(公告)号：US11707888B2

公开(公告)日：2023-07-25

申请号：US17505932

申请日：2021-10-20

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Meredith Elissa Dubelman ,  Mary Kathryn Thompson ,  Christopher Barnhill ,  Xi Yang

IPC: B29C64/245 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B29C64/264 ,  B29C64/236 ,  B29C64/129

CPC classification number: B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/129 ,  B29C64/236 ,  B29C64/264 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00

Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine includes: a resin support which has at least a portion which is transparent, wherein the resin support defines a build surface; a material depositor operable to deposit a resin which is radiant-energy-curable onto the build surface; at least two build stations, each build station including: a stage positioned adjacent the build zone and configured to hold a stacked arrangement of one or more cured layers of the resin; one or more actuators operable to manipulate a relative position of the stage and the build surface; and at least one radiant energy apparatus positioned opposite to the stage, and operable to generate and project radiant energy in a predetermined pattern.

公开(公告)号：US20240009932A1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-11

申请号：US18371903

申请日：2023-09-22

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Meredith Elissa Dubelman ,  Mary Kathryn Thompson ,  Christopher Barnhill ,  Xi Yang

IPC: B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29C64/268

CPC classification number: B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B33Y10/00

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a build surface, at least a portion of which is transparent. The apparatus includes a first material depositor operable to deposit a curable resin to form a deposited resin layer on the build surface. A first sensing device is configured to measure the thickness of the deposited resin layer; and wherein the at least one sensing device is configured to generate a signal indicative of the thickness of the deposited resin layer. The first sensing device can be connected to a computer such that the additive manufacturing apparatus is configured to control the thickness of the deposited resin layer. The thickness of the deposited resin layer can be controlled such that it varies from side to side. The thickness can also be controlled such that it varies with time.

公开(公告)号：US20230039012A1

公开(公告)日：2023-02-09

申请号：US17973092

申请日：2022-10-25

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Meredith Elissa Dubelman ,  Christopher Barnhill ,  Xi Yang ,  Mary Kathryn Thompson

IPC: B29C64/129 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/35 ,  B29C64/264 ,  B29C64/241

Abstract: A method for producing a component layer-by-layer includes: providing two or more resin handling assemblies, each including a resin support which has at least a portion which is transparent, each resin support defining a build surface located in a build zone of the respective assembly; executing a build cycle, including: depositing on each build surface radiant-energy-curable resin, the resin on each build surface being a unique material combination; positioning a stage relative to one of the build surfaces to define a layer increment; selectively curing the resin using applied radiant energy so as to define a cross-sectional layer of the component; separating the component from the build surface; cleaning at least one of the component and the stage; and repeating the cycle, for a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the layers is cured in each of the build zone. Apparatus is described for carrying out the method.

公开(公告)号：US11498283B2

公开(公告)日：2022-11-15

申请号：US16280390

申请日：2019-02-20

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Meredith Elissa Dubelman ,  Mary Kathryn Thompson ,  Christopher Barnhill ,  Xi Yang

IPC: B29C64/393 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/106

Abstract: A method for forming a part layer by layer using an additive manufacturing apparatus. The additive manufacturing apparatus includes a resin support, a stage, a measuring system, and an actuator configured to change the relative position of the stage and the resin support. The method includes the steps of: performing an additive manufacturing cycle including the following steps: depositing an uncured layer of resin; moving the stage to a target location; curing the uncured layer of resin; and moving the stage away from the target location; repeating the additive manufacturing cycle; performing a measuring process wherein the measuring process includes the following steps: using the measuring system to take a measurement indicative of an actual position of a structure; comparing the actual position of the structure to an expected position of the structure to determine an error; and using the error to modify the target location.

公开(公告)号：US11794412B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-24

申请号：US16280336

申请日：2019-02-20

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Meredith Elissa Dubelman ,  Mary Kathryn Thompson ,  Christopher Barnhill ,  Xi Yang

IPC: G06F19/00 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/02

CPC classification number: B29C64/393 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/268 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/02

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a build surface, at least a portion of which is transparent. The apparatus includes a first material depositor operable to deposit a curable resin to form a deposited resin layer on the build surface. A first sensing device is configured to measure the thickness of the deposited resin layer; and wherein the at least one sensing device is configured to generate a signal indicative of the thickness of the deposited resin layer. The first sensing device can be connected to a computer such that the additive manufacturing apparatus is configured to control the thickness of the deposited resin layer. The thickness of the deposited resin layer can be controlled such that it varies from side to side, i.e. across the width of the deposited resin layer in the transverse direction along the x-axis. The thickness can also be controlled such that it varies with time, i.e., in the machine direction along the y-axis.

公开(公告)号：US20200290275A1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-17

申请号：US16355144

申请日：2019-03-15

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Meredith Elissa Dubelman ,  Mary Kathryn Thompson ,  Christopher Barnhill ,  Xi Yang

IPC: B29C64/245 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B29C64/129 ,  B29C64/264 ,  B29C64/236

Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine includes: a resin support which has at least a portion which is transparent, wherein the resin support defines a build surface; a material depositor operable to deposit a resin which is radiant-energy-curable onto the build surface; at least two build stations, each build station including: a stage positioned adjacent the build zone and configured to hold a stacked arrangement of one or more cured layers of the resin; one or more actuators operable to manipulate a relative position of the stage and the build surface; and at least one radiant energy apparatus positioned opposite to the stage, and operable to generate and project radiant energy in a predetermined pattern.

公开(公告)号：US20200238624A1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-30

申请号：US16261201

申请日：2019-01-29

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Meredith Elissa Dubelman ,  Mary Kathryn Thompson ,  Christopher Barnhill

IPC: B29C64/393 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29C64/124 ,  B29C64/20

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an additive manufacturing process in which a layer of resin is deposited on a build surface and selectively cured via selective application of radiant energy so as to define the geometry of a cross-sectional layer of the component, such that uncured resin remaining on the build surface after curing defines a negative structure of the layer being cured. The method includes: using an imaging apparatus to produce an image of the negative structure; evaluating the image of the negative structure and controlling at least one aspect of the additive manufacturing process with reference to the image of the negative structure.

公开(公告)号：US11446860B2

公开(公告)日：2022-09-20

申请号：US16542522

申请日：2019-08-16

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Mary Kathryn Thompson ,  Meredith Elissa Dubelman ,  Christopher Barnhill ,  Xi Yang

IPC: B29C64/147 ,  B29C64/124 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/232 ,  B29C64/223 ,  B29C64/218 ,  B29C64/264 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y10/00

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus configured to produce a component layer by layer. The manufacturing apparatus includes a support structure, a stage that is positioned opposite the support structure. The stage is configured to hold a stacked arrangement of one or more cured layers of a resin. The apparatus also includes one or more actuators operable to move the stage away from the support structure, and a radiant energy apparatus is positioned opposite the stage such that the support structure is positioned between the radiant energy apparatus and the stage. The radiant energy apparatus is operable to generate and project radiant energy through the support structure on the resin in a predetermined pattern. a foil separation device that includes at least one holddown device is configured such that the foil contacts the at least one holddown device as the stage is moved away from the support structure.

公开(公告)号：US20210046695A1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-18

申请号：US16542522

申请日：2019-08-16

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Mary Kathryn Thompson ,  Meredith Elissa Dubelman ,  Christopher Barnhill ,  Xi Yang

IPC: B29C64/124 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/232 ,  B29C64/264 ,  B29C64/223 ,  B29C64/218

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus configured to produce a component layer by layer. The manufacturing apparatus includes a support structure, a stage that is positioned opposite the support structure. The stage is configured to hold a stacked arrangement of one or more cured layers of a resin. The apparatus also includes one or more actuators operable to move the stage away from the support structure, and a radiant energy apparatus is positioned opposite the stage such that the support structure is positioned between the radiant energy apparatus and the stage. The radiant energy apparatus is operable to generate and project radiant energy through the support structure on the resin in a predetermined pattern. a foil separation device that includes at least one holddown device is configured such that the foil contacts the at least one holddown device as the stage is moved away from the support structure.

公开(公告)号：US20200031045A1

公开(公告)日：2020-01-30

申请号：US16049209

申请日：2018-07-30

Applicant: General Electric Company

Inventor： Mary Kathryn Thompson ,  Christopher Barnhill ,  Travis Gene Sands ,  James Kenton Pullins ,  Mark Pezzutti

IPC: B29C64/188 ,  B29C64/165 ,  B29C64/171 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B29C65/14 ,  B29C65/00 ,  B29C64/135 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y40/00

Abstract: A method for producing a component from two or more sub-components includes the steps of: producing each of the sub-components using an additive manufacturing process in which a resin, which is radiant-energy-curable, is partially cured using a selective application of radiant energy, wherein each sub-component includes a joint surface in which the resin is partially cured which is cured to a lesser degree than the remainder of the respective sub-component, so as to leave the joint surfaces in a condition suitable for bonding; assembling the sub-components with their respective joint surfaces in mutual contact; and performing a secondary cure of the partially-cured resin at the joint surfaces using an application of radiant energy, so as to further cure the partially-cured resin and bond the sub-components to each other, thereby forming the component.