Formlabs. has been granted a patent for an additive fabrication device that features a chamber with a thermal break. This design allows for temperature differentiation within the chamber, helping to prevent material degradation during the sintering process while optimizing energy use for consolidation. GlobalData’s report on Formlabs 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 Formlabs, Additive manufacturing monitoring sensors was a key innovation area identified from patents. Formlabs's grant share as of July 2024 was 47%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Additive fabrication device with thermal breaks for sintering
The granted patent US12053926B2 describes an innovative additive fabrication device designed for the production of three-dimensional objects through the sintering of a source material. The device features a chamber divided into two sections: a first section made of metal and a second section, which also may be metallic, separated by a thermal break. This thermal break, composed of a different material such as plastic or ceramic (notably Polyetheretherketone, PEEK), is strategically positioned to enhance thermal management within the chamber. The design includes a fabrication platform that receives the source material and is lowered progressively as layers are deposited. Additionally, a material deposition mechanism is employed to apply the source material at the chamber's top, while one or more heaters are utilized to heat the deposited material.
Further claims detail the thermal properties and structural characteristics of the chamber. Both sections of the chamber are designed to have lower thermal conductivity compared to the thermal break, which is positioned at least 15 mm from the chamber's top and has a height ranging from 0.5% to 4% of the chamber's total height. The thermal break is also characterized by a greater wall thickness than that of the first and second sections, ensuring effective thermal isolation. The cross-sectional shape of the chamber sections and the thermal break is specified to be square or rectangular with rounded corners, contributing to the overall structural integrity of the device. The claims collectively emphasize the device's advanced thermal management capabilities, which are crucial for optimizing the additive manufacturing process.
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