Powdered Material Dispenser With Vibration Control Against Agglomeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensers for dispensing powdered materials, particularly metal powders used in vacuum environments like electron-beam melting (EBM), face issues with flowability and consistency due to agglomeration, leading to disrupted flow and inaccurate powder supply.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a dispenser and vibration system that includes a curved passage and adjustable frequency/amplitude vibrations, coupled with a level sensor and controller, ensures continuous and controlled flow of powdered materials by preventing agglomeration and optimizing flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If metal powder particles are dispensed from a storing container under gravity through small holes, then the powder flow should be continuous, but the powder particles agglomerate into larger particles which disrupts flowability and stable supply rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration to the dispenser at frequencies between 50-200 Hz to prevent powder agglomeration and maintain continuous flow through the dispensing opening. The vibration energy counteracts the cohesive forces between particles, ensuring reliable and stable powder delivery without disrupting flowability.
2Productivity
If the powder flow rate is increased to improve productivity, then more powder is dispensed, but the accuracy and precision of powder supply decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the vibration parameters (frequency and amplitude) to optimize powder flow characteristics. By adjusting the vibration frequency between 50-200 Hz and controlling the amplitude, the system maintains precise control over powder dispensing rate while ensuring continuous flow, thereby achieving both high productivity and manufacturing precision.
3Ease of operation
If gas fluidization is used to improve powder flowability, then continuous powder handling is achieved, but it cannot be applied in vacuum environments such as electron-beam melting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gas fluidization mechanism with a mechanical vibration-based system. Instead of using gas flow to fluidize and transport powder, the invention uses controlled mechanical vibrations of the dispenser to maintain powder flowability and enable continuous handling. This substitution allows the system to operate effectively in vacuum environments where gas fluidization is not feasible.
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 apparatus achieves consistent and accurate dispensing of powdered materials by maintaining flowability and stability, suitable for applications like additive manufacturing under vacuum conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The vibration system (16) is adjacent to the dispenser (12) and comprises a vibrator (17) and a driver (18) to drive the vibrator (17). The controller (100) is configured to control the driver (18) to adjust the frequency and amplitude of the vibration of the dispenser (12).
Implementation Method 2
Fluidization is a widely used process in various industries to achieve continuous powder flowability in controllable manner. Most common way for powder fluidization is gas fluidization, where solid powder particles are transformed into a fluid-like state through suspension in a gas.
Implementation Method 3
The metal powder particles are usually dispensed from a storing container under the action of gravity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and a method for dispensing powdered material and, more particularly, to sufficiently fluidizing the powdered material to maintain consistent flow properties from the powder; and an additive manufacturing system comprising a directed energy source, a working chamber, a work platform, a powder bed and said apparatus for dispensing powdered material. The apparatus comprises a dispenser with an inlet and a dispensing opening, and a vibrating system that is in communication to the dispenser and which provides a continuing periodic oscillation of the dispenser. The apparatus further comprises a controller in communication with a driver of the vibrating system to control a frequency, amplitude and duration of the vibrations such that the powdered material continuously flows out through the dispensing opening during vibration of the dispenser.