Additive manufacturing using fugitive fluids

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022234104-A1
Application number	US-202117521477-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 8, 2021
Priority date	Nov 8, 2020
Publication date	Jul 28, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method of metal additive manufacturing, including forming a three-dimensional object as a successive series of layers. At least some of the successive layers is formed by depositing a layer of build material powder on a work surface, depositing a predetermined pattern of fugitive fluid and depositing a predetermined pattern of binder fluid, wherein the predetermined pattern of fugitive fluid improves at least one characteristic of the three-dimensional part.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A retort configuration having reduced contamination, comprising:
a retort disposed within a furnace and configured to receive a inflow of process gas through a inlet; and at least one getter configured to lessen the number of reactive species within the retort during a thermal processing cycle.

2 . The retort configuration of claim 1 wherein the getter is disposed within the retort during the thermal processing cycle.

3 . The retort configuration of claim 1 wherein the getter is disposed exterior to the retort during the thermal processing cycle.

4 . The retort configuration of claim 3 wherein the getter is disposed on a top of the retort.

5 . The retort configuration of claim 1 wherein the retort includes a bottom plate, a plurality of stacked retort components and a top plate.

6 . The retort configuration of claim 4 wherein the top plate includes a recess for receiving the at least one getter.

7 . The retort configuration of claim 1 wherein the retort is configured for horizontal flow of the process gas.

8 . The retort configuration of claim 1 wherein the retort is configured for vertical flow of the process gas.

9 . The retort configuration of claim 1 wherein the at least one getter is zirconium or a zirconium alloy.

10 . The retort configuration of claim 9 wherein the at least one getter is a pulverized sponge or sponge grit.

11 . A method of reducing contamination of parts during a thermal processing cycle, comprising:
disposing a retort containing a part to be processed and at least one getter within a furnace; and providing a flow of process gas through the retort while conducting a thermal processing cycle, wherein the getter reacts with reactive agents in the furnace.

12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the getter is disposed within the retort.

13 . The method of claim 11 wherein the getter is disposed exterior to the retort.

14 . The method of claim 11 wherein the getter is disposed on a top of the retort.

15 . The method of claim 11 wherein the retort includes a bottom plate, a plurality of stacked retort components and a top plate.

16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the top plate includes a recess for receiving the at least one getter.

17 . The method of claim 11 wherein the process gas flow flows horizontally through the retort.

18 . The method of claim 11 wherein the process gas flow flows vertically through the retort.

19 . The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one getter is zirconium or a zirconium alloy.

20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one getter is a pulverized sponge or sponge grit.

Assignees

• Desktop Metal Inc

Inventors

• Gibson Michael A
• Fontana Richard Remo
• Hudelson George
• Renner Christopher Benjamin
• Hoisington Paul A
• Trump Anna Marie

Classifications

• B33Y30/00

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

• B33Y10/00

  Processes of additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B22F2003/1014

  Getter · CPC title

• B22F10/73

  of powder · CPC title

• B22F10/68

  Cleaning or washing · CPC title