Desktop Metal has filed a patent for a method of manufacturing additively manufactured objects. The method involves forming a precursor with an opening and internal space, stacking solidified layers, and assembling a plug with the opening. Unsolidified powder is removed, and the plug is assembled with the opening before sintering the precursor. GlobalData’s report on Desktop Metal gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Desktop Metal, Additive manufacturing monitoring sensors was a key innovation area identified from patents. Desktop Metal's grant share as of September 2023 was 39%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method for manufacturing an additively manufactured object with a plug
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230302537A1) describes a method for manufacturing additively manufactured objects. The method involves several steps to create an object with a hollow internal space.
The first step is to form a precursor of the object by jetting a liquid binder onto a powder layer. This process creates solidified layers that are stacked to form the object. Importantly, the precursor has an opening portion that connects to the hollow internal space.
Next, a plug is formed that is designed to be assembled with the opening portion of the precursor. The plug is then assembled with the opening portion, ensuring that the inner peripheral wall of the opening portion comes into contact with the outer peripheral wall of the plug.
Before the plug is assembled, any unsolidified powder remaining in the internal space of the precursor is removed from the opening portion to the outside of the precursor. This ensures that the internal space is clear and ready for the plug assembly.
After the unsolidified powder is removed, a liquid binder is applied to either the inner peripheral wall of the opening portion or the outer peripheral wall of the plug. This step helps to enhance the assembly and bonding of the plug with the opening portion.
Finally, the precursor, now with the plug assembled, undergoes a sintering process. Sintering involves heating the precursor to a high temperature, causing the solidified layers to fuse together and create a final additively manufactured object.
In a specific embodiment of the method, the patent claims that alcohol is first applied to either the inner peripheral wall of the opening portion or the outer peripheral wall of the plug before the liquid binder is applied. This additional step may provide improved bonding and adhesion between the plug and the opening portion.
Overall, this patent describes a method for manufacturing additively manufactured objects with hollow internal spaces. The method involves precise steps to ensure proper assembly and bonding of the plug with the opening portion, resulting in a final object that is structurally sound and functional.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
