Stackable Build Plates For Additive Manufacturing Powder Handling

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019381731-A1
Application number	US-201916440320-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 13, 2019
Priority date	Jun 15, 2018
Publication date	Dec 19, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A three-dimensional printing apparatus includes a base, a first build plate, and a second build plate. The base includes a build platform. The first build plate is attached to the base and is movable in vertical directions to a position spaced vertically from the build platform. The second build plate is supported by the first build plate such that the second build plate is spaced vertically from the first build plate. A plurality of objects is fabricated by the apparatus. A first object is fabricated on the first build plate. The first build plate is moved vertically. A second object is fabricated on the second build plate.

First claim

1 . A three-dimensional (3-D) printing apparatus comprising:
a base including a build platform; a first build plate attached to the base and movable in vertical directions, the first build plate being movable to a position spaced vertically from the build platform; and a second build plate supported by the first build plate such that the second build plate is spaced vertically from the first build plate.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a shaft supported by the base and configured to move the first build plate in the vertical directions.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a first support shaft extending between the first build plate and the second build plate.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the second build plate is removable from the first support shaft.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second build plate includes a recess, and wherein the first support shaft extends into the recess.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first support shaft is a fastener having a shank and a head extending from the shank, and wherein the head is receivable in the recess such that the head is irremovable from a portion of the recess in a direction transverse to a plane defined by an opening into the recess.

7 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the second build plate and the first support shaft are threaded such that the first support shaft is configured for threaded engagement to the second build plate.

8 . The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a fastener, wherein the fastener attaches to the first support shaft through the second build plate to maintain the position of the second build plate relative to the first support shaft.

9 . The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a third build plate supported by the second build plate such that the third build plate is spaced vertically from the second build plate.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a second support shaft extending between the second build plate and the third build plate.

11 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first support shaft attaches to either one or both of a first side extending between a top and a bottom of the first build plate and a second side extending between a top and a bottom of the second build plate, the top of the first build plate facing the bottom of the second build plate.

12 . A method of fabricating a plurality of objects, comprising the steps of:
fabricating a first object on a first build plate; moving the first build plate vertically; and fabricating a second object on a second build plate supported by the first build plate and located vertically relative to the first build plate.

13 . (canceled)

14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of stacking the second build plate on the first build plate such that the second build plate is located vertically relative to the first build plate.

15 . (canceled)

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the steps of fabricating the first object and the second object include the steps of three-dimensional (3D) printing of the first object and 3D printing of the second object, respectively.

17 . (canceled)

18 . (canceled)

19 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of 3D printing a first support shaft on the first build plate and stacking a second build plate on the first build plate such that the second build plate is located vertically relative to the first build plate.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the first object and the first support shaft are each fabricated in layers, and wherein each layer of the first object and each layer of the first support shaft are fabricated simultaneously.

21 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of removing the first object from the first build plate prior to the step of fabricating the second object.

22 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first and the second build plates are attached to each other, further comprising the step of detaching the first build plate from the second build plate prior to the step of fabricating the second object.

23 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first and the second build plates are in contact with each other, further comprising separating the first and the second build plates after the step of fabricating the second object and before the step of fabricating the first object.

24 . A method of fabricating a plurality of objects, comprising the steps of:
selectively heating portions of a first powder layer on a first build plate to fabricate a first object on the first build plate; and fabricating a second object on a second build plate stacked vertically with the first build plate without removing the first object from the first build plate.

25 - 29 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Howmedica Osteonics Corp

Inventors

• Walsh Gearoid
• Kendall Eoin

Classifications

• B33Y10/00 Primary

  Processes of additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B29C64/153 Primary

  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

• B29C64/176

  Sequentially · CPC title

• B29C64/245 Primary

  Platforms or substrates (support structures intended to be sacrificed after manufacture B29C64/40) · CPC title