Method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article

    公开(公告)号:US11247274B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-02-15

    申请号:US15412425

    申请日:2017-01-23

    Applicant: Arcam AB

    Inventor: Ulf Ackelid

    Abstract: An apparatus for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed. The apparatus comprises a powder distributor configured for evenly distributing a layer of powder on top of a build table; an energy beam configured for fusing the powder layer in selected locations corresponding to the cross section of the three-dimensional article, the powder distributor comprises an elongated rod provided movable at a predetermined distance above the powder table and with its central axis in parallel with a top surface of the powder table, and a flexible foil attached onto the elongated rod and protruding from the rod towards the powder table; and an elongated device parallel with the powder distributor and arranged onto or over the powder table outside the build table, where the elongated device is arranged for mechanically touching the flexible foil.

    A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ENERGY BEAM

    公开(公告)号:US20210402479A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-12-30

    申请号:US17292278

    申请日:2019-02-28

    Applicant: Arcam AB

    Inventor: Johan Backlund

    Abstract: A method for controlling an energy beam in an additive manufacturing machine when forming a three-dimensional article layer by layer by successive fusion of selected areas of powder layers, which selected areas correspond to successive layers of the article. The method includes steps of radiating a powder layer by the energy beam and creating a set of images of the powder layer for a set of positions on the powder layer by detecting particles emitted, backscattered or reflected from the powder layer when being radiated, comparing data representing the set of images and reference data with each other for identifying a difference between the energy beam when used on the powder layer and the reference data, with respect to at least one energy beam parameter, and adjusting the energy beam based on such an identified difference between the energy beam when used on the powder layer and the reference data.

    Method and apparatus for detecting defects in freeform fabrication

    公开(公告)号:US11161177B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-11-02

    申请号:US16158069

    申请日:2018-10-11

    Applicant: Arcam AB

    Inventor: Ulric Ljungblad

    Abstract: 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.

    Additive manufacturing of three-dimensional articles

    公开(公告)号:US11059123B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-07-13

    申请号:US15938646

    申请日:2018-03-28

    Applicant: Arcam AB

    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus 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 apparatus comprising an electron beam source emanating an electron beam for fusing the powder material in a build tank, a hollow construction having an upper opening and a lower opening, means for moving the hollow construction between a first position and a second position, a synchronising unit for synchronising the movement of a powder distributor for applying the individual layers of powder material on the work table with the movement of the hollow construction so that the hollow metal construction is at the first position when fusing and/or heating the powder layer and at the second position when the powder distributor is distributing the powder material for forming the individual powder layers.

    DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR MONITORING A POWDER LAYER IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

    公开(公告)号:US20210023617A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-01-28

    申请号:US16523484

    申请日:2019-07-26

    Applicant: ARCAM AB

    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring a powder layer in additive manufacturing are disclosed. A method of monitoring a powder layer includes receiving image data corresponding the powder layer supported by a powder bed within a build chamber from imaging devices, determining leading and trailing regions of interest located adjacent to a leading end and a trailing end of the moving powder distributor, respectively, the leading and trailing regions of interest moving according to movement of the moving powder distributor, selecting at least one point located in the leading region of interest from the image data, determining first characteristics of the point, when the point is located within the trailing region of interest, determining second characteristics of the point, and comparing the first characteristics to the second characteristics.

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