Abstract: An inert gas dispenser for mounting to a process equipment functional window is provided to dispense an inert gas in a laminar flow at an effective velocity across the exposed surface to form a curtain of inert gas across the exposed surface to prevent a build-up of chemical by-product from the powder material during laser sintering. The gas flow rate is characteristic of a flow geometry having a Reynolds number below the turbulent range. The diffuser is used in a laser sintering system.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided to control the preheating and cool down of a removable build chamber in a laser sintering system. A thermal management station controls preheating of a removable build chamber to heat the chamber to a temperature at or near the operating temperature of the laser sintering system. After insertion into the laser sintering system and completion of a build the thermal management station controls the cool down of the part cake within the removable build chamber after the chamber has been removed from the laser sintering system.

Abstract: The invention is a method for controllably cooling at least a portion of a part-cake from a laser sintering system to minimize cool down time, maximize throughput, and minimize thermal gradients within the part-cake. The method generally comprises forming one or more thermal transfer channels within the part-cake. The thermal transfer channels can include ducts and cooling fins in the part-cake surrounding the formed part. The method can further comprise removing unfused powder from the ducts and introducing cooling media into the ducts. The invention also includes a part-cake having thermal transfer channels formed therein and a laser sintering apparatus comprising a part-cake containing cylinder having permanent fittings therein for receiving terminal portions of thermal transfer channels formed in the part-cake.

Abstract: A by-product waste material removal system for solid deposition modeling. As excess build and support material is removed during the build as a by-product waste the removal system accumulates, measures, and releases the by-product waste material into a waste receptacle for disposal. The by-product waste material removal system requires no mechanical vacuum systems and allows operator intervention to remove and replace waste receptacles without interrupting an ongoing build.

Abstract: A discharge gate for silage wagon operated by at least one cylinder supplied with hydraulic fluid pumped from a pulling tractor's hydraulic remote outlet, the same outlet also supplying hydraulic fluid to an hydraulic motor which operates an endless chain-type floor-positioned silage discharge mechanism. The gate is preferably a front gate so that the silage is spread by the wagon axles in a substantially level manner in a trench or pit silo as the wagon passes thereover after discharging the silage through the open gate.