Rotary Powder Dispenser Wiper for Uniform Layer Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Achieving uniform powder layer thickness is challenging, particularly for annular pieces, especially when the powder dispenser returns to its starting point, leading to difficulties in maintaining uniformity in the connection zone.

Innovation Solution

A device with concentric inner and outer annular walls and a rotary powder dispenser equipped with a wiper that forms an angle with the radial direction to remove excess powder, ensuring uniform deposition by scraping and spreading powder laterally, and a powder dispenser orifice that adjusts powder distribution based on radius, combined with a recycling system for continuous powder supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a rotary powder dispenser is used to deposit powder in an annular zone, then productivity is improved through continuous deposition, but manufacturing precision deteriorates at the connection zone where the dispenser returns to its starting point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous deposition capabilityVSAvoidpowder layer thickness uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect of surplus powder accumulation at the connection zone is extracted and removed by the wiper blade, which scrapes away excess powder laterally as the dispenser rotates, preventing degradation of powder layer uniformity at the critical connection zone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wiper blade acts as an intermediary element between the powder dispenser and the substrate, mediating the powder deposition process by controlling lateral powder distribution and removing surplus powder to maintain uniform thickness throughout the annular zone including the connection zone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures uniform powder layer thickness across the entire annular zone, preventing degradation and improving the quality of fabricated pieces by effectively removing surplus powder and maintaining consistent thickness throughout the deposition process.

Implementation Method 1

a wiper (18) extending between the inner annular wall (12) and the outer annular wall (14)... so as to scrape and remove excess powder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

fabricating annular pieces by selectively melting powder... a laser head (17) arranged inside the annular zone (A) and movable in rotation about the axis (X)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 3

Before sintering the powder in selective manner... a layer of powder to be deposited with thickness that is uniform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentUS10807194B2Device for fabricating annular pieces by selectively melting powder, the device including a powder wiper

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

A device fabricates annular pieces by selectively melting powder. The device includes an inner annular wall and an outer annular wall that are concentric and that define an annular powder deposition zone, and a powder dispenser movable in rotation about an axis of the inner and outer annular walls. The powder dispenser includes a wiper extending between the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall and forming an angle with the radial direction of the inner and outer annular walls.