Apparatus and method for aligning a removable build chamber within a process chamber

The invention is a laser sintering apparatus having a removable build chamber and a plurality of alignments surfaces that can be used to properly align the build chamber with the process chamber with minimal adjustments by a user. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a process chamber attached...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: WEISKOPF, PAUL, M, MEROT, CHRISTIAN, M, REGAS, KENNETH, A
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng ; fre ; ger
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:The invention is a laser sintering apparatus having a removable build chamber and a plurality of alignments surfaces that can be used to properly align the build chamber with the process chamber with minimal adjustments by a user. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a process chamber attached to a support housing and a build chamber that is removably attached to the support housing. The build chamber may be inserted into the support housing and is moveable between a load position and a build position. The build chamber includes a moveable build platform and a plurality of alignment surfaces that are each adapted to releasably engage a corresponding surface on the support housing. As the build chamber moves into the build position, the alignment surfaces align the build platform the process chamber. As a result, the apparatus may be used to accurately align the build chamber with the process chamber.