Method of producing parts by selective beam interaction of powder with gas phase reactant
April 26, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesMethod for fusibly bonding a coating material to a metal article Apparatus for application of metallic coatings to metallic substrates Method for fabricating articles by sequential layer deposition Composite bearing structure of alternating hard and soft metal, and process for making the same Apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by stereolithography Casting shapes Method and apparatus for producing parts by selective sintering Selective laser sintering with assisted powder handling Multiple material systems for selective beam sintering Gas phase selective beam deposition InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 692172 filed on 04/26/1991US Classes:264/497, Using laser sintering of particulate material to build three-dimensional product (e.g., SLS, selective laser sintering, etc.)156/62.2, With formation of lamina by bulk deposition of discrete particles to form self-supporting article156/272.8, Exposure of work to laser219/121.66, Methods264/125, Sintering or heat fusing particles419/10, Metal and nonmetal in final product419/61, FORMING ARTICLES BY UNITING RANDOMLY ASSOCIATED METAL PARTICLES428/357, COATED OR STRUCTUALLY DEFINED FLAKE, PARTICLE, CELL, STRAND, STRAND PORTION, ROD, FILAMENT, MACROSCOPIC FIBER OR MASS THEREOF428/551Nonmetal componentExaminersPrimary: Powell, William A.Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesB22F 003/00B32B 019/00 B32B 031/00 B23K 026/00 AbstractA method and apparatus for selectively sintering a layer of powder to produce a part comprising a plurality of sintered layers. The apparatus includes a computer controlling a laser to direct the laser energy onto each layer of the powder to produce a sintered mass corresponding to a cross-section of the part. For each cross-section, the aim of the laser beam is scanned over a layer of powder and the beam is switched on to sinter only the powder within the boundaries of the cross-section. Powder is applied and successive layers sintered until a completed part is formed. Also disclosed is a method of forming a part by interaction of material in the powder layer with reactants in the surrounding atmosphere, at locations of the powder irradiated by the energy, or laser, beam. The reaction may be nitridation, oxidation or carburization of the powder, with the product being a chemical compound of one or more constituents in the powder with one or more gases in the atmosphere. Alternatively, reduction of the powder may be so enabled by the energy beam so that a metallic phase product is formed at the irradiated locations. Particular benefits of the invention include the densification of the material of the part as a result of the reaction, and the ability to form high temperature materials by way of a relatively low temperature process.Other References
Field of SearchWith formation of lamina by bulk deposition of discrete particles to form self-supporting articleExposure of work to laser With lamina formation by molding or casting In configured mold With coating of nonadherent face of lamina Adhesive applied as dry particles Using laser Beam energy control Welding Methods Melting Methods Shaping Swept or scanned Method Plural layers formed by uniting randomly associated particles Sintering or heat fusing particles Of organic material Fluorocarbon resin REACTIVE GAS OR VAPOR TREATMENT OF WORK MEANS APPLYING ELECTRICAL OR WAVE ENERGY DIRECTLY TO WORK COATED OR STRUCTUALLY DEFINED FLAKE, PARTICLE, CELL, STRAND, STRAND PORTION, ROD, FILAMENT, MACROSCOPIC FIBER OR MASS THEREOF Including interfacial reaction product of adjacent layers Component of composite having metal continuous phase interengaged with nonmetal continuous phase Having metal particles Nonmetal component | |
