Powder dispensing and sensing apparatus and method of dispensing and sensing powder

摘要

A powder dispensing and sensing apparatus comprising: a support structure to receive a cartridge holder (22) configured to hold at least one row of cartridges (20); a powder dispenser assembly (30) including powder dispenser modules (54) to dispense powder into respective cartridges in the at least one row of cartridges, wherein the powder dispenser assembly (30) includes an array having one or two rows of powder dispenser modules (54); a powder transport system (32) to deliver powder to the powder dispenser modules (54); a sensor module (34) including a plurality of sensor cells to sense respective fill states of each of the cartridges in the at least one row of cartridges; a control system to control the powder dispenser modules (54) in response to the respective sensed fill states of each of the cartridges of the at least one row of cartridges; and an actuator (120) to move the at least one row of cartridges relative to the array of powder dispenser modules (54).