SELECTIVE DEPOSITING OF POWDER IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

摘要

A method of additive manufacturing include delivering at least one layer by either depositing a uniform layer of powder on a support and then removing a portion of the layer with a roller with a surface having spatially controlled electrostatic charge, or by depositing powder onto the surface of the roller and moving the roller relative to a support such that the spatially controllable electrostatic charge on the surface of the roller causes transfer of a corresponding portion of the powder from the roller onto the support or an underlying layer.

主权项

1. An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
a dispenser to deliver a plurality of successive layers of powder over a support, the plurality of successive layers including a bottom layer deposited on the support and remaining layers each deposited on an underlying layer of fused powder; an electron source to impart a spatially controllable electrostatic charge to a surface; an actuator configured to move the surface relative to the support such that the spatially controllable electrostatic charge on the surface causes removal of a corresponding portion of an outermost layer of powder on the support; and an energy source to fuse at least some of the outermost layer of powder.