Powder Bed Preparation for Additive Manufacturing
A print engine of an additive manufacturing system includes a print station with a print bed, powder spreader, and a first and a second powder holding chamber. First and second powder nozzles are respectively connected to the first and a second powder holding chambers. At least one vibratory element is attached to at least one of the print bed, the powder spreader, the first and a second powder holding chambers, and the first and second powder nozzles. In one embodiment, a laser able to direct a two dimensional laser image against the print bed is provided. In another embodiment, size of powder held in the respective first and a second powder holding chambers is different.
1 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising:
a print station with a print bed, powder spreader, and a first and a second powder holding chamber;
first and second powder nozzles respectively connected to the first and a second powder holding chambers;
at least one vibratory element attached to at least one of the print bed, the powder spreader, the first and a second powder holding chambers, and the first and second powder nozzles.
2 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the vibratory element comprises an ultrasonic agitated blade.
3 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the vibratory element comprises a vibrational head.
4 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , further comprising a laser able to direct a two dimensional laser image against the print bed.
5 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein size of powder held in the respective first and a second powder holding chambers is different.
6 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising a print station with a print bed, powder roller, and a first and a second powder holding chamber;
first and second powder nozzles respectively connected to the first and a second powder holding chambers;
at least one vibratory element attached to at least one of the print bed, the powder spreader, the first and a second powder holding chambers, and the first and second powder nozzles.
7 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 6 , wherein the powder roller includes a structured or patterned surface.
8 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 6 , further comprising a laser able to direct a two dimensional laser image against the print bed.
9 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 6 , wherein size of powder held in the respective first and a second powder holding chambers is different.
10 . A print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising
a print station with a print bed, powder spreader with ultrasonic agitation, and a first and a second powder holding chamber; and
first and second powder nozzles respectively connected to the first and a second powder holding chambers.
11 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 10 , further comprising a laser able to direct a two dimensional laser image against the print bed.
12 . The print engine of the additive manufacturing system of claim 10 , wherein size of powder held in the respective first and a second powder holding chambers is different.
13 . A method of operating a print engine of an additive manufacturing system, comprising:
providing a print station with a print bed, at least one of a powder spreader and a powder roller, and a first and a second powder holding chamber, with first and second powder nozzles respectively connected to the first and a second powder holding chambers;
activating at least one vibratory element attached to at least one of the print bed, the powder spreader, the first and a second powder holding chambers, and the first and second powder nozzles.
14 . The method of operating a print engine of an additive manufacturing system of claim 13 , wherein the powder roller includes a structured or patterned surface.
15 . The method of operating a print engine of an additive manufacturing system of claim 13 , further comprising directing a two dimensional laser image against the print bed.
16 . The method of operating a print engine of an additive manufacturing system of claim 13 , wherein size of powder held in the respective first and a second powder holding chambers is different.
17 . The method of operating a print engine of an additive manufacturing system of claim 13 , wherein the vibratory element comprises an ultrasonic agitated blade.
18 . The method of operating a print engine of an additive manufacturing system of claim 13 , wherein the vibratory element comprises a vibrational head.