Patent ID: 7790096
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: B29B,B29C,B33Y

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling the temperature of a build chamber used in a laser sintering system comprising the steps of: a. connecting a first build chamber to a thermal management station to preheat the build chamber to a temperature at or near an operating temperature of the laser sintering system; b. disconnecting the build chamber from the thermal management station and inserting it into the laser sintering system; c. operating the laser sintering system to complete a build by forming at least one part in a part cake comprised of fused and unfused powder; d. removing the build chamber from the laser sintering system; e. connecting the removed build chamber to thermal management station; and f. controlling the cool down of the build chamber, by monitoring the temperature of the part cake at selected locations about the periphery of the part cake, to lower the temperature of the build chamber and the part cake to a temperature to permit breakout and removal of the at least one part in the part cake.