Soft recoater blade and method of detecting wear

Abstract

A system including a powder bed recoater blade, defining a longitudinal axis, for spreading powder of a powder bed including at least one wire interior thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a powder bed recoater blade, defining a longitudinal axis, for spreading powder of a powder bed including at least one wire interior thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wire is connected to a controller for notifying of blade damage. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to signal when the wire is contacted. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to signal when the wire is damaged. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a powder bed below the recoater blade containing a powdered material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wire includes a series of parallel wires. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one wire includes a series of parallel wires spaced apart in the vertical direction. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wire includes a conductive material. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wire is between 1 mm and 2 mm, inclusive. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein each of the wires is between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, inclusive. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wire extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the wire is off center within the blade. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the wire is within the bottom half of the blade. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator is part a system for an additive manufacturing. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 driving an a powder bed recoater blade over a powder bed such that an interior wire is exposed and contacts powder bed material or a production part; and   notifying the user that the interior wire is exposed.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising removing the recoater blade as a result of the notification. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 driving an a powder bed recoater blade over a powder bed such that an interior wire is exposed and contacts powder bed material or a production part; and   notifying the user when the wire has been damaged.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising removing the recoater blade as a result of the notification.