IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,643,281
Granted Patent B1
US 9,643,281 · App. 14/991,469 · Granted May 9, 2017

Process of forming a metal part from a metal powder using a laser to melt the metal powder over a support surface that can be easily removed after the metal part has been formed

Inventors: Robert L Memmen (Stuart, FL); Alex Pinera (Jupiter, FL)
Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
B23K26/342B23K26/142B23K26/144B23K26/70B33Y10/00B33Y40/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,643,281
App. No.
14/991,469
Granted
May 9, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

A process of forming a metal part from a metal powder using a laser to melt the metal powder, where a complex part can be formed in which a support structure is formed from lightly bonding metal powder together without melting so that a support structure can be formed, or melting metal powder to form thin ligaments capable of forming a support layer within the metal powder that can be easily broken away when the metal part is finished. The lightly bonded support layer of metal powder can be formed using a ceramic slurry or controlling the laser power or speed so that the metal powder is not melted but lightly bonded together.

Claims (7)

1. A process for manufacturing a metal part from a metal powder using a laser to melt the metal powder comprising the steps of:

depositing layers of metal powder on to a platen;

using a laser to melt certain areas of the metal powder to form a section of the metal part;

lightly bonding together certain areas of layers of metal powder to form a support surface for an overhanging section of the metal part dispensing a slurry of ceramic material capable of withstanding a melting temperature of the metal powder being supported by the ceramic slurry to form the support surface for the overhanging section of the metal part;

depositing additional layers of metal powder over the support surface;

using the laser to melt certain areas of layers of the metal powder supported on the support surface to form an overhanging section of the metal part; and,

removing any unmelted metal powder and the support surface from the metal part.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT R/F 59664/0917 Recorded Mar 4, 2026
From: TRUIST BANK
To: FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GICHNER SYSTEMS GROUP, INC.; KRATOS ANTENNA SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; KRATOS INTEGRAL HOLDINGS, LLC; KRATOS TECHNOLOGY & TRAINING SOLUTIONS, INC.; KRATOS UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS, INC.; MICRO SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 075029/0769 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 6, 2022
From: TRUIST BANK (AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO SUNTRUST BANK), COLLATERAL AGENT
To: KTT CORE, INC.; FTT AMERICA, LLC; CONSOLIDATED TURBINE SPECIALISTS, LLC; FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 059619/0336 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 6, 2022
From: FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GICHNER SYSTEMS GROUP, INC.; KRATOS ANTENNA SOLUTIONS CORPORATON; KRATOS INTEGRAL HOLDINGS, LLC; KRATOS TECHNOLOGY & TRAINING SOLUTIONS, INC.; KRATOS UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS, INC.; MICRO SYSTEMS, INC.
To: TRUIST BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 059664/0917 →
SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO AMENDED AND RESTATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 6, 2019
From: KTT CORE, INC.; FTT AMERICA, LLC; TURBINE EXPORT, INC.; ELWOOD INVESTMENTS LLC; CONSOLIDATED TURBINE SPECIALISTS LLC; S&J DESIGN LLC; FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
To: SUNTRUST BANK
Reel/Frame 048521/0081 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2017
From: MEMMEN, ROBERT L
To: FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 043587/0782 →