Patent ID: 7357629
Filing Date: 2008-04-15
Classification: B29C,B33Y

Abstract:
1. A rapid prototyping and manufacturing apparatus comprising: a. a process chamber including a powder bed and a support housing, said support housing having at least three alignment surfaces; b. a build chamber removably attached to said support housing, said support housing having at least one lifting device operable to move said build chamber between a load position and a build position, said build chamber having a moveable build platform disposed therein that defines a target area when said build chamber is in the build position; and c. a moveable build carriage removably insertable into said support housing for inserting said build chamber into and removing said build chamber from said process chamber, said build carriage comprising at least three alignment surfaces corresponding to said support housing alignment surfaces in alignment pairs, two of which said pairs define horizontal alignment and one of which said pairs defines vertical alignment of said build platform with said powder bed when said build chamber is in said build position.