US 11,865,781 B2
Powder bed fusion apparatus with evaluation unit and multiple storage containers
Henri Hiro, Tokyo (JP); and Yoshiki Otsubo, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to Aspect Inc., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Aspect Inc., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Jun. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/855,178.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-113668 (JP), filed on Jul. 8, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0008559 A1, Jan. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 64/255 (2017.01); B29C 64/153 (2017.01); B29C 64/268 (2017.01); B29C 64/232 (2017.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); B29C 64/218 (2017.01); B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B29C 64/321 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B29C 64/295 (2017.01)
CPC B29C 64/255 (2017.08) [B29C 64/153 (2017.08); B29C 64/218 (2017.08); B29C 64/232 (2017.08); B29C 64/268 (2017.08); B29C 64/295 (2017.08); B29C 64/321 (2017.08); B29C 64/393 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A powder bed fusion apparatus comprising:
a first storage container that includes a first table disposed so as to be capable of being raised and lowered, and heats a powder material stored on the first table to a first predetermined temperature;
a second storage container that includes a second table disposed so as to be capable of being raised and lowered, and heats the powder material stored on the second table to a second predetermined temperature;
a fabrication container that is provided between the first storage container and the second storage container, includes a modeling table which is disposed so as to be capable of being raised and lowered and on which a model is to be fabricated using the powder material, heats the powder material on the modeling table to a third predetermined temperature different from the first predetermined temperature and also different from the second predetermined temperature, and lets the powder material on the modeling table be irradiated with a laser beam from a laser beam emission unit based on the model to be fabricated;
a recoater that is provided so as to be capable of moving over the first storage container and over the second storage container to carry the powder material;
a carrying control unit that controls raising and lowering of each of the first table, the second table, and the modeling table and movement of the recoater when the powder material is carried into the fabrication container;
a first temperature measurement device that is provided so as to detect a temperature of the powder material stored in the second storage container; and
an evaluation unit that, when the powder material in the first storage container is carried into the fabrication container, evaluates the carrying of the powder material based on the temperature of the powder material stored in the second storage container detected by the first temperature measurement device.