Ut-battelle, Inc.

Andrew P Reis

Randall F Lind

Brian K Post

Phillip C Chesser

Alex C Roschli

A methodfor generating and dispensing a powderedrelease agent during an additive manufacturing build is disclosed. A solid bodyof release agent material is ground insitu by a grinderand dispensed on a surface of the partto prevent adhesion of an adjacent layer of a base material. With the addition of the powderedrelease agent, a support structureis easily separated from the base materialwhen the partis complete, saving time and preventing the partfrom sustaining unintentional damage. Since no powderedrelease agent is actually loaded or stored in the apparatus, the potential for spillage, waste, inconsistent dispensing, inadvertent dispensing, and clumping due to humidity is eliminated.

Method for generating and dispensing a powdered release agent

An apparatusand a methodfor generating and dispensing a powderedrelease agent during an additive manufacturing build is disclosed. A solid bodyof release agent material is ground insitu by a grinderand dispensed on a surface of the partto prevent adhesion of an adjacent layer of a base material. With the addition of the powderedrelease agent, a support structureis easily separated from the base materialwhen the partis complete, saving time and preventing the partfrom sustaining unintentional damage. Since no powderedrelease agent is actually loaded or stored in the apparatus, the potential for spillage, waste, inconsistent dispensing, inadvertent dispensing, and clumping due to humidity is eliminated.

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Knoxville, TN, United States of America

Andrew P Reis