John Christian Dolan

US Patent:

20190353569, Nov 21, 2019

Filed:

May 15, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/979986

Inventors:

- Morris Plains NJ, US
Brian G. Baughman - Surprise AZ, US
Mark McNair - Gilbert AZ, US
Henry A. Lastre - Phoenix AZ, US
Derrick Guthrie - Mesa AZ, US
Justin Schnepf - Mesa AZ, US
Robert Kielbus - Tempe AZ, US
John Dolan - Tempe AZ, US
Ethanial Harms - Mesa AZ, US
Matthew Figueroa - Mesa AZ, US

Assignee:

HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC. - Morris Plains NJ

International Classification:

G01N 11/10
B33Y 40/00
B33Y 70/00
B33Y 50/00
G01N 15/00

Abstract:

Devices (herein “powder spreadability inspection tools”) and methods are provided for evaluating the spreadability of powders utilized in additive manufacturing (AM) processes. In embodiments, the powder spreadability inspection tool includes a powder support surface on which a visual inspection area is provided, a spreader system including a spreader implement, and a powder dispenser. The spreader implement is movable relative to the powder support surface along a path, which extends or passes over the visual inspection area. The powder dispenser is operable to dispense a premeasured or metered volume of an AM powder sample onto the powder support surface ahead of the spreader implement. As the spreader implement moves along the path relative to the powder support surface, the spreader implement spreads a layer of the metered powder sample across the visual inspection area to allow a visual evaluation of the spreadability of the AM powder.