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.