Arcam Ab

Lars Loewgren

Ulric Ljungblad

Anders Snis

Mattias Fager

An apparatus for forming at least one three-dimensional article by fusing parts of a powder bed layer-wise. The apparatus comprising a powder distributor and an energy beam for fusing the powder layer. Said powder distributor comprises a first part being an elongated rod provided movable at a predetermined distance above the powder bed and with its central axis in parallel with a top surface of said work table and second part being a metal foil having at least a first and a second opposite edge portions. Said metal foil is provided between said elongated rod and said work table, said first and second opposite edge portions are attached to said elongated rod so that a distance between said first and second edge portions is smaller than the distance between said first and second edge portions of said metal foil when said metal foil is in a flat position.

Method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article

A method for providing safety protection in an additive manufacturing apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed in an enclosable chamber, which parts corresponds to successive cross sections of the three-dimensional article is provided. The method comprising the steps of providing a position detecting device connected to a control unit to detect whether a foreign matter is within the enclosable chamber. The method may also include, upon detecting that the foreign matter is within the enclosable chamber, either (1) switching off, via the control unit, at least one device associated with the additive manufacturing apparatus; or (2) providing power to a powder suction device. Associated safety protection devices are also provided.

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Haellingsjoe, Sweden

Lars Loewgren