A method of additive manufacture utilizing a uniform laser beam is disclosed. A seed laser projects a laser beam having a first laser beam shape. At least one pre-amplifier is positioned to receive the laser beam and amplify laser beam power. A homogenizer is positioned to receive the amplified laser beam from the at least one pre-amplifier and alter the first laser beam shape into a second laser beam shape. A main amplifier is positioned to receive the amplified laser beam having the second laser beam shape from the homogenizer and amplify laser beam power.
An additive manufacturing system includes one or more light sources and one or more light valves that can be written with two-dimensional gray scale patterns that the light valves impose on beams from the one or more light sources to obtain one or more patterned beams. The one or more patterned beams are steered to each area of a plurality of areas on a layer of powder. The two-dimensional gray scale patterns are selected to achieve desired material properties at each pixel position of the patterned beam incident on the layer of powder. The light valves may modulate one or more of amplitude, phase, or coherence. The material properties may include one or more of Young's modulus, porosity, grain size, and crystalline microstructure.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
An additive manufacturing system can include at least one laser source and a speckle reduction system that receives light from the at least one laser source. The speckle reduction system provides laser light to an optical homogenizer that increases uniformity of laser light and can provide the light to an area patterning system.
A print engine of an additive manufacturing system includes a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge containing powder. A laser engine is positioned to direct a one or two dimensional patterned laser beam into the removable cartridge. In some embodiments powder is produced at least in part with a magnetohydrodynamic system.
An additive manufacturing system having multiple components includes a high power laser to form a laser beam. A beam dump with a fluid chamber having at least one laser transparent window into which the laser beam is directed is provided. A heat exchanger is connected to the fluid chamber, with the heat exchanger acting to provide useful energy to at least one of the multiple components of the additive manufacturing system. An absorbing fluid can be circulated through both the fluid chamber and the heat exchanger.
B29C 64/135 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
H01L 23/473 - Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation involving the transfer of heat by flowing fluids by flowing liquids
An additive manufacturing system includes at least two high power lasers to generate beams. A phase patterning unit is used to receive and alter phase of a beam from at least one of the two high power lasers. At least one phase patterned beam can be mixed with another beam at a print the print bed. In some embodiments, beams are moved with respect to the print bed by changes in phase patterns from the phase patterning unit. In other embodiments, phase patterns from the phase patterning unit can be used for simultaneous printing of multiple layers.
B29C 64/277 - Arrangements for irradiation using multiple radiation means, e.g. micromirrors or multiple light-emitting diodes [LED]
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
G02F 1/1334 - Constructional arrangements based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
G02F 1/139 - Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering based on orientation effects in which the liquid crystal remains transparent
7.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LARGE-AREA PULSED LASER MELTING OF METALLIC POWDER IN A LASER POWDER BED FUSION APPLICATION
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for performing large area laser powder bed fusion (LBPF) to form a plurality of layers of a 3D part in a layer-by-layer fashion using meltable powder particles. In one implementation the system makes use of a first light source, which may be a diode laser subsystem, for generating a first light pulse of a first duration. The first light is used to preheat a substrate underneath a new layer of powder particles, wherein the substrate is formed from a previously fused quantity of the powder particles. A second light source, which may be a pulse laser, generates a second light pulse subsequent to the first light pulse. The second light pulse has a second duration shorter than the first duration by a factor of at least about 10, and fully melts the new layer of powder particles in addition to the substrate, to achieve a smooth printed layer. The wavelength of the first light pulse also differs from a wavelength of the second light pulse.
An additive manufacturing system includes a high power laser to form a laser beam directed against a light valve. An active light valve cooling system is arranged to remove heat from the light valve and a heat exchanger is connected to the active light valve cooling system. A heat exchange fluid is circulated through the active light valve cooling system and the heat exchanger.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B28B 1/00 - Producing shaped articles from the material
B28B 17/00 - SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for shaping the material; Auxiliary measures taken in connection with such shaping
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
An apparatus includes at least one laser source and a print bed. A light valve array having at least three optically addressable light valves is positioned to direct differing images at the print bed. Optics to direct multiple beams derived from the at least one laser source can be positioned to direct light toward and from the optically addressable light valves.
B23K 26/06 - Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
An additive manufacturing system includes a high power laser to form a high fluence laser beam at a first wavelength. A 2D pattemable light valve having a phase change material responsive to a write beam at a second wavelength, and non-responsive at the first wavelength is used to pattern the high fluence laser beam.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B23K 26/0622 - Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by direct control of the laser beam by shaping pulses
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/282 - Arrangements for irradiation using multiple radiation means, e.g. micromirrors or multiple light-emitting diodes [LED] of the same type, e.g. using different energy levels
An additive manufacturing system includes a high power laser to form a high fluence laser beam. A 2D patternable light valve having a structure responsive to electron emission is positioned to receive and pattern light received from the high power laser.
An additive manufacturing system includes a high power laser to form a high fluence laser beam at a first wavelength. The systems includes a 2D patternable light valve having a resonance based structure responsive to a write beam.
An additive manufacturing system includes at least two photoconductor plates attached to a substrate. Each photoconductor plate can include separate the Linear Electro layers and transparent conductive oxide layers.
An apparatus with first and second transparent conductive oxide layers is described. A photoconductive layer can be positioned between the first and a second transparent conductive oxide layers. The photoconductive layer can be a crystalline layer that can include bismuth silicate or other suitable materials. An electro-optical layer is positioned in contact with the photoconductive layer. In some embodiments the photoconductive layer is positionable to receive a write beam that defines a two-dimensional spatial pattern.
A manufacturing system includes a printer chamber having a printer bed that supports manufacturing materials and an internal heating system supported by the printer chamber. The internal heating systems is configured to direct patterned heat energy onto the printer bed and supported manufacturing materials. An external heating system is supported by or positioned near the printer chamber and configured to direct patterned heat energy onto the printer bed and any supported manufacturing materials.
B22F 10/00 - Additive manufacturing of workpieces or articles from metallic powder
B22F 12/00 - Apparatus or devices specially adapted for additive manufacturing; Auxiliary means for additive manufacturing; Combinations of additive manufacturing apparatus or devices with other processing apparatus or devices
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
16.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING WITH PHOTO-ACOUSTIC TOMOGRAPHY DEFECT TESTING
An additive manufacturing method supporting layer by layer testing includes a layer test including generating a hammer beam using laser light having a first wavelength, generating a read-out beam using laser light having a second wavelength, directing the generated hammer beam toward a first layer on a part to provide an acoustic hammer pulse that induces surface movement of the part, and reading the surface movement of the part using the read-out beam directed to a second position on the part. Layers can be added and the layer test repeated.
A part defect testing system includes a hammer beam system that provides laser light having a first wavelength. A read-out beam system provides laser light having a second wavelength. A control system is used to direct the generated hammer beam laser light toward a first position on a part to provide an acoustic hammer pulse that induces surface movement of the part. An areal camera is arranged to produce an interferogram derived from reading surface movement of the part using the read-out beam directed to a second position on the part.
A cartridge for a manufacturing system includes a sealable chamber having a bed and a laser transparent window. A powder hopper can be positioned within the sealable chamber. A powder spreader is positioned within the sealable chamber for distributing powder from the powder hopper onto the bed.
B22F 10/28 - Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
B23K 26/12 - Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring in a special environment or atmosphere, e.g. in an enclosure
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
A print engine of an additive manufacturing system includes a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge. A laser engine including a frame can be positioned to hold at least one removable field replaceable unit that includes at least some laser optics or patterning optics. An optical alignment system can be attached to at least one of the print station or the laser engine to align the field replaceable unit with respect to the removable cartridge.
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/259 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers interchangeable
B29C 64/268 - Arrangements for irradiation using electron beams [EB]
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B23K 26/02 - Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
In one embodiment a manufacturing method involves generating laser light at a first wavelength or range of wavelengths. A laser amplifier having a gain medium that amplifies light at a second wavelength or range of wavelengths can be optically pumped in response to receiving the generated laser light. The gain medium is cooled with a coolant fluid able to absorb the second wavelength or range of wavelengths and the generated and amplified laser light is directed toward an article processing unit.
B29C 64/20 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/268 - Arrangements for irradiation using electron beams [EB]
A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method may include providing a powder bed and directing a shaped laser beam pulse train consisting of one or more pulses and having a flux greater than 20 kW/cm2 at a defined two dimensional region of the powder bed. This minimizes adverse laser plasma effects during the process of melting and fusing powder within the defined two dimensional region.
A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method can include providing an enclosure surrounding a powder bed and having an atmosphere including helium gas. A high flux laser beam is directed at a defined two dimensional region of the powder bed. Powder is melted and fused within the defined two dimensional region, with less than 50% by weight of the powder particles being displaced into any defined two dimensional region that shares an edge or corner with the defined two dimensional region where powder melting and fusing occurs.
A method and an apparatus for additive manufacturing pertaining to high efficiency, energy beam patterning and beam steering to effectively and efficiently utilize the source energy. In one embodiment recycling and reuse of unwanted light includes a source of multiple light patterns produced by one or more light valves, with at least one of the multiple light patterns being formed from rejected patterned light. An image relay is used to direct the multiple light patterns, and a beam routing system receives the multiple light patterns and respectively directs them toward defined areas on a powder bed.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B23K 26/064 - Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms
A solid state beam routing apparatus includes a controller and a spatial angular light valve arranged to direct a two-dimensional patterned light beam through a predetermined angle in response to an applied voltage. A bed is arranged to receive the two-dimensional patterned light beam as a succession of tiles. In some embodiments, one or more solid state galvo mechanisms are used to direct the two-dimensional patterned light beams formed by the light valve to the multiple powder bed chambers.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B23K 26/064 - Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms
An additive manufacturing method that can use a two-dimensional energy patterning system is disclosed. Information related to a part is provided, with the information including CAD files, material type, selected additive manufacturing process type, and tolerances of selected design features. Manufacture of a part is simulated and compared to selected design tolerance. If the simulated manufactured part is outside selected design tolerances, simulation parameters can be adjusted until results indicate the simulated manufactured part is within selected design tolerances. In certain embodiments, manufacturing the part uses a real-time sensor monitoring system, along with post processing analysis of selected design features to improve simulated manufacture of the part.
An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. The two-dimensional energy patterning system may be used to control the rate of cooling experienced by each successive additive layer. Accordingly, the system may be used to heat treat the various additive layers.
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
27.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, BOND MODIFYING SYSTEM AND METHOD
An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. The two-dimensional energy patterning system may be used to control a state of matter of each successive additive layer. Accordingly, the system may be used to alter the chemical bond arrangement of the material forming the various additive layers.
B28B 17/00 - SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for shaping the material; Auxiliary measures taken in connection with such shaping
B29C 35/08 - Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising by wave energy or particle radiation
B29C 41/08 - Coating a former, core or other substrate by spraying or fluidisation, e.g. spraying powder
B29C 70/64 - Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts comprising fillers only the filler influencing the surface characteristics of the material, e.g. by concentrating near the surface or by incorporation into the surface by force
B29C 71/04 - After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor by wave energy or particle radiation
B41J 2/005 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
28.
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL INGESTER SYSTEM FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
A method and an apparatus for collecting powder samples in real-time in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involves an ingester system for in-process collection and characterizations of powder samples. The collection may be performed periodically and uses the results of characterizations for adjustments in the powder bed fusion process. The ingester system of the present disclosure is capable of packaging powder samples collected in real-time into storage containers serving a multitude purposes of audit, process adjustments or actions.
An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. Improved optical systems supporting beam combining, beam steering, and both patterned and unpatterned beam recycling and re-use are described.
B05D 1/36 - Successively applying liquids or other fluent materials, e.g. without intermediate treatment
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
G02B 6/293 - Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
G02B 7/04 - Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
G05B 19/18 - Numerical control (NC), i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form
An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. Improved chamber designs, multiple chambers, powder handling and re-use systems, and powder characterization methods are disclosed.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
31.
PART MANIPULATION USING PRINTED MANIPULATION POINTS
A manipulator device such as a robot arm that is capable of increasing manufacturing throughput for additively manufactured parts, and allows for the manipulation of parts that would be difficult or impossible for a human to move is described. The manipulator can grasp various permanent or temporary additively manufactured manipulation points on a part to enable repositioning or maneuvering of the part.
An apparatus and a method for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing involve a multiple-chamber design achieving a high efficiency and throughput. The multiple-chamber design features concurrent printing of one or more print jobs inside one or more build chambers, side removals of printed objects from build chambers allowing quick exchanges of powdered materials, and capabilities of elevated process temperature controls of build chambers and post processing heat treatments of printed objects. The multiple-chamber design also includes a height-adjustable optical assembly in combination with a fixed build platform method suitable for large and heavy printed objects.
A method and an apparatus pertaining to recycling and reuse of unwanted light in additive manufacturing can multiplex multiple beams of light including at least one or more beams of light from one or more light sources. The multiple beams of light may be reshaped and blended to provide a first beam of light. A spatial polarization pattern may be applied on the first beam of light to provide a second beam of light. Polarization states of the second beam of light may be split to reflect a third beam of light, which may be reshaped into a fourth beam of light. The fourth beam of light may be introduced as one of the multiple beams of light to result in a fifth beam of light.
A method and an apparatus pertaining to polarization combining in additive manufacturing may involve emitting two or more beams of light with a first intensity. Each of the two or more beams of light may be polarized and may have a majority polarization state and a minority polarization state. A respective polarization pattern may be applied on the majority polarization state of each of the two or more beams of light. The two or more beams of light may be combined to provide a single beam of light.
A method and an apparatus for collecting a powdered material after a print job in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involve a build platform supporting a powder bed capable of tilting, inverting, and shaking to separate the powder bed substantially from the build platform in a hopper. The powdered material may be collected in a hopper for reuse in later print jobs. The powder collecting process may be automated to increase efficiency of powder bed fusion additive manufacturing.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. Improved structure formation, part creation and manipulation, use of multiple additive manufacturing systems, and high throughput manufacturing methods suitable for automated or semi-automated factories are also disclosed.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
37.
LONG AND HIGH RESOLUTION STRUCTURES FORMED BY ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES
A method of additive manufacture suitable for large and high resolution structures is disclosed. The method may include sequentially advancing each portion of a continuous part in the longitudinal direction from a first zone to a second zone. In the first zone, selected granules of a granular material may be amalgamated. In the second zone, unamalgamated granules of the granular material may be removed. The method may further include advancing a first portion of the continuous part from the second zone to a third zone while (1) a last portion of the continuous part is formed within the first zone and (2) the first portion is maintained in the same position in the lateral and transverse directions that the first portion occupied within the first zone and the second zone.
B29C 64/141 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/188 - Processes of additive manufacturing involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control
B29C 64/20 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering - Details thereof or accessories therefor
A method and an apparatus of a powder bed fusion additive manufacturing system that enables a quick change in the optical beam delivery size and intensity across locations of a print surface for different powdered materials while ensuring high availability of the system. A dynamic optical assembly containing a set of lens assemblies of different magnification ratios and a mechanical assembly may change the magnification ratios as needed. The dynamic optical assembly may include a transitional and rotational position control of the optics to minimize variations of the optical beam sizes across the print surface.
B23K 26/04 - Automatically aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam, e.g. using the back-scattered light
B23K 26/00 - Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
B23K 26/06 - Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
B23K 26/14 - Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring using a fluid stream, e.g. a jet of gas, in conjunction with the laser beam; Nozzles therefor
patents
