Arcam Ab

Micronic Laser Systems Ab

Freemelt Ab

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.

Micronic Mydata Ab

Ulric Ljungblad

Ulf Ackelid

Anders Snis

Martin Wildheim

Torbjörn Sandström

Mattias Fager

Eberhard Kurth

Christian Kunath

Peter Duerr

Peter Dürr

Robin Stephansen

Thomas Grebinski

Hubert Karl Lakner

Lars Loewgren

Mattias Svensson

Lars Löwgren

Per-Erik Gustafsson

Ulrike A Dauderstadt

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for an electron beam system for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by fusing successive layers of powder, said system having at least one lens for reshaping of said electron beam, an electron source and a powder bed, said method comprising the step: blocking a selected cross section of said electron beam for controlling the electron beam power. By interference between the electron beam and a beam blocking part a portion of the electron beam is prevented from reaching the powder bed.

Additive manufacturing method and apparatus with beam dump

A cathode assembly for emitting charged particles, used in for example an electron gun as source for generating an electron beam is provided. The cathode assembly has a cathode including an emitting member and a carrier. The emitting member is mounted in the carrier, and the carrier is electrically connected to a holder. The cathode is heated by irradiation from an external source, whereby the emitting member emits charged particles from an emitting surface at an emitting temperature. The connection between the carrier and the holder provides a thermal barrier for reducing the amount of thermal energy transferred from the cathode to the holder.

Cathode assembly for electron gun

A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by solidifying selected areas of consecutive powder layers is provided. At least one electron beam successively irradiates predetermined sections of each powder layer by moving an interaction region in which the electron beam interacts with the powder layer. Electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source is directed onto the powder layer to reduce local electrostatic charging in the interaction region. In this way, levitation and scattering of charged powder will be avoided.

Radiation method for additive manufacturing

A method for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed comprising: providing a model of the three dimensional article, applying a first powder layer on a work table, directing an energy beam over the work table causing the first powder layer to fuse in selected locations according to the model to form a first cross section of the three-dimensional article, applying a second powder layer on the work table, directing the energy beam over the work table causing the second powder layer to fuse in selected locations according to the model to form a second cross section of the three-dimensional article, wherein the second layer is bonded to the first layer, detecting a local thickness in at least two positions in at least the second powder layer, varying an energy beam parameter depending on the detected local thickness of the second powder layer.

Method for additive manufacturing

A method for detecting defects in three-dimensional articles. Providing a model of said article. Providing a first powder layer on a substrate, directing an energy beam over said substrate causing said first powder layer to fuse in selected locations forming a first cross section of said three-dimensional article, providing a second powder layer on said substrate, directing the energy beam over said substrate causing said second powder layer to fuse in selected locations to form a second cross section of said three-dimensional article. A first and second image of a first and second fusion zone of said first powder layer respectively is captured. Comparing said first and second images with corresponding layers in said model. Detecting a defect in the three-dimensional article if a deviation in said first image with respect to said model is at least partially overlapping a deviation in said second image with respect to said model.

Method and apparatus for detecting defects in freeform fabrication

The present invention relates to a method for forming a three-dimensional article through successively depositing individual layers of powder material that are fused together so as to form the article, the method comprising the step of heating a first portion of a support surface while depositing a layer of powder material on a second portion of the support surface.

Additive manufacturing of three-dimensional articles

An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article is provided, comprising means for providing a predetermined amount of powder, a powder distributor, means for directing an energy beam over a first powder layer causing it fuse in selected locations according to a model, a camera for capturing at least one image of a shape of at least one portion of the predetermined amount of powder that has yet to be initially distributed, the at least one image being captured prior to distribution of an entirety of all portions of the predetermined amount of powder over the surface, and means for comparing at least one value of at least one parameter in the image detected with a corresponding reference parameter value, wherein the at least one parameter is associated with the shape of the powder that has yet to be initially distributed.

Additive manufacturing method and apparatus

The invention concerns a method for producing three-dimensional objects () layer by layer using a powdery material () which can be solidified by irradiating it with a high-energy beam (), said method comprising the steps of: applying a first layer of powdery material onto a working area (); solidifying a part of said first layer by irradiating it with a high-energy beam; and applying a second layer () of powdery material onto the first, partly solidified layer. The invention is characterized in that the method comprises the step of: determining a rate at which the temperature of the second layer () increases after application onto the first layer. The invention also concerns an apparatus configured to operate according to the above method.

Method and apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects

A method for forming a three-dimensional article, said method comprising the steps of: providing a predetermined amount of powder for forming a first powder layer on a start plate, distributing said predetermined amount of powder with a powder distributor for forming said first powder layer, directing an energy beam over said start plate causing said first powder layer to fuse in selected locations according to a model to form a first cross section of said three-dimensional article. At least one image of the powder to be distributed is captured with a camera at least one time during said distribution of said powder on said start plate for forming said first powder layer and at least one value of at least one parameter in said image detected with said camera is compared with a reference parameter value.

An apparatus for forming at least one three-dimensional article by fusing parts of a powder bed layer-wise. The apparatus comprising a powder distributor and an energy beam for fusing the powder layer. Said powder distributor comprises a first part being an elongated rod provided movable at a predetermined distance above the powder bed and with its central axis in parallel with a top surface of said work table and second part being a metal foil having at least a first and a second opposite edge portions. Said metal foil is provided between said elongated rod and said work table, said first and second opposite edge portions are attached to said elongated rod so that a distance between said first and second edge portions is smaller than the distance between said first and second edge portions of said metal foil when said metal foil is in a flat position.

Method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article

The present invention relates to a method for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of applied powder. Said method comprising the steps of: providing at least one powder hopper comprising powder to be used for forming said three-dimensional article, providing a predetermined amount of powder at a build support, directing an energy beam over said build support causing at least a portion of said powder to sinter and causing at least a portion of said powder to bond to said build support, directing an energy beam over said build support causing said powder to fuse in selected locations according to a model to form a first portion of said three-dimensional article, rotating said build support around an axis of rotation for creating said three-dimensional article, which three-dimensional article is build up layer by layer in a radial direction with respect to said axis of rotation.

Method and apparatus for additive manufacturing

A method for forming a three-dimensional article comprising the steps of: applying a model of the three dimensional article, applying a first powder layer on a work table, directing a first electron beam from a first electron beam source over the work table causing the first powder layer to fuse in first selected locations according to the model to form a first cross section of the three-dimensional article, directing a second electron beam from a second electron beam source over the work table, registering at least one setting of the first electron beam source, registering at least one setting of the second electron beam source, correcting the position of the second electron beam depending on the at least one setting of the first electron beam source and the at least one setting of the second electron beam source.

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Moelndal, Sweden

Ulric Ljungblad