阅读说明：本技术 用于选择性增材制造装置的磁约束加热装置 (Magnetic confinement heating device for selective additive manufacturing device ) 是由 G·瓦尔朗 T·米内亚 C·巴拉热 D·兰丹 T·佩蒂 于 2019-04-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于在增材制造装置中加热粉末床的装置,其特征在于,其包括：-等离子体产生装置(20),所述装置设计成距粉末床一定距离布置在粉末床上方、且在粉末床上方移动,从而能够在粉末床上产生等离子体；-用于向所述等离子体产生装置供电的单元(22)；-控制单元(9),其用于控制所述等离子体产生装置的供电和移动,并且所述等离子体产生装置(20)包括等离子体磁约束组件。(The invention relates to a device for heating a powder bed in an additive manufacturing device, characterized in that it comprises: -a plasma-generating device (20) designed to be arranged above the powder bed at a distance therefrom and to be moved above the powder bed so as to be able to generate a plasma on the powder bed; -a unit (22) for powering the plasma-generating device; -a control unit (9) for controlling the powering and the movement of the plasma-generating device, and the plasma-generating device (20) comprises a plasma magnetic confinement assembly.)

1. An apparatus for heating a powder bed in an additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:

-a plasma generating device (20) adapted to be located above the powder bed at a distance from the powder bed and to be moved above the powder bed so as to be able to generate a plasma on the powder bed,

a power supply unit (22) for the plasma-generating device,

a control unit (9) for controlling the powering and the movement of the plasma-generating device,

and, the plasma generating device (20) comprises a plasma magnetic confinement assembly.

2. Heating device according to claim 1, wherein said plasma confinement assembly comprises a magnetron-type device (23) adapted to confine charged particles.

3. Heating device according to claim 2, wherein the magnetron device (23) comprises a magnet device (25) configured to confine electrons according to a linear pattern (29).

4. Heating device according to claim 3, wherein said magnetron-type device (23) comprises a slit (30) forming an ion source, said slit (30) being formed through an electrode (24) and being presented facing said powder bed.

5. The heating device according to claim 4, wherein a gas is injected into the slit (30).

6. Heating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plasma-generating device (20) is adapted to move with a main displacement component perpendicular to the direction in which the plasma-generating device extends.

7. Heating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply unit (22) for the plasma-generating device (20) comprises a direct current and/or a radio frequency and/or a pulsed high voltage source.

8. An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selective additive manufacturing, comprising in a housing:

a support (3) for deposition of successive layers of additive manufacturing powder,

-a dispensing device (4) adapted to apply a layer of powder on the support (3) or on a previously solidified layer,

-at least one power source (8) adapted for selective solidification of a powder layer applied by the distribution device (4),

characterized in that the device comprises a heating device (19) according to any one of the preceding claims, the plasma-generating device (20) of the heating device (19) being adapted to be located above and to be moved over the powder bed at a distance from the powder bed so as to be able to generate a plasma on the powder bed, the plasma-generating device (20) further comprising a plasma magnetic confinement assembly.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the dispensing device (4) comprises a layered doctor blade (5) or a roll, the plasma-generating device (20) extending in the vicinity of the doctor blade (5) or roll and moving together with the doctor blade or roll or independently.

10. A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selective additive manufacturing, the method comprising the steps of:

depositing a layer of powder on the support (3) or on the previously solidified layer,

curing at least one area of the previously deposited layer, the curing being performed by a power source (8),

characterized in that it further comprises the operation of heating at least one local area of the powder layer by means of a heating device (19) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the heating of the powder bed being performed by a confined plasma.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein during the heating step the plasma generating device (20) confines the charged particles in a precise position so as to control the formation of the electrical discharge when the electrode (24) is powered, generating a confined plasma, thereby maximising heat transfer between the plasma and the powder bed.

12. A method according to any one of claims 10 and 11, wherein, during the heating step, a gas is injected into the plasma generating device (20) to be ionized therein, the magnetic field causing the ejection of ionized gas so as to produce a confined plasma jet directed towards the powder.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein at least one heating step is performed before and/or after the curing step.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the general field of selective additive manufacturing.

More particularly, the invention relates to heat treatment, and in particular to pre-heat treatment, possibly with in-situ post-treatment by heating carried out on a powder bed prior to selective melting.

Background

Selective additive manufacturing involves creating a three-dimensional object by solidifying selected regions on successive layers of powdered material (metal powder, ceramic powder, etc.). The solidified regions correspond to successive portions of the three-dimensional object. The solidification is carried out layer by layer, for example by selective melting in whole or in part by means of a power source (high-power laser beam, electron beam, etc.).

Conventionally, in order to avoid spattering due to electrostatic repulsion of adjacent powder particles (which are charged under the action of a beam from a power source), the powder bed is solidified in advance by preheating. This preheating ensures that the temperature of the powder bed rises to a temperature that can be extremely high (about 750 ℃ for titanium alloys).

However, the energy cost of preheating is really high.

Preheating also represents a significant loss in cycle time.

In order to optimize the efficiency of the power source used, it is known to work in a gas-tight enclosure in which a partial vacuum is created, in particular in order to reduce the energy transfer between the signal emitted by the power source and the surrounding atmosphere in order to enhance the energy transfer between the power source and the powder bed.

Disclosure of Invention

A general object of the present invention is to reduce the drawbacks of the arrangements proposed so far.

It is worth noting that one object of the present invention is to propose a solution that enables heating of the powder without powering up and lifting the powder.

Another objective is to propose a heating solution (performed before or after the selective melting step) operating at very low pressure to optimize the efficiency of the powder melting device.

A further object is to propose a solution that can reduce the pre-heating or post-treatment costs and time by heating during the manufacturing cycle.

Another object of the invention is to propose a solution that is easy to construct.

Another object is also to propose a heating solution that is kept at low pressure (<0.1 mbar) (while being effective over a wide pressure range).

According to a first aspect, therefore, the invention proposes a device for heating a powder bed in an additive manufacturing device,

characterized in that the device comprises:

a plasma generating device adapted to be located above the powder bed at a distance therefrom and to be moved above the powder bed so as to be able to generate a plasma on the powder bed,

a power supply unit for the plasma-generating device,

a control unit for controlling the powering and the movement of the plasma-generating device,

and, the plasma generating device includes a plasma magnetic confinement assembly.

In this way, the plasma is confined and confined in a confined region, optimizing the preheating of the powder bed.

Thus, the energy efficiency of the heating cycle is enhanced, thereby reducing the duration and cost of the preheating or heating cycle.

Advantageously, the device can be supplemented by the following features, alone or in combination:

the plasma confinement assembly comprises a magnetron-type device adapted to confine charged particles;

the magnetron device comprises a magnet device configured to confine electrons according to a linear pattern;

the magnetron type device comprises a slit forming an ion source, said slit being formed through the electrode and presenting facing the powder bed;

-injecting a gas into the slit;

-the plasma-generating device is adapted to move with a main displacement component perpendicular to the direction in which the plasma-generating device extends;

-the power supply unit for the plasma-generating device comprises a direct current and/or radio frequency and/or pulsed high voltage source.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selective additive manufacturing, comprising in a housing:

a support for deposition of successive layers of additive manufacturing powder,

-a dispensing device adapted to apply a layer of powder on the support or on a previously solidified layer,

at least one power source adapted for selective solidification of a powder layer applied by said distribution means,

the device comprises a heating device according to the invention, the plasma generating device of which is adapted to be located above the powder bed at a distance from the powder bed and to be moved above the powder bed so as to be able to generate a plasma on the powder bed, the plasma generating device further comprising a plasma magnetic confinement assembly.

Such a device may comprise a dispensing device comprising a layered blade or roller, the plasma generating device extending in the vicinity of and moving with the blade or roller, or being placed on a separate moving device, such as a robotic arm.

According to a third aspect, the invention proposes a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selective additive manufacturing, the method comprising the steps of:

-depositing a layer of powder on a support or on a previously solidified layer,

-curing the previously pre-heated area, the curing being performed by a power source,

the method further comprises the step of heating at least one local area of the powder layer by means of a heating device according to the invention, the heating of the powder bed being performed by a confined plasma.

Advantageously, the method can be supplemented by the following features, alone or in combination:

-during the heating step, the plasma generating means confine the charged particles in a precise position so as to control the formation of the electric discharge when the electrodes are powered, generating a confined plasma, so as to maximize the heat transfer between the plasma and the powder bed;

-during the heating step, injecting a gas into the plasma generating device to be ionized therein, the magnetic field causing a jet of ionized gas so as to generate a confined plasma jet directed towards the powder;

-performing at least one heating step before and/or after the curing step.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, which is given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation, and which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a schematic view of an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising a heating apparatus according to a possible embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a theoretical diagram of a plasma-generating device for heating a powder bed according to the invention;

figure 3 is a schematic view of a cross section of a magnetron plasma generating device according to the invention;

fig. 4 is a block diagram of a magnet arrangement of a magnetron device according to the invention;

fig. 5 is a 3D theoretical view from below highlighting the operation of the magnetron cathode arrangement according to the invention;

figure 6 is a schematic view showing a cross section of an embodiment of a magnetron cathode arrangement according to the invention, equipped as a variant with a rotating (cathode) electrode;

fig. 7 is a 3D representation (also called an inverted magnetron) of a second embodiment of a plasma-generating device with magnetic confinement for generating an ion beam according to the invention, viewed from below;

figure 8 is a schematic view of a powder bed heated by a heating device according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Overview

The selective additive manufacturing apparatus 1 of fig. 1 comprises:

a support, for example a horizontal plate 3, on which various layers of additive manufacturing powders (metal powders, ceramic powders, etc.) are deposited in sequence, a three-dimensional object can be manufactured (object 2 in the form of a fir tree in the figures),

a powder tank 7 positioned above the plate 3,

a device 4 for distributing said metal powder on the plate, this device 4 comprising, for example, a layered doctor blade 5 or a roller for spreading different successive layers of powder (moving according to the double arrow A),

a power source assembly 8 for melting (all or part of) the dispersed thin layer,

a control unit 9 which ensures that the different components of the device 1 are driven according to pre-stored information (memory M),

a mechanism 10 which can lower the support of the plate 3 (movement according to the double arrow B) when depositing said layer.

In the example described with reference to fig. 1, the combination 8 comprises two curing sources:

an electron beam gun 11, and

a source 12 of laser type.

As a variant, the combination 8 may comprise only one source, for example a local power source under vacuum or at very low pressure (<0.1 mbar): electron guns, laser sources, etc.

Still as a variant, the combination 8 may also comprise several sources of the same type, for example several electron guns and/or laser sources, or means that can obtain several beams from the same source.

In the example described with reference to fig. 1, at least one galvanometer mirror 14 may orient and move the laser beam from source 12 relative to object 2 based on information sent by control unit 9.

Of course, any other deflection system is contemplated.

In another example, not shown, the combination 8 comprises several sources 12 of laser type, and the movement of the different laser beams is obtained by moving the sources 12 of different laser types over the layer of powder to be melted. The deflection coils 15 and the focusing coils 16 can deflect and focus the electron beam locally on the regions of the layer to be sintered or melted.

The heat shield T may be interposed between one or more sources in the array 8.

The components of the device 1 are arranged inside a hermetic casing 17 associated with at least one vacuum pump 18 which maintains a secondary vacuum (typically of the order of 10) inside said casing 17^-2/10^-3Mbar, even 10^-4/10^-6Millibar).

The apparatus further comprises a heating device 19 located above the powder bed and linearly movable relative to the powder bed.

This heating device 19 can be located on the same sliding carriage behind the layering blade 5 or the roller. The heating device 19 may also be mounted on a separate carriage or on a robot arm. In the latter case (not shown), the pattern traced by the magnetic traps of the magnetron cathode may be of any form other than linear, for example to allow local heating.

The movement of said heating means 19, its power supply and its residence time in front of the powder bed to be heated or preheated are also controlled by the unit 9.

Heating by magnetically confined linear discharge

In the example shown in fig. 2, the heating device 19 comprises a plasma generating device 20 moving above a metal powder bed (solid or granular surface 21 constituted by micro-or nanopowder).

The plasma-generating device 20 is powered by an electrical excitation source 22 controlled by the control unit 9.

The source 22 allows applying a high voltage (>0.2kV) between the plasma-generating device 20 and the surface 21 of the powder bed.

Thus, the power generated by the source 22 may be low frequency, Radio Frequency (RF), or pulsed DC current.

Under the action of said source 22, the plasma-generating device 20 generates an electric discharge between the plasma-generating device 20 and the surface 21 and forms a plasma, which ensures the heating of the surface 21.

The plasma-generating device 20 extends substantially parallel to the surface 21. The plasma-generating device is moved perpendicular to its extension, parallel to the surface 21.

Such a configuration allows uniform heating on the powder bed surface corresponding to the length of the plasma generating apparatus 20 and the moving distance thereof.

The surface 21 of the powder bed is for example grounded.

The heating may be performed before the curing step, thus constituting a preheating step to avoid powder splashing.

Alternatively, the heating step may be performed after the solidification step, thus constituting a post-heating step, in order to perform a baking of the material or to limit the quenching effect of the working atmosphere, or even to control the trend of the temperature upon cooling, in order to obtain a specific crystalline structure.

Linear magnetron device

In order to generate a low pressure plasma (<0.1 mbar) and thereby increase the efficiency of the plasma generating device 20, the device comprises a plasma magnetic confinement system.

Fig. 3 shows a plasma confinement assembly including a linear plasma generating magnetron device 23.

The magnetron device 23 comprises an electrode 24, preferably of negative polarity (in this case, acting as a cathode).

A magnet arrangement 25 positioned facing a first face of the electrode 24 creates a magnetic trap that enables confinement of electrons facing the other face of the electrode 24.

The magnets may be permanent magnets or electromagnets, or even a combination of both.

Depending on requirements, electrode 24 may be powered (source 22) with Direct Current (DC) in a Radio Frequency (RF) mode or a high power pulsed mode (HiPIMS — high power pulsed magnetron sputtering), but typically receives a negative voltage.

The material of construction of the electrode 24 may be an electrical conductor, insulator or semiconductor, depending on its mode of power supply.

In the case where the electrodes 24 are made of a conductive material, all the power supply modes are suitable.

In the case where the electrodes 24 are made of a non-conductive material, only the RF or pulse mode is suitable.

A circulation 26 of coolant (e.g. water, glycol, etc.) is provided in the electrode 24, supplied by an external system.

The coolant may be injected, for example, via an orifice formed in one of the walls of the carrier 27, and may be circulated, for example, between the rows of magnets of the magnet arrangement 25, the fluid thus also coming into contact with and cooling the electrodes 24.

Then, the coolant may be extracted through the second orifice formed in the bracket 27.

The magnetron device 23 is mounted inside the housing 17 on a carriage 27, which carriage 27 is located above the powder bed and can be moved linearly (double-headed arrow in the drawing) relative to the powder bed.

This carriage 27 is a carriage, for example a stratified roller, behind which the magnetron device 23 is located (with respect to the direction of advance of the roller).

Referring to fig. 4, an example of the magnet arrangement 25 includes two rows of magnets positioned to form the linear track 28. Thus, magnets of opposite polarity are located on either side of the track 28.

In the example shown, the track 28 is closed.

Referring to fig. 5, the magnet arrangement 25 is covered by the electrode 24.

The magnetic field generated by the magnet traps electrons around the magnetic field lines on the side of the electrode 24 facing the powder bed and thus enhances the ionization of the gas along the linear pattern 29, which is located along the track 28, as shown in fig. 5.

This magnetic configuration causes electrons to collect along the pattern 29, forming a plasma along said pattern 29.

To further enhance the effectiveness of the magnetic traps, an alternating arrangement (north poles out and south poles in the center, or vice versa) is typically formed to create closed tracks 28 as shown in FIG. 4.

Operation of magnetron discharge device

The magnet arrangement 25 is thus configured to generate a magnetic field that causes electrons to concentrate in a determined area. In the depicted example, the determined area is a linear pattern 29, but the magnets may be arranged to form any other geometric pattern, such as a circle or a curve.

When the electrode 24 is energized, a discharge occurs between the powder bed and the electrode 24, thus generating a plasma.

The accumulation of electrons in the determined region may promote local ionization of the gas in the region, and the presence of the magnetic trap may confine the plasma (even at very low pressures) in a precise region.

The device is suitable for low pressure operation, typically about 1 Pa (10)^-2Millibar), but more broadly in the pressure range of from micro bar (0.1 pa) to millibar (100 pa).

Pressures of this magnitude (in the pascal range) may increase the efficiency of the power source producing the powder melt.

More specifically, in the particular case where the power source 12 comprises an electron beam generator, a low working pressure implies a lower density of the surrounding atmosphere and, therefore, a smaller impact between the electrons emitted by said source 12 and the surrounding gas.

The presence of the magnetic field can concentrate electrons in the region and thus promote the formation of a plasma despite the lower density of the surrounding atmosphere.

The width of the heated region is then reduced, which improves the accuracy of the heating.

Where the power source 12 comprises a laser, the reduction in operating pressure limits the ambient oxygen level, which may limit the formation of oxides and smoke.

Thus, the molten material is less contaminated with fumes and oxides.

The denudation effect due to the blowing off of the metal powder in the area around the solidification track by the metal vapour flow generated by the melting of the powder during laser heating, which consists in depleting these powders, is also greatly limited by the reduction of the ambient pressure.

Thus, the metal vapors generated when the powder is melted are of low density and the circulating flow of these vapors does not blow the powder away.

The magnetic field B is configured to capture only electrons without affecting the behavior of the ions.

In particular, this behavior can be obtained by configuring the value of the magnetic field (typically several 100 gauss to 0.01 tesla) according to the mass difference between the electrons and the ions.

Indeed, the mass ratio between electrons and ions results in a similar ratio between their respective gyromagnetic radii (gyromagnetic radii).

The plasma thus formed is confined between the electrode 24 and the free surface 21 of the powder bed.

By placing this magnetron device 23 and the homogenous part (plasma or ion beam) towards the powder bed, energy can be efficiently transferred from the plasma species to the powder, thereby heating it.

Energy is transferred to the powder by multiple means that coexist simultaneously in the plasma. These modes are charged species, electrons and ions, and energetic neutral species, particularly neutral atoms sputtered from the electrodes (cathodes), non-radiative excited states (metastable states), and photons. When the surface (powder) receives two charged species, the charge effect (coulomb repulsion) is reduced or even eliminated.

In addition, all visible, infrared and ultraviolet photons heat the material upon absorption.

The higher the plasma density, the more energy is transferred to the surface.

In the case of ions (but more generally for any type of plasma), the amount of energy can be easily adjusted by the ion acceleration voltage (or energy injected into the plasma, respectively). Better control can be achieved by alternating the heating phase (plasma on) and the thermal expansion phase (plasma off) by pulsed operation of the plasma. The modification of the on/off period (also referred to as duty cycle) can easily adjust the temperature.

Rotary electrode device

The formation of a plasma between the electrode and the powder bed leads to a significant heating of the electrode in the case of prolonged activation.

In some embodiments, the electrode 24 is a hollow cylindrical roller in which a magnet arrangement 25 is disposed, as shown in fig. 6.

The magnet arrangement 25 is fixedly mounted relative to the magnetron arrangement 23 and the electrode 24 is mounted for rotation along an axis along which it extends.

Therefore, the position and direction of the magnetic field with respect to the magnetron device 23 are not changed during operation, so that the formation region of plasma can be controlled.

During operation of the magnetron device 23, the electrode 24 is driven in a rotating manner. In this way, the portion of the electrode 24 exposed to the plasma is regularly changed, so as to limit the heating of a specific area, the plasma being always confined in the magnetic trap generated by the magnet arrangement 25, the magnet arrangement 25 having a fixed orientation with respect to the magnetron arrangement 23 (in particular towards the surface 21 of the powder bed), as shown in fig. 6.

Linear ion source device

The variant magnetron cathode also makes it possible to obtain a linear and homogeneous plasma.

In the case of the embodiment of fig. 3, the electrode 24 is a planar electrode.

In a variant shown in fig. 7, the magnetron device may comprise an electrode 24 formed with a slit 30.

The slit 30 is formed facing the track 28, the track 28 being formed by a cavity extending between the rows of the magnet arrangement 25.

An injection orifice 31 is formed in the wall of the carrier 27 at the bottom of the cavity formed by the track 28 and the slit 30.

Gas is injected into the cavity via injection orifice 31. After cathode 24 is excited, the gas is then strongly ionized by electrons effectively trapped by magnetic field B (which is generated by magnet arrangement 25).

Alternatively, the gas injected through the injection orifice 31 is a gas forming a working atmosphere, so that the apparatus can be simplified.

Thus, the cavity formed by the track 28 and the slit 30 forms an ion source.

The magnetic barrier generated by the magnet arrangement 25 increases the resistance of the plasma and thus generates a potential difference in the plasma by the hall effect.

The charge movement generated by the magnetic field B and the electric field generated by the excitation cathode 24 cause electrons to circulate along the track 28 (which faces the slit 30), resulting in homogenization of the plasma.

Unmagnetized ions are ejected through the slits 30 by the electric field.

Some of the lighter electrons follow the ions. Thus, a confined plasma stream is generated and ejected through the slit 30. The slit 30 is ideally positioned facing the powder bed so as to spray the plasma jet onto the surface to be heated 21.

In a variant, the plasma-generating device 20 is of any form other than linear and it is adapted to move together with the robot.

By placing the plasma-generating device 20 in front of the surface 21 of the powder, a high density plasma can be maintained (i.e. homogeneous, and confined between the device 20 and the powder bed), despite the low operating pressure.

By moving the plasma-generating device 20, the surface 21 of the powder bed can be scanned. By keeping the plasma on and by performing a complete scan of the surface 21 of the powder bed, the powder bed is surface heated.

Optionally dependent on the plasma on-time (time t)₁、t₂Or t₃) And the position of the plasma-generating device 20 above the powder bed, it is possible to heat only a specific region over the entire width of the powder bed, as shown in fig. 8.

By limiting the plasma on-time, the energy consumption can be optimized while achieving the desired heating.

Thus, energy is efficiently transferred to the powder, which may achieve heating of the powder.