Powder Production And Recycling
A print engine of an additive manufacturing system includes a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge containing powder. A laser engine is positioned to direct a one or two dimensional patterned laser beam into the removable cartridge. In some embodiments powder is produced at least in part with a magnetohydrodynamic system.
1 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge containing powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a laser beam into the removable cartridge; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with a magnetohydrodynamic system.
2 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the removable cartridge comprises a sealable chamber having a powder bed, a laser transparent window through which the laser beam can be directed, a powder hopper positioned within the sealable chamber, and a powder spreader positioned within the sealable chamber for distributing powder from the powder hopper onto the powder bed.
3 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the laser engine can direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the removable cartridge.
4 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge containing powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a laser beam into the removable cartridge; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with a condensation system.
5 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 4 , wherein the removable cartridge comprises a sealable chamber having a powder bed, a laser transparent window through which the laser beam can be directed, a powder hopper positioned within the sealable chamber, and a powder spreader positioned within the sealable chamber for distributing powder from the powder hopper onto the powder bed.
6 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 4 , wherein the laser engine can direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the removable cartridge.
7 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge containing powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a laser beam into the removable cartridge; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with a micro-hole extrusion system.
8 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 7 , wherein the removable cartridge comprises a sealable chamber having a powder bed, a laser transparent window through which the laser beam can be directed, a powder hopper positioned within the sealable chamber, and a powder spreader positioned within the sealable chamber for distributing powder from the powder hopper onto the powder bed.
9 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 7 , wherein the laser engine can direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the removable cartridge.
10 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge containing powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a laser beam into the removable cartridge; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with an electrostatic discharge on a micro-wire system.
11 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 10 , wherein the removable cartridge comprises a sealable chamber having a powder bed, a laser transparent window through which the laser beam can be directed, a powder hopper positioned within the sealable chamber, and a powder spreader positioned within the sealable chamber for distributing powder from the powder hopper onto the powder bed.
12 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 10 , wherein the laser engine can direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the removable cartridge.
13 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge containing powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a laser beam into the removable cartridge; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with an electrolytic system.
14 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 13 , wherein the removable cartridge comprises a sealable chamber having a powder bed, a laser transparent window through which the laser beam can be directed, a powder hopper positioned within the sealable chamber, and a powder spreader positioned within the sealable chamber for distributing powder from the powder hopper onto the powder bed.
15 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 13 , wherein the laser engine can direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the removable cartridge.
16 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge containing powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a laser beam into the removable cartridge; and
wherein the powder is recycled at least in part with a centrifugal system.
17 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 16 , wherein the removable cartridge comprises a sealable chamber having a powder bed, a laser transparent window through which the laser beam can be directed, a powder hopper positioned within the sealable chamber, and a powder spreader positioned within the sealable chamber for distributing powder from the powder hopper onto the powder bed.
18 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 16 , wherein the laser engine can direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the removable cartridge.
19 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a laser beam into the print station; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with a magnetohydrodynamic fountain system.
20 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 19 , wherein the magnetohydrodynamic fountain system is gravity fed.
21 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 19 , wherein the magnetohydrodynamic fountain system further comprises an inert gas crossflow.
22 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 19 , wherein the magnetohydrodynamic fountain system is electrostatically charged.
23 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 19 , wherein the laser engine can direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the print station.
24 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a laser beam into the print station; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with a condensation system.
25 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 24 , wherein the condensation system melts metal using heating coils.
26 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 24 , wherein the condensation system melts metal using a sputtering system.
27 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 24 , wherein the condensation system melts metal using a laser assist system.
28 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 24 , wherein the condensation system melts multiple metal targets using a sputtering system and laser assist system.
29 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 24 , wherein the condensation system melts metal using magnetron heads.
30 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 24 , wherein the laser engine can direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the print station.
31 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the print station; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with a hole extrusion system.
32 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the print station; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with a micro-wire system.
33 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the print station; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with a micro-wire system.
34 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the print station; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with a centrifugal system.
35 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the print station; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with a micro-wire system.
36 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station configured to hold powder;
a laser engine positioned to direct a two-dimensional patterned laser beam into the print station; and
wherein the powder is produced at least in part with an electrolytic system.