Claims:We Claim:
1. A powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing, comprising:
A front channel (102)including an inlet (102a) and an outlet (102b);
a rear channel(103) including an inlet (103a) and an outlet (103b);
characterized in that
the front channel (102) receiving powder from the inlet (102a) at a start of a forward stroke and dispensing the powder through the outlet (102b) at the start of the forward stroke;
the rear channel (103) receiving the powder from the inlet (103a) at the start of the forward stroke and dispensing the powder through the outlet (103b) at a start of a reverse stroke;
a valve (112) operatively connected to the rear channel for opening the outlet (103b)at the start of the reverse stroke;
a spreading unit (106) provided between the front channel (102) and the rear channel(103) for spreading the powder dispensed from the front channel (101) in the forward stroke and the rear channel(103) in the reverse stroke;
a plurality of blades (108, 108a) mounted on a periphery of the spreading unit (106)at predetermined locations; and
a rotation unit (109) operatively connected to the spreading unit (106) for rotating the spreading unit (106) and positioning the blade (108a) to spread the powder.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve (112) includes
a lower component (114) provided inside the rear channel (103) moving vertically relative to the rear channel (103) for opening and closing the outlet (103b);
an upper component (113),wound around with a spring (116), provided externally to the rear channel (103);
an extended portion (208a) of a follower (208) connected to the lower component (114) and the upper component (113); and
the follower (208) tracing a profile (301) of a cam (206) thereby compressing the spring (116) to lift the lower component (114)and open the outlet (103b).
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cam (206) is provided externally at a left side and a right side of the apparatus at an end of the forward stroke; and
the extended portion (208a) compresses the spring (116) against a bracket (115) at the start of the reverse stroke thereby lifting the lower component (114) to open the outlet (103b).
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pre-determined quantity of powder is dispersed in the front channel (102) and the rear channel (103) for obtaining a desired thickness of layer by the spreading unit (106) in the forward stroke and the reverse stroke.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation unit (109) includes a rotation knob (202) connected to an end of the spreading unit (106) for rotating and a position knob (204) connected to another end of the spreading unit (106) for arresting rotation corresponding to a position of the blade (108a).
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the position knob (204) includes a plurality of conical holes (302) provided on a periphery; and
a plunger (210) operatively connected to one of the conical holes (302) corresponding to the position of the blade (108) for arresting rotation of the spreading unit (106).
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein four blades are provided on the periphery of the spreading unit (106) spaced equidistantly at an angle of 90 degrees.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a profile of the blade includes a plurality of grooves (502) and a plurality of edges (503) extending along a length of the spreading unit (106) for spreading the powder uniformly.
9. A method for spreading powder in additive manufacturing, comprising the steps of:
dispensing 601 powder at a start of a forward stroke of an apparatus, through a front channel;
spreading 602the dispensed powder in the forward stroke, by a blade mounted on a spreading unit;
dispensing 603 powder at a start of a reverse stroke of the apparatus, through a rear channel;
spreading 604 the dispensed powder in the reverse stroke, by the blade mounted on the spreading unit;
disengaging and rotating 606the spreading unit to position another blade, by a plunger and a rotation knob; and
positioning 607the spreading unit for fixing a position of the other blade to spread the powder, by a position knob.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spreading unit includes a plurality of blades mounted on a periphery; and
the spreading unit is rotated on identifying 605 a damaged blade to position another blade for spreading the powder.
, Description:A POWDER SPREADING APPARATUS FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURINGAND A METHOD THEREOF
FIELD
[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to an apparatus and a method for additive manufacturing system. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing system.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[0002] Additive manufacturing is a process of depositing or joining materials, generally layer upon layer, to construct three dimensional objects from a digital 3D model data. Powder bed fusion is a technique of additive manufacturing process wherein powder is used as a raw material and an energy source, generally laser or electron beam, is used for melting the powder to form the required object. A piston is provided for depositing the powder on a build plate. The energy source (Laser or electron beam) is used to scan every layer of already spread powder to selectively melt the material based on the cross-section obtained from the digital 3D model.
[0003] The build time required to obtain the final object in powder bed fusion based processes is greater than the build time in directed energy deposition technologies. Yet, powder bed fusion process provides capability of manufacturing higher complexity objects having better surface finish which require minimum post-processing. However, the conventional apparatus for powder bed fusion could have various irregularities and deficiencies during manufacturing of the object due to multiple reasons. In the event of warpages, the powder spreading apparatus generally impart scratches or lines on the build plate and consume large amount of time to fix it thereby increasing the time for production of an object.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an improved and efficient apparatus for additive manufacturing system. Moreover, there is a need for an apparatus of a powder bed fusion additive manufacturing system providing improved production time.
OBJECTS
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:
[0006] The main objective of the present disclosure is to provide a powder spreading apparatus for an additive manufacturing system.
[0007] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an efficient and improved powder spreading apparatus for an additive manufacturing system.
[0008] Still another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing with improved time of production.
[0009] Yet another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a powder spreading apparatus for an additive manufacturing system having a multi blade unit.
[00010] The other objectives and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

SUMMARY
[00011] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a powder spreading apparatus and a method for additive manufacturing.
[00012] In accordance with an embodiment, the apparatus comprises of a front channel including an inlet and an outlet, a rear channel including an inlet and an outlet, the front channel receiving powder from the inlet at a start of a forward stroke and dispensing the powder through the outlet at the start of the forward stroke, the rear channel receiving the powder from the inlet at the start of the forward stroke and dispensing the powder through the outlet at a start of a reverse stroke, a valve operatively connected to the rear channel for opening the outlet at the start of the reverse stroke, a spreading unit provided between the front channel and the rear channel for spreading the powder dispensed from the front channel in the forward stroke and the rear channel in the reverse stroke, a plurality of blades mounted on a periphery of the spreading unit at predetermined locations and a rotation unit operatively connected to the spreading unit for rotating the spreading unit and positioning the blade to spread the powder.
[00013] In accordance with an embodiment, the valve includes a lower component provided inside the rear channel moving vertically relative to the rear channel for opening and closing the outlet, an upper component, wound around with a spring, provided externally and always pushing the lower component to close the outlet of the rear channel. An extended portion of a follower is connected to the lower component and the upper component and the follower tracing a profile of a cam thereby compressing the spring to lift the lower component and open the outlet. In an embodiment, the cam is provided externally at a left side and a right side of the apparatus at an end of the forward stroke and the extended portion compresses the spring against a bracket at the start of the reverse stroke thereby lifting the lower component to open the outlet.
[00014] In accordance with an embodiment, a pre-determined quantity of powder is dispersed in the front channel and the rear channel for obtaining a desired thickness of layer by the spreading unit in the forward stroke and the reverse stroke.
[00015] In accordance with an embodiment, the rotation unit includes a rotation knob connected to an end of the spreading unit for rotating and a position knob connected to another end of the spreading unit for arresting rotation corresponding to a position of the blade.
[00016] In accordance with an embodiment, the position knob includes a plurality of conical holes provided on a periphery and a plunger operatively connected to one of the conical holes corresponding to the position of the blade for arresting rotation of the spreading unit.
[00017] In an embodiment, four blades are provided on the periphery of the spreading unit spaced equidistantly at an angle of 90 degrees.
[00018] In accordance with an embodiment, a profile of the blade includes a plurality of grooves and a plurality of edges extending along a length of the spreading unit for spreading the powder uniformly.
[00019] In accordance with an embodiment, a method for spreading powder in additive manufacturing, comprises the steps of dispensing powder at a start of a forward stroke of an apparatus, through a front channel, spreading the dispensed powder in the forward stroke, by a blade mounted on a spreading unit; dispensing powder at a start of a reverse stroke of the apparatus, through a rear channel; spreading the dispensed powder in the reverse stroke, by the blade mounted on the spreading unit; disengaging and rotating the spreading unit to position another blade, by a plunger and a rotation knob and positioning the spreading unit for fixing a position of the other blade to spread the powder, by a position knob.
[00020] In an embodiment, the spreading unit includes a plurality of blades mounted on a periphery and the spreading unit is rotated on identifying a damaged blade to position another blade for spreading the powder.
[00021] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00022] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[00023] Fig.1 illustrates across sectional view of a powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing, according to an embodiment herein;
[00024] Fig.2 illustrates a front view of the powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing, according to an embodiment herein;
[00025] Fig.3 illustrates a left isometric view of the powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing, according to an embodiment herein;
[00026] Fig.4 illustrates a right isometric view of the powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing, according to an embodiment herein;
[00027] Fig.5a illustrates an isometric view of a blade in the powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing, according to an embodiment herein;
[00028] Fig.5b illustrates a side view of the blade in the powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing, according to an embodiment herein; and
[00029] Fig. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method for spreading powder in additive manufacturing, according to an embodiment herein.

LIST OF NUMERALS
101a - Surface at a front side
101b - Surface at a rear side
102 - Front channel
102a - Inlet
102b - Outlet
103 - Rear channel
103a - Inlet
103b - Outlet
106 - Spreading unit
108, 108a - Plurality of blades
109 - Rotation unit
112 - Valve
113 - Upper component
114 - Lower component
115 - Bracket
116 - Spring
118 - Pads
201a - Left end of spreading unit
201b - Right end of spreading unit
202 - Rotation knob
204 - Position knob
206 - Cam
208 - Follower
208a - Extended portion
210 - Plunger
301 - Profile of cam
302 - Conical holes
502 - Grooves
600 - Flowchart of a method for spreading powder

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00030] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[00031] As mentioned above, there is a need for an improved and efficient apparatus for additive manufacturing system. In particular, there is a need for an apparatus of a powder bed fusion additive manufacturing system providing improved production time.The embodiments herein achieve this by providing “A powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing”. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig.1 through Fig.6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[00032] Fig.1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing. In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 having a surface 101a at a front side and a surface 101b at a rear side is provided for dispensing powder on to a build plate (not shown in figure). In an embodiment, an external dosing unit disperses a pre-determined quantity of powder through a powder flow chute into the apparatus. The pre-determined quantity of powder is calculated based on a thickness of a layer and size of build generated in a computer program.
[00033] The pre-determined quantity is calculated based on layer thickness, wherein the dosing unit disperses a volume of powder into the apparatus that is required to spread the specified thickness of the powder over the build plate. In an embodiment, metal powder of particle size including but not limited to a range of 10 microns to 65 microns is loaded into the apparatus. Pre-determined quantity of powder is loaded into a powder reservoir to be transferred into the apparatus by the dosing unit.
[00034] The apparatus includes a front channel 102 towards the front side and a rear channel 103 towards the rear side. The front channel 102 includes an inlet 102a at an upper end for allowing a pre-determined quantity of powder from the dosing unit and an outlet 102b at a lower end for dispensing the powder onto a build plate. The rear channel 103 includes an inlet 103a at an upper end for allowing a predetermined quantity of powder from the dosing unit and an outlet 103b at a lower end for dispensing the powder onto the build plate. In an embodiment, the apparatus is in a parking position while receiving the powder in the inlet 102a and the inlet 103a. The parking position is at a start of a forward stroke of the apparatus.
[00035] In an embodiment, the apparatus is moved accordingly for receiving the powder from the dosing unit first in the front channel 102 and next in the rear channel 103. The front channel 102 dispenses the pre-determined quantity of powder from the outlet 102b at an instant of receiving the powder from the dosing unit at the start of the forward stroke of the apparatus. The forward stroke is a forward movement of the apparatus towards the front side101a on the build plate. The rear channel 103 receives the powder at the start of the forward stroke, stores the powder during the forward stroke and dispenses the powder from the outlet 103b at a start of a reverse stroke of the apparatus. The reverse stroke is a reverse movement of the apparatus towards the rear side 101b on the build plate.
[00036] In an embodiment, a valve 112 is operatively connected to the rear channel 103 for opening and closing the outlet 103b to selectively dispense the powder. The valve 112 is in a closed position, to close the outlet 103b during the forward stroke and the reverse stroke to not allow dispensing of powder and opens the outlet 103b at the start of the reverse stroke to allow dispensing of the powder.
[00037] In an embodiment, the valve 112 includes an upper component 113 and a lower component 114. A spring 116 is wound around the upper component 113 with a preload (pre-compression). The upper component 113 with the spring 116 is provided external to the rear channel 103 and the lower component 114 is provided inside the rear channel. At a default position, the lower component 114 always closes the outlet 103b. A bottom end of the helical spring 116 and the upper component 113 is connected externally to a follower and cam mechanism and a top end of the helical spring is restricted by a bracket 115. A top end of the upper component 113 extends outside the bracket 115. In an embodiment, the spring 116 is a helical spring.
[00038] In an embodiment, the helical spring 116 is shown in a compressed state wherein the lower component 114 is lifted in an upward position, thereby opening the outlet 103b for dispensing the powder. When the helical spring 116 returns to a default position, the lower component 114 is pushed to a downward position by the force of the spring, thereby closing the outlet 103b and stopping the dispensing of powder. In an embodiment, a plurality of pads 118 are attached to inside walls of the rear channel 103b for facilitating tight closing between the inside walls of the rear channel and the lower component 114 to prevent leakage of the powder from the outlet 103b. The pads 118cushion and dampen force of the spring 116 exerted though the lower component 114 of the valve 112 on the inside walls of the rear channel 103.
[00039] In an embodiment, the lower component 114 is extended along the length of the rear channel l03. The upper component 113 with the helical spring 116 is operatively connected to the lower component 114 at a left end and a right end external to the rear channel.
[00040] In an embodiment, a spreading unit 106 is provided between the front channel 102 and the rear channel 103. The spreading unit 106 is provided for spreading the powder dispensed by the front channel 102 in the forward stroke and spreading the powder dispensed by the rear channel 103 in the reverse stroke. The spreading unit 106 uniformly spreads the pre-determined quantity of powder dispensed by the front channel 102 and the rear channel 103 in the forward stroke and the reverse stroke for obtaining the desired thickness of layer. In a preferred embodiment, the spreading unit 106 is a cylindrical shaft having a circular cross-section extending along a length of the rear channel 103.
[00041] In an embodiment, a plurality of blades 108, 108a is mounted on a periphery of the spreading unit 106 at predetermined locations. On selecting a particular blade for spreading the powder, only one blade is position to extend below the apparatus. The blade 108a extends below the apparatus to contact the powder on a surface of the build plate and spread the powder uniformly.
[00042] In a preferred embodiment, four blades are mounted on the spreading unit. One of the blades 108a is positioned to spread the powder on the build plate. In a preferred embodiment, the blades 108, 108a are mounted equidistant with a space of 90 degree between each blade on the periphery of the spreading unit 106.
[00043] In an embodiment, a rotation unit 109 is operatively connected to a center of the spreading unit 106. The rotation unit 109 is provided for rotating the spreading unit 106 to position a specific blade 108a for spreading the powder.
[00044] In an embodiment, the plurality of blades 108, 108a is provided for selecting a specific blade for spreading the powder. On identifying a damage of the blade, the spreading unit 106 is easily and quickly rotated using the rotation unit 109 for changing the position of the damaged blade and positioning another blade 108 to spread the powder. Thereby, the spreading unit 106 including the plurality of blades with the rotation unit 109 provides a faster mechanism of changing damaged blades without opening the machine door while retaining inert condition inside the apparatus and preventing further disturbances on the powder layer.
[00045] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing.
[00046] In an embodiment, the front view shows the surface 101a at the front side. The spreading unit 106 extends from a left end 201a to a right end 201b along a length of the apparatus. The plurality of blades 108, 108a extend along the length of the spreading unit106 for spreading the powder evenly. In an embodiment, length of the blades 108, 108a is greater than a length of the outlet 102b and a length of the outlet 103b for uniformly spreading the powder across an area of the build plate.
[00047] In an embodiment, the rotation unit 109 includes a rotation knob 202 at a right end of the apparatus for rotating the spreading unit 106 and a position knob 204 at a left end of the apparatus for fixing a position of the spreading unit 106. In an embodiment, at a right side the rotation unit 109 of spreading unit is connected to the rotation knob 202 and at a left side the rotation unit 109 of spreading unit is connected to the position knob 204. A plunger 210 is operatively connected to the position knob 204.
[00048] In an embodiment, the bottom end of the upper component 113 and the helical spring 116 are connected to an extended portion of the follower 208. The extended portion of the follower 208 extends inside the rear channel and is connected to the lower component 114. The follower 208 moves on a profile of a cam 206 against a force of the spring 116, thereby compressing the spring 116 and lifting the lower component 114, and simultaneously releasing the spring116 and lowering the lower component 114 through the extended portion.
[00049] In an embodiment, the cam 206 is fixed externally on the build plate frame at an end of the forward stroke on the left end and the right end of the apparatus.
[00050] Fig. 3 illustrates a left isometric view of the powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing.
[00051] In an embodiment, the cam 206 is fixed on a surface on the build plate at the end of the forward stroke. The follower 208 with the extended portion 208a are connected to the bottom end of the upper component 113 and the helical spring 116, and move relative to the cam 206 during the end of the forward stroke and at the start of the reverse stroke of the apparatus. In an embodiment, the cam 206 is a wedge cam.
[00052] The cam 106 includes a profile 301 and the follower 208 traces a path of the profile 301 of the cam 206. The profile 301 of the cam 206 is defined based on travel required for the valve 112 to open the outlet 103b of the rear channel for dispensing the powder.
[00053] The movement of the follower 208 along the profile 301 compresses or releases the helical spring 116 connected to the extended portion 208a. The movement of the follower 208 against a force of the spring 116 at highest point of the profile 301 compresses the helical spring 116 between the bracket 115 and the extended portion 208a, while the upper component 113 extends outside the bracket 115. The lower component 114 connected to the extended portion 208 inside the rear channel is simultaneously lifted upwards to allow dispensing of the powder from the outlet 103b at the start of the reverse stroke. The movement of the follower 208 away from the highest point of the profile 301 releases the spring 116 to its natural state. The force of the spring 116 pushes the extended portion 208a downward, thereby simultaneously pushing the lower component 114 to close the outlet 103b and stopping the dispensing of the powder after the start of the reverse stroke.
[00054] In an embodiment, the position knob 204 is connected to the spreading unit 106 at the left end for positioning the spreading unit. The position knob 204 includes a plurality of conical holes 302 provided around the periphery. The conical holes are provided on position knob for allowing self-alignment of the position knob with the plunger while the spreading unit is being rotated to change the blade. The conical holes 302 on the periphery of the position knob 204 are provided corresponding to the locations of the blades 108, 108a on the periphery of the spreading unit 106. The plunger 210 is operatively connected to the position knob 204, wherein a pin of the plunger 210 is engaged inside one of the conical holes302 on the position knob 204. In an embodiment, the plunger 210 is a mechanically operated spring-loaded indexing plunger. The engagement of the pin of the plunger 210 with one of the conical holes 302 arrests the rotation of the spreading unit 106, thereby fixing position of the blade.
[00055] In an embodiment, the plunger 210 is manually lifted and simultaneously the spreading unit 106 is rotated using the rotation knob 202 for positioning a specific blade 108 to spread the powder. On positioning the blade 108a, the plunger is released and the spring force of the plunger engages the pin on one of the conical holes 302 for arresting the movement of the spreading unit and spreading the powder using the specific blade.
[00056] Fig. 4 illustrates a right isometric view of the powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing. The rotation knob 202 is operatively connected to the spreading unit 106 at the right end for rotating the spreading unit 106. The rotation knob 202 can be rotated manually after lifting the plunger 210 from the position knob 204. The rotation knob 202 rotates the spreading unit 106 and the position knob 204 connected to the spreading unit at the left end.
[00057] Fig.5a illustrates a front isometric view of a blade in the powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing. The blades 108, 108a are provided for uniformly spreading the powder dispensed on the build plate. The blade spreads the powder on the build plate. The desired thickness of the layer is achieved by dispersing the predetermined amount of powder into the front channel 102 and the rear channel 103.
[00058] A material of the blade is selected for uniformly spreading the powder and to absorb irregularities and/or waviness in the layer of powder due to melting. The material of the blade withstands wear and tear during the spreading process as per application and powder selected. In an embodiment, the plurality of blades (108, 108a) in the spreading unit 106 is made of different materials based on an application and powder used for the printing process.
[00059] On detecting minor damages on the blade 108a, the blade 108a is stopped for usage to prevent aberrations of the blade from creating scratches and scoring lines on the powder layer spread on the build plate. The plunger 210 is lifted from the position knob and the rotation knob 202 is rotated to change the position of the damaged blade on the spreading unit and reposition a fresh blade on the spreading unit 106 for spreading the powder on the build plate.
[00060] Fig. 5b illustrates a side view of the blade in the powder spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing.
[00061] The blade 500b is a view A of the blade 500a. A spreading portion of the blade includes a plurality of grooves 502 and a plurality of edges 503 provided along a length of the blade. In an embodiment, the blade includes grooves 102. The edges 503 extend along the length of the blade for uniformly spreading the powder on the build plate.
[00062] Fig. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method for spreading powder in additive manufacturing. The method includes the following steps. Dispersing a pre-determined quantity of powder into a front channel 102 of an apparatus and then, dispersing a pre-determined quantity of powder into a rear channel 103 of the apparatus, when the apparatus is in the parking position. The front channel dispenses 601 the powder at a start of a forward stroke of the apparatus at an instant of receiving the powder. The dispensed powder is uniformly spread 602 in the forward stroke for obtaining a desired thickness of layer, by a blade mounted on a spreading unit. A valve is provided in the rear channel for closing an outlet of the rear channel and not allowing dispensing of the powder in the forward stroke. Next, the rear channel dispenses 603 the powder at a start of a reverse stroke of the apparatus. The dispensed powder is spread 604 in the reverse stroke for obtaining a desired thickness of layer, by the blade mounted on the spreading unit. The spreading unit includes a plurality of blades mounted on a periphery. On identifying 605a damage to the blade spreading the powder in the spreading unit, a plunger engaged on a position knob is lifted for disengaging 606 the spreading unit and the spreading unit is rotated 606 for positioning another blade, using a rotation knob. The rotation of the spreading unit is performed quickly and externally while retaining inert condition inside the apparatus through a glove box where the operator can insert both hands and physically access the spreading unit. Next, the spreading unit is positioned 607 for fixing a position of the other blade and arresting rotation of the spreading unit by engaging the plunger on the position knob.
[00063] A main advantage of the present disclosure is that the apparatus provides an improved and efficient powder spreading unit for an additive manufacturing system.
[00064] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that thepowder spreading apparatus prevents scratches and lines on a printed part, thereby improving surface finish and prevent the failure of the part.
[00065] Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that the powder spreading apparatus improves production time of 3D printing.
[00066] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the powder spreading apparatus provides a multi blade device with a rotation unit for easy and faster replacement of blades.
[00067] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the powder spreading apparatus provides a multi blade device with different materials of the blade as per the application and powder used for the printing.
[00068] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the powder spreading apparatus provides rotation of the spreading unit for selecting a blade by retaining inert condition of the apparatus intact.
[00069] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.