阅读说明：本技术 增材制造系统和方法 (Additive manufacturing system and method ) 是由 詹姆斯·A·德姆斯 海纳·费斯 埃里克·图姆尔 尤金·伯蒂切夫斯基 弗朗西斯·L·利尔德 于 2016-10-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及增材制造系统和方法。公开了包括用于使粉末床成像的二维能量图案化系统的增材制造系统。描述了支持射束组合、射束调向以及图案化和未图案化射束回收和再利用的改进的光学系统。(The invention relates to an additive manufacturing system and a method. 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 patterned and unpatterned beam recovery and reuse are described.)

1. A beam combining system for additive manufacturing, comprising:

a first laser configured to emit a first light beam at a first wavelength;

a second laser configured to emit a second light beam at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength;

beam shaping optics configured to receive the first and second light beams and form a single beam, the beam shaping optics including at least one wavelength filter to pass light of the first wavelength and reflect light of the second wavelength in a common beam; and

a light patterning unit configured to receive the common beam and form a two-dimensional patterned beam.

2. The beam combining system of claim 1, wherein the beam shaping optics further comprise transmissive optics.

3. The beam combining system of claim 1, wherein the beam shaping optics further comprise reflective optics.

4. The beam combining system of claim 1, wherein the beam shaping optics further comprise diffractive optics.

5. The beam combining system of claim 1, wherein the beam shaping optics further comprise three or more lasers having at least three wavelengths, the at least three wavelengths being different from each other, and wherein the beam shaping optics are configured to combine the at least three wavelengths of light.

6. A method of additive manufacturing, comprising:

emitting two or more beams of light, each of the two or more beams of light being polarized;

splitting each of the two or more light beams into two split beams, each split beam corresponding to a majority polarization state or a minority polarization state, respectively;

spatially stacking a first respective separated beam corresponding to the majority polarization state for each of the two or more light beams to provide a first light beam corresponding to the majority polarization state;

spatially stacking a second respective separated beam corresponding to the minority polarization state of each of the two or more light beams to provide a second light beam corresponding to the minority polarization state;

applying a plurality of polarization patterns on the first beam to provide a first patterned beam;

imposing a minority polarization pattern on the second beam to provide a second patterned beam;

combining the first patterned beam and the second patterned beam to provide a single beam; and

directing the single beam to a powder bed.

7. An optical system, comprising:

at least one light source configured to emit two or more light beams, each of the two or more light beams being polarized;

a polarizer configured to perform operations comprising:

splitting each of the two or more light beams into two split beams, each split beam corresponding to a majority polarization state or a minority polarization state, respectively;

spatially stacking a first respective separated beam corresponding to the majority polarization state for each of the two or more light beams to provide a first light beam corresponding to the majority polarization state; and

spatially stacking a second respective separated beam corresponding to the minority polarization state of each of the two or more light beams to provide a second light beam corresponding to the minority polarization state;

a spatial polarization valve configured to perform operations comprising:

applying a plurality of polarization patterns on the first beam to provide a first patterned beam; and

imposing a minority polarization pattern on the second beam to provide a second patterned beam;

a set of optics configured to perform operations comprising:

combining the first patterned beam and the second patterned beam to provide a single beam; and

the single light beam is directed to a location.

8. The optical system of claim 7, wherein the set of optics comprises a wavelength selective mirror, a diffractive element, or a beam homogenizer, or a combination thereof.

9. The optical system of claim 7, wherein the set of optics comprises a reflective optical element that is insensitive to wavelength-dependent refractive effects and is configured to direct a single beam of light.

10. An additive manufacturing system, comprising:

a high energy photon source configured to generate a beam;

a reflective patterning unit configured to receive the beam and reflect a two-dimensional patterned beam; and

an image relay configured to receive the two-dimensional patterned beam and focus the two-dimensional patterned beam as a two-dimensional image on a powder bed.

11. The additive manufacturing system of claim 10, wherein the high-energy photon source further comprises a plurality of semiconductor lasers.

12. The additive manufacturing system of claim 10, wherein the reflective patterning unit is optically addressed.

13. The additive manufacturing system of claim 10, wherein the reflective patterning unit comprises a high transmission layer, a Twisted Nematic (TN) liquid crystal layer, and a photoconductor layer.

14. The additive manufacturing system of claim 10, wherein the reflective patterning unit is cooled.

15. The additive manufacturing system of claim 10, further comprising:

the powder bed configured to hold a powdered material.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of lens assemblies comprising exchangeable portions, the lens assemblies configured to provide a plurality of magnifications that proportionally increase or decrease the size of an image of incident light; and

an electromechanical assembly configured to select one of the lens assemblies to provide one of the magnifications to convert the first image of the incident light into a second image of the incident light in accordance with the one of the magnifications.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the electromechanical component comprises a shape changing dynamic lens, an electron lens exchange system, a beam redirection system, an electro-optically controlled refractive beam steering device, or a combination thereof.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a powder bed;

constructing a platform frame; and

a final beam steering apparatus mounted on the build platform chassis and configured to direct the incident light emitted from one or more of the lens assemblies such that the second image of light is formed at a location of the powder bed that holds powdered material and is supported by the build platform chassis.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

one or more sets of compensation frames; and

a processor configured to control the plurality of lens assemblies, the electromechanical assemblies, the powder bed, the build platform gantry, the final beam steering apparatus, and the one or more sets of compensation gantries to perform operations comprising:

obtaining information about the one of the magnifications and an image distance associated with an intensity and a pixel size of incident light on a top surface of the powder bed during a three-dimensional (3D) printing job; and

configuring one of the plurality of lens assemblies to provide incident light having the one of the magnifications, wherein the lens assembly comprises a plurality of first set of optical lenses and a plurality of second set of optical lenses, and wherein the second set of optical lenses is interchangeable from the lens assembly.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to control the plurality of lens assemblies, the electromechanical assembly, the powder bed, the build platform gantry, the final beam steering device, and the one or more sets of compensation gantries to perform operations comprising:

performing a plurality of rotations of one or more sets of mirrors mounted on the one or more sets of compensation frames and a last set of mirrors mounted on the build platform frame to direct incident light from a precursor image onto a location of a final image plane on the top surface of the powder bed; and

performing a plurality of translational movements on the one or more sets of compensation gantries and the build platform gantry to control a distance of the incident light from an initial image position to the position of the top surface of the powder bed to substantially maintain an image resolution at a desired position.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for additive manufacturing. In one embodiment, powder bed melt fabrication with two-dimensional energy patterning and energy beam reuse is described.

Background

Conventional part machining typically relies on removing material by drilling, cutting or grinding to form the part. In contrast, additive manufacturing (also referred to as 3D printing) typically involves building a part by sequential layer-by-layer addition of materials. Starting from a 3D computer model, an additive manufacturing system may be used to create complex parts from a wide variety of materials.

One additive manufacturing technique, known as Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), uses one or more focused energy sources (e.g., lasers or electron beams) to draw a pattern in a thin layer of powder by melting the powder and bonding it to the underlying layer. The powder can be plastic,Metal or ceramic. This technique is highly accurate and feature sizes as small as 150 and 300 microns can typically be achieved. However, powder bed melt additive manufacturing machine manufacturers strive to create machines capable of producing more than 1kg/hr of marking material. Because of the slow powder-to-solid conversion speed, the machine size is relatively small due to the length of time required to print the larger parts. The printable part volume of today's largest machines is typically less than 64L (40cm)³. While these printers are capable of printing parts of almost any geometry, the amortization cost of the machine ends up being very high due to the high cost of the machine and the low powder conversion rate, resulting in expensive parts.

Unfortunately, simply scaling up the machine to increase part size or reduce manufacturing costs is not an acceptable solution. At a minimum, to melt a given volume of material, the laser must provide sufficient energy to bring it to the melting temperature and to provide the phase change energy required for melting. If no thermal energy is dissipated in this process, there is a linear scaling between the deposited laser energy (laser power) and the material throughput rate over time. Powder bed melting additive manufacturing machine manufacturers must increase laser power if they want to increase material productivity. Unfortunately, the increase in laser power is proportional to the increase in cost of the laser, and the increase in scale greatly increases the cost of the machines that are already expensive today.

Even if laser cost is not a factor, scaling the power of the laser can have other adverse effects. Each powdered material has optimal melting properties, depending on the power flux. If the power is too low, the powder will not melt, and if it is too high, the laser will drill into the material (perforation). Increasing the laser power of a machine that is already operating at one of these optimum points results in the inevitable need to increase the laser area (spot size) to maintain optimum power throughput. Simply increasing the spot size reduces the printable resolution, while dividing the laser into multiple beams increases the complexity of the system.

In fact, currently available powder bed additive manufacturing machines may be limited by part size, part manufacturing cost, part detail resolution, and part manufacturing yield.

Disclosure of Invention

The present application provides the following:

1) a beam combining system for additive manufacturing, comprising:

a first laser emitting a light beam at a first wavelength;

a second laser emitting a light beam at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength;

beam shaping optics forming a single beam, the beam shaping optics comprising at least one wavelength filter to pass light of the first wavelength and reflect light of the second wavelength in a common beam; and

a light patterning unit for receiving the common beam and forming a two-dimensional patterned beam.

2) The beam combining system of 1), wherein the beam shaping optics further comprise transmissive optics.

3) The beam combining system of 1), wherein the beam shaping optics further comprise at least one of reflective optics and diffractive optics.

4) The beam combining system of 1), wherein the beam shaping optics further comprise three or more lasers and combine light of at least three wavelengths.

5) An additive manufacturing system, comprising:

a high energy photon source to produce a beam;

a reflective patterning unit for receiving the beam and reflecting a two-dimensional patterned beam; and

an image relay for receiving the two-dimensional patterned beam and focusing it as a two-dimensional image on a powder bed.

6) The additive manufacturing system of 5), wherein the reflective patterning unit is optically addressed.

7) The additive manufacturing system of 5), wherein the high-energy photon source further comprises a plurality of semiconductor lasers.

8) The additive manufacturing system of 5), wherein the reflected light patterning unit further comprises a high transmission layer, a Twisted Nematic (TN) liquid crystal layer, and a photoconductor layer.

9) The additive manufacturing system of 5), wherein the reflective patterning unit is cooled.

10) An additive manufacturing apparatus comprising:

a first optical assembly configured to receive a plurality of light beams including at least one or more light beams from one or more light sources, the first optical assembly further configured to multiplex the plurality of light beams;

an optical device configured to reshape and mix the plurality of light beams to provide a first light beam;

a spatial polarization valve configured to impose a spatial polarization pattern on the first beam to provide a second beam that is directable to a powder bed, wherein the spatial polarization valve is optically addressable to form a two-dimensional pattern;

a polarizer configured to separate a polarization state of the second light beam to reflect a third light beam; and

a second optical assembly configured to reshape the third light beam into a fourth light beam, rotating its polarization state to the polarization state of the first light beam, the second optical assembly further configured to direct the fourth light beam to the first optical assembly as one of the plurality of light beams to produce a fifth light beam that is transmitted through the polarizer and not reflected by the polarizer.

11) A method of additive manufacturing, comprising:

emitting one or more beams of light, each of the one or more beams of light being polarized;

splitting each of two or more light beams into two split beams, each of the two split beams corresponding to a majority polarization state or a minority polarization state, respectively;

spatially stacking the separated beams corresponding to the majority polarization state for each of the two or more light beams to provide a first light beam corresponding to the majority polarization state;

spatially stacking the separated beams corresponding to the minority polarization state for each of the two or more light beams to provide a second light beam corresponding to the minority polarization state;

applying a plurality of polarization patterns to the first beam;

imposing a minority polarization pattern on the second beam;

combining the patterned first and second light beams to provide a single light beam; and

directing the single beam to a powder bed.

12) An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of lens assemblies comprising exchangeable parts, the lens assemblies being configured to provide a plurality of magnifications that proportionally increase or decrease the size of an image of incident light; and

a mechanical assembly capable of selecting one of the lens assemblies to provide one of the magnifications to convert a first image of the incident light to a second image of the incident light in accordance with the one of the magnifications.

13) The apparatus of 1), further comprising:

constructing a platform frame; and

a final beam steering apparatus mounted on the build platform chassis and capable of directing the incident light emitted from the one or more lens assemblies such that a second image of the light is formed at a location that holds a powder bed of powdered material supported by the build platform chassis.

14) A method of three-dimensional print jobs, comprising:

obtaining information about magnification and image distance related to intensity and pixel size of incident light on a location of a top surface of a powder bed during a three-dimensional (3D) printing job;

configuring one of a plurality of lens assemblies to provide incident light having the magnification, wherein the lens assembly comprises a plurality of first set of optical lenses and a plurality of second set of optical lenses, and wherein the second set of optical lenses is interchangeable from the lens assembly;

performing a plurality of rotations of one or more sets of mirrors mounted on one or more sets of compensation frames and a last set of mirrors mounted on a build platform frame to direct incident light from a precursor image onto a location of a final image plane on a top surface of the powder bed; and

performing a plurality of translational movements on the build platform gantry and the one or more sets of compensation gantries to control a distance of the incident light from an initial image position to a position of a top surface of the powder bed to substantially maintain an image resolution at a desired position.

15) An additive manufacturing system, comprising:

an energy beam;

an optically addressable light-patterning unit for receiving the energy beam and emitting light as a two-dimensional patterned beam, wherein the optically addressable light-patterning unit rejects energy not required to form the two-dimensional patterned beam;

an image relay for receiving the two-dimensional patterned beam and focusing it as a two-dimensional image on a powder bed; and

a rejected energy handling unit that reuses rejected energy.

16) The additive manufacturing system of 15), wherein the energy beam is light.

17) The additive manufacturing system of 15), wherein the rejected energy is re-patterned and directed at the powder bed.

18) The additive manufacturing system of 15), wherein the energy beam is light, and the additive manufacturing system further comprises

A first laser emitting a light beam at a first wavelength;

a second laser emitting a light beam at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength;

beam shaping optics forming a single beam, the beam shaping optics comprising at least one wavelength filter to pass light of the first wavelength and reflect light of the second wavelength in a common beam; and

a light patterning unit for receiving the common beam and forming a two-dimensional patterned beam.

19) The additive manufacturing system of 15), wherein the optically addressable light-patterning unit reflects the light to form the two-dimensional patterned beam.

20) The additive manufacturing system of 15), wherein the energy beam is light, and the additive manufacturing system further comprises:

a first optical assembly configured to receive a plurality of light beams including at least one or more light beams from one or more light sources, the first optical assembly further configured to multiplex the plurality of light beams;

an optical device configured to reshape and mix the plurality of light beams to provide a first light beam;

a light patterning unit comprising a spatial polarization valve configured to impose a spatial polarization pattern on the first light beam to provide a second light beam that is directable to a powder bed, wherein the spatial polarization valve is optically addressable to form a two-dimensional pattern;

a polarizer configured to separate a polarization state of the second light beam to reflect a third light beam; and

a second optical assembly configured to reshape the third light beam into a fourth light beam, rotating its polarization state to the polarization state of the first light beam, the second optical assembly further configured to direct the fourth light beam to the first optical assembly as one of the plurality of light beams to produce a fifth light beam that is transmitted through the polarizer and not reflected by the polarizer.

21) The additive manufacturing system of 15), wherein the energy beam is light, and the additive manufacturing system further comprises:

a plurality of lens assemblies comprising exchangeable parts, the lens assemblies being configured to provide a plurality of magnifications that proportionally increase or decrease the size of an image of incident light; and

a mechanical assembly capable of selecting one of the lens assemblies to provide one of the magnifications to convert a first image of the incident light to a second image of the incident light in accordance with the one of the magnifications.

22) The additive manufacturing system of 15), wherein the energy beam is light, and the additive manufacturing system further comprises:

constructing a platform frame; and

a final beam steering apparatus mounted on the build platform chassis and capable of directing the incident light emitted from the one or more lens assemblies such that the second beam is formed at a location that holds a powder bed of powdered material supported by the build platform chassis.

23) A method of additive manufacturing, comprising the steps of:

providing an energy beam;

positioning an optically addressable light-patterning unit to receive the beam of energy and emit light as a two-dimensional patterned beam, wherein the optically addressable light-patterning unit rejects energy that is not required to form the two-dimensional patterned beam;

relaying and focusing the two-dimensional patterned beam as a two-dimensional image on a powder bed; and

the rejected energy is reused by the rejected energy handling unit.

24) The additive manufacturing method of 23), wherein the energy beam is light, and the additive manufacturing method further comprises:

emitting one or more beams of light, each of the one or more beams of light being polarized;

splitting each of two or more light beams into two split beams, each of the two split beams corresponding to a majority polarization state or a minority polarization state, respectively;

spatially stacking the separated beams corresponding to the majority polarization state for each of the two or more light beams to provide a first light beam corresponding to the majority polarization state;

spatially stacking the separated beams corresponding to the minority polarization state for each of the two or more light beams to provide a second light beam corresponding to the minority polarization state;

applying a plurality of polarization patterns to the first beam;

imposing a minority polarization pattern on the second beam;

combining the patterned first and second light beams to provide a single light beam; and

directing the single beam to a powder bed.

Brief Description of Drawings

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

Fig. 1A illustrates an additive manufacturing system;

fig. 1B is a top view of a structure formed on an additive manufacturing system;

figure 2 illustrates an additive manufacturing method;

fig. 3A is a bottom view illustrating an additive manufacturing system including a laser;

FIG. 3B is a detailed depiction of the light patterning unit shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is one embodiment of an additive manufacturing system having a "switchyard" for directing and re-patterning light using multiple image repeaters;

FIG. 3D illustrates a simple mirror image pixel remapping;

FIG. 3E illustrates a series of image transformation image relays for pixel remapping; and

fig. 3F illustrates a patternable electron energy beam additive manufacturing system;

FIG. 3G shows a detailed description of the electron beam patterning unit shown in FIG. 3F;

4A-4C illustrate various beam combining embodiments;

5A-5B illustrate reflected light patterning unit embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates light recycling;

FIG. 7 is a polarized beam system;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of magnification change and gantry motion;

9A-9B illustrate a powder bed system and a thermal management system, respectively;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating additive formation of a temporary wall containing powder;

11A-11B illustrate an embodiment of powder removal;

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate the manufacture of an elongated part having multiple zones;

13A-13C illustrate processing of parts at a manipulation point;

FIG. 14 is a representative part with additively defined steering points;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing powder sample testing and characterization;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of an enclosed additive manufacturing facility;

fig. 17 is an illustration of an additive manufacturing facility having multiple work zones.

Detailed Description

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the concepts disclosed herein, and it is to be understood that various disclosed embodiments may be modified and that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

An additive manufacturing system having one or more energy sources (including one or more laser beams or electron beams in one embodiment) is positioned to emit one or more energy beams. The beam shaping optics may receive one or more energy beams from an energy source and form a single beam. The energy patterning unit receives or generates a single beam and delivers a two-dimensional pattern to the beam, and unused energy not in the pattern may be rejected. An image relay receives the two-dimensional patterned beam and focuses it as a two-dimensional image to a desired location on a highly fixed or movable build platform (e.g., a powder bed). In certain embodiments, some or all of any rejected energy from the energy patterning unit is reused.

In some embodiments, multiple beams from a laser array are combined using a beam homogenizer. The combined beam can be directed to an energy patterning unit that includes transmissive or reflective pixel addressable light valves. In one embodiment, a pixel addressable light valve includes a liquid crystal module having a polarizing element and a light projection unit providing a two dimensional input pattern. The two-dimensional images focused by the image relay may be sequentially directed to a plurality of locations on the powder bed to build a 3D structure.

As shown in fig. 1, additive manufacturing system 100 has an energy patterning system 110, the energy patterning system 110 having an energy source 112, the energy source 112 may direct one or more continuous or intermittent energy beams to beam shaping optics 114. After shaping, the beam is patterned, if necessary, by an energy patterning unit 116, typically directing some energy to a rejected energy processing unit 118. The patterned energy is relayed through image relay 120 toward item handling unit 140, typically as a two-dimensional image 122 focused near bed 146. The bed 146 (and optional wall 148) may form a chamber that contains the material 144 dispensed by the material dispenser 142. The patterning energy directed by the image relay 120 may melt, fuse, sinter, merge, change the crystal structure, affect the stress pattern, or otherwise chemically or physically alter the dispensed material 144 to form a structure having desired properties.

The energy source 112 produces a beam or flux of photons (light), electrons, ions, or other suitable energy that can be directed, shaped, and patterned. Multiple energy sources may be used in combination. The energy source 112 may include a laser, incandescent lamp, concentrated solar energy, other light source, electron beam, or ion beam. Possible laser types include, but are not limited to: a gas laser, a chemical laser, a dye laser, a metal vapor laser, a solid state laser (e.g., fiber), a semiconductor (e.g., diode) laser, a free electron laser, a gas dynamic laser, a "nickel-like" samarium laser, a raman laser, or a nuclear pumped laser.

The gas laser may include lasers such as helium neon, argon, krypton, xenon ion, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or excimer lasers.

The chemical laser may include a laser such as a hydrogen fluoride laser, a deuterium fluoride laser, a COIL (chemical oxygen iodine laser), or an Agil (all gas phase iodine laser).

The metal vapor laser may include, for example, a helium cadmium (HeCd) metal vapor laser, a helium mercury (HeHg) metal vapor laser, a helium selenium (HeSe) metal vapor laser, a helium silver (HeAg) metal laser, a strontium vapor laser, a neon copper (NeCu) metal vapor laser, a copper vapor laser, a gold vapor laser, or manganese (Mn/MnCl)₂) A vapor laser.

Solid state lasers may include lasers such as ruby lasers, Nd: YAG laser, NdCrYAG laser, Er: YAG laser, neodymium YLF (Nd: YLF) solid-state laser, neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd: YVO)₄) Laser, neodymium-doped yttrium calcium borate Nd: YCa4O (BO)₃)³Or simply Nd: YCOB, neodymium glass (Nd: glass) laser, titanium sapphire (Ti: sapphire) laser, thulium YAG (Tm: YAG) laser, ytterbium YAG (Yb: YAG) laser, ytterbium: 2O₃(glass or ceramic) lasers, ytterbium-doped glass lasers (rods, sheets/chips, and fibers), holmium YAG (Ho: YAG) lasers, chromium ZnSe (Cr: ZnSe) lasers, cerium-doped lithium strontium (or calcium) aluminum fluoride (Ce: LiSAF, Ce: LiCFA), promethium 147-doped phosphate glass (147 Pm)⁺³: glass) solid state laser, chromium dopingA laser of mixed-gold emerald, a glass laser doped with erbium and ytterbium, and a laser of trivalent uranium doped with calcium fluoride (U: CaF)₂) Solid-state laser, divalent samarium-doped calcium fluoride (Sm: CaF2) laser or F-centered laser.

The semiconductor laser may include, for example, GaN, InGaN, AlGaInP, AlGaAs, InGaAsP, GaInP, InGaAs, InGaAsO, GaInAsSb, lead salts, Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), quantum cascade lasers, hybrid silicon lasers, or combinations thereof.

For example, in one embodiment, a single Nd: YAG q-switched lasers can be used in combination with a plurality of semiconductor lasers. In another embodiment, an electron beam may be used in conjunction with an array of ultraviolet semiconductor lasers. In other embodiments, a two-dimensional array of lasers may be used. In some embodiments having multiple energy sources, pre-patterning of the energy beam may be accomplished by selectively activating and deactivating the energy sources.

The beam shaping unit 114 may include a variety of imaging optics to combine, focus, diverge, reflect, refract, homogenize, adjust intensity, adjust frequency, or otherwise shape and direct one or more energy beams received from the energy source 112 toward the energy patterning unit 116. In one embodiment, a wavelength selective mirror (e.g., a dichroic mirror) or diffractive element may be used to combine multiple light beams each having a different wavelength of light. In other embodiments, multiple beams may be homogenized or combined using a polygon mirror, a microlens, and a refractive or diffractive optical element.

The energy patterning unit 116 may include static or dynamic energy patterning elements. For example, a photon, electron, or ion beam may be blocked by a mask having fixed or movable elements. To increase the flexibility and ease of image patterning, pixel addressable masking, image generation, or transmission may be used. In some embodiments, the energy patterning unit comprises an addressable light valve, alone or in combination with other patterning mechanisms to provide patterning. The light valve may be transmissive, reflective, or use a combination of transmissive and reflective elements. The pattern can be dynamically modified using electronic or optical addressing. In one embodiment, a transmissive optically addressed light valve is used to rotate the polarization of light passing through the valve, wherein the optically addressed pixels form a pattern defined by the light projection source. In another embodiment, the reflective optically addressed light valve comprises a writing beam for modifying the polarization of the reading beam. In yet another embodiment, an electronic patterning device receives an address pattern from an electrical or photonic excitation source and generates a patterned emission of electrons.

The rejected energy processing unit 118 is used to disperse, redirect, or otherwise utilize energy that is not patterned and passes through the energy pattern image relay 120. In one embodiment, the rejected energy processing unit 118 may include passive or active cooling elements that remove heat from the energy patterning unit 116. In other embodiments, the rejected energy processing unit may include a "beam dump" to absorb and convert into heat any beam energy not used in defining the energy pattern. In other embodiments, the rejected beam energy may be recovered using beam shaping optics 114. Alternatively or additionally, rejected beam energy may be directed to the article handling unit 140 for heating or further patterning. In some embodiments, the rejected beam energy may be directed to an additional energy patterning system or article handling unit.

The image relay 120 receives the patterned image (typically two-dimensional) from the energy patterning unit 116 and directs it to the item processing unit 140. In a manner similar to beam shaping optics 114, image relay 120 may include optics for combining, focusing, diverging, reflecting, refracting, adjusting intensity, adjusting frequency, or otherwise shaping and directing the patterned image.

The item processing unit 140 may include a wall chamber 148 and a bed 144 and a material dispenser 142 for dispensing material. The material dispenser 142 may dispense, remove, mix, provide a gradation or change in the type or size of material, or adjust the layer thickness of the material. The material may include metals, ceramics, glasses, polymer powders, other meltable materials capable of undergoing a thermally induced phase change from solid to liquid and back again, or combinations thereof. The material may further comprise a composite of meltable and non-meltable materials, where either or both components may be selectively targeted by the imaging relay system to melt the meltable component while leaving or undergoing vaporization/destruction/combustion or other destructive processes along the non-meltable material. In certain embodiments, a slurry, spray, paint, wire, strip, or sheet may be used. Unwanted material may be removed for disposal or recycling by using a blower, vacuum system, sweeping, vibrating, shaking, inverting, or inverting of bed 146.

In addition to material handling components, the item processing unit 140 may include components for holding and supporting 3D structures, mechanisms for heating or cooling the chamber, auxiliary or support optics, and sensors and control mechanisms for monitoring or adjusting materials or environmental conditions. The item processing unit may support, in whole or in part, a vacuum or inert gas atmosphere to reduce unwanted chemical interactions and mitigate the risk of fire or explosion, particularly with reactive metals.

Control processor 150 may be connected to control any component of additive manufacturing system 100. The control processor 150 may be connected to various sensors, actuators, heating or cooling systems, monitors, and controllers to coordinate operations. Various sensors, including imagers, light intensity monitors, heat, pressure or gas sensors, may be used to provide information for control or monitoring. The control processor may be a single central controller or may comprise one or more independent control systems. The controller processor 150 is provided with an interface for allowing input of manufacturing instructions. The use of various sensors allows for various feedback control mechanisms that improve quality, throughput, and energy efficiency.

Fig. 1B is a bottom view showing a bed 146 of support material 144. Structure 149 is additively manufactured using a series of sequentially applied two-dimensional patterned energy beam images (squares in dashed outline 124). As will be appreciated, image patterns with non-square boundaries may be used, overlapping or interpenetrating images may be used, and images may be provided by two or more energy patterning systems. In other embodiments, the image may be formed in conjunction with a directed electron or ion beam or in conjunction with a printing or selective jetting system.

Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of an additive manufacturing process supported by the optical and mechanical components. In step 202, the material is placed on a bed, chamber, or other suitable support. The material may be a powder that can be melted, sintered, induced to change the crystal structure, have the stress pattern affected, or otherwise chemically or physically modified to form a structure with desired properties.

In step 204, unpatterned energy is emitted by one or more energy emitters, including but not limited to solid state or semiconductor lasers, or power sources that flow electrons along wires. In step 206, the unpatterned energy is shaped and modified (e.g., intensity modulated or focused). In step 208, this unpatterned energy is patterned, wherein in step 210 energy that does not form part of the pattern is processed (which may include conversion to waste heat, or recovery as patterned or unpatterned energy). In step 212, the patterning energy, which now forms a two-dimensional image, is relayed towards the material. In step 214, the image is applied to the material to build a portion of the 3D structure. These steps may be repeated (loop 218) until the image (or a different and subsequent image) has been applied to all necessary areas of the top layer of material. When the application of energy to the top layer of material is complete, a new layer may be applied (loop 216) to continue building the 3D structure. These process cycles continue until the 3D structure is complete, at which point the remaining excess material may be removed or recycled.

Fig. 3A is one embodiment of an additive manufacturing system 300 that uses multiple semiconductor lasers as part of an energy patterning system 310. The control processor 350 may be connected to various sensors, actuators, heating or cooling systems, monitors, and controllers to coordinate the operation of the plurality of lasers 312, the light patterning unit 316, and the image relay 320, as well as any other components of the system 300. These connections are generally represented by dashed outline 351 surrounding the components of system 300. As will be appreciated, the connection may be wired or wireless, continuous or intermittent, and include the capability for feedback (e.g., thermal heating may be adjusted in response to a sensed temperature). The plurality of lasers 312 may emit a 1000nm wavelength beam 301 having a width of 90mm by a height of 20mm, for example. The beam 301 is resized by imaging optics 370 to produce beam 303. Beam 303 is 6mm wide by 6mm high and is incident on light homogenizing device 372, which light homogenizing device 372 mixes the light together to produce mixed beam 305. The beam 305 is then incident on an imaging assembly 374, which imaging assembly 374 reshapes the light into the beam 307, which is then incident on a hot and cold mirror 376. Mirror 376 allows 1000nm of light to pass through, but reflects 450 nm. A light projector 378 capable of projecting low power light at 1080p pixel resolution and 450nm emits a beam 309, which beam 309 is then incident on a hot and cold mirror 376. The beam 307 and the beam 309 are overlaid in beam 311 and both are imaged with a 20mm wide, 20mm high image onto the optically addressed light valve 380. The image formed from the homogenizer 372 and projector 378 is recreated and overlaid on the light valve 380.

The optically addressed light valve 380 is excited by light (typically from the range of 400-500 nm) and impresses a polarization rotation pattern in the transmitted beam 313 incident on the polarizer 382. Polarizer 382 separates the two polarization states, transmits the p-polarization into beam 317 and reflects the s-polarization into beam 315, and then sends beam 315 to beam dump 318, which processes the rejected energy. As will be appreciated, in other embodiments, the polarization may be reversed, with the s-polarization formed into beam 317 and the p-polarization reflected into beam 315. The beam 317 enters the final imaging assembly 320 including optics 384, and the optics 384 resize the patterned light. The beam reflects from the movable mirror 386 to beam 319, beam 319 ending in a focused image applied to the material bed 344 in the article processing unit 340. The depth of field in the image is selected to span multiple layers, providing the best focus within a few layer error or offset.

The bed 390 may be raised or lowered (indexed vertically) within the chamber walls 388 containing the material 344 dispensed by the material dispenser 342. In certain embodiments, the bed 390 may remain stationary and the optics of the final imaging assembly 320 may be raised or lowered vertically. Material distribution is provided by a sweeping mechanism 392 that can evenly spread the powder held in the hopper 394, enabling new layers of material to be provided as desired. Images 6mm wide by 6mm high may be sequentially directed by the movable mirror 386 at different positions of the bed.

When using powdered ceramic or metallic materials in such additive manufacturing system 300, the powder may spread into a thin layer of about 1-3 particles thick on top of the base substrate (and subsequent layers) as the component is built up. When the powder is melted, sintered, or fused by the patterned beam 319, it combines with the underlying layers, creating a solid structure. The patterned beam 319 can be operated in 40Hz pulsed mode, moving to the subsequent 6mm x 6mm image position at 10ms to 0.5ms intervals (desirably 3 to 0.1ms) until the selected patterned region of powder has melted. The bed 390 then lowers itself by a thickness corresponding to one layer and the sweeping mechanism 392 spreads a new layer of powder material. This process is repeated until the 2D layer has established the desired 3D structure. In certain embodiments, the item processing unit 340 may have a controlled atmosphere. This allows the reactive material to be manufactured in an inert gas or vacuum environment without the risk of oxidation or chemical reactions or fire or explosion if a reactive metal is used.

Fig. 3B illustrates a more detailed operation of the light patterning unit 316 of fig. 3A. As seen in fig. 3B, a representative input pattern 333 (here the number "9" is seen) is defined in the light of the 8x12 pixel array projected by beam 309 towards mirror 376. Each gray pixel represents a light-filled pixel, while the white pixels are not lit. In practice, each pixel may have a different light level, including no light, partial light intensity, or maximum light intensity. Unpatterned light 331 forming beam 307 is directed through hot/cold mirror 376 where beam 307 combines with patterned beam 309. The patterned light beam 311 formed by the overlap of beams 307 and 309 in beam 311, and both, is imaged onto an optically addressed light valve 380 after reflection by the hot/cold mirror 376. An optically addressed light valve 380 that will rotate the polarization state of the unpatterned light 331 is excited by the patterned beam 309, 311 to selectively not rotate the polarization state of the polarized light 307, 311 in the pattern of digital "9" into beam 313. The non-rotated light representing pattern 333 in beam 313 is then allowed to pass through polarizer mirror 382, resulting in beam 317 and pattern 335. Polarized light in the second rotated state is rejected by polarizer mirror 382 into beam 315 carrying negative pixel pattern 337 consisting of no light numbers "9".

Other types of light valves may be used in place of or in combination with the described light valves. Reflective light valves or light valves based on selective diffraction or refraction may also be used. In some embodiments, non-optically addressed light valves may be used. These may include, but are not limited to, electrically addressable pixel elements, movable mirror or micro-mirror systems, piezoelectric or micro-actuated optical systems, fixed or movable masks or masks, or any other conventional system capable of providing a high intensity light pattern. For e-beam patterning, the valves may selectively emit electrons based on address locations, thereby injecting a pattern on the e-beam exiting the valves.

Fig. 3C is one embodiment of an additive manufacturing system including a switchyard system that enables reuse of patterned two-dimensional energy. Similar to the embodiment discussed with respect to fig. 1, additive manufacturing system 220 has an energy patterning system with energy source 112 that directs one or more continuous or intermittent energy beams to beam shaping optics 114. After shaping, the beam is patterned in two dimensions by an energy patterning unit 230, typically directing some energy to the rejected energy processing unit 222. The patterned energy is relayed through one of a plurality of image relays 232 toward one or more item processing units 234A, 234B, 234C or 234D, typically as a two-dimensional image focused near a movable or fixed height bed. The bed (and optional walls) may form a chamber containing material dispensed by the material dispenser. The patterning energy directed by image relay 232 may melt, fuse, sinter, merge, change the crystal structure, affect the stress pattern, or otherwise chemically or physically alter the dispensed material to form a structure with desired properties.

In this embodiment, the rejected energy handling unit has multiple features to allow the rejected patterned energy to be reused. The repeaters 228A, 228B, and 22C may transmit energy to the generator 224, the heating/cooling thermal management system 225, or the energy scavenger 226, respectively. Optionally, repeater 228C may direct the patterned energy to image repeater 232 for further processing. In other embodiments, the patterned energy may be directed by the repeater 228C to the repeaters 228B and 228A to insert an energy beam provided by the energy source 112. The patterned image may also be reused using image relay 232. The image may be redirected, inverted, mirrored, sub-patterned, or otherwise transformed for distribution to one or more item processing units 234A-234D. Advantageously, the reuse of patterned light may increase the energy efficiency of the additive manufacturing process, and in some cases improve the energy intensity for the bed, or reduce the manufacturing time.

Fig. 3D is a bottom view 235 illustrating a simple geometric transformation of the rejected energy beam for reuse. The input pattern 236 is directed into an image relay 237 that is capable of providing a mirrored pixel pattern 238. As will be appreciated, more complex pixel transformations are possible, including geometric transformations, or pattern remapping of individual pixels and groups of pixels. This remapped pattern can be directed directly to the article handling unit to increase throughput or beam intensity, rather than being wasted in the beam dump.

Fig. 3E is a bottom view 235 illustrating multiple transitions of the rejected energy beam for reuse. The input pattern 236 is directed into a series of image relays 237B-237E that can provide a pixel pattern 238.

Fig. 3F and 3G illustrate a non-light based energy beam system 240 that includes a patterned electron beam 241 capable of producing, for example, a "P" shaped pixel image. The high voltage power system 243 is connected to an optically addressable patterned cathode unit 245. In response to application of the two-dimensional patterned image by projector 244, cathode elements 245 are excited to emit electrons wherever the patterned image is optically addressed. Focusing of the electron beam pattern is provided by an image relay system 247 that includes imaging coils 246A and 246B. Final positioning of the patterned image is provided by deflection coils 248, which deflection coils 248 are capable of moving the patterned image to a desired location on the bed of additive manufacturing component 249.

In another embodiment supporting light recovery and reuse, multiplexed multiple light beams from one or more light sources are provided. The plurality of light beams may be reshaped and mixed to provide a first light beam. A spatial polarization pattern may be imposed on the first beam to provide a second beam. The polarization state of the second beam may be split to reflect the third beam, which may be reshaped into a fourth beam. The fourth light beam may be introduced as one of the plurality of light beams to produce a fifth light beam. Indeed, this or similar systems may reduce energy costs associated with additive manufacturing systems. By collecting, beam combining, homogenizing, and reintroducing unwanted light rejected by the spatial polarization valve or light valve operating in the polarization modifying mode, the overall transmitted light power may not be affected by the pattern imposed by the light valve. This advantageously results in efficient redistribution of the light passing through the light valve into the desired pattern, increasing the light intensity in proportion to the amount of patterned area.

Combining beams from multiple lasers into a single beam is one way to increase the beam intensity. In one embodiment, a wavelength selective mirror or diffractive element may be used to combine multiple light beams each having a different wavelength of light. In some embodiments, a multi-wavelength beam may be directed using reflective optical elements that are insensitive to wavelength-dependent refractive effects.

The patterned light may be directed using a movable mirror, a prism, a diffractive optical element, or a solid-state optical system that does not require substantial physical movement. In one embodiment, a magnification and image distance associated with the intensity and pixel size of incident light at a location of a top surface of a powder bed may be determined for an additive manufactured three-dimensional (3D) print job. One of the plurality of lens assemblies may be configured to provide incident light having a magnification, wherein the lens assembly includes both the first set of optical lenses and the second set of optical lenses, and the second set of optical lenses is interchangeable from the lens assembly. Rotation of one or more sets of mirrors mounted on the compensation gantry and a final mirror mounted on the build platform gantry may be used to direct incident light from the precursor mirror onto a location on the top surface of the powder bed. The translational movement of the compensation gantry and the build platform gantry can also ensure that the distance of the incident light from the front body mirror to the position of the top surface of the powder bed is substantially equal to the image distance. In practice, this may enable rapid changes in beam delivery size and intensity across the locations of build areas of different powder materials, while ensuring high availability of the system.

In certain embodiments, multiple build chambers, each having a build platform to hold a powder bed, may be used in conjunction with multiple opto-mechanical assemblies arranged to receive and direct one or more incident energy beams into the build chamber. The multiple chambers allow for simultaneous printing of one or more print jobs within one or more build chambers. In other embodiments, the removable chamber sidewalls may simplify removal of the printed object from the build chamber, allowing for rapid exchange of powder material. The chamber may also be equipped with adjustable process temperature control.

In another embodiment, one or more build chambers may have build chambers held at a fixed height while the optics are moved vertically. The distance between the final optics of the lens assembly and the top surface of the powder bed may be set substantially constant by transferring the final optics up a distance corresponding to the thickness of the powder layer while keeping the build platform at a fixed height. Advantageously, large and heavy objects can be manufactured more easily than a vertically moving build platform, since no precise micrometer-scale movement of the build platform is required. Typically, a build chamber for metal powder having a volume greater than 0.1-0.2 cubic meters (i.e., greater than 100-.

In one embodiment, a portion of the layer of the powder bed may be selectively melted or fused to form one or more temporary walls from the fused portion of the layer of the powder bed to accommodate another portion of the layer of the powder bed at the build platform. In selected embodiments, fluid channels may be formed in one or more of the first walls to achieve improved thermal management.

Improved powder handling may be another aspect of an improved additive manufacturing system. The build platform supporting the powder bed can be tilted, inverted and shaken to substantially separate the powder bed from the build platform into the hopper. The powder material forming the powder bed may be collected in a hopper for reuse in subsequent printing operations. The powder collection process may be automated and a vacuum or gas injection system may also be used to assist in powder removal and removal.

Some embodiments of the disclosed additive manufacturing system may be configured to easily process parts that are longer than the available chambers. The continuous (long) part may be advanced sequentially in the longitudinal direction from the first zone to the second zone. In the first zone, selected particles of the particulate material may be combined. In the second zone, uncombined particles of particulate material may be removed. The first portion of the continuous feature may advance from the second region to the third region while the last portion of the continuous feature is formed within the first region and the first portion remains in the same position in the lateral and transverse directions as the first portion is occupied within the first and second regions. Indeed, additive manufacturing and cleaning (e.g., separating and/or recovering unused or uncombined particulate material) may be performed in parallel (i.e., simultaneously) at different locations or zones on the parts conveyor without stopping to remove the particulate material and/or parts.

In another embodiment, additive manufacturing capabilities may be improved by using an enclosure that limits gaseous matter exchange between the interior of the enclosure and the exterior of the enclosure. The air lock provides an interface between the interior and the exterior; the interior has multiple additive manufacturing chambers, including those that support the fusion of the power bed. The gas management system maintains the internal gaseous oxygen at or below a limiting oxygen concentration, thereby increasing the flexibility of the types of powders and processes that can be used with the system.

In another manufacturing embodiment, performance can be improved by having a 3D printer contained within a housing, the printer being capable of creating parts having a weight greater than or equal to 2,000 kilograms. The gas management system may maintain gaseous oxygen within the enclosure at a concentration below atmospheric levels. In some embodiments, the wheeled vehicle can transport the component from inside the enclosure to a location outside both the enclosure and the damper through the damper (as the damper operates to buffer between the gaseous environment inside the enclosure and the gaseous environment outside the enclosure).

Other manufacturing embodiments relate to collecting powder samples in real time in a powder bed melt additive manufacturing system. The collector system (ingester system) was used for in-process collection and characterization of powder samples. This collection can be done periodically and the results of the characterization result in adjustments to the powder bed melting process. The collector system may optionally be used for one or more of auditing, process adjustments, or actions, such as modifying printer parameters or verifying that proper use of the powdered material is authorized.

It is described that another improvement to the additive manufacturing process can be provided by using handling equipment such as cranes, lifting frames, robotic arms or similar equipment that allows handling of parts that are difficult or impossible for humans to move. The manipulator apparatus may grasp various permanent or temporary additive manufacturing handling points on the part to enable repositioning or dispatching (maneuvering) of the part.

Fig. 4A shows a beam combining system 400 having multiple wavelength semiconductor lasers and using transmissive imaging optics. As will be appreciated, the laser power and wavelength discussed are exemplary, as are the selected wavelengths that are reflected or transmitted by the wavelength filter. With appropriate changes in the positioning and use of the wavelength filters, a greater or lesser number of lasers may be used. In some embodiments, the solid state laser may be replaced by or used in combination with a semiconductor laser. In other embodiments, other laser types including gas, chemical, or metal vapor lasers, such as those discussed with reference to fig. 1, may be used. In one embodiment, the rejected light may be recycled and reused instead of the laser. Rejected light available in an additive manufacturing system can be collected, homogenized, and reintroduced into the beam line. Advantageously, recycling and reusing rejected light can increase beam intensity and reduce energy costs associated with the system.

In FIG. 4A, a first wavelength (1020nm) semiconductor laser 406 emits a 33.3kW photon beam 407 of a corresponding wavelength, and a second wavelength (1000nm) semiconductor laser 408 emits a 33.3kW photon beam of a corresponding wavelength 409, which are then combined using a wavelength filter 410 that transmits 1020nm photons but reflects 1000nm photons. This results in a combined dual wavelength beam 411 of 66.6 kW. A semiconductor laser 412 of a third wavelength (980nm) emits a photon beam 413 of 33.3kW of the corresponding wavelength, which is then combined with the beam 411 using a wavelength filter 414. The wavelength filter 414 transmits 1020 and 1000nm but reflects 980nm light, producing a 99.9kW three wavelength beam 415. A fourth wavelength (960nm) semiconductor laser 417 emits a 33.3kW photon beam 418 of the corresponding wavelength, which is then combined with beam 415 using a wavelength filter 416 that transmits 1020nm, 1000nm and 980nm photons but reflects 960nm, resulting in a 133.2kW four wavelength beam 419. The beam enters the optical imaging system with a beam size of, for example, 20mm by 20mm and a divergence of 1.1 degrees at lens 420. Lens 420 is a series of lenses using two materials (C79-79 and ULE7972), each with a different index of refraction, to eliminate the effect of wavelength variations on the ability to image the beam. The beam leaves the optical system at 421. 421 is a series of lenses using three materials, Zerudur, ULE7972 and C79-79 to eliminate the effect of wavelength variations on the ability to image the beam. The beam intensity at 422, now 6mm wide by 6mm high with a divergence of 3.67 degrees, increased by the optical system, resulting in an intensity of 370kW/cm²Sufficient for additive manufacturing processes of stainless steel metals such as powder.

For optimum performance, proper selection of lens material is necessary. The transmissive optics, such as lens 420, may be made of fused silica glass. Which reduces the problem of thermal expansion due to the very low absorption coefficient at wavelengths around 1000nm and reduces the thermal expansion of the lens due to the very low thermal expansion coefficient of fused silica. The use of fused silica allows the optics to withstand higher strengths without temperature rise and expansion that may lead to breakage, changes in the glass refractive index, changes in the glass shape, and consequent changes in the focal point. Unwanted optical changes can also be reduced by using two or more materials. Each material may have a different refractive index that varies differently with wavelength. When used in the appropriate combination, the changes in refractive index and optical path length are offset and the focal length does not change with wavelength.

Fig. 4B illustrates an alternative beam combining system 401 that includes a combination of multiple wavelength semiconductor lasers and uses reflective imaging optics to reduce the previously discussed problems associated with transmissive optics. Like the beam combining system 400 of fig. 4A, it is to be understood that the laser power and wavelength in the system 401 in question are exemplary, as are the selected wavelengths reflected or transmitted by the wavelength filters. With appropriate changes in the positioning and use of the wavelength filters, a greater or lesser number of lasers may be used. Various types of lasers may be used, and in one embodiment, rejected light may be recycled and reused in place of the lasers. Rejected light available in an additive manufacturing system can be collected, homogenized, and reintroduced into the beam line. Advantageously, reflective optics ameliorate problems associated with semiconductor laser chirp (shift in wavelength over time) during start-up transients and during its lifetime. The use of reflective optical elements prevents detuning of the diode laser focus due to this effect and does not affect the achieved resolution or imaging capability. In addition, by using reflective optics, wavelength differences caused by changes in laser operating temperature do not affect resolution or imaging capability.

In FIG. 4B, a semiconductor laser 423 at a first wavelength (1020nm) emits a 33.3kW photon beam 424 at a corresponding wavelength, and a semiconductor laser 425 at a second wavelength (1000nm) emits a 33.3kW photon beam 426 at a corresponding wavelength. These beams are combined using a wavelength filter 427 that transmits 1020nm photons but reflects 1000nm photons, producing a dual wavelength beam 428 of 66.6 kW. A semiconductor laser 429 of a third wavelength (980nm) emits a 33.3kW photon beam 430 of the corresponding wavelength. Use of these beamsA wavelength filter 431, which transmits 1020 and 1000nm but reflects 980nm, is combined with beam 428 to produce a three wavelength beam 432 of 99.9 kW. A semiconductor laser 433 of a fourth wavelength (960nm) emits a 33.3kW photon beam 434 of the corresponding wavelength. These beams are combined with beam 432 using wavelength filters 435 that transmit 1020nm, 1000nm, and 980nm photons, but reflect 960nm, producing a four-wavelength beam 436 of 133.2 kW. The beam enters the optical imaging system with a beam size of, for example, 20mm by 20mm and a divergence of 1.1 degrees at the reflection optics 437. The reflective optics are not wavelength dependent nor do they affect the ability to image the beam. The beam exits the beam combining optics 401 at the reflective optics 438. As the intensity of the beam 439 has increased by the optical system, now 6mm wide by 6mm high with a divergence of 3.67 degrees, resulting in an intensity of 370kW/cm²Sufficient for additive manufacturing processing of metals such as powdered stainless steel.

Fig. 4C illustrates an alternative embodiment of a beam combining system 440 that combines beams 443 from the same or multiple wavelength lasers 442 using diffractive imaging optics 444. The diffractive optical element may be shaped or patterned to receive the beams 443 and reflect them along substantially the same beam axis. As will be appreciated, while a diffractive optical element that reflects the beam is shown in fig. 4C, in other embodiments, the diffractive optical component may transmit the beam, or use a combination of reflective, transmissive, or other suitable beam steering optical components or components.

Fig. 5A is a reflective optically addressed light valve system 500A useful in an additive manufacturing system such as disclosed herein. Reflective light valves do not require transmission of light through a transparent semiconductor for light patterning, where even small amounts of absorption can result in undesirable and catastrophic heating at high average power levels. Reflective light valves may also allow for easier cooling on the reflective surface while cooling on the opposite side from where the write and read beams are incident.

As seen in fig. 5A, the reflective optically addressed light valve system 500A is capable of patterning an energy beam and consists of a highly transmissive layer 501, a Twisted Nematic (TN) liquid crystal layer 502, and a photoconductor layer 503. The highly transmissive layer is optically transparent to 1000nm and 700nm light and is made of a glass substrate (C79-79 fused silica) 501 with anti-reflective coatings on both sides 504 and 506. An Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) conductive coating is applied to the highly transmissive layer 501 at 505. Layer 502 is anchored to 506 and 510 by anchor substrates 507 and 509. The exact pitch of 502 is given by the size of the spacer balls 508 defining a 2.5 micron gap, which is adjusted for maximum contrast ratio in transmitting 1000nm of light in both passes. Layer 503 is made of a single crystal silicon semiconductor and a highly reflective dielectric coating is applied at 510, which is transparent to 700nm but reflective at 1000 nm. Layer 511 is another layer of ITO having a solder joint 512 attached and connected to layer 505 by another solder joint 513 via an ac voltage source 514. The patterned write beam is emitted from a projector source at 700nm and is incident 503 after transmission through 504, 501, 505, 506, 507, 502, 509, and 510. In case the writing beam hits 503, electrons move from the valence band to the conduction band, greatly increasing the local conductivity of 503, allowing current to flow from 511 through 503, 510, 509, 502, 507 and 506 to 505. When a current flows through the TN liquid crystal 502, it causes rotation in the liquid crystal 502, causing polarization rotation in the transmitted light. The "read" beam 516 is p-polarized and is incident on 510 after being transmitted through 504, 501, 505, 506, 507, 502, and 509, where it is reflected and transmitted back through 509, 502, 507, 506, 505, 501, and 504 to exit the light valve system 500A. The beam is then incident on a polarizer 517, which reflects s-polarization resulting in a reflected beam 518 and transmits p-polarization resulting in a transmitted beam 519. Although the absorption in the device is very low, the HR coating 509 is not fully reflective and some energy is absorbed. This energy is removed by radiation, conduction or convection cooling 520.

FIG. 5B shows an alternative reflective optically addressed light valve 500B with cooling on one side where the write and read beams are incident from different sides. The valve consists of a highly transmissive layer 521, a Twisted Nematic (TN) liquid crystal layer 522 and a photoconductor layer 523. The highly transmissive layer is optically transparent to 1000nm and 700nm light and is made of a glass substrate (C79-79 fused silica) 521 having anti-reflective coatings on both sides 524 and 526. An Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) conductive coating is applied to 521 at 525. Layer 522 is anchored to 526 and 530 by anchor substrates 527 and 259. The exact pitch of 522 is given by the size of the spacer balls 528 defining a 2.5 micron gap, which is adjusted for maximum contrast ratio in transmitting 1000nm of light in both passes. Layer 523 is made of a single crystal silicon semiconductor and a highly reflective dielectric coating is applied at 530, which is reflective at 1000 nm. Layer 531 is another layer of ITO with a solder point 532 attached and connected to layer 525 by another solder point 533 via an ac voltage source 534. A patterned write beam is emitted from a projector source at 700nm and is incident 523 after passing through the optional convective/conductive substrate 540 and through the ITO coating 531. In the case of a write beam strike 503, electrons move from the valence band to the conduction band, greatly increasing the local conductivity of 523, allowing current to flow from 531 through 523, 530, 529, 522, 527, and 526 to 525. When a current flows through TN liquid crystal 522, it causes rotation in liquid crystal 522, causing polarization rotation in transmitted light. The "read" beam 536 is p-polarized and is incident on 530 after transmission through 524, 521, 525, 526, 527, 522 and 529, where it is reflected at point 529 and transmitted back through 509, 522, 527, 526, 525, 521 and 524 to exit the light valve. This beam is then incident on polarizer 537 and polarizer 517 reflects the s-polarization that results in reflected beam 538 and transmits the p-polarization that results in transmitted beam 539. Although the absorption in the device is very low, HR coating 529 is not fully reflective and some energy is absorbed. This energy is removed by radiative, conductive, or convective cooling 540.

To help better understand and understand various system embodiments, including alternative or additional optical systems, chamber designs, powder processing systems and methods, structure formation, part creation and manipulation, use of various additive manufacturing systems, and high-throughput manufacturing methods suitable for automated or semi-automated factories; the following disclosure will facilitate an understanding and appreciation of various novel aspects of the disclosed systems, methods, and structures.

Fig. 6 shows a layout of an exemplary apparatus 400 for laser recycling in an additive manufacturing process. Apparatus 600 may include one or more light sources, such as, but not limited to, light sources 601, 602, and 603. In some embodiments, light sources 601, 602, and 603 may include lasers. Alternatively, other types of light sources may be used, such as solid state lasers. In some embodiments, each or at least one of light sources 601, 602, and 603 may emit 11.1kW of p-polarized light at 700nm, with dimensions of 7.9cm x 7.9cm, and a divergence of 7.6 mrad. The light beams emitted by the light sources 601, 602 and 603 may be multiplexed together by a first optical assembly 604, which first optical assembly 604 may comprise a series of mirrors, allowing the beams to be as close together as possible. These beams are then reshaped and mixed by optical apparatus 605 to produce beam 6 of 33.3kW, 4.7cm by 4.7cm and a divergence of 70.4 mrad. The beam 606 may then be incident on a spatial polarization valve 607, and the spatial polarization valve 607 may impose a spatial polarization pattern on the beam 606 by rotating the polarization of selected pixels from p-polarization to s-polarization to provide beam 8. With appropriate modification, selected pixels can be formed by rotation from s-polarization to p-polarization to provide a beam. In other embodiments, the grayscale pixels may be created by partial rotation. After interacting with polarizer 609, the s-polarization state of beam 608 may be reflected into beam 610. The exact fraction may be given as a function of the fraction of light patterned by the spatial polarization valve 607. The beam 10 may enter a second optical assembly 611, which second optical assembly 611 may include a series of mirrors, reshaping lenses, wave plates, or other optical assemblies, and the beam 10 may be modified into a 7.9cm by 7.9cm beam and then reintroduced into the system as if it were the light source 612, along with the original one or more light sources 601, 602, and 603.

The process for light recycling may include the step of multiplexing a plurality of light beams including at least one or more light beams from one or more light sources 601, 602, and 603. The plurality of light beams may be reshaped and mixed to provide a first light beam. The spatial polarization valve 607 of the apparatus 600 imposes a spatial polarization pattern on the first beam to provide the second beam. Polarizer 609 of device 600 separates the polarization state of second beam 608 to reflect the third beam (e.g., beam 610). The second optical assembly 611 of the apparatus 600 reshapes the third light beam into a fourth light beam and the fourth light beam is introduced to the first optical assembly 604 as one of the plurality of light beams to produce a fifth light beam (e.g., beam 613) that is emitted through the polarizer 609 and is not reflected by the polarizer 609.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example optical assembly 700 in which polarizations are combined to reach 2 times the original semiconductor laser intensity (limit) according to this disclosure. Semiconductor lasers are typically polarized to about 70-90% in one polarization state. When using a polarization rotation method to pattern light, 10-20% of the light in the undesired polarization state may be unused (rejected). To avoid this loss, polarization combinations and patterning can be used to increase the transmission efficiency or to increase the resultant intensity by a factor of 2, or both.

In one embodiment, two or more light beams having a first intensity are provided, each of the two or more light beams being polarized and having a majority polarization state and a minority polarization state. A respective polarization pattern is imposed on a majority polarization state of each of the two or more beams, and the two or more beams are combined to provide a single beam having a second intensity greater than the first intensity. In a second embodiment, more than one laser of any polarization state may be used. The polarizers are used to separate the beams into their respective polarization states and to spatially stack the beams of the respective polarization states together by spatial orientation to produce two effective beams, one for each polarization state. The two beams with different polarization states are then passed through a light modulator associated with their perspective polarization states, then by imposing a polarization state pattern in the beams, and then beam combining by polarization combining. The method uses all the light in the process, which allows for higher laser usage, minimal to no loss due to changes in polarization state, and better system efficiency.

The optical assembly 700 may include some or all of those components shown in fig. 7, as described below. Light sources 701 and 702 each function as a high power photon source. In some embodiments, light sources 701 and 702 may be semiconductor laser arrays each having 33.3kW of powerColumn, photons emitting 1000nm, shaped and mixed into a square beam 20mm wide by 20 mm. The emitted light may be 90% polarized in most states p, resulting in beams 703 and 704. The emitted light beams 703 and 704 may be incident on polarizers 705 and 706, respectively. Polarizers 705 and 706 can reflect the minority state s-polarization to produce optical beams 709 and 7010, which optical beams 709 and 7010 can be incident on beam dump 7011. Polarizers 705 and 706 may transmit p-polarization to produce light beams 706 and 707, which light beams 706 and 707 may be incident on polarization rotating optically addressed light valves 712 and 13, respectively. Each of light valves 712 and 713 may have the same image applied to beams 706 and 707 to create a polarization pattern and may spatially flip 20% of the "pixels" from p-polarization to s-polarization in the desired pattern, resulting in beams 714 and 715. Beams 714 and 715 may be incident on polarizers 716 and 717, respectively. Polarizers 716 and 717 may reflect the s polarization to produce beams 718 and 719, respectively, and beams 718 and 719 may contain 20% of the energy and may be collected into beam dump 720. Polarizers 716 and 717 may transmit p-polarization to produce light beams 721 and 722. Beam 722 may be incident on a half-wave plate 723, which half-wave plate 723 rotates the polarization of each photon by a half-wave, thereby converting the p-polarization to the s-polarization to produce beam 724. Beams 721 and 724 may be incident on mirrors 725 and 726, respectively, to produce light beams 727 and 728. The radiation beam 727 may be incident on the mirror 729 to produce a radiation beam 730, and the radiation beam 730 may be incident on the polarizer 731 with p-polarization. The beam 728 in s-polarization may be incident on polarizer 731, which polarizer 731 may reflect the s-polarization of beam 728 and transmit the p-polarization of beam 730 to produce beam 732. The beam 732 may be a beam of light from the light source 701 or 702 with twice the intensity of a single polarization state, with a total initial intensity of 1.8 times the original due to the 90% initial polarization, and proportionally less than this total initial intensity due to the 20% polarization map image applied at the light valves 712 and 713. The total propagation intensity at beam 732 may be 1.44 times the initial intensity for the total transmitted power emitted at 47.52 kW. Imaged to the original 20x20mm square, the final intensity may be 11.88kW/cm if the divergence angle remains the same²。

In powder bed melt additive manufacturing, as the powder material is processed (with or without chemical bonding), a source image of a beam of light of sufficient energy is directed to a location on the top surface (print surface) of the powder bed to form a unitary object. The resolution (or pixel size) of an optical system for powder bed fused additive manufacturing depends on whether the printing surface coincides with the focal plane of the final optics in the optical system, or in the case of an imaging system, whether the distance between the lens of the optics performing the imaging operation and the imaging plane remains a substantially constant distance for a given lens configuration. To be able to print large objects in powder bed melt additive manufacturing, precise control of the image position on the print surface and the distance between the lenses is necessary to maintain resolution or pixel size at every possible location of the top surface of the powder. Different powder materials may require different beam intensities or energies because the respective bond energy thresholds are different. If the intensity needs to be changed when changing the powder type or powder size distribution, the optical system may need to be shut down to reinstall and realign the imaging lens.

To address the problems associated with intensity and resolution variations, the process is described below. Fig. 8 is a flow chart 800 illustrating steps for using a dynamic optical assembly that may include an image relay chassis. In step 810, information is obtained or otherwise determined to find a minimum resolution (pixel size of incident light) of an object to be printed in a powder bed melt additive manufacturing system. The magnification of the incident light containing the image information and the image distance of the dynamic optical component are calculated according to the intensity and resolution requirements. The magnification may convert a first size of the image at the precursor image plane to a second size of the image at the printing surface (top surface of the powder bed). Incident light may originate from an energy source and pass through a precursor image plane where image information may be created. Process 800 may involve storing geometric data of the object, position and rotation control data of the dynamic optical component.

At step 820, the process 800 may include configuring mechanical components and one or more lens components to achieve the magnification obtained at 810 suitable for the powder material. The configuration of one of the mechanical assembly and the lens assembly may involve rotation of the mechanical assembly, exchange of the second set of optical lenses, or removal of the second set of optical lenses.

At step 830, multiple rotations may be performed to direct incident light from the precursor image plane to a print surface (e.g., the top surface of the powder bed) at a desired location on the print surface in each successive step of powder bed melt additive manufacturing. At step 840, the dynamic optical assembly may perform a plurality of translational motions to maintain a constant image distance from the precursor image plane to each location of the printing surface (e.g., the top surface of the powder bed) in each successive step of powder bed melt additive manufacturing. Vertical movement of the powder bed or optical assembly can be used to maintain a fixed separation of the powder bed relative to the final lens.

The apparatus implementing process 800 may include a layer of powder material dispensed on a top surface of a powder bed supported by a build platform. The source image of the incident light at the precursor image plane is incident on a lens assembly in the lens barrel. The lens assembly may be configured by rotation of a lens barrel that enables swapping of the second set of optical lenses, removal of the second set of optical lenses, use of a dynamic lens that changes shape, electronic lens swapping, beam redirection systems, electro-optically controlled refractive beam steering devices, or combinations thereof, to have the appropriate magnification of the powdered material. An image of the object of a different size than the source image appears after passing through the lens assembly and is modified according to the magnification of the lens assembly. The beam containing the image information is incident on a front body mirror and directed to a mirror mounted on the compensation gantry, where it is reflected and then incident on a final mirror mounted on the build platform gantry. The final mirror directs a beam containing image information through the final lens toward the top surface of the powder bed and reproduces and magnifies the object image in an image plane that may be formed thereon. The powder material on the powder bed may melt to form the shape of the image of the object. The build platform chassis is then moved to the next position until the designated location on the top surface of the powder bed bonds with the layer. A new layer of powder material is dispensed again and the build platform can be moved downwards by a distance equal to the thickness of the layer of powder material to maintain a constant distance from the build platform frame. A loop is started for a new layer to continue the additive printing process.

Fig. 9A illustrates an example scenario 900 of an intermediate point in a powder bed fused additive manufacturing printing process according to this disclosure. The example scenario 800 illustrates an upward movement of a component in a build chamber while controlling a depth of field with a fixed build platform 930. Build platform 930 may have an area of 0.5 meters by 1 meter over which powder may be dispensed during a print cycle. In one embodiment, build platform 930 is moved into position under gantry 905 and locked into place. Vertical columns 903(1) -903(4), each at a height of 3 meters, support a rack 907 mounted on a rack table 905. The powder dispensing unit 910, compaction feature 911 and mirror 917 may be mounted on the chassis 907 for translational movement in a horizontal plane. The gantry table 905 is shown in a position above the powder bed 920 in fig. 8 to reflect that printing may be in progress. The powder bed 920 contains a powder layer and a print target at the completion of each stage. A new layer of powder 925 is dispensed from the powder dispensing unit 910, which includes powder diffusion and compaction. A beam 921 incident from a print head (not shown) may reflect from a mirror 917 to become a beam 922 that strikes a location 923 in a new powder layer 925. Printing may occur by melting, sintering, melting, or otherwise merging the powders at locations 923 located in the new powder layer 925. The distance between the mirror 917 and the position 923 in the new powder layer 925 is the depth of field that needs to be tightly controlled to meet the resolution requirements. Arrow 970 indicates the upward movement of gantry stage 905, gantry stage 905 supporting gantry 907, powder distribution unit 910, mirror 917, and in some embodiments the surrounding chamber or wall. During this process, build platform 930 remains locked in place and gantry 907 (and/or the chamber and chamber walls) move relative to build platform 930. This arrangement is particularly useful for embodiments discussed below where the build platform 930 is large and would need to support large amounts of heavy material that is not easily moved in the vertical direction with the required accuracy.

In some embodiments, the build platform 930 of the example scenario 900 may have an area greater than 0.25 square meters. Alternatively, the build platform 930 of the example scenario 900 may have an area greater than 0.5 square meters. Alternatively, the build platform 930 of the example scenario 900 may have an area greater than 1 square meter. Alternatively, the build platform 930 of the example scenario 900 may have an area greater than 5 square meters. Alternatively, the build platform 930 of the example scenario 900 may have an area greater than 10 square meters. Alternatively, the build platform 930 of the example scenario 900 may have an area greater than 50 square meters.

In some embodiments, the powder bed 920 including the printed objects of the example scene 900 may have a mass of greater than 10 kilograms. Alternatively, the powder bed 920 including the printed objects of the example scene 900 may have a mass of greater than 50 kilograms. Alternatively, the powder bed 920 including the printed objects of the example scene 900 may have a mass of greater than 100 kilograms. Alternatively, the powder bed 920 including the printed objects of the example scene 900 may have a mass of greater than 500 kilograms. Alternatively, the powder bed 920 including the printed objects of the example scene 900 may have a mass of greater than 1,000 kilograms. Alternatively, the powder bed 920 including the printed objects of the example scene 900 may have a mass of greater than 2,000 kilograms. Alternatively, the powder bed 920 including the printed objects of the example scene 900 may have a mass of greater than 5,000 kilograms. Alternatively, the powder bed 920 including the printed objects of the example scene 900 may have a mass of greater than 10,000 kilograms.

In some embodiments, the build platform 930 of the example scene 900 may have an area greater than 0.25 square meters, and the powder bed 920 including the print objects of the example scene 900 may have a mass greater than 10 kilograms.

Powder bed fusion techniques process powdered materials to form monolithic objects from metal, ceramic and plastic powders. Sufficient energy is required to bring the powder to the respective melting/sintering/alloying temperature or phase transition temperature. If the powder material begins to approach its phase transition temperature, less energy may be required to complete the phase transition. Powder bed melt additive manufacturing may benefit from preheating of the powder bed to reduce the amount of energy delivered by the laser or other energy source. This may allow the use of lower intensity lasers and less dwell time to bond the powders, thereby improving productivity.

Some powder materials, such as metals, may require post-processing heat treatment to relieve stress concentrations and increase mechanical strength. Post-processing heat treatments may include controlled temperature annealing or rapid cooling to improve desired mechanical or electrical properties. Pre-heating and post-processing heat treatment of the powder may be achieved by embedding heating/cooling elements/temperature sensors inside the walls of the build chamber/inside the build platform and controlling the rate of heating/cooling using a feedback algorithm. Heat loss may be reduced by using insulating material inside the walls of the build chamber.

A thermal management system suitable for use in conjunction with the powder bed and chamber is discussed with reference to fig. 9B. Fig. 9B illustrates an example apparatus of a laser-based powder bed melting additive manufacturing system 900B in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 900B includes an energy source 950 and an energy beam steering system/driver 955 as part of the printhead 910B. Opto-mechanical assemblies 930(1) -930(N) may distribute the energy beam for printhead 910B through system 900B. The processor 901 and memory 940 enable data input, monitoring, control, and feedback control using various sensors. These systems may include inputs for 3D object data 941, print head controls 942, build platform controls 943, opto-mechanical assembly controls 944, and build chamber controls 945.

The laser-based powder bed melting additive manufacturing system 900 may include one or more build chambers. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, one or more build chambers of system 900 are shown in fig. 9B as build chambers 920B (N), where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. Build chambers 920B (1) -920B (N) may include powder dispensing units 922(1) -922(N) for dispensing powder material and build platforms 924(1) -924(N) for supporting powder beds formed of powder material. Each of build chambers 920B (1) -920B (n) may have different sizes and may be interchanged with each other within powder bed molten additive manufacturing system 900. Build chambers 920B (1) -920B (n) may have removable doors to facilitate removal of powder from one side of build chambers 920B (1) -920B (n) after build. Build chambers 920B (1) -920B (n) may be sealed in an atmosphere during powder bed melt additive manufacturing. The atmosphere may include, but is not limited to, vacuum, air, nitrogen, argon, or helium.

In some embodiments, the walls/ceilings of build chambers 920B (1) -920B (N) may be embedded with heating/cooling elements 926(1) -926(N) and temperature sensors 928(1) -928(N) to control the thermal environment within build chambers 920B (1) -920B (N).

In some embodiments, heating/cooling elements 926(1) - (926 (N)) may be fluid channels capable of heat exchange. The fluid may be heated or cooled outside of build chambers 920B (1) -920B (n) and heat exchanged with the walls/ceiling by moving the fluid through the fluid channels. The fluid may include, but is not limited to, oil, water, steam, air, nitrogen, argon, or a coolant.

In some embodiments, heating/cooling elements 926(1) - (926 (N)) may be resistive heating elements and thermionic cooling elements, respectively.

In some embodiments, temperature sensors 928(1) -928(N) may be thermocouples embedded in walls/ceilings within build chambers 920(1) -920 (N).

In some embodiments, temperature sensors 928(1) -928(N) may be infrared cameras mounted on walls/ceilings within build chambers 920(1) -920 (N).

In some embodiments, each of build chambers 920(1) - (920N) may include radiation shielding on the walls/ceilings of build chambers 920(1) - (920N) to reduce heat loss.

In some embodiments, build chambers 920(1) - (920N) may include low thermal conductivity materials as part of the walls/ceiling.

In some embodiments, each of build platforms 924(1) -924(N) may be capable of vertical movement or fixed at a given height during powder bed melt additive manufacturing. The build platforms 924(1) -924(N) may have different sizes and support powder beds of different masses. Build platforms 924(1) -924(N) may be removed from build chambers 920(1) -920(N) on rails, wheels, or other means.

Fig. 10 depicts a method of minimizing powder volume requirements during a build operation. In accordance with the present disclosure, printing variable printing chamber walls for powder bed melting in a powder bed melting additive manufacturing system may be accomplished utilizing process 1000. At 1010, process 1000 may involve dispensing a powder material to form a first layer of a powder bed on a support surface of a build platform.

At 1020, the process 1000 may involve selectively melting a portion of the first layer of the powder bed to form one or more first walls from the melted portion of the first layer of the powder bed. The one or more first walls may accommodate another portion of the first layer of the powder bed on the build platform. In some embodiments, the one or more first walls may include a plurality of walls surrounding a region interior to the build platform to create a region free of powder material. At 1030, the process 1000 may involve dispensing the powder material to form a second layer of the powder bed on the first layer of the powder bed. At 1040, the process 1000 may involve selectively melting a portion of the second layer of the powder bed to form one or more second walls from the melted portion of the second layer of the powder bed. The one or more second walls may contain another portion of the second layer of the powder bed.

In some embodiments, the one or more first walls may comprise a plurality of first walls surrounding another portion of the first layer of the powder bed above the first region of the build platform. Further, the one or more second walls may comprise a plurality of second walls surrounding another portion of the second layer of the powder bed above a second area of the first layer of the powder bed, wherein the second area is smaller than the first area.

In some embodiments, the one or more first walls may include at least one wall along at least one of a plurality of perimeters of the build platform. In addition, the remaining one or more of the plurality of perimeters of the build platform may define (border) one or more structural walls. In some embodiments, process 1000 may also involve causing relative movement between the build platform and the one or more structural walls in a direction perpendicular to a support surface of the build platform. Further, the process 1000 may involve dispensing powder material on the first layer and the one or more first walls of the powder bed to form a second layer of the powder bed. Further, the process 1000 may involve selectively melting a portion of the second layer of the powder bed to increase the height of the one or more first walls.

In another embodiment, the temporary wall may be fabricated to have a conduit, cavity, or porous portion (hereinafter "fluid pathway") capable of supporting fluid flow. The fluid pathway may be open or partially closed, and may be formed to connect with an external pipe, hose, sprayer, or other fluid communication system. Air, nitrogen, water, high temperature or silicone oil or other suitable gas or liquid may be circulated or otherwise transferred through the fluid channels to improve thermal management. Thermal management may include rapid or controlled cooling, and the fluid may be circulated (e.g., through a conduit formed in the temporary wall), or sprayed, dropped, or splashed, for example, onto the porous outer wall portion.

The proposed solution may be implemented in a powder bed molten additive manufacturing system for printing metal, plastic or ceramic parts. The application of the proposed solution can be more specifically defined for use in the print bed part of a machine on the receiving side of a laser or electron beam. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more energy sources of a printhead of a powder bed melt additive manufacturing system may be controlled to print a wall of a build chamber. This allows the edge walls of the chamber to be eliminated and may allow the creation of a subset area. The presence of the subset area/volume/void may help to minimize the use of powder and enable the creation of a powder-free volume. This function is particularly useful when dealing with expensive materials such as gold, silver and copper, but also for the handling of very large objects where excess powder can contain a large fraction of the standard printing volume. According to the proposed solution, the powder may be selectively distributed over the entire build area in a predetermined wall area created during the additive manufacturing process.

Since the print bed and the print head are usually vertically separated for successive layers, the print chamber walls are required to support the deposited layer and the print object, previously composed of powder. One example may involve bulging to close adherence. Another example may involve printing the perimeter wall (and possibly structural support therefor) during each layer. The wall may be cut and recycled after each print.

In some embodiments, most or all of the peripheral wall may be raised, and the wall may also be printed to reduce the powder bed area for the powder layer, while using a "bucket" formed by the peripheral wall for trapping powder falling outside the printed wall.

In some embodiments, the raised wall may not be a complete perimeter. For example, when a print bed is first placed into a print station, and then the completed bed (powder and print objects) is lifted, an access point for a forklift or other material handling equipment may be required. The printing of the limited walls of this region provides the remaining walls needed to support the powder during the print cycle. The material handling equipment may then "punch through" the printed wall to gain access to the lift-off point. In some embodiments, the lift points may be determined by a priori algorithm or user placement and built into the wall at key locations.

The printing wall need not match the geometry of the printing table, nor need it match exactly the wall printed in the previous layer. This can be done by appropriate powder dispensing equipment and logic to disperse the powder sufficiently to cover between the wall areas where powder is needed. Advantageously, this may save a lot of time, weight and/or powder per layer.

Fig. 11A illustrates an example scenario 1100 that may be utilized in which a powder bed 1120 is formed on a build platform 1130 in accordance with the present disclosure. Build platform 1130 may have an area of 0.25 square meters and may support powder bed 1120 of powder material, and powder bed 1120 may be 0.5 meters deep inside build chamber 1110. Scene 1100 may be at the end or middle of a print cycle. Below build platform 1130 is a hopper 1140 with sloped walls that may be 45-60 degrees relative to a horizontal surface on which build platform 1130 is disposed. In some embodiments, the hopper 1140 may contain an auger 1150.

Fig. 11B shows another example scenario 1101 in which the separation of powder bed 1121 from build platform 1131 is depicted. Scene 1101 may be at the end of a print cycle or at an intermediate cycle that is suspended for various reasons. Inside the build chamber 1111, a build platform 1131 supporting a powder bed 1121 may be tilted from a horizontal position by more than 90 degrees. The gravity pull due to the weight of the powder bed 1121 causes the powder material and the printing object embedded within the powder bed 1121 to fall into the hopper 1141 below. The build chamber 1111 may include a vacuum 1160 and high pressure spray 1162 so that most of the powder may be collected in the hopper 1141. After tilting build platform 1131, suction 1160 and gas jets 1162 may be used to remove the sticky powder remaining on build platform 1131. The hopper 1141 may have sloped walls to help direct powder onto the bottom of the hopper 1141. Hopper 1141 may include auger 1151.

Processing may involve controlling the powder dispensing assembly to dispense multiple layers of powder material to form a powder bed during a print cycle. The vertical movement of the powder distribution assembly can be controlled to maintain a constant separation from the powder bed. After a portion of the dispensed powder layer is bonded together, the vertical motion results in the powder dispensing assembly being indexable away from the powder bed (e.g., upward) by a distance equal to the thickness of the dispensed powder layer. To remove residual powder, the movement of the build platform may include rotation, tilting, flipping, vibrating, shaking, and/or shaking. Due to these movements, the powder bed on the build platform may fall into the hopper below the build platform due to the weight of the powder bed. A vacuum system, robotic arm, and/or gas sprayer may be used to further remove the remaining powder on the build platform. Thus, a substantial portion of the powdered material may be collected in a hopper for reuse or storage. In some embodiments, an auger and/or conveyor may be used to convey the powder collected in the hopper towards one or more storage chambers. In another process embodiment, a majority of the powdered material may be sealed in one or more storage chambers in an atmosphere suitable for the powdered material. The atmosphere may include vacuum, air, nitrogen, argon, helium, other inert gases, or noble gases.

Fig. 12A and 12B show a system for long part manufacturing. Many current 3D printers have significant and frequent downtime when the build chamber must be emptied of powder and printed parts and reset for the next print job. In the following description, a unified coordinate system 1211 is defined. Thus, certain systems may correspond to or define longitudinal, lateral and transverse (transpose) directions 1211a, 1211b, 1211c that are orthogonal to one another. The longitudinal direction 1211a may correspond to a long axis of the system. Thus, during additive manufacturing, the long axis of the long element 1210 may be substantially aligned with the longitudinal direction 1211 a. Lateral direction 1211b may combine with longitudinal direction 1211a to define a horizontal plane. That is, both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction may extend in a horizontal plane. The lateral direction 1211b may extend up and down in alignment with gravity.

In selected embodiments, systems and methods according to the present invention may enable or support substantially continuous additive manufacturing without such downtime. As seen with reference to fig. 12A and 12B, this can be accomplished by manufacturing part 1210 in segments. For example, the system may (1) make a first section 1212a of the part 1210, (2) advance the part 1210 a selected distance along the conveyor 1216, (3) make a second section 1212b of the part 1210, (4) advance the part 1210 a selected distance along the conveyor 1218, and (5) repeat until all sections of the part 1210 have been completed. Indeed, additive manufacturing and cleaning (e.g. separating and/or reclaiming unused or uncombined particulate material) may be performed in parallel (i.e. simultaneously) at different locations or zones on the conveyor. Thus, additive manufacturing according to the present invention does not require stopping to remove particulate material and/or parts.

The system may define or include a plurality of zones 1236a-1236 c. Different tasks may be performed in different zones. In selected embodiments, different zones may correspond to different locations along the conveyor. Accordingly, the conveyor may advance (e.g., translate in the direction indicated by arrow 1232) the part through various zones of the system. In certain embodiments, the system may include three zones 1236a, 1236b, 1236 c. The first zone 1236a may correspond to, include, or span a portion of a conveyor where additive manufacturing occurs. Thus, the first zone 1236a may correspond to an area where the layers of particulate material 144 on the conveyor are laid down and the particulate material is held in intimate contact with the part.

The second region 1236b may directly follow the first region 1236 a. The second region 1236b can be characterized by a substantial portion of the non-merged portion of particulate material moving away from the part. For example, in the second zone 1236b, one or more walls may terminate or be removed such that the unbound portion of the particulate material may no longer be completely contained in the lateral direction 1211 b. As a result, some of the unbound portion of the particulate material may spill over the sides of one or more plates, conveyors, and the like. The overflow particulate material may fall into one or more containers where it may be collected and reused.

The third zone 1236c may directly follow the second zone 1236 b. The third zone 1236c can be characterized by a portion of the part 1210 within the third zone 1236c being exposed to the field of view (e.g., completely, substantially, or partially exposed to the field of view by removing or moving a substantial portion of the non-incorporated portion of the particulate material) without the part 1210 changing its position in the lateral and transverse directions 1211b, 1211 c.

For example, in some embodiments, the leading portion of the piece 1210 can reach the third zone 1236c while the trailing portion of the piece 1210 remains manufactured within the first zone 1236 a. Thus, in selected embodiments, the conveyor, one or more plates, one or more temporary supports 1223, one or more walls, or the like, or combinations or subcombinations thereof, may cooperate to maintain the front portion of the part 1210 in the same position in the lateral and transverse directions 1211a, 1211c as the front portion occupies within the first and second zones 1236a, 1236 b. Thus, the location of the front of the piece 1210 does not unduly interfere, distort, etc. with additive manufacturing occurring on the tail of the piece 1210 in the first region 1236 a.

In selected embodiments, all of the unbound portion of particulate material outside of the piece 1210 can be removed in the second regions 1236b or within some combination of the second regions 1236b and the third regions 1236 c. However, in certain alternative embodiments, the bed may be removed from the conveyor, while the four walls remain intact. Thus, all or some of the remaining portion of the unbound portion of particulate material may be removed at a station spaced a distance from the first zone 1236 a.

In another embodiment, a ramp may be used to transition from a lower segment or zone to a subsequent higher segment or zone. For example, the ramp may enable a back wall corresponding to a lower segment to be built higher through the process of additive manufacturing than a majority of the lower segment, such that the back wall may become a front wall of a subsequent higher segment. When only the back wall is built, the ramp is built much faster than laying a complete layer (e.g., a layer covering the entire lower segment).

The ramp may include multiple layers of particulate material that vary incrementally in length along one or more directions (e.g., longitudinal direction 1211 a). For example, within a ramp, each successive layer may be shorter in length than the immediately preceding layer. The resulting slope may be at an angle relative to horizontal that is less than the critical angle of repose of the particulate material. Thus, the particulate material forming the ramp may be stable and not fall off or move due to gravitational acceleration acting thereon.

In operation, a first layer of particles of the particulate material may be distributed and the radiant energy directed at all particles within the first layer that form part of the selected particles. A second layer of particles of the particulate material is distributed on top of the first layer and the radiant energy is directed to all particles within the second layer forming part of the selected particles. The first layer may define a first plane and the second layer defines a second plane parallel to the first plane. In certain embodiments, the first plane and the second plane are both horizontal planes. In other embodiments, both the first plane and the second plane extend at an angle greater than zero and less than or equal to the critical angle of repose of the particulate material relative to a horizontal plane, thereby forming a slope.

Fig. 13A shows an additive manufacturing system 1300 including a powder chamber 1302 having a powder bed 1304. The system 1300 may also include a processing platform 1320, the processing platform 1320 may be a designated processing area, another powder chamber, a coating station, a conveyor, a shipping container, or any other desired manufacturing system component. The system 1300 also includes a robotic arm 1310 having a manipulator 1312 capable of grasping the part 1330 through its additive manufactured handling point 1332. The sensor system 1334 may be mounted on the robotic arm 1310, or alternatively, on the powder chamber 1302, in the powder chamber 1302, or near the powder chamber 1302.

Although a six degree of freedom single robotic arm with a gripping gripper is the handling device shown in the figures, other automated, mechanical or manual embodiments may be employed. For example, a crane, a lift, a hydraulic arm, a clamp, a rail or track, a locking mechanism or any other type of manually or automatically controllable steering device may be used. The handling apparatus may be mounted beside, on, near or inside the powder chamber 1302. Alternatively, the handling device may be movably mounted above, near or on rails positioned within the powder chamber. In some embodiments, multiple steering devices may be used.

The steering device may include a position, depth, laser scanning, or similar sensor system 1314. The sensors may be mounted on or near the manipulator, elsewhere on the robot arm, or on, near, or inside the powder chamber or processing platform 1320. In certain embodiments, the sensor may be movable, with hinges, rails, hydraulic pistons, or other suitable actuation mechanisms for rotating, raising, depressing, oscillating, or laterally scanning the sensor. In some embodiments, a conventional RGB CMOS or CCD sensor may be used alone or in combination with a specialized depth sensor or optical edge tracking sensing system. Embodiments may be selected to improve 3D positioning of parts, including identifying and using guidelines, markers, or other detectable positioning markers.

Fig. 13B illustrates the system described with respect to fig. 13A, where the robotic arm 1310 lifts and reorients the part 1330 through one of its additive manufactured handling points 1332. In some embodiments, the part 1330 may be lifted, rotated, linearly translated, and returned to the powder bed 1304 for further processing.

Fig. 13C illustrates the system described with respect to fig. 13A, where the robotic arm 1310 lifts and reorients the part 1330 through one of its additive manufactured handling points 1332. In this embodiment, part 1330 is lifted, rotated, and placed onto machining platform 1320 for further processing.

Fig. 14 shows a part 1400 comprising various possible additive manufactured robotic handling points. Piece 1400 supports various protruding structures (i.e., 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, and 1414) and internal structures or cavities (i.e., 1410, 1412, and 1416) that can serve as robotic manipulation points. In this figure, the structure 1402 is a crescent tab with two narrow connection points to the part 1400. The tab portions allow for easy engagement with a manipulator having a clamping or pinching grasper, while the narrow connection points simplify removal of the structure 1402 by mechanical cutting, sawing, punching or drilling or by directing an energy beam. Similarly, pin 1404 is a tab structure that can be engaged by a clamping or pinching gripper or by a "bit" hold type engagement system that wraps around and retracts to hold pin 1402. The rectangular tab 1406 is attached at a single narrow point, allowing some embodiments of the manipulator to twist and break (break free) the tab after the part has moved to the desired area/location. The plate 1408, again attached at two points to simplify subsequent removal by mechanical clipping or energy beam, is relatively long and wide to simplify engagement by the manipulator.

Additive manufacturing of part 1400 may be designed to include depressions, platforms, cavities, holes, or other internally defined structures that do not significantly affect part function but improve reliability of engagement with the robotic arm. For example, the prismatic locking cavity 1410 may guide a pin or clamping system into engagement with the cavity. Alternatively, a deployment clip may be used to engage the recess 1412 defined in the piece 1400. A cavity or opening 1416 may also be defined in the removable tab 1414, if desired. In some embodiments, a cavity or opening in a substantially additively manufactured part may be defined by subtractive machining, drilling, stamping, or removing etched material or directed energy beams. In certain other embodiments, after use, the cavity may be filled using additive manufacturing techniques, by using thermoset plastics, or any other suitable filling technique.

In some embodiments, two-dimensional or three-dimensional positioning of the part 1400 may be improved by using imaging or other optical sensors that use the protruding tab or cavity location to identify the precise location of the part. In other embodiments, the marker light guide or marker 1420 may be additively formed or mechanically or laser imprinted on the protruding structure or part itself to improve guidance of the joint 3D positioning after movement.

In one embodiment, the processing may be performed by the following steps. In a first step, a material is placed on a powder bed in a powder chamber. Then, a part including one or more steering points is fabricated using the directed beam of two-dimensional patterned energy. The manipulator may engage the handling point and lift the part off the powder bed. The part may be repositioned on the powder bed for further processing or alternatively moved to a new processing region remote from the powder bed and chamber. In an optional step, the handling points may be removed (e.g., protruding tabs are mechanically trimmed) or filled (e.g., additive-defined holes or epoxy-filled cavities).

Fig. 15 illustrates an example process 1500 of collecting and characterizing a powder sample of a powder material during a printing process. The process 1500 may be used to collect powder samples from a powder bed or powder dispensing assembly and characterize the powder samples in real time in a test kit according to the present disclosure. At 1510, process 1500 can involve controlling a collector during a print cycle to collect a plurality of powder samples of powder material while forming a print object. The powder material may include metal, ceramic, plastic powder, or other suitable powder that is capable of bonding together when subjected to thermal energy. The collector may collect powder samples at predetermined intervals or randomly or periodically at predetermined stages during the printing process. For example, powder samples may be collected every 10 minutes, or only at the completion of 1/5 and 4/5 of the printing process. The collector may have a mechanism to transfer powder from the powder bed or the powder dispensing assembly. The collector can also control the amount of powder transferred, depending on how many tests are required for analysis. At 1520, the process 1500 may involve controlling the test suite to perform one or more of the tests. In some embodiments, one or more specific properties of the powder material may need to be tightly controlled within a certain range to ensure mechanical, electrical or optical properties of the printed object. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to preserve the characteristics of the powder during the printing process for auditing purposes. A test kit may include an instrument capable of performing one or more tests. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, one test may measure the distribution of powder size by a particle size analyzer; the second test may measure the density of the powder sample by a densitometer; a third test may identify substances within the powder sample by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. At 1530, process 1500 may involve determining whether to modify a set of printing parameters for the printing process or whether to abort the printing process based on the resulting characteristics from the test. The determination may include a computer simulation based on a set of models using the results of the characterization as input. Powder samples that are not certified or have inadequate processing conditions may experience undesirable powder variations. The test may provide real-time feedback of the powder properties during the printing process. One or more printing parameters may be modified based on the test results. For example, the incident beam intensity may increase or decrease when a hydrometer measures a deviation in a particular powder density that may affect the energy per unit volume required to melt or sinter the powder. The dwell time of the incident beam provided by the print head or the thickness of the powder layer dispensed by the powder dispensing assembly can also be controlled to adjust for energy demand variations. If the energy per unit volume deviates too much from the specified powder density, the printing process may be stopped or suspended because the energy source inside the print head may not meet the powder melting requirements. In another example, contamination within the powder sample may be detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which may affect one or more electrical, mechanical, and optical properties of the printed object. In other embodiments, the printing process may be stopped if the characterization result indicates the use of unlicensed powder or hazardous powder (including unlicensed powder that may lead to poor additive manufacturing results).

In some embodiments, predicting the final print quality based on the results of in-process (real-time or in-situ) characterization of the powder sample may be performed by simulation using a set of models. For example, the size control of the printed object may depend on the resolution of the incident beam and the temperature gradient of the powder on the boundary of the melting region. If the temperature does not drop fast enough on the boundary and results in out of dimensional tolerance, the melted region may extend beyond the intended boundary. The temperature gradient may be simulated by a heat transfer model that calculates the thermal conductivity based on the properties of the powder (e.g., based on the composition and size of the powder). If the dimensions of the printed object predicted by the simulation model exceed the dimensional tolerance required, the printing process may be aborted.

At 1540, process 5100 may involve storing powder samples in multiple sample tanks. The sample tanks may be stored for analysis, which may not be suitable for in-process characterization, or for later auditing purposes. The storage container may be capable of packaging the powder sample under substantially the same atmosphere as the in-process (real-time or in-situ) atmosphere inside the sample tank. The atmosphere may be vacuum, air, or an inert gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, helium, or other noble gases.

Referring to fig. 16, a manufacturing facility 1624 in accordance with the present invention may include one or more machines 1610 housed within a housing 1626. Such a housing 1626 may control one or more environmental conditions as needed or desired. For example, the housing 1626 may protect printed or to-be-printed material from undesirable thermal, chemical, photonic, radiation, or electronic reactions or interactions and the like, or combinations or subcombinations thereof. Housing 1626 may also protect the human operator or other nearby personnel from potentially harmful aspects of the machine and machine powder 1610, such as heat, ultraviolet light, chemical reactions, radioactive decay products, and laser exposure.

The one or more machines 1610 contained within a particular housing 1626 may all be the same size or different sizes. Similarly, the one or more machines 1610 contained within a particular housing 1626 may all be of the same type or different types. For example, in selected embodiments, each of the one or more machines 1610 within the housing 1626 may combine (e.g., unite, bond, melt, sinter, melt, etc.) particular particulate materials in a batch process. In other embodiments, each of the one or more machines 1610 within housing 1626 may incorporate a particular particulate material in a continuous process. In other embodiments, one or more machines 1610 within the housing 1626 may consolidate particular particulate materials in a batch process, while one or more other machines 1610 within the housing 1626 may consolidate particular particulate materials in a continuous process.

In certain embodiments, the manufacturing facility 1624 may include one or more dampers 1628 forming one or more antechambers for respective housings 1626. The damper 1628 may enable parts, materials 144, personnel, etc. to enter and exit the housing 1626 without compromising the environment (e.g., a low oxygen and inert gas environment) within the housing 1626. The damper 1628 may include at least two airtight (or substantially airtight) doors 1630a, 1630 b. The first door 1630a of the damper 1628 may enable passage of parts, materials 144, personnel, etc. between the interior of the damper 1628 and the interior of the corresponding housing 1626. The second door 1630b may enable parts, materials 144, personnel, etc. to pass between the interior of the dampers 1628 and the external environment surrounding the respective housing 1626. The damper 1628 may also include a gas exchange system (not shown) that may clean and/or vent the damper 1628 as needed or necessary to effectively transition the gas environment within the damper 1628 between a state compatible with the interior of the housing 1626 and a state compatible with the environment external to the housing 1626.

One or more machines 1610 may be disposed in housing 1626 such that sufficient space around machines 1610 is reserved for one or more human workers, robots, or the like to access machines 1610, remove parts therefrom, vacuum-clean uncombined particulate material 144 for reuse, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, housing 1626 may include various racks, construction walkways, and the like that enable one or more human workers, robots, and the like to access machine 1610 from above (e.g., visual access, physical access). This may be helpful when the housing 1626 contains one or more large machines 1610, where access from the edges or sides thereof may be insufficient to perform certain tasks.

In certain embodiments, the manufacturing facility 1624 may include one or more gas management systems 1632 that control the composition of the gaseous materials within the enclosure 1626. The gas management system 1632 can maintain a concentration of an inert gas or substantially inert gas (e.g., vacuum, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, or the like, or combinations or subcombinations thereof) above a desired level (e.g., argon volume at or above about 99.9%). Alternatively, or in addition, the gas management system may maintain the concentration of oxygen and/or water vapor below atmospheric levels. For example, in one embodiment, the desired level of gaseous oxygen volume may be less than 0.05%, and the volume of water vapor less than 0.05%.

The gaseous environment within housing 1626 may be incompatible with the respiratory requirements of one or more individuals who may need to enter and/or operate within housing 1626. Thus, to work within certain housings 1626 according to the present invention, one or more personnel may wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Thereafter, when a worker enters enclosure 1626, the PPE may create a barrier between the worker and the work environment within enclosure 1626.

In selected embodiments, the PPE worn by one or more personnel may include a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The SCBA may be a closed circuit device (e.g., ventilator) that filters, supplements, and recovers or stores exhaled gases. Alternatively, the SCBA may be an open circuit device that vents at least some of the exhaled gas (e.g., nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, water vapor, or combinations or subcombinations thereof) into the ambient environment. In embodiments using an open circuit device, the amount of exhalation by one or more workers within the housing 1626 may be very small relative to the oversized dimensions of the housing 1626. Thus, the release of oxygen, water vapor, etc. into the interior of the housing 1626 may be small enough to be negligible or at least within acceptable limits (e.g., within the rectification capacity of the gas management system 1632).

Referring to FIG. 17, in selected embodiments, a manufacturing facility may include a plurality of work areas 1724 connected by one or more interface mechanisms 1728 to form a network 1740. One or more working regions 1724 forming such a network 1740 may be contained within the housing 1726. The one or more work areas 1724 forming such a network 1740 may not require a housing 1726 and thus may not be contained within one housing. One or more work areas 1724 forming such a network 1740 may be contained within one or more buildings. For example, in selected embodiments, all of the various work areas 1724 forming the network 1740 may be contained within a single building. In such an embodiment, any work area 1724 contained within the enclosure 1726 may be a work area 1724 that requires more environmental conditioning than is provided by the building.

Various work areas 1724 of network 1740 may be defined and/or arranged to correspond to certain manufacturing-related processes. Such processes may include creating parts by additive manufacturing; removing the part from the machine that created the part; removing the uncombined particulate material; separating the part from a base or bed, one or more support structures (e.g., an exterior portion of one or more travel walls extending through the part, printed to support the part during additive manufacturing, one or more temporary structures not to be included in the finished part, etc.), and the like; heat treatment; shot peening; powder coating, painting, anodizing, etc.; shipping and packaging; or the like or combinations or sub-combinations thereof.

For example, in selected embodiments, the network 1740 may include a first working region 1724a for powder bed melting in an inert environment provided by the housing 1726, a second working region 1724b for removing the particulate material 144 from the build platform 146 in the housing 1726, a third working region 1724c for shot peening to improve surface finish in the housing 1726, a fourth working region 1724d for heat treatment to anneal metal parts in the housing 1726, a fifth working region 1724e for removing parts from the build platform 146 in the housing 1726, a sixth working region 1724f for packaging and shipping, and the like, or combinations or sub-combinations thereof.

In the first work area 1724a, one or more machines may be contained within a housing 1726. These machines may all be the same size or different sizes. Similarly, the one or more machines may all be of the same type or different types. For example, in selected embodiments, each of the one or more machines within the housing 1726 may incorporate (e.g., unite, bond, melt, sinter, melt, etc.) particular particulate materials in a batch process. In other embodiments, each of the one or more machines within the enclosure may incorporate a particular particulate material in a continuous process. In other embodiments, one or more machines within the enclosure may incorporate particular particulate materials in a batch process, while one or more other machines within the enclosure may incorporate particular particulate materials in a continuous process.

One or more machines in first work area 1724a may be arranged such that sufficient space around the machine is reserved for one or more human workers, robots, or the like to access the machine, remove parts therefrom, vacuum-clean uncombined particulate material for reuse, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, first work area 1724a may include various racks, construction walks, etc. that enable one or more human workers, robots, etc. to access the machine from above (e.g., visual access, physical access). This may be helpful when first work area 1724a contains one or more large machines where access from the edges or sides thereof may not be sufficient to perform certain tasks.

In second work area 1724b, uncombined particulate material may be removed from the build platform by various methods. For example, a vacuum mechanism with a manually or robotically controlled (e.g., moving) collection port may be used to collect uncombined particulate material from around the part, off of a build platform or bed, or the like. Alternatively or in addition, one or more pressurized gas streams, either manually or robotically controlled (e.g., aimed), may be used to remove uncombined particulate material from certain fractures, sweep the uncombined particulate material from the build platform or bed, and/or move the uncombined particulate material to one or more locations accessible by vacuum.

In selected embodiments, as shown, the first work area 1724a and the second work area 1724b may be contained within separate housings 1726. In other embodiments, first work area 1724a and second work area 1724b may be contained within the same housing 1726. Further, in certain embodiments, first work area 1724a and second work area 1724b may overlap at least to some extent geographically, but may be separated in time (e.g., one or more tasks corresponding to one work area 1724a may be performed at a different time than one or more tasks corresponding to another work area 1724 b).

Optionally, the first and second work areas 1724a, 1724b may be geographically adjacent to one another, but may overlap in time to some extent (e.g., one or more tasks corresponding to one work area 1724a may be performed at the same time as one or more tasks corresponding to another work area 1724 b). In such embodiments, the first zone of the machine may correspond to or may be a first work area 1724a, and the second zone (or a combination of the second and third zones) may correspond to or may be a second work area 1724 b.

In the third work zone 1724c, the peening process may be applied to one or more parts manually or robotically controlled. For example, in selected embodiments, a human or robotic system may use the same particulate material as the impact medium in the peening process (i.e., the same particulate material used to create the part) to improve the surface finish of the part.

In fourth work area 1724d, housing 1726 may be or include an oven for heat treating one or more parts. Accordingly, such a housing 1726 may be configured to generate, maintain, and control a large amount of heat. The exact amount of heat may vary between the size of the housing 1726, the nature of the part being heat treated, and the like.

In fifth work area 1724e, one or more build platforms or beds may be separated from the parts they support, one or more exterior portions of one or more travel walls extending through the parts may be removed, one or more temporary structures printed to support the parts during additive manufacturing that are not to be included within the finished parts may be removed, the like, or combinations thereof. In selected embodiments, this may involve a wire Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process. In such embodiments, the part may be submerged in a bath of partially deionized water, with the ion content carefully controlled as part of the EDM process. A housing for the fifth work area 1724e may be included or omitted as needed or desired.

In a sixth work area 1724f, one or more parts may be prepared for shipment and/or shipped. For example, in sixth work area 1724f, one or more parts may be painted, packaged, wrapped in plastic, secured to one or more pallets, etc., and loaded on a truck for shipment. A housing for sixth work area 1724f may be included or omitted as needed or desired.

In selected embodiments, the network 1740 may include multiple work areas 1724 connected in series by one or more interface mechanisms 1728. Such interface mechanisms 1728 may enable one or more parts to smoothly and efficiently flow from one work area 1724 to the next. Accordingly, the work areas 1724 may be arranged in the network 1740 such that the tasks associated therewith may be performed in a required or desired order.

Any of the enclosures can maintain the concentration of an inert or substantially inert gas (e.g., vacuum, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, or the like, or combinations or subcombinations thereof) above a desired level (e.g., argon volume at or above about 99.9%). Alternatively or in addition, the enclosure may maintain the concentration of oxygen and/or water vapor below atmospheric levels (e.g., less than 0.05% by volume of gaseous oxygen and less than 0.05% by volume of water vapor).

The print bed, parts or other materials may be transported using the vehicle via the interface mechanism 1728 by rolling or otherwise moving on a path (e.g., a concrete floor), a conveyor system, a track or a combination of multiple tracks using conventional railroad concepts, linear motion on a track using an encoder, linear motion provided by a pulley system, motion and/or levitation provided by a magnetically levitated track, motion via a conveyor system or belt, or the like, or combinations or sub-combinations thereof. Large parts weighing 2,000 kg or more can be transported. The vehicle may have wheels that roll on the support surface. The support surface may be a floor (e.g., a floor having a visually, electronically, or magnetically detectable path applied thereto or embedded therein). The support surface may also be one or more rails. Such rails may be located below the parts carried by the vehicle. Alternatively, the rails may be positioned above the parts carried by the vehicle. That is, the rail may be an overhead rail, and the vehicle may be a cart or trolley that rolls on the overhead rail while suspending parts thereunder.

Wheeled or other vehicles may be controlled and/or operated manually, automatically, autonomously, or semi-autonomously. For example, in selected embodiments, one or more wheeled vehicles may be pushed and/or manipulated by one or more human operators. In other embodiments, various on-board or off-board control systems may sense things about the vehicle being happening and indicate when the vehicle is moving, when to stop, how to drive, and the like.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the specific examples of the disclosed embodiments, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that other embodiments of the invention may be practiced without the elements/steps specifically disclosed herein.