Tae S Chung

US Patent:

6930278, Aug 16, 2005

Filed:

Aug 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/917769

Inventors:

Tae Mark Chung - Castaic CA, US
Jouni P. Partanen - Santa Monica CA, US

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B23K026/00
G06F019/00

US Classification:

21912185, 21912183, 700118, 700119

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus wherein a radiation emitter is positioned adjacent a sensor apparatus within a process chamber in a laser sinter system that emits radiation to the sensor apparatus and a calibration apparatus receives readings from the sensor apparatus to compare temperature sensings received from the sensor apparatus with set emission signals from the radiation emitter to adjust the temperature sensings to calibrate the sensor apparatus during the forming of a three-dimensional article. The calibration is done repeatedly during the build process of the three-dimensional article.

US Patent:

20050263933, Dec 1, 2005

Filed:

May 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/856289

Inventors:

Robert Welch - Austin TX, US
Tae Chung - Castaic CA, US
Christopher Hanna - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

B29C035/08

US Classification:

264113000, 264497000, 42517480R, 425375000

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to deliver metered quantities of powder to a target area in a laser sintering process from a single sided bi-directional powder delivery system to ensure fresh powder is preheated prior to fusing the powder with a laser beam. Metered quantities of powder are deposited for preheating adjacent the target area and then are spread by a mechanism that traverses the target area.

US Patent:

20050263934, Dec 1, 2005

Filed:

May 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/856303

Inventors:

Tae Chung - Castaic CA, US
Daniel Delgado - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C035/08

US Classification:

264113000, 264497000, 425375000, 42517480R

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming three dimensional objects by laser sintering that includes depositing the required quantities of powder for two successive layers on one side of the process chamber and simultaneously spreading the first layer while transporting the second layer quantity to the opposite side of the process chamber. The invention includes steps of parking the quantities of powder in sight of the part bed heater to pre-heat the powder and flattening the powder wave before the pre-heating step to improve pre-heat efficiency. This method and apparatus can result in reduction of the mechanisms, size, cost, and increase productivity of a laser-sintering device.