Systems and methods for designing and fabricating support structures for overhang geometries of parts in additive manufacturing

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 10010936
SERIAL NO

14940564

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Abstract

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Systems and methods are provided for designing and fabricating contact-free support structures for overhang geometries of parts fabricated using electron beam additive manufacturing. One or more layers of un-melted metallic powder are disposed in an elongate gap between an upper horizontal surface of the support structure and a lower surface of the overhang geometry. The powder conducts heat from the overhang geometry to the support structure. The support structure acts as a heat sink to enhance heat transfer and reduce the temperature and severe thermal gradients due to poor thermal conductivity of metallic powders underneath the overhang. Because the support structure is minimally or not connected to the part, the support structure can be removed with minimal or no post-processing step.

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Patent Owner(s)

  • THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABMA; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Chou, Yuag-Shan Tuscaloosa, US 2 71
Cooper, Kenneth Huntsville, US 15 450

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