Re: 3D printer fun with powder

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Jon Elson <elson@...> wrote:

>
> David G. LeVine wrote:
> >
> > Have you considered what is known as a doctor blade? Look up
> > "Gravure Doctor Blade" on Google (WITH the quotes) to see a small
> > number of references. Remove the quotes and see 95,000 of
> > them! With a properly set up doctor blade, the speed should be less
> > of an issue.
> A doctor blade is what is used in laser printers to provide a
> very thin, even film of toner on the transfer roller. It is
> usually a piece of stiff mylar, maybe .01" thick (.25 mm)
> You'd need to spread an excess amount of the powder first, then
> the doctor blade would sweep the powder level.
>
> Jon
>

Creating a thin layer on a roller is one thing but creating a layer on
top of more powder is another. Attempts to drag something over the
layers will cause the new layer to dig in and drag up the previous
layer, this of course does not happen on a hard roller in a laser printer.

The zcorp printers just have a roller so I think it is just a matter
of getting the process right.

Graham