An apparatus for producing an object by additive manufacturing including a process chamber for receiving a bath of powdered material, a support for positioning the object relative to a surface level of the bath of powdered material, a solidifying device for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation to solidify a selective part of a layer of the powdered material, and a control device for controlling an energy density of the electromagnetic radiation, during solidification of the selective part of the layer, according to a position of the beam of electromagnetic radiation at the surface level. A method for producing an objective by 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
An additive manufacturing method including the steps of receiving a bath of powdered material having a surface level defining an object working area, solidifying a selective layer-part of the bath of powdered material on the surface level, extracting powdered material originating from the bath of powdered material, and controlling at least one of an extraction rate of an extraction device for extracting powdered material originating from the bath of powdered material, and a separation rate of a separation device configured to filter and/or sieve powdered material originating from the bath of powdered material.
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
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
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
3.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AN OBJECT BY MEANS OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Method for producing an object by additive manufacturing including the steps of determining, via a first determining unit, a characteristic of a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a first position of the beam and determining, via a second determining unit, the characteristic of the beam of electromagnetic radiation at a second position, and calibrating, via a control unit, the second determining unit according to the characteristic of the beam, determined by the first determining unit. An apparatus for manufacturing an object by additive manufacturing.
B22F 10/36 - Process control of energy beam parameters
B22F 10/28 - Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
B22F 10/85 - Data acquisition or data processing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
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 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
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
4.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING AN OBJECT BY MEANS OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
An apparatus for producing an object by additive manufacturing layer by layer in a layer sequence. The apparatus includes a process chamber for receiving a bath of powdered material, a support for positioning the object in relation to a surface level of the bath of powdered material, a solidifying device for solidifying a selective layer-part of the powdered material, and a control unit for adjusting for individual layers in the layer sequence, a setting of at least one process parameter, during the manufacture of the object. A method, performed by the apparatus, including the step of adjusting, by the control unit, for individual layers in the layer sequence, the setting of at least one process parameter, during the manufacture of the object.
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
5.
SYSTEM COMPRISING AN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AN OBJECT BY MEANS OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN OBJECT BY MEANS OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING USING AN APPARATUS
System comprising an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, the apparatus comprising:
a process chamber for receiving a bath of powdered material;
a support for positioning the object in relation to a surface level of the bath of powdered material;
a solidifying device arranged for solidifying a selective part of said powdered material;
the system further comprising:
a status acquisition device arranged for acquiring information related to a status of said apparatus, said information comprising at least one of a calibration status of said apparatus and an expected time to service of said apparatus; and
a control unit that is arranged for receiving said acquired information related to said status of said apparatus and further is arranged for at least one of:
scheduling a calibration stop and/or a calibration downtime taking into account said determined calibration status and
scheduling a service stop and/or a service downtime taking into account said determined expected time to service.
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
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
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
6.
Method and apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing
controlled oxidisation, of waste particles originating from said solidifying of said material, by controlling an oxygen level, such that oxidised waste particles are obtained and ignition of said waste particles is avoided. Apparatus for producing an object by means of 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 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B22F 12/90 - Means for process control, e.g. cameras or sensors
7.
Method for calibrating an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, and apparatus for the method
A method for calibrating an apparatus for producing an object by additive manufacturing, the apparatus including a process chamber for receiving a bath of material to be solidified by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, a support for positioning the object in relation to the surface level of the bath of material, and a solidifying device for solidifying a selective layer-part of the material on the surface level by electromagnetic radiation, the method including controlling the solidifying device to make a first test mark at a first delay setting, controlling the solidifying device to make a second test mark at a second delay setting different from the first delay setting, and determining a delay setting based on at least the first test mark and the second test mark.
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
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B22F 12/44 - Radiation means characterised by the configuration of the radiation means
B22F 12/90 - Means for process control, e.g. cameras or sensors
8.
Apparatus and method for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing
The invention relates to an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising a process chamber for receiving a bath of material which can be solidified by exposure to electromagnetic radiation; a support for positioning the object in relation to the surface level of the bath of material; and a solidifying device for solidifying a selective layer-part of the material on the surface level by means of electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore optical control device is provided with a focus unit in an optical pathway of the electromagnetic radiation of the solidifying device, and arranged for controlling at least the focus of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the solidifying device on the surface level. According to the invention, the optical control device comprises a sensor element arranged for detecting a measure for the accuracy of the focus of the electromagnetic radiation and a focus correction lens element that is arranged to be movable. By moving said focus correction lens element, focus may be corrected, for example due to thermal behaviour of the optical system.
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 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 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
9.
Method for manufacturing an object by means of additive manufacturing using a plurality of solidifying devices
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an object from a material by means of additive manufacturing using a plurality of solidifying devices for solidifying said material in stacked layers by means of electromagnetic radiation. Said method comprises the step of defining, by a data processing unit, at least two solidifying device allocations. In each of said solidifying device allocations said plurality of solidifying devices are allocated to respective parts of said layer such that said parts cover said layer. The method further comprises calculating, by said data processing unit, for each of said at least two solidifying device allocations, respective allocated part manufacturing times representing times for each of said plurality of solidifying devices for solidifying said respective allocated part of said layer, wherein said calculating takes into account an expected disturbance area from solidifying said material by one of said plurality of solidifying devices, wherein said disturbance area relates to at least an expected fume above said layer. The data processing unit then determines the manufacturing throughput time, and selects a definite allocation.
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
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
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 64/268 - Arrangements for irradiation using electron beams [EB]
10.
Method for calibrating an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing
The invention relates to a method for calibrating an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing. The apparatus comprises a process chamber, as well as a support for positioning the object in relation to a surface level of a bath of material to be solidified. A solidifying device is arranged for emitting a beam of radiation on the surface level for solidifying a selective part of said material. The solidifying device comprises a focus member for adjusting a focus setting. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of controlling the solidifying device for making test patterns at different focus settings. A calibration system with a sensor unit is used for determining characteristics of test patterns, and a calibrated focus setting is determined based on the characteristics.
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 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
B29C 64/268 - Arrangements for irradiation using electron beams [EB]
11.
Method for calibrating an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, and apparatus for the method
A method for calibrating an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing including a process chamber for receiving a bath of material which can be solidified by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, a support for positioning the object in relation to the surface level of the bath of material, and a solidifying device for solidifying a selective layer-part of the material on the surface level by means of electromagnetic radiation. A method including providing, on or near the support, a calibration marker that faces the solidifying device, and providing a calibration system with an imaging unit that can be directed to the support. The method further includes a determining step of the position of the calibration marker, making a solidifying marker that relates to the calibration marker and determining a measure for the position thereof, and determining, with the calibration system, at least a correction vector based on the positions of both the calibration marker and the solidifying marker.
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 64/255 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/129 - 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
B22F 10/28 - Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
B22F 12/90 - Means for process control, e.g. cameras or sensors
B22F 10/31 - Calibration of process steps or apparatus settings, e.g. before or during 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 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
a build plate takeover device comprising an actuating element for placing said build plate onto said supporting surface of said support for producing said object and removing said build plate from said supporting surface of said support. Method for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing.
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
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
13.
System for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing
A system for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing including an apparatus, having a storage container for storing powdered material that can be solidified, and a process chamber fluidly connected to the storage container and arranged for receiving at least a part of the powdered material for forming a bath of material within the process chamber. Furthermore, a structure is provided for positioning the object in relation to the surface level of the bath of material. The apparatus also includes a solidifying device for solidifying a layer of the bath of material. A supply device is provided, having a supply container for storing a supply of powdered material that can be solidified, wherein the supply device is fluidly connected, or at least connectable, to the storage container, and wherein the apparatus is arranged for transferring powdered material between the supply container and the storage container.
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
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 64/20 - 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
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
14.
Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing and method of using the apparatus
a build plate preparation means for preparation of the build surface of the build plate such that the object can be build on the build surface of the build plate. Method of producing an object by means of additive manufacturing on a build surface of a build plate using such an apparatus.
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 26/34 - Laser welding for purposes other than joining
Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising: a process chamber for receiving on a build surface of a build plate a bath of powdered material which can be solidified; a support for positioning said build plate in relation to a surface level of said bath of powdered material; a solidifying device for solidifying a selective part of said material; and a homing device for moving said build surface, by said support, to a home position such that said object can be build on said build surface of said build plate, wherein said homing device comprises a homing member which can be displaced along said build surface of said build plate, wherein said homing device is designed for moving said build surface to said home position until a measured force for displacing said homing member is within a pre-determined range. Method for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing.
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 64/153 - 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
16.
APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AN OBJECT BY MEANS OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND METHOD OF USING THE APPARATUS
Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising: a process chamber for receiving on a build surface of a build plate a bath of powdered material which can be solidified; a support for positioning said build plate in relation to a surface level of said bath of powdered material in said process chamber; a solidifying device for solidifying a selective part of said material; and a homing device for moving said build surface, by said support, to a home position. Method of producing an object by means of additive manufacturing on a build surface of a build plate.
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 26/00 - Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
B23K 26/03 - Observing, e.g. monitoring, the workpiece
B23K 26/08 - Devices involving relative movement between laser beam and workpiece
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
17.
Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing
An apparatus for producing an object by additive manufacturing including a chamber for receiving a bath of material solidified by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, a support for positioning the object, and a solidifying device for solidifying a layer of the material. A registering device registers a characteristic of a calibration area related to the surface level of the bath of material and a control unit utilizes the characteristic to control the position of the emitted electromagnetic radiation.
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
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
patents
