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

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed, which parts corresponds to successive cross sections of the three-dimensional article, said apparatus comprising: a powder distributor configured for evenly distributing a layer of powder on top of a work table provided inside a vacuum chamber; and an electron beam source emanating an electron beam configured for fusing the powder layer in selected locations corresponding to said cross section of the three-dimensional article, wherein: said powder distributor being an elongated rod provided movable at a predetermined distance above the powder bed and with its central axis in parallel with a top surface of said work table, wherein at least one sensor is provided on said powder distributor facing towards said electron beam source, a detector for detecting a signal sent out from said sensor when said sensor is interacting with said electron beam.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring a powder layer in additive manufacturing are disclosed. A method includes receiving leading and trailing image data from an image signal processor that is optically coupled to a plurality of leading and trailing optical fibers arranged on a moving powder distributor, the leading and trailing image data corresponding to images of the powder layer, selecting at least one point on the powder bed that is located within a leading region of interest, determining first characteristics of the point, when the point is located within a trailing region of interest due to movement of the moving powder distributor, determining second characteristics of the point, and comparing the first characteristics to the second characteristics to monitor the powder layer distributed by the moving powder distributor.

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

Abstract: Described is an additive manufacturing apparatus that includes a telescopic build tank operatively connected at opposing ends to a powder table and a build table. The telescopic build tank includes at least two segments telescopically coupled to one another, each of the at least two segments comprising a set of engagement grooves located on an interior surface of the at least two segments and a set of engagement pins located on an exterior surface of the at least two segments. The set of engagement pins is configured to engage with and travel along a corresponding set of engagement grooves of another of the at least two segments, and each engagement groove comprises a first axially extending channel positioned along a single axis and having at least one closed end, the at least one closed end being configured to impede separation of the at least two segments relative to one another.

Abstract: A standard reference plate is configured for insertion into an additive manufacturing apparatus for calibrating an electron beam of the additive manufacturing apparatus. The standard reference plate includes a lower plate and an upper plate being essentially in parallel and attached spaced apart from each other, the upper plate including a plurality of holes. A predetermined hollow pattern is provided inside the holes, and a spacing between the holes and the size of the holes and a distance between the upper plate and the lower plate and a position of an x-ray sensor of the additive manufacturing apparatus with respect to the standard reference plate are arranged so that x-rays emanating from the lower plate, when the electron beam is passing through a hollow part of the hollow pattern, will not pass directly from the lower plate through any one of the holes to the x-ray sensor.

Abstract: A method for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed, comprising the steps of: providing at least one model of said three-dimensional article, moving a support structure in z-direction at a predetermined speed while rotating said support structure at a predetermined speed, directing a first and second energy beam causing said powder layer to fuse in first and second selected locations according to said model, wherein a first cover area of said first energy beam on said powder layer is arranged at a predetermined minimum distance and non-overlapping from a second cover area of said second energy beam on said powder layer, a trajectory of said first cover area and a trajectory of said second cover area are at least one of overlapping each other, abutting each other or separated to each other when said support structure is rotated a full lap.

Abstract: A method for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed, the method comprising the steps of: providing a model of the at least one three dimensional article; applying a first powder layer on a first build platform and on a second build platform; directing a deflectable laser beam from a laser beam source arranged in a first position to cause the first powder layer to fuse in a first selected locations on the first build platform according to the model; at least one of rotating or tilting the laser beam source a predetermined angle to a second position; and directing the deflectable laser beam from the laser beam source in the second position to cause the first powder layer to fuse in a second selected locations on the second build platform according to the model.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus that includes a high energy beam configured to make a first weld at a first position on a workpiece; at least one deflection lens configured to deflect the high energy beam so as to cause the high energy beam to make a second weld at a second position; at least one focusing lens configured to focus the high energy beam; at least one astigmatism lens; and at least one controller. The controller is configured to shape the high energy beam so that the shape of the high energy beam on the workpiece is longer in a direction parallel to a deflection direction of the high energy beam than in a direction perpendicular to the deflection direction of the high energy beam. A length ratio is varying as a function of the power of the energy beam, while the width in the perpendicular direction is constant.

Abstract: Described is a method for analyzing a build layer (1; 11) in an additive manufacturing machine when forming a three-dimensional article layer by layer by successive fusion of selected areas of powder layers, which selected areas correspond to successive layers of the three-dimensional article. The method comprises the steps of radiating a portion (4; 14) of the build layer (1; 11) by an energy beam and detecting particles emitted, backscattered or reflected from the radiated portion of the build layer, and scanning the portion (4; 14) of the build layer by moving the energy beam along a main path (5; 15) and simultaneously moving the energy beam back-and-forth across the main path in a meandering pattern (6; 16).

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a control unit configured for applying a first powder layer on a work table; directing a first energy causing said first powder layer to fuse in first selected locations to form a first cross section where said first energy beam is fusing a first region with parallel scan lines in a first direction and a second region with parallel scan lines in a second direction; fusing at least one of the scan lines in said first region in said first direction immediately before fusing at least one of said scan lines in said second region in said second direction; applying a second powder layer and directing the energy beam causing said second powder layer to fuse in second selected locations where the energy beam is fusing said first region with parallel scan lines in a third direction and said second region in a fourth direction.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a control unit configured for applying a first powder layer on a work table, directing a first energy beam from a first energy beam source over said work table causing said first powder layer to fuse in first selected locations according to a corresponding model to form a first cross section of said at least one three-dimensional article, where said first energy beam is fusing a first article with parallel scan lines in a first direction, fusing a second scan line in said first direction in said first layer in said first article within a predetermined time interval after fusing a first scan line in said first article, wherein at least one intermediate scan line is fused within said time interval at another predetermined position and where said first and second scan lines are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: An X-ray standard reference object for calibrating a scanning electron beam in an additive manufacturing apparatus by measuring X-ray signals generated by scanning the electron beam onto the reference object, the reference object comprises: a lower and an upper plate being essentially in parallel and attached spaced apart from each other, the upper plate comprises a plurality of holes, wherein a predetermined hollow pattern is provided inside the holes.

Abstract: Described is a build chamber that comprises a telescopic build tank operatively connected at opposing ends to a powder table and a build table, the telescopic build tank comprising at least two segments telescopically coupled relative to one another, each of the at least two segments comprising a set of engagement grooves located on an interior surface of the at least two segments and a set of engagement pins located on an exterior surface of the at least two segments. The set of engagement pins is configured to engage with and travel along a corresponding set of engagement grooves of another of the at least two segments, and each engagement groove comprises a first axially extending channel positioned along a single axis and having at least one closed end, the at least one closed end being configured to impede separation of the at least two segments relative to one another.

Abstract: A method for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed, the method comprising the steps of: providing a model of the at least one three dimensional article; applying a first powder layer on at least one build platform; directing an electron beam from an inclined electron beam source over the at least one build platform where a central electron beam emanating from the source is building an angle ? with respect to a normal to the build platform?0°, the directing of the first energy beam causing the first powder layer to fuse in a first selected locations according to the model; rotating or tilting the electron beam source a predetermined angle, directing the electron beam from the tilted or rotated electron beam source causing a first powder layer to fuse in a second selected locations according to the model.

Abstract: A method for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed, comprising the steps of: providing at least one model of said three-dimensional article, moving a support structure in z-direction at a predetermined speed while rotating said support structure at a predetermined speed, directing a first and second energy beam causing said powder layer to fuse in first and second selected locations according to said model, wherein a first cover area of said first energy beam on said powder layer is arranged at a predetermined minimum distance and non-overlapping from a second cover area of said second energy beam on said powder layer, a trajectory of said first cover area and a trajectory of said second cover area are at least one of overlapping each other, abutting each other or separated to each other when said support structure is rotated a full lap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods, computer program products, program elements, and apparatuses for forming a three-dimensional article through successively depositing individual layers of powder material that are fused together so as to form the article. The method comprising the steps of providing at least one electron beam source emitting an electron beam for at least one of heating or fusing the powder material, where the electron beam source comprises a cathode and an anode, and varying an accelerator voltage between the cathode and the anode between at least a first and second predetermined value during the forming of the three-dimensional article.

Abstract: A device for detecting X-rays radiated out of a substrate surface, said device comprising at least one X-ray detector, a resolver grating and a modulator grating, said resolver grating with at least one opening facing towards said X-ray detector is arranged in front of said X-ray detector. Said modulator grating is provided between said resolver grating and said substrate at a predetermined distance from said resolver grating and said substrate, where said modulator grating having a plurality of openings in at least a first direction, wherein said x-rays from said surface is spatially modulated with said modulator grating and resolver grating.

Abstract: A pivoted powder pushing device is provided, comprising a first portion and a contact member, wherein: the contact member is configured to operatively engage a grip arm of the distribution member when the distribution member is positioned at least in part above the base surface, and the first portion is moved via the engagement of the grip arm and the contact member in a first direction opposite a direction of travel of the distribution member, such that the first portion of said pivoted powder pushing device passes under said distribution member. An associated apparatus, method, and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: distributing a titanium alloy or pure titanium powder layer on a work table inside a vacuum chamber, directing at least one electron beam from at least one electron beam source over the work table causing the powder layer to fuse in selected locations, distributing a second powder layer on the work table of a titanium alloy or pure titanium inside the build chamber, directing the at least one electron beam over the work table causing the second powder layer to fuse in selected locations, and releasing a predefined concentration of the gas from the metal powder into the vacuum chamber when at least one of heating or fusing the metal powder layer, wherein at least one gas comprising hydrogen is absorbed into or chemically bonded to the titanium or titanium alloy powder to a concentration of 0.01-0.5% by weight of the hydrogen.