Additive layer manufacturing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017225403-A1
Application number	US-201715402717-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 10, 2017
Priority date	Feb 5, 2016
Publication date	Aug 10, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A doctor device ( 10, 11 ) configured for use in recoating in an operating additive layer manufacturing apparatus is configured, in use, to flex on a first sweep across a surface ( 8 a ) and remain stiff relative to the flexibility exhibited in the first sweep during a second sweep of the surface.

First claim

1 . A doctor device configured for use in recoating in an operating additive layer manufacturing apparatus, the device configured, in use, to flex during a first sweep across a surface and remain stiff relative to the flexibility exhibited in the first sweep during a second sweep of the surface and comprising a blade which flexes when drawn across the surface in a first direction and which is relatively stiff when drawn across the surface in a second direction.

2 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 1 comprising multiple blades including a first which is flexible relative to a second.

3 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising one or more blades between the first and second blade arranged in sequence in decreasing order of flexibility.

4 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a single blade which both flexes when drawn across the surface in the first direction and is relatively stiff when drawn across the surface in the second direction.

5 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a first flexible blade adjacent and in parallel alignment with a second relatively stiff blade configured such that flexure of the first blade is restricted by its abutting against the second blade when drawn in the second direction across the surface.

6 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein flexure is achieved by the use of a flexible material.

7 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein flexure is achieved by a blade of non-flexible material arranged to pivot under load in the first direction, the pivot providing the flex.

8 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the blade is arranged to abut against a stop when drawn in the second direction.

9 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein flexure is achieved by a resilient member connecting a blade of non-flexible material to a body, the resilient member arranged to provide for flexure in the first direction and no flexure in the second direction.

10 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 1 including a blade which comprises aluminium, stainless steel, or an elastomer.

11 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device is mounted to a carriage which is configured in use to travel across a surface presented to it.

12 . A doctor device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the surface is presented by means of a height-adjustable platform which supports a body bearing the surface.

Assignees

• Rolls Royce Plc

Inventors

• Welch Stewart T
• Bowerman Robert

Classifications

• B29C64/214

  Doctor blades · CPC title

• B22F12/67

  Blades · CPC title

• B29C64/20 Primary

  Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor · CPC title

• B29C64/153

  using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting · CPC title

• B33Y30/00

  Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor · CPC title