Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of powder bed recoaters including non-contact powder redistributors. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of powder bed additive manufacturing systems including non-contact powder redistributors and methods for recoating powder beds. In an exemplary embodiment, a method comprises applying powder in a pattern along a top surface of a powder bed such that the applied powder covers only one or more portions, and not the entirety, of the powder bed. The method further comprises redistributing the powder in the pattern to flatten or level the powder bed without physically contacting the powder bed.

IPC Classes  ?

• B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
• B29C 64/214 - Doctor blades
• B29C 64/188 - Processes of additive manufacturing involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control
• B29C 64/329 - Feeding using hoppers
• B33Y 10/00 - Processes of additive manufacturing
• B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
• B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
• B28B 1/00 - Producing shaped articles from the material
• B22F 10/10 - Formation of a green body