Described is a powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder, comprising: a dispensing chamber for dispensing a predetermined volume of powder to a receptacle; an inlet valve movable between a closed state and an open state to control ingress of powder into the dispensing chamber from a powder source; an outlet valve movable between a closed state and an open state to control egress of powder from the dispensing chamber to a receptacle. The inlet valve and outlet valve are individually actuated between the closed state and open state by a common removable handle. The inlet valve and outlet valve each comprise an interlock for receiving and engaging the handle. The interlock is configured to receive and release the handle when the respective valve is in the closed state and engage the handle so as to prevent removal of the handle when the respective valve is in the open state.
G01F 11/00 - Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
G01F 11/28 - Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement
G01F 11/46 - Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement with supply or discharge valves of the rotary or oscillatory type for fluent solid material
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
F16K 1/22 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with pivoted closure members with pivoted discs or flaps with axis of rotation crossing the valve member, e.g. butterfly valves
B65D 88/26 - Hoppers, i.e. containers having funnel-shaped discharge sections
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
2.
A DOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESS
The invention relates to an operating handle for controlling the operational state of a valve arrangement associated with a container to control dispensing of material from the container to a component of an additive manufacturing process, the operating handle comprising a rotatable shaft coupled to the valve arrangement, the shaft being rotatable between a plurality of angular positions corresponding to one or more operational states of the valve arrangement; a lever operatively coupled to the shaft and configured to cause rotation of the shaft between the plurality of angular positions upon rotation of the lever; a rotation retention mechanism configured to retain the lever in one of a plurality of rotational positions; and an actuator engagement member extending axially outwards from the handle, wherein an actuator provided as part of a docking arrangement associated with the component is operable to act on the actuator engagement member for engaging and disengaging the rotation retention mechanism.
B22F 12/00 - Apparatus or devices specially adapted for additive manufacturing; Auxiliary means for additive manufacturing; Combinations of additive manufacturing apparatus or devices with other processing apparatus or devices
B22F 10/28 - Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
F16K 1/22 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with pivoted closure members with pivoted discs or flaps with axis of rotation crossing the valve member, e.g. butterfly valves
G01F 11/00 - Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
G01F 11/28 - Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement
G01F 11/46 - Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement with supply or discharge valves of the rotary or oscillatory type for fluent solid material
F16K 31/163 - Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid with a mechanism, other than pulling- or pushing-rod, between fluid motor and closure member the fluid acting on a piston
An assembly 10 includes a coupling member 12 having a first annular, radial connection flange 22 and a blanking cap 14 comprising a disc-like member 30 which defines a second, corresponding annular, radial connection flange 34. The connecting flanges are clamped together by a clamp (16) with a seal member 18 in-between. The blanking cap comprises a pair of safety lugs 62 attached to the disc-like member which each extend about an outer circumferential periphery of the first connection flange 22. Each safety lug has an abutment 68 for engagement with the first connection flange to limit axial movement of the disc-like member away from the coupling member. The lugs 62 prevent the blanking cap from flying off in the event the clamp is released whilst the interior of the coupling member is pressurised. The lugs 62 may each have a stop member 66 which defines the abutment and which may take the form of an elongate curved member extending circumferentially about an axis of the connection flanges. The clamp may be tri-clamp.
F16L 3/10 - Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing divided, i.e. with two members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing
F16L 23/10 - Flanged joints the flanges being connected by members tensioned in the radial plane connection by tangentially arranged pin and nut with a pivoting or swinging pin
B22F 12/00 - Apparatus or devices specially adapted for additive manufacturing; Auxiliary means for additive manufacturing; Combinations of additive manufacturing apparatus or devices with other processing apparatus or devices
B29C 64/20 - 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
The present application relates to a method of producing an article by additive manufacturing including the steps of predicting regions of stress in the article, identifying an optimal build orientation for the article and dispensing a first powder and/or a second powder to form the article. The first and second powders are of the same type of powder and have been recycled to different extents and the orientation of the build is optimised so that reduced quantities of the powder which has not been recycled or which has been recycled to a lesser extent is dispensed during the build.
The present invention relates to a coupling system for an additive manufacturing process, comprising: a conduit for the transfer of material between a container and a further component of the additive manufacturing process; and one or more actuators for controlling operation of the conduit; wherein the conduit comprises first and second portions connected via an extendable intermediate portion; and wherein the one or more actuators are operable to act on at least a portion of the conduit to extend or retract the intermediate portion to control the length of the conduit.
B22F 12/00 - Apparatus or devices specially adapted for additive manufacturing; Auxiliary means for additive manufacturing; Combinations of additive manufacturing apparatus or devices with other processing apparatus or devices
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
B29C 64/255 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers
A docking arrangement (10) for coupling an outlet (16) of a container (12) to an inlet (18) for a component of an additive manufacturing process. The docking arrangement (10) includes a dock (11) configured to receive the container (12) and a gas supply (35) associated with the dock (11). A gas coupler (38a, 38b) is provided and is configured, in use, to couple the gas supply (35) with a gas inlet (32) associated with the container (12) when the container (12) is received within the dock (11).
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
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 64/307 - Handling of material to be used in 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
B65D 83/06 - Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing powdered or granular material
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
7.
A DOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESS
A Docking Arrangement for an Additive Manufacturing Process An operating handle (50) for controlling the operational state of a valve arrangement (26) associated with a container (12) to control dispensing of material from the container (12) to a component of an additive manufacturing process. The operating handle (50) includes a rotatable shaft 56 which is coupled to the valve arrangement (26) and is rotatable between a plurality of angular positions corresponding one or more operational states of the valve arrangement (26). A lever (52) is operatively coupled to the shaft (56) and is configured to cause rotation of the shaft (56) between the plurality of angular positions upon rotation of the lever (52). The handle (50) is also rotatable under the operation of an actuator (40) provided as part of a docking arrangement (10) associated with the component.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
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 64/307 - Handling of material to be used in 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
F16K 1/22 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with pivoted closure members with pivoted discs or flaps with axis of rotation crossing the valve member, e.g. butterfly valves
F16K 31/143 - Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid for mounting on, or in combination with, hand-actuated valves the fluid acting on a piston
B65D 83/06 - Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing powdered or granular material
A locking mechanism (100) for coupling an outlet (16) of a container (12) to an inlet (18) for a component of an additive manufacturing process. The locking mechanism (100) includes one or more locking members (102a, 102b) which are moveable, in use, between at least a first position and a second position. One or more actuators (104a, 104b) are provided and are configured, in use, to control movement of the one or more locking members (102a, 102b) between the first and second positions. The one or more locking members (102a, 102b) are configured to engage an exterior surface of the outlet (16) of the container (12) when in the second position so as to couple the outlet (16) to the inlet (18) for the component of the additive manufacturing process.
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
B65D 83/06 - Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing powdered or granular material
A method and apparatus for analysing a metal powder for use in an additive manufacturing process involving: providing the powder in a close packed state adjacent a barrier; illuminating a region of the powder through the barrier; separately detecting the illuminating radiation received back from different parts of the illuminated region of the powder through the barrier, to produce an output which depends on the detected radiation; and processing the output to determine one or more properties of the powder. The barrier may be a wall of a container or conduit. The apparatus may form part of powder transport or additive manufacturing apparatus.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
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 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
G01N 15/06 - Investigating concentration of particle suspensions
G01N 21/25 - Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
A method and apparatus for analysing a metal powder for use in an additive manufacturing process involves illuminating a region of the powder, without melting the powder, with electromagnetic radiation comprising radiation in the non-visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum; separately detecting the illuminating radiation, comprising radiation in the non-visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, received back from different parts of the illuminated region of the powder, to produce an output which depends on the detected radiation; and processing the output to determine one or more properties of the powder. The powder may be illuminated with light comprising ultra violet and/or infra-red radiation and the at least, returned ultra violet and/or infra- red radiation detected.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
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 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
G01N 15/06 - Investigating concentration of particle suspensions
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
G01N 21/3563 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
The present invention relates to a nickel-based alloy powder for additive manufacturing comprising in weight%: C:0.09 to 0.17, Ti:3.8 to 4.5, Zr:> 0.06, W:1.8 to 2.6, and Al:3.0 to 3.8
The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing an article by additive manufacturing comprising a first container and a second container from which powder may be selectively dispensed to form an article, wherein the first container and the second container contain the same type of powder and wherein the containers respectively contain powder that has been recycled to different extents.
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
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
Apparatus electronically interconnecting first electronic circuitry (72) in a hazardous environment with second electronic circuitry (74) whilst partitioning the second electronic circuitry from the hazardous environment includes a metallic body (42) defining a passage (56) which opens at one end into the hazardous environment. A PCB (58) extends across the passage and is encased within a layer of insulating material (66) on one side to form a gas tight barrier across the passage. The PCB has a first connector (78) connected with said first electronic circuity and at least one second connector (80) extending through the layer of insulating material and connected with said second electronic circuitry. The first and second connectors are electronically coupled so that the first electronic circuitry is electronically connected with the second electronic circuity through the PCB and insulating layer.
H02G 3/08 - Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
H02K 5/136 - Casings or enclosures characterised by the shape, form or construction thereof specially adapted for operating in liquid or gas explosion-proof
14.
METHOD OF MANUTACTURE AND PREDICTING POWDER DEGREDATION IN AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESS
A method of additive manufacture involves building a container (8) and a structure by fusing powder (12, 13, 14), such that the container contains the structure and unfused powder. The container (8) may be used in a method for predicting powder degradation in an additive manufacturing process. Containers containing different types of structure may be built to measure the effect of building different types of structures on powder degradation. A structure to be built may be characterised by classes of structural features it contains and information obtained used from building containers used to predict how building the structure will degrade powder.
G05B 19/4099 - Surface or curve machining, making 3D objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing
G01N 1/44 - Sample treatment involving radiation, e.g. heat
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B22F 5/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the special shape of the product
B22F 5/10 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the special shape of the product of articles with cavities or holes, not otherwise provided for in the preceding subgroups
A method of determining the condition of a metal powder for use in an additive manufacturing process, involving processing an image of the powder to measure a surface property of the powder, such as colour, texture or particle shape. The proportion of powder whose measured surface property falls outside a pre-determined range is determined and can be used to decide whether or not the powder is suitable for re-use. The proportion is determined by identifying individual particles in the image which are identified as statistical outliers amongst all of the particles shown in the image when considering a measured surface property. The relevant proportion may be determined statistically.
A container (300) adapted to store a quantity of metal powder (101, 301), the container (300) comprising a container body having an opening and a sensing device (111, 121) for sensing the temperature of the powder (101, 301) and/or the humidity level inside the container (300), wherein a first reading received from the sensing device (111, 121) is compared to a second reading received from a second sensing device configured to sense the temperature and/or humidity level of an environment outside of the container, and based on the first reading and the second reading, a user is provided within an indication about whether the container can be opened.
B65D 51/24 - Closures not otherwise provided for combined with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
B65D 81/24 - Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
B65D 88/28 - Construction or shape of discharge section
17.
MEASURING DENSITY OF A POWDER BED AND DETECTING A DEFECT IN AN ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED ARTICLE
A method of measuring the density of a powder bed formed by an additive manufacturing machine (1) during a build operation. The machine is caused to build one or more capsules (10) encapsulating powder. The internal volume of the capsule and mass of the encapsulated powder are determined thereby to determine the density of the powder bed. The internal volume of the capsule may be determined by pycnometry, by measuring the external volume of the capsule, opening and emptying the capsule then determining the volume of the parts of the opened capsule. Where the external volume of the capsule cannot be determined by pyncometry or the measured volume is significantly less than an expected value this is indicative of a defect in the capsule. The/or each capsule may have one or more sidewalls which diverge from each other as they rise from a base and subsequently converge towards one another towards a top.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B22F 5/10 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the special shape of the product of articles with cavities or holes, not otherwise provided for in the preceding subgroups
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
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
A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a data sensing and/or logging means (56, 58, 60, 62, 64) adapted to monitor and/or log various parameters of the powder (14) and/or the pressurised gas (32) and further comprising a control unit (54) adapted record and log the sensor readings either continuously, or at intervals, the control unit (54) comprising a communications module adapted to relay sensor readings, or log files, to a remote monitoring station.
Analysing apparatus (10) comprising: attachment means (32a, 32b) operable to attach the analyzing apparatus (10) to a smartphone or tablet device (102), and to enable, in use, the analysing apparatus (10) to interact with an image capture device (104) of the said smartphone or tablet device (102), such that the said the said smartphone or tablet device (102) can analyse sample material (110); a sample container (12) and an analysing chamber (14), wherein the sample container (12) is connected to the analysing chamber (14) by a flow aperture (16); an imaging aperture (22) positioned such that upon attachment of the analysing apparatus (10) with said smartphone or tablet device (102), the imaging aperture (22) is optically aligned with said image capture device (104) of the said smartphone or tablet device (102), wherein the imaging aperture (22) is disposed adjacent the analyzing chamber (14) such that upon attachment of the analyzing apparatus (10) with said smartphone or tablet device (102), the imaging aperture (22) is disposed in optical alignment between the analyzing chamber (14) of the analysing apparatus (10) and the image capture device (104) of the said smartphone or tablet device (102).
A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a pilot line (30) communicating with the interior of the pressure vessel (12) and the outlet downstream of the outlet valve (24); a pilot line valve (34) for selectively opening and closing the pilot line (30); and a bleed valve (38, 36) communicating with the outlet downstream of the outlet valve (34).
B65D 88/28 - Construction or shape of discharge section
B65D 88/74 - Large containers having means for heating, cooling, aerating or other conditioning of contents
B65D 90/48 - Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
patents
