Patent EP-2191922-A1 (EP)
Title: Powder application device for a system to manufacture workpieces by applying powder layers with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation
Inventor: ZILIAN CERSTEN
IPC: B22F3/105
Filed: 2008-11-27
Abstract: The carrier and powder coating device (10') useful in a plant for producing workpieces by impinging powder coatings with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, comprises a carrier for receiving raw material powder and a workpiece produced from the raw material powder by generative layer construction process, a powder supply opening, and a powder chamber for receiving the raw material powder to be introduced on the carrier. The powder chamber comprises two powder chambers (16a', 16b') detachably connected with one another and constructed in a modular-like manner. The carrier and powder coating device (10') useful in a plant for producing workpieces by impinging powder coatings with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, comprises a carrier for receiving raw material powder and a workpiece produced from the raw material powder by generative layer construction process, a powder supply opening, and a powder chamber for receiving the raw material powder to be introduced on the carrier. The powder chamber comprises two powder chambers (16a', 16b') detachably connected with one another and constructed in a modular-like manner and/or powder chambers separated from each other by a separation wall, where each powder chamber is provided on the carrier with a powder outlet opening (19a', 19b') for discharging the raw material powder from the powder chamber. A conveyor shaft (24a') drivable by a driving device is arranged in each powder chamber for conveying the raw material powder incorporated in the powder chamber in the direction of the powder outlet opening, and closes the powder outlet opening of the powder chamber in a non-drivable condition. The carrier and powder coating device comprises first and second smoothing sliders (28') positionable relative to the powder outlet opening of the powder chambers, so that in the operation of the powder coating device, one of the smoothing sliders strikes over a raw material powder coating applied on the carrier through the powder outlet opening when the powder coating device is moved over the carrier of the workpiece production device for smoothing the raw material powder coating. Each powder outlet opening of the powder chamber is arranged to the smoothing sliders. The smoothing slider is vertically displaceable between a resting position, in which the smoothing slider does not contact with raw material powder coating applied on the carrier through the powder outlet opening, and an operating position, in which the smoothing slider strikes over the raw material powder coating. The smoothing slider is horizontally displaceable between a first position and a second position, so that in the operation of the powder coating device, the smoothing device is constantly positionable relative to the powder outlet opening when the powder coating device is moved in back and forth manner over the carrier of the workpiece production device. The horizontally and/or vertically displaceable smoothing slider is coupled with a device for controlling the powder discharge by the powder outlet opening, which closes or opens in dependent of the control of the smoothing slider. An independent claim is included for a plant for producing workpieces by impinging powder coatings with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation.