US 11,697,246 B2
Multimaterial powder bed patterning for additive manufacturing method
Nikola Dudukovic, Hayward, CA (US); Roger Aines, Livermore, CA (US); Sarah Baker, Dublin, CA (US); Joshua R. Deotte, Livermore, CA (US); Eric B. Duoss, Danville, CA (US); Jeremy Taylor Feaster, Fremont, CA (US); Alexandra Golobic, Oakland, CA (US); Julie Mancini, Livermore, CA (US); Christopher M. Spadaccini, Oakland, CA (US); Seth Evan Watts, Collingswood, NJ (US); and Michael John Troksa, Veradale, WA (US)
Assigned to Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Livermore, CA (US)
Filed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Livermore, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 18, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/657,601.
Application 16/657,601 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2018/059808, filed on Nov. 8, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0147874 A1, May 14, 2020
Int. Cl. B29C 64/209 (2017.01); B29C 64/255 (2017.01); B29C 64/321 (2017.01); B29C 64/268 (2017.01); B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B29C 64/227 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B22F 12/41 (2021.01); B22F 12/53 (2021.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); B33Y 40/20 (2020.01); B22F 10/14 (2021.01); B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 12/58 (2021.01); B22F 10/80 (2021.01)
CPC B29C 64/209 (2017.08) [B22F 12/41 (2021.01); B22F 12/53 (2021.01); B29C 64/227 (2017.08); B29C 64/255 (2017.08); B29C 64/268 (2017.08); B29C 64/321 (2017.08); B29C 64/393 (2017.08); B22F 10/14 (2021.01); B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 10/80 (2021.01); B22F 12/58 (2021.01); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/20 (2020.01); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
an excitation source configured to generate a signal;
a reservoir for holding particles of dry, powdered granular material feedstock;
a nozzle in communication with the reservoir for releasing the granular material feedstock in a controlled fashion from the reservoir to form at least one layer of a part;
an element having a main body portion disposed within the nozzle, and a head portion positioned exteriorly of the nozzle for providing a controlled, vibratory mechanical signal to the granular material feedstock to assist in controlling release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle in response to the signal generated from the excitation source;
a syringe located within the nozzle, the syringe receiving the granular material feedstock and controllably releasing the granular material feedstock; and wherein the main body portion of the element is disposed inside the syringe;
a transducer arranged coaxially with the element and with the nozzle, and adjacent to one end of the element, the transducer responsive to the signal from the excitation source;
the signal from the excitation source exciting the transducer to cause the element to induce a vibratory motion in at least one of the nozzle or the granular material feedstock within the nozzle, to control both on and off flow of the granular material feedstock and a flow rate of the granular material feedstock, to thus produce a controlled release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle as needed to pattern the granular material feedstock as necessary to form a layer of the part.