General Electric Company
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VACUUM POWDER PLACEMENT IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS

Abstract:

A method for fabricating a component of with an additive manufacturing system include entraining a first portion of first material particles in an airflow generated by a vacuum source and engaging the first portion of the first material particles against an air permeable screen. The first portion of the first material particles is deposited onto a build platform. The method also includes entraining a second portion of second material particles in the airflow and engaging the second portion of the second material particles against the air permeable screen. The second portion of the second material particles is deposited onto the build platform. An energy source transfers heat to at least a portion of at least one of the first portion of the first material particles or the second portion of the second material particles to facilitate consolidating material particles to fabricate the component.