Abstract: A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

Abstract: A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

Abstract: A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

Abstract: A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

Abstract: A system for recoating a powder bed includes a platform holding a powder bed, a brush and an electrode assembly including an electrode and insulating shield. After powder is distributed on the powder bed the top surface of the powder bed is smoothed by the brush. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. When the electrode assembly is positioned over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and powder bed top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder on the top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

Abstract: A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

Abstract: A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

Abstract: A system for recoating a powder bed includes a platform holding a powder bed, a brush and an electrode assembly including an electrode and insulating shield. After powder is distributed on the powder bed the top surface of the powder bed is smoothed by the brush. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. When the electrode assembly is positioned over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and powder bed top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder on the top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

Abstract: A powder feeder includes a hopper holding powder particles and a rotating conductive wheel having a rim. The rim has a powder landing surface in a groove in the rim. As the wheel rotates, the powder landing surface is disposed below the hopper. A voltage supply electrically communicates with an electrode and the wheel. The electrode and powder landing surface have a space between them. An insulator is disposed between the electrode and the wheel. The voltage supply produces an AC electric potential between the electrode and the rim that creates an alternating electric field within the space. An outlet chamber is positioned below the wheel. The electric field created within the space causes powder particles falling onto the powder landing surface and rotating under the electrode to develop an electrical surface charge. An electrostatic force causes powder particles to oscillate between the pile and the insulator.

Abstract: A electrostatic powder feeder includes a body having a cavity. The cavity is shaped and sized to hold a supply of powder particles and is defined by a cavity wall. A diverter is disposed in the cavity and positioned away from the cavity wall so as to create a powder flow space between the diverter and cavity wall. The feeder includes an electrode and a powder landing surface connected to a power supply. The electrode is positioned remotely from the powder landing surface at a distance at which it can act upon powder resting upon the powder landing surface. An aperture through which powder particles may fall is disposed in or proximate to the powder landing surface. An insulator is positioned between the electrode and the powder landing surface. The power supply produces an alternating electric potential that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and powder landing surface that causes powder particles to oscillate and eventually fall through the aperture.

Abstract: A electrostatic powder feeder includes a body having a cavity. The cavity is shaped and sized to hold a supply of powder particles and is defined by a cavity wall. A diverter is disposed in the cavity and positioned away from the cavity wall so as to create a powder flow space between the diverter and cavity wall. The feeder includes an electrode and a powder landing surface connected to a power supply. The electrode is positioned remotely from the powder landing surface at a distance at which it can act upon powder resting upon the powder landing surface. An aperture through which powder particles may fall is disposed in or proximate to the powder landing surface. An insulator is positioned between the electrode and the powder landing surface. The power supply produces an alternating electric potential that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and powder landing surface that causes powder particles to oscillate and eventually fall through the aperture.

Abstract: A electrostatic powder feeder includes a body having a cavity. The cavity is shaped and sized to hold a supply of powder particles and is defined by a cavity wall. A diverter is disposed in the cavity and positioned away from the cavity wall so as to create a powder flow space between the diverter and cavity wall. The feeder includes an electrode and a powder landing surface connected to a power supply. The electrode is positioned remotely from the powder landing surface at a distance at which it can act upon powder resting upon the powder landing surface. An aperture through which powder particles may fall is disposed in or proximate to the powder landing surface. An insulator is positioned between the electrode and the powder landing surface. The power supply produces an alternating electric potential that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and powder landing surface that causes powder particles to oscillate and eventually fall through the aperture.

Abstract: A electrostatic powder feeder includes a body having a cavity. The cavity is shaped and sized to hold a supply of powder particles and is defined by a cavity wall. A diverter is disposed in the cavity and positioned away from the cavity wall so as to create a powder flow space between the diverter and cavity wall. The feeder includes an electrode and a powder landing surface connected to a power supply. The electrode is positioned remotely from the powder landing surface at a distance at which it can act upon powder resting upon the powder landing surface. An aperture through which powder particles may fall is disposed in or proximate to the powder landing surface. An insulator is positioned between the electrode and the powder landing surface. The power supply produces an alternating electric potential that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and powder landing surface that causes powder particles to oscillate and eventually fall through the aperture.