WO2020219031A1 - Boîtier de filtre - Google Patents

Boîtier de filtre Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020219031A1
WO2020219031A1 PCT/US2019/028805 US2019028805W WO2020219031A1 WO 2020219031 A1 WO2020219031 A1 WO 2020219031A1 US 2019028805 W US2019028805 W US 2019028805W WO 2020219031 A1 WO2020219031 A1 WO 2020219031A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
build material
conduit
valve
filter
chamber
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2019/028805
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Miguel VEGA VELASCO
Alejandro TORRES PINERO
Eduard GALDEANO CASTILLO
Original Assignee
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. filed Critical Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority to PCT/US2019/028805 priority Critical patent/WO2020219031A1/fr
Publication of WO2020219031A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020219031A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/30—Auxiliary operations or equipment
    • B29C64/307—Handling of material to be used in additive manufacturing
    • B29C64/321—Feeding
    • B29C64/329—Feeding using hoppers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F12/00—Apparatus or devices specially adapted for additive manufacturing; Auxiliary means for additive manufacturing; Combinations of additive manufacturing apparatus or devices with other processing apparatus or devices
    • B22F12/38—Housings, e.g. machine housings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F12/00—Apparatus or devices specially adapted for additive manufacturing; Auxiliary means for additive manufacturing; Combinations of additive manufacturing apparatus or devices with other processing apparatus or devices
    • B22F12/90—Means for process control, e.g. cameras or sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/30—Auxiliary operations or equipment
    • B29C64/35—Cleaning
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/30—Auxiliary operations or equipment
    • B29C64/357—Recycling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y40/00—Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F10/00—Additive manufacturing of workpieces or articles from metallic powder
    • B22F10/20—Direct sintering or melting
    • B22F10/28—Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F10/00—Additive manufacturing of workpieces or articles from metallic powder
    • B22F10/70—Recycling
    • B22F10/73—Recycling of powder
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
    • Y02P10/25—Process efficiency

Definitions

  • Some additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing systems selectively solidify portions of successive layers of a powdered build material.
  • selective solidification may be achieved by selectively applying an energy absorbing fusing agent over each formed layer of build material and applying a fusing energy to the build material layer to cause portions thereof on which fusing agent was printed to heat up sufficiently to melt, coalesce, sinter, or otherwise fuse, and then to solidify upon cooling.
  • Other examples directly apply energy in a point-to-point manner to portions of each layers to be solidified, for example using a laser.
  • non-selectively- solidified build material is separated from the printed objects.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a filter housing.
  • FIG. 2A is a flow diagram illustrating an example method to open a valve.
  • FIG. 2B is a flow diagram illustrating another example method to open a valve.
  • FIG. 2C is a flow diagram illustrating another example method to open a valve.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a system comprising a filter housing.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a system comprising a filter housing.
  • Some additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing systems selectively solidify portions of successive layers of a powdered build material to generate one or a plurality of objects in a build chamber.
  • a build material extraction mechanism extracts the non- solidified build material from the build chamber, thereby freeing the generated objects from the non-solidified build material.
  • the build chamber may be an integral part of a 3D printer.
  • the build chamber is comprised in a removable build unit which is attachable and detachable from the 3D printer.
  • the build material extraction mechanism is a built-in part of the 3D printer. In other examples, the build material extraction mechanism is part of a separate build material processing station.
  • the build material extraction mechanism may comprise a pump to create a vacuum source to extract a mix of air and non-solidified build material (referred hereinafter as build material) from the build chamber.
  • the mix of build material and air may travel through a conduit between the build chamber and the pump.
  • the build chamber end of the conduit may be handled by a user to manually extract the build material from the build chamber.
  • the build chamber end of the conduit may be in fluid communication with the build chamber to automatically extract the build material from the build chamber without the interaction of the user.
  • a filter is installed between the build chamber and the pump to prevent the introduction of build material into the pump and create technical difficulties to the pump.
  • the pump may break upon pumping a certain amount of build material and air.
  • the mix of build material and air may travel from the build chamber to the filter, where build material is stuck in the filter membranes and air is to flow through the filter and reach the pump.
  • the build material stuck in the filter membranes may drop through gravity effect to the bottom of the filter. After filtering an amount of build material, the filter may get clogged, thereby inhibiting air to flow therethrough.
  • the filter replacement is done by user manipulation. Due to the complexity of some systems, the user may be assisted by an experienced technician to replace the filter.
  • some filter membranes may break or, at least clog, thereby reducing the filtering efficiency and lifespan of the filter.
  • the build material extraction mechanism is not operable thereby reducing the productivity of the printing system or build material processing station.
  • the vacuumed build material may be dropped in a build material container located between the build chamber and the pump.
  • the build material container is located between the build chamber and the filter.
  • the introduction of the build material container may reduce the amount of build material pumped by the pump and/or the amount of build material to be filtered by the filter, thereby increasing the lifespan of the pump and/or the filter.
  • the build material in the build material container may be used in following print jobs to generate additional objects. Additionally, the build material in the build material container may be mixed with fresh (or virgin) build material before generating additional objects therefrom.
  • Suitable powder-based build materials for use in examples herein may include, where appropriate, at least one of polymers, crystalline plastics, semi crystalline plastics, polyethylene (PE), polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), amorphous plastics, polyvinyl alcohol plastic (PVA), polyamide, thermo(setting) plastics, resins, transparent powders, colored powders, metal powder, ceramics powder such as for example, glass particles, and/or a combination of at least two of these or other materials, wherein such combination may include different particles each of different materials, or different materials in a single compound particle.
  • Example blended build materials include alumide, which may include a blend of aluminum and polyamide.
  • build material in, for example, a powdered or granular form.
  • a suitable material may be Nylon 12, which is available, for example, from Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC.
  • Another suitable material may be PA 2200 which is available from Electro Optical Systems EOS GmbH.
  • Other examples of suitable build materials may include PA12 build material commercially known as V1 R10A“HP PA12” available from HP Inc, PA11 , TPU, or any other suitable polymeric build material.
  • the build material may be any suitable metallic or ceramic build material.
  • Fig. 1 shows an example of a cross- section of a front view of a filter housing 100.
  • the filter housing 100 forms a chamber 140 having a volume.
  • a diagonal liner hatching has been used.
  • the cross-section of the filter housing 100 is drawn as having a square shape, however any other shape suitable to define a volume therein may be used.
  • the filter housing 100 comprises an inlet 110, a clean air outlet 120, and a build material outlet 130.
  • the inlet 110 is configured to receive a first conduit 115.
  • the connection of the first conduit 115 to the inlet 100 enables a mix of build material and air to be introduced through the first conduit 115 (not shown), to the chamber 140.
  • the first conduit 115 is in fluid communication with a build chamber comprising build material.
  • the clean air outlet 120 is connectable to receive a second conduit 125.
  • the filter housing 100 is configured to receive a first end of the second conduit 125, which is connectable through the clean air outlet 120.
  • the second end of the second conduit 125 is connected to a pump 170.
  • the connection of the second conduit 125 to the clean air outlet 120 enables air within the chamber 140 to be transferred through the clean air outlet 120 to the pump 170.
  • the filter housing 100 is also to receive a filter 150.
  • a cross linear hatching has been used to indicate the filter 150.
  • the filter 150 may be any suitable filter device composed, for example, of fibrous or porous materials, for example in the form of membranes, which remove solid particulates from the air.
  • the filter 150 is to prevent build material from leaving the clean air outlet 120 and entering the second conduit 125.
  • the filter 150 is selected based on the size of the build material particles to be filtered, e.g., metallic build material particles are generally smaller in size than polymeric build material particles.
  • the filter 150 is to be installed between the chamber 140 and the clean air outlet 120.
  • the filter 150 is a cassette-type filter.
  • the filter 150 is a cylindrical filter defining an outer volume corresponding to the chamber 140 and an inner volume.
  • the inner volume of a cylindrical filter may be fluidically connectable to the clean air outlet 120.
  • the filter 150 is to prevent build material entering the second conduit 125. In an example, the filter 150 is to prevent about the 99% of build material from entering to the second conduit 125. In another example, the filter 150 is to prevent about the 95% of build material from entering to the second conduit 125. In another example, the filter 150 is to prevent about the 90% of build material from entering to the second conduit 125. In another example, the filter 150 is to prevent from about 80% to about 90% of build material from entering to the second conduit 125. In another example, the filter 150 is to prevent from about 65% to about 80% of build material from entering to the second conduit 125. In yet another example, the filter 150 is to prevent less than about 60% of build material from entering to the second conduit 125.
  • the build material outlet 130 is selectively fluidically connectable to a third conduit 135 by means of a valve 160.
  • the build material outlet 130 is placed on the bottom face of the filter housing 100.
  • the build material outlet 130 is placed in a lateral face or top pace of the filter housing 100.
  • the valve 160 may be any one-way valve suitable to prevent build material back flow from the third conduit 135 to the chamber 140.
  • Some examples of valve 160 may comprise at least one of an electromechanical-valve, a pneumatic valve, a volumetric valve, a one-position valve, and a two-position valve, however any other suitable valve 160 may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • valve 160 In use build material in the chamber 140 tends to accumulate at the bottom face of the filter housing 100 due to gravity. Additionally, some build material trapped in the filter 150 membranes may fall and accumulate at the bottom of the filter housing 100 due to gravity effect.
  • the valve 160 When the valve 160 is in its open position, it allows build material (e.g., build material accumulated on the bottom face of the filter housing 100) to be vacuumed from the build material outlet 130 and through the third conduit 135, thereby freeing the filter housing 100, at least in part, from build material. Freeing the filter housing 100 and the filter 150 from build material, may extend the lifespan of the filter 150. Additionally, remotely controlling the valve 160 positioning (i.e. , open and closed positions), for example through a controller, may allow the filter 150 to be cleaned without user interaction.
  • the valve 160 is located in the third conduit 135, e.g., as an integral part of a third conduit 135 inlet structure (not shown) designed to couple with the build material outlet 130.
  • the valve is located in the build material outlet 130, thereby being an integral part of the filter housing 100.
  • the valve 160 is located in an intermediate structure to be placed in between the build material outlet 130 and the third conduit 135.
  • the valve 160 is to prevent build material back flow from the third conduit 135 to the chamber 140 (referred hereinafter as back flow).
  • the valve 160 is to prevent about the 99% of build material back flow.
  • the valve 160 is to prevent about the 95% of build material back flow.
  • the valve 160 is to prevent about the 90% of build material back flow.
  • the valve 160 is to prevent from about 80% to about 90% back flow.
  • the valve 160 is to prevent from about 65% to about 80% back flow.
  • the valve 160 is to prevent less than about 60% back flow.
  • conduit e.g., first conduit 115, second conduit 125, and third conduit 135; should be interpreted in its broadest definition.
  • the term comprises any mechanism suitable for transporting a gas fluid such as air, build material, and/or a mix of a gas fluid and build material.
  • a conduit may be a pipe, a hose, or a duct.
  • a vertical linear hatching has been used to indicate the first conduit 115, the second conduit 125, and the third conduit 135.
  • pump 170 may be any device for moving air.
  • pumps are designed to operate at a predetermined pressure.
  • the pump increases its angular velocity (i.e. , revolutions per minute). If the pump operates at a high angular velocity, it may overheat and reduce the lifespan of the pump 170. In some examples, it may even break the pump 170.
  • the filter 150 if the filter 150 is clogged with build material, it may reduce the rate at which air can flow therethrough and the airflow rate from the second conduit 125 may decrease.
  • measuring the pressure or the air flow at the second conduit 125 may indicate in which conditions the pump 170 is operating.
  • the sensing device 175 may be any device suitable for measuring the air flow rate at the entry of the pump 170, the pressure at the entry of the pump 170, or the electrical current of the pump 170.
  • the sensing device 175 is any suitable device, for example an anemometer or a deflector, to measure the airflow rate at the pump 170 and to provide data to a controller 180.
  • the sensing device 175 is a pressure sensor to measure the pressure at the pump 170 and to provide data to the controller 180.
  • the sensing device 175 is located at the pump 170 (e.g., built in to the pump). In another example, the sensing device 175 is located at the air inlet of the pump 170. In another example, the sensing device is located at the first end of the second conduit 135 (e.g., in the vicinity of the clean air outlet 120). In yet another example, the sensing device 175 is located at a point from the length of the second conduit 125.
  • the controller 180 may be any combination of hardware and programming to operate the valve 160 to allow build material collected in the filter housing 100 to be removed.
  • the controller 180 is to implement the functionalities resulting from the execution of the methods 200A- C of Figs. 2A-C respectively.
  • such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in a number of different ways.
  • the programming of modules may be processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for modules may include at least one processor to execute those instructions.
  • multiple modules may be collectively implemented by a combination of hardware and programming, as described above.
  • the functionalities of the controller 180 may be, at least partially, implemented in the form of electronic circuitry.
  • Figs. 2A-2C are flow diagrams illustrating example methods 200A-200C to open the valve 160.
  • Methods 200A-200C are described below as being executed or performed by a controller, such as the controller 180 of FIG. 1.
  • Methods 200A-200C may be implemented in the form of executable instructions stored on a machine-readable storage medium and executed by a single processor or a plurality of processors, and/or in the form of any electronic circuitry, for example digital and/or analog ASIC.
  • methods 200A-200C may include more or less elements than are shown in FIG. 2A-2C.
  • some of the elements of methods 200A-200C may, at certain times, be performed in parallel and/or may repeat.
  • the method obtains a pressure measurement from a pressure sensing device, such as pressure sensing device 175.
  • the controller 180 may instruct the pressure sensor 175 to measure the pressure at the pump 170.
  • the controller 180 may compare the measured pressure at the pump 180 with a predefined pressure threshold.
  • the predefined pressure threshold may be selected as the pressure that starts causing technical difficulties to the pump 170 to operate.
  • the pressure threshold may be selected as the pressure that provides a security margin with respect to the pressure that would start causing technical difficulties to the pump 170 to operate.
  • the controller 180 may open the valve 160 if the pressure of the pump is below the pressure threshold.
  • Method 200A enables build material to be automatically emptied from the filter, and thereby being able to be returned automatically to a 3D system. By performing method 200A, the filter is emptied to protect the pump.
  • the sensing device 175 is an airflow sensor 175.
  • the airflow sensor 175 is an anemometer.
  • the airflow sensor 175 is a deflector to measure an airflow rate.
  • the controller 180 may instruct the airflow sensor 175 to measure the rate of the airflow at the pump 170.
  • the controller 180 may compare the measured rate of the airflow at the pump 180 with a predefined airflow threshold.
  • the predefined airflow threshold may be selected as the airflow rate that starts causing technical difficulties to the pump 170 to operate.
  • the airflow threshold may be selected as the airflow rate that provides a security margin with respect to the airflow rate that would start causing technical difficulties to the pump 170 to operate.
  • the controller 180 may open the valve 160 if the rate of airflow at the pump 170 is below the airflow threshold.
  • Method 200B enables build material to be automatically emptied from the filter, and thereby being able to be returned automatically to a 3D system. By performing method 200B, the filter is emptied to protect the pump.
  • the controller 180 is to determine a completion of a predetermined event.
  • the predetermined event is the completion of a 3D printer print job.
  • the predetermined event is the start of a 3D printer print job.
  • Other events may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • the controller 180 may open the valve 160 based on the completion of the predetermined event.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a system 300 comprising the filter housing 100.
  • the system 300 may be a build material pre-processing station physically independent from a 3D printer.
  • the system 300 may be a build material processing station included in a 3D printer.
  • System 300 comprises the filter housing 100 defining the chamber 140, the filter 150, the first conduit 115, the second conduit 125, the third conduit 135, the pump 170, the sensing device 175, and the valve 160.
  • System 300 comprises a filtering module comprising the filtering housing 100, the chamber 140 and the filter 150.
  • the filtering module also comprises (not shown) the inlet 110, the clean air outlet 120, and the build material outlet 130.
  • the filtering module may also comprise the valve 160. In other examples, the valve 160 is not part of the filtering module.
  • the first conduit 115 is connectable to the filtering module to enable the introduction of a mix of build material and air to the chamber 140.
  • the mix of air and build material may exit the chamber 140 through the second conduit 125 through the filter 150.
  • the filter 150 is to prevent build material from the mix of air and build material from entering the second conduit 125.
  • the filter 150 enables air to flow through the second conduit 125.
  • the second conduit 125 is connectable to the filtering module to transfer air from the filtering module to the pump 170.
  • the third conduit 135 is selectively fluidically connectable to the chamber by means of the valve 160.
  • the valve 160 is part of the third conduit 135. In other examples, the valve 160 is not part of the third conduit 135. When the valve 160 is in its open position, enables build material from the chamber 140 to exit the chamber 140 through the third conduit 135.
  • the filter 150 is to trap build material and thereby prevent build material from flowing to the second conduit 125.
  • the filter may clog to such an extent as to reduce the air flow below a predetermined limit.
  • the filter may clog to such an extent as to reduce the air flow below a predetermined limit.
  • a reduced airflow rate at the pump 170 may lead to an increase of the angular velocity of the pump 170 which may overheat and reduce the lifespan of the pump 170.
  • the reduction of the airflow rate may be detected through the sensing device 175 (see, e.g., Figs. 2A-2B).
  • the controller 180 may receive the data from the sensing device 175 and operate the valve 160 to allow build material collected in the filter module to be removed through the third conduit 135. This may unclog the filter 150 and thereby increase the cross-section in which air can flow through the second conduit 125. This may relieve the pump 170 which may operate at a lower angular velocity.
  • a first end of the third conduit 135 is connected to the filtering module and the second end of the third conduit 135 is fluidically connected to the first conduit 115 at a recirculation junction 365.
  • the flow of build material from the third conduit 135 may flow through the first conduit 115.
  • the system 300 may further comprise a recirculation valve 365 at the recirculation junction 360.
  • the recirculation valve 365 may be a similar one-way valve as the valve 160 to prevent build material back flow from the first conduit 115 to the third conduit 135.
  • the recirculation valve 165 in its open position may allow the build material from the third conduit 135 to flow through the first conduit 115.
  • the recirculation valve 165 in its closed position may prevent the build material from the third conduit 135 to flow through the first conduit 115.
  • the recirculation valve 365 may be connectable to the controller 180.
  • the controller 180 may operate the recirculation valve 365 based on the state of the pump 170.
  • the controller 180 may operate the recirculation valve 365 in a similar way as the controller 180 operates the valve 160.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a system 400 comprising a filter housing 100.
  • the system 400 may be a the same as system 300 with additional elements.
  • System 300 therefore comprises the filter housing 100 defining the chamber 140, the filter 150, the first conduit 115, the second conduit 125, the third conduit 135, the pump 170, the sensing device 175, and the valve 160.
  • system 400 may also comprise the controller 180.
  • System 300 comprises a filtering module comprising the filtering housing 100, the chamber 140 and the filter 150.
  • the filtering module also comprises (not shown) the inlet 110, the clean air outlet 120, and the build material outlet 130.
  • the filtering module may also comprise the valve 160. In other examples, the valve 160 is not part of the filtering module.
  • the first conduit 115 may work in a similar way as the first conduit 115 from Figs. 1 and 3.
  • a first end of the first conduit 115 is connectable to a build chamber 410 and the second end of the first conduit 115 is connectable to the filter module.
  • the build chamber 410 comprises generated 3D objects 417 and build material 415.
  • the build material 415 from the build chamber 410 is vacuumed and a mix of air and the build material 415 is to travel through the first conduit 115 to the filter module.
  • the source of the mix of air and build material may not be a build chamber.
  • the first conduit 115 is to contain a one-way valve (not shown) in the vicinity of the build chamber 410 to prevent build material back flow from the first conduit 115 to the build chamber 410.
  • the system 400 may further comprise a build material store 420 located between the filtering module and the valve 160.
  • the third conduit 135 may connect the filtering module, the build material store 420 and the valve 160.
  • the build material store 420 may be fluidically connected to the filtering module by means other than the third conduit 135.
  • the build material store 420 may be attached to the filter module by means of a sieve.
  • the build material store 420 is to receive build material from the chamber 140.
  • the filter 150 is not in direct physical contact with the build material store 420.
  • the build material store allows for a larger amount build material to be filtered before the valve 160 is to be opened.
  • the build material may be transferred from the chamber 140 to the build material store 420 by the third conduit 135, the sieve, or the fluidically connecting mechanism between the chamber 140 and the build material store 420.
  • the system 400 may further comprise a removable build material container 490 fluidically connected to the first conduit 115 between the recirculation junction 360 and the filtering module.
  • the removable build material container 490 is to contain build material 495.
  • the removable build material container 490 is to contain build material 415 vacuumed from the build chamber 410.
  • the build material container 490 is to contain build material from the chamber 140 that has been recirculated through the third conduit 135 and through the recirculation junction.
  • the build material container 490 is to contain build material 415 vacuumed from the build chamber 410 and build material recirculated from the chamber 140.
  • the system 400 may include a one-way valve (not shown) similar to the valve 160 to prevent build material 495 back flow to the first conduit 115.
  • the combination of at least one of the build material store 420, the recirculation junction 360, and the removable build material container 490 may increase the lifespan of the filter 150 since less build material is to stick to the filter 150 membranes.
  • the build material 495 from the removable build material container 490 may be used as recycled build material to generate additional objects in following 3D printer print jobs.
  • the removable build material container 490 is to be fluidically connected to a build chamber (e.g., empty build chamber) and the build material 495 in the removable build material container 490 is to fill the build chamber.
  • the above examples may be implemented by hardware, or software in combination with hardware.
  • the various methods, processes and functional modules described herein may be implemented by a physical processor (the term processor is to be implemented broadly to include CPU, SoC, processing module, ASIC, logic module, or programmable gate array, etc.).
  • the processes, methods and functional modules may all be performed by a single processor or split between several processors; reference in this disclosure or the claims to a“processor” should thus be interpreted to mean“at least one processor.”
  • the processes, method and functional modules are implemented as machine-readable instructions executable by at least one processor, hardware logic circuitry of the at least one processors, or a combination thereof.
  • the term“about” and“substantially” are used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be, for example, an additional 20% more or an additional 20% less than the endpoints of the range.
  • the degree of flexibility of this term can be dictated by the particular variable and would be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to determine based on experience and the associated description herein.
  • Feature set 1 An apparatus comprising:
  • a filter housing defining a chamber
  • an inlet on the housing connectable to a first conduit to enable a mix of build material and air to be introduced into the chamber
  • an air outlet on the housing connectable to a second conduit to transfer air from the air outlet to a pump
  • a build material outlet on the housing selectively fluidically connectable to a third conduit by means of a valve
  • the filter housing to receive a filter to prevent build material entering the second conduit; and a controller to operate the valve to allow build material collected in the filter housing to be removed.
  • Feature set 2 An apparatus with feature set 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor to provide pressure data to the controller to indicate a pressure at the pump, wherein the controller is to open the valve upon determining that the indicated pressure at the pump is below a pressure threshold.
  • Feature set 3 An apparatus of any of feature sets 1 to 2, further comprising an airflow sensor to provide flow data to the controller to indicate a rate of airflow at the pump, wherein the controller is to open the valve upon determining that the rate of airflow at the pump is below an airflow threshold.
  • Feature set 4 An apparatus with any of feature sets 1 to 3, wherein the controller is to open the valve based on the completion of a predetermined event.
  • Feature set 5 An apparatus with any of feature sets 1 to 4, wherein the valve is a one-way valve to prevent build material back flow from the third conduit to the chamber, wherein the valve is located in the third conduit or in the build material outlet.
  • Feature set 6 An apparatus with any of feature sets 1 to 5, further comprising a filter installed between the chamber and the air outlet.
  • a build material processing station comprising:
  • a first conduit connectable to a filtering module to enable the introduction of a mix of build material and air to a chamber of the filtering module
  • a second conduit connectable to the filtering module to transfer air from the filtering module to a pump
  • a third conduit selectively fluidically connectable to the chamber by means of a valve
  • the filtering module comprising a filter housing defining the chamber and a filter, the filter to prevent build material entering to the second conduit;
  • Feature set 8 A build material processing station with feature set 7, wherein the valve is a one-way valve to prevent build material back flow from the third conduit to the chamber.
  • Feature set 9 A build material processing station with any of feature sets 7 to 8, wherein the third conduit is fluidically connected to the first conduit at a recirculation junction.
  • Feature set 10 A build material processing station with any of feature sets 7 to 9, further comprising a recirculation valve at the recirculation junction, the controller to operate the recirculation valve based on a determined characteristic at the pump.
  • Feature set 11 A build material processing station with any of feature sets 7 to 10, further comprising a removable build material container fluidically connected to the first conduit between the recirculation junction and the filtering module.
  • Feature set 12 A build material processing station with any of feature sets 7 to 11 , wherein the removable build material container is to contain build material.
  • Feature set 13 A build material processing station with any of feature sets 7 to 12, further comprising a build material store between the third conduit and the filtering module.
  • Feature set 14 A build material processing station with any of feature sets 7 to 13, being included in a three-dimensional printer.
  • Feature set 15 A system comprising:
  • a first conduit connectable to a filtering module to enable the introduction of a mix of build material and air to a chamber of the filtering module
  • a second conduit connectable between the filtering module and a pump to transfer air from the filtering module to the pump
  • the filtering module comprising a filter housing defining the chamber and a filter, the filter to prevent build material entering to the second conduit.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un exemple d'un appareil. L'appareil comprend un boîtier de filtre définissant une chambre. L'appareil comprend également une entrée sur le boîtier pouvant être reliée à un premier conduit pour permettre à un mélange de matériau de construction et d'air d'être introduit dans la chambre. L'appareil comprend en outre une sortie d'air sur le boîtier pouvant être reliée à un deuxième conduit pour transférer l'air de la sortie d'air à une pompe. L'appareil comprend également une sortie de matériau de construction sur le boîtier pouvant être mise en communication fluidique de manière sélective à un troisième conduit au moyen d'une vanne. Le boîtier de filtre est destiné à recevoir un filtre pour empêcher un matériau de construction d'entrer dans le deuxième conduit.
PCT/US2019/028805 2019-04-23 2019-04-23 Boîtier de filtre WO2020219031A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2019/028805 WO2020219031A1 (fr) 2019-04-23 2019-04-23 Boîtier de filtre

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2019/028805 WO2020219031A1 (fr) 2019-04-23 2019-04-23 Boîtier de filtre

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020219031A1 true WO2020219031A1 (fr) 2020-10-29

Family

ID=72941660

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2019/028805 WO2020219031A1 (fr) 2019-04-23 2019-04-23 Boîtier de filtre

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2020219031A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018097708A1 (fr) * 2016-11-24 2018-05-31 Additive Industries B.V. Système de production d'un objet par fabrication additive
US20180290345A1 (en) * 2015-05-14 2018-10-11 Wittmann Canada Inc. Method And System Of Vacuum Loading
US10160159B2 (en) * 2016-05-12 2018-12-25 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Build material container
RU2685326C1 (ru) * 2018-08-20 2019-04-17 Российская Федерация, от имени которой выступает ФОНД ПЕРСПЕКТИВНЫХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ Способ послойного изготовления изделий из нескольких порошков и устройство для его осуществления

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180290345A1 (en) * 2015-05-14 2018-10-11 Wittmann Canada Inc. Method And System Of Vacuum Loading
US10160159B2 (en) * 2016-05-12 2018-12-25 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Build material container
WO2018097708A1 (fr) * 2016-11-24 2018-05-31 Additive Industries B.V. Système de production d'un objet par fabrication additive
RU2685326C1 (ru) * 2018-08-20 2019-04-17 Российская Федерация, от имени которой выступает ФОНД ПЕРСПЕКТИВНЫХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ Способ послойного изготовления изделий из нескольких порошков и устройство для его осуществления

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