TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Electrostatic Powder Remover for Laser Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing

expired opportunity(Expired)
From: Federal Government(Federal)
IL-13783

Basic Details

started - 19 Apr, 2023 (11 months ago)

Start Date

19 Apr, 2023 (11 months ago)
due - 20 May, 2023 (10 months ago)

Due Date

20 May, 2023 (10 months ago)
Bid Notification

Type

Bid Notification
IL-13783

Identifier

IL-13783
ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF

Customer / Agency

ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF (7799)ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF (7799)LLNS – DOE CONTRACTOR (231)
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Opportunity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to commercialize its electrostatic powder remover for laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing.Background: Laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (LPBFAM) machines have grown in popularity for their capability of producing precise metal parts. For a multi-materials LPBFAM, the conventional method of contact spreading using a recoater rake does not work effectively because the spreading operation would distort the material pattern on the powder bed stage. There is a need for a non-contact-based powder removal technology.Description: The novel approach developed by LLNL researchers is to use an electric field as the non-contact-based powder remover. The main components of the remover are an electrode
and a dielectric layer. As the remover moves across the stage, a high voltage is applied to the electrode that forms an electric field between the electrode and the powder bed. Under the influence of the electric field, the powder particles migrate towards the electrode and attach to the dielectric layer. The purpose of the dielectric layer is to prevent charge exchange between the particles and the electrode so that the particles stay attached to the dielectric layer after the high voltage is turned off due to electrostatic force. Tunable variables like electrode distance, voltage, and scanning speed all affect the electric field strength which in turn changes the powder removal rate. As the powder remover leaves the powder bed, the system performs a cleaning step that utilizes mechanical brushing, or a strong negative voltage applied to the electrode. The removed powder is deposited into the powder overflow, which could later be recycled after the printing process is completed.Advantages/Benefits: Lower manufacturing costs by mitigating powder anomalies, uneven spreading, and material waste in LPBFAM machines.Maintains the multi-material patterning on the powder bed.Maintains the flatness of a powder bed by removing a controllable powder layer if powder bed anomalies or material shrinkage is present.Reduces the possibility of damaging the powder bed by dragging debris generated during the printing process because the debris are lifted directly upward by the applied electric field.Potential Applications: Multi-material patterning in LPBFAM machinesPowder recycling and LPBFAM machine maintenanceDevelopment Status: Current stage of technology development: TRL 3 going on TRL 4 (validate the system in a simulated environment). A prototype is being developed for installation on the test bed and the Fraunhofer printer.LLNL has filed for patent protection and has copyrights on this invention.LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Electrostatic Powder Remover should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:1. Company Name and address.2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.Please provide your electronic OR written statement by 5/19/2023 (within 30 days from the date this announcement is published) to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Electrostatic Powder Remover.The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below.Written responses should be directed to:Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryInnovation and Partnerships OfficeP.O. Box 808, L-779Livermore, CA 94551-0808Attention: IL-13783

Livermore ,
 CA   USALocation

Place Of Performance : N/A

Country : United StatesState : CaliforniaCity : Livermore

Classification

naicsCode 333248All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing