Patent ID: 6336480
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: B22F,B29C,B33Y,Y02P

Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing and distributing powder, comprising:a hopper for containing a powder to be dispensed; a rotary dispenser for measuring and dispensing a volume of the powder onto a platen, said rotary dispenser being mounted horizontally at the bottom of said hopper; the platen for carrying the powder, said platen disposed horizontally below said hopper and mounted for linear motion along a first axis from a first platen position below and adjacent to said hopper, to a second platen position adjacent to a build bed; means for distributing the powder from said platen in the second platen position, over said build bed, said distribution means mounted for linear motion along a second axis generally orthogonal to the first axis; wherein at least a portion of one of the hopper, the rotary dispenser, the platen and the means for distributing the powder is coated with a coating selected from the group consisting of: anodized finish, hardcoat anodized finish, siloxane, baked enamel, electroplated enamel, electroless nickel, coated elastomer, laminated elastomer, dipped latex, sprayed latex, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, an epoxy resin, or a polyester.