Abstract:
A method for detecting electron beam filament wear in an electron beam source, the method comprising the steps of: enlarging a beam spot emanating from the electron beam source on a work table to a predetermined minimum size, capturing an image of the beam spot on the work table by a camera, comparing the captured image of the beam spot with a reference image, and detecting filament wear if the captured image is deviating more than a predetermined value from the reference image.
Abstract:
A method for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed on a support structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one model of the three-dimensional article, lowering the support structure a predetermined distance and rotating the support structure a predetermined angle in a first direction before applying a first powder layer covering the lowered and rotated support structure, rotating the at least one model by the predetermined angle in the first direction before directing the at least one first energy beam from the at least one first energy beam source at selected locations for fusing the first powder layer, the at least one first energy beam source causing the first powder layer on the stationary support structure which is stationary to fuse in the selected locations according to the model to form first portions of the three-dimensional article.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing three-dimensional articles with porosity. A model is created of a porous structure, said creating step comprising the steps of: defining a three-dimensional space comprising a predetermined pattern of nodes, wherein said nodes are connected together in a predetermined manner with struts, moving each node in said three-dimensional space a randomized distance, which distance is less than a predetermined value and in a randomized direction, slicing said three-dimensional space into a predetermined number of two-dimensional layers with a predetermined thickness, slicing said three-dimensional article into two-dimensional layers with a predetermined thickness, applying one two-dimensional layer of said article on one two-dimensional layer of said porous structure resulting in a porous two-dimensional layer of said article, repeating said applying step for all two dimensional layers of said article, manufacturing the three-dimensional article with porosity according to the model by exposing fusible material to an energy source.
Abstract:
An apparatus comprising a control unit configured for applying a first powder layer on a work table; directing a first energy causing said first powder layer to fuse in first selected locations to form a first cross section where said first energy beam is fusing a first region with parallel scan lines in a first direction and a second region with parallel scan lines in a second direction; fusing at least one of the scan lines in said first region in said first direction immediately before fusing at least one of said scan lines in said second region in said second direction; applying a second powder layer and directing the energy beam causing said second powder layer to fuse in second selected locations where the energy beam is fusing said first region with parallel scan lines in a third direction and said second region in a fourth direction.
Abstract:
A method is provided for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed. The method involves: providing a model of the at least one three dimensional article, dividing at least two cross sections in said model into a first inner area portion, a second inner area portion and a contour portion, applying a first material layer on a work table, directing at least one energy beam over the work table causing the first material layer to join in selected locations according to the model for forming a partial first cross section of the three dimensional article, applying a second material layer on said work table; and directing at least one energy beam over the work table causing the second material layer to join in selected locations and form a partial second cross section of said three dimensional article.
Abstract:
A method is provided for production of at least one three-dimensional article by successively providing powder layers and fusing together of selected areas of the layers, which areas correspond to partial cross sections of the three-dimensional body. The method involves: applying a first powder layer on a work table, fusing the first powder layer in the selected areas, the selected areas being a full contour of the three dimensional article and a first portion of an inner area of the three-dimensional article, and fusing a second portion of the inner area of the three-dimensional article in the first powder layer completely when the first powder layer is covered with at least one second layer, the second portion being distinct relative to the first portion.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of locations of a powder bed. The method comprising: providing a model of said three-dimensional article; applying a powder layer on a work table; determining a maximum scan length of an energy beam; directing said energy beam from a first energy beam source over said work table with constant energy causing said first powder layer to fuse in first selected locations according to said model to form a first cross section of said three-dimensional article, wherein locations with a shorter scan length than said maximum scan length is provided with a time sink before and/or after said scan line so that the time period between each two adjacent scan lines is constant throughout the manufacture of said three-dimensional article.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing three-dimensional articles with porosity. A model is created of a porous structure, said creating step comprising the steps of: defining a three-dimensional space comprising a predetermined pattern of nodes, wherein said nodes are connected together in a predetermined manner with struts, moving each node in said three-dimensional space a randomized distance, which distance is less than a predetermined value and in a randomized direction, slicing said three-dimensional space into a predetermined number of two-dimensional layers with a predetermined thickness, slicing said three-dimensional article into two-dimensional layers with a predetermined thickness, applying one two-dimensional layer of said article on one two-dimensional layer of said porous structure resulting in a porous two-dimensional layer of said article, repeating said applying step for all two dimensional layers of said article, manufacturing the three-dimensional article with porosity according to the model by exposing fusible material to an energy source.