Patents by Inventor Christian Dicken
Christian Dicken has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240173920Abstract: Methods of calibrating an additive manufacturing machine include detecting a reflected beam becoming incident upon a detection device, the reflected beam comprising a portion of a calibration beam having been reflected by a reflective surface of a calibration substrate; and determining an alignment of the reflected beam and/or the calibration beam with an optical axis based at least in part on detecting the reflected beam becoming incident upon the detection device; wherein, the reflected beam becomes incident upon a fiber end of an optical fiber and propagates through the optical fiber prior to becoming incident upon the detection device, the optical fiber defining a portion of a detection path from the reflective surface to the detection device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2022Publication date: May 30, 2024Inventor: Christian Dicken
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Publication number: 20240092027Abstract: Determination device (2) for determining at least one parameter of an energy beam (4), in particular an energy beam (4) generated via an irradiation device of an apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, which determination device (2) comprises two determination units (5, 6) arrangeable or arranged in succession in a beam path (3) of the energy beam (4), characterized in that each determination unit (5, 6) builds or comprises at least one complementary pattern element (15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 27, 30), wherein at least two pattern elements (15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 27, 30) of the two determination units (5, 6) complement each other to a superordinate pattern (32, 35).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Christian Dicken, Thomas Schulz
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Publication number: 20240075682Abstract: Method for calibrating an irradiation device (2) for an apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (6, 7), which irradiation device (2) comprises at least a first and a second irradiation unit (3, 4) adapted to guide at least a first and a second energy beam (7), wherein at least two first and two second calibration patterns (15) are generated, wherein the at least two first calibration patterns (14) are generated in at least two different first positions via the first energy beam (6) and the at least two second calibration patterns (15) are generated in at least two different second positions via the second energy beam (7) and position information are determined relating to the positions of the at least two first and second calibration patterns (14, 15) and calibration information are generated relating to a calibration status ofType: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Moritz Beck, Christian Dicken
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Patent number: 11878365Abstract: Methods of determining at least one parameter of an irradiation device of an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include generating an energy beam and guiding the energy beam across a structured test surface, generating a signal by detecting radiation that is emitted from the test surface, and determining the at least one parameter based on a frequency spectrum of the signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2019Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Concept Laser GmbHInventors: Christian Dicken, Ann-Kathrin Kleinschmidt, Tim Klaussner, Bertram Gaerber
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Patent number: 11865770Abstract: Method for calibrating an irradiation device (2) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects which irradiation device (2) comprises at least two irradiation units (3, 4), comprising: guiding one of the at least two energy beams (6, 10) via the corresponding irradiation unit (3, 4) to a determination region (15), preferably a part of a build plane (8), for generating a calibration pattern (18, 19); imaging at least one part of the determination region (15) to an on-axis determination unit (12, 14) of the at least one other irradiation unit (3, 4); determining a position of the calibration pattern (18, 19) in the determination region (15) on basis of the image of the at least one part of the determination region (15); generating calibration information relating to a calibration status of at least one part of the irradiation device (2) based on the position of the calibration pattern (18, 19).Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBHInventors: Tim Klaußner, Christian Dicken, Bertram Gärber
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Patent number: 11850798Abstract: Determination device (2) for determining at least one parameter of an energy beam (4), in particular an energy beam (4) generated via an irradiation device of an apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, which determination device (2) comprises two determination units (5, 6) arrangeable or arranged in succession in a beam path (3) of the energy beam (4), characterized in that each determination unit (5, 6) builds or comprises at least one complementary pattern element (15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 27, 30), wherein at least two pattern elements (15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 27, 30) of the two determination units (5, 6) complement each other to a superordinate pattern (32, 35).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Concept Laser GmbHInventors: Christian Dicken, Thomas Schulz
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Patent number: 11845218Abstract: Method for calibrating an irradiation device for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, which irradiation device comprises a first and a second irradiation unit adapted to guide a first and a second energy beam, wherein at least two first and two second calibration patterns are generated, wherein the at least two first calibration patterns are generated in at least two different first positions via the first energy beam and the at least two second calibration patterns are generated in at least two different second positions via the second energy beam and position information are determined relating to the positions of the at least two first and second calibration patterns and calibration information are generated relating to a calibration status of the irradiation device based on the determined position information.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBHInventors: Moritz Beck, Christian Dicken
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Publication number: 20230381864Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine includes an energy beam system configured to emit an energy beam utilized in an additive manufacturing process, and first and second optical elements utilized by, or defining a portion of, the energy beam system and/or an imaging system of the additive manufacturing machine. The imaging system monitors one or more operating parameters of the additive manufacturing process. A light source is configured to emit an assessment beam that follows an optical path incident upon the first and second optical elements. One or more light sensors detect a reflected beam that is either internally reflected by the first optical element or reflectively propagated between the first and second optical elements. A control system determines, based at least in part on assessment data comprising data from the one or more light sensors, whether at least one of the first and second optical elements exhibits an optical anomaly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Fabian Zeulner, Christian Dicken, Justin Mamrak, MacKenzie Ryan Redding, Bertram Gaerber
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Patent number: 11752558Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine may include an energy beam system configured to emit an energy beam utilized in an additive manufacturing process, and one or more optical elements utilized by, or defining a portion of, the energy beam system and/or an imaging system of the additive manufacturing machine. The imaging system may be configured to monitor one or more operating parameters of the additive manufacturing process. The additive manufacturing machine may include a light source configured to emit an assessment beam that follows an optical path incident upon the one or more optical elements, and one or more light sensors configured to detect a reflected beam comprising at least a portion of the assessment beam reflected and/or transmitted by at least one of the one or more optical elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignees: General Electric Company, Concept Laser GmbHInventors: Fabian Zeulner, Christian Dicken, Justin Mamrak, MacKenzie Ryan Redding, Bertram Gaerber
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Publication number: 20220331876Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine may include an energy beam system configured to emit an energy beam utilized in an additive manufacturing process, and one or more optical elements utilized by, or defining a portion of, the energy beam system and/or an imaging system of the additive manufacturing machine. The imaging system may be configured to monitor one or more operating parameters of the additive manufacturing process. The additive manufacturing machine may include a light source configured to emit an assessment beam that follows an optical path incident upon the one or more optical elements, and one or more light sensors configured to detect a reflected beam comprising at least a portion of the assessment beam reflected and/or transmitted by at least one of the one or more optical elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2021Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Fabian Zeulner, Christian Dicken, Justin Mamrak, MacKenzie Ryan Redding, Bertram Gaerber
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Publication number: 20220266528Abstract: An adjustment to an irradiation parameter corresponding to a first irradiation unit and/or a second irradiation unit of an irradiation device of an additive manufacturing apparatus may be performed based at least in part on a simulation. The simulation may include simulating generation of a plurality of first calibration patterns by the first irradiation unit and a plurality of second calibration patterns by the second irradiation unit with a simulated change to the irradiation parameter of the irradiation device, and determining a calibration quality value based at least in part on position information relating to the plurality of first calibration patterns and the plurality of second calibration patterns. The calibration quality value may include an indication as to whether a calibration quality of the apparatus would be improved as a result of the adjustment to the irradiation parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Christian Dicken, Moritz Beck
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Patent number: 11383441Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), wherein a measuring unit (5) is provided that is configured to generate information relating to a collimated part (6) of the energy beam (4) and information relating to a focused part (7) of the energy beam (4).Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBHInventors: Fabian Zeulner, Christian Dicken, Stephan Hunze
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Patent number: 11260600Abstract: Methods for calibrating an irradiation device for an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects include generating at least two first and two second calibration patterns, in at least two different first positions and at least two different second positions; determining position information relating to the positions of the calibration patterns; generating a calibration quality value relating to a calibration status of the irradiation device; simulating at least two first calibration patterns and at least two second calibration patterns based on at least one changed irradiation parameter; determining a calibration quality value for the simulated calibration patterns; and repeating the simulation and determination of the calibration quality value until a maximum or minimum calibration quality value is reached.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBHInventors: Christian Dicken, Moritz Beck
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Publication number: 20210146617Abstract: Methods of determining at least one parameter of an irradiation device of an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include generating an energy beam and guiding the energy beam across a structured test surface, generating a signal by detecting radiation that is emitted from the test surface, and determining the at least one parameter based on a frequency spectrum of the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2019Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Christian Dicken, Ann-Kathrin Kleinschmidt, Tim Klaussner, Bertram Gaerber
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Publication number: 20210129441Abstract: Methods for calibrating an irradiation device for an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects include generating at least two first and two second calibration patterns, in at least two different first positions and at least two different second positions; determining position information relating to the positions of the calibration patterns; generating a calibration quality value relating to a calibration status of the irradiation device; simulating at least two first calibration patterns and at least two second calibration patterns based on at least one changed irradiation parameter; determining a calibration quality value for the simulated calibration patterns; and repeating the simulation and determination of the calibration quality value until a maximum or minimum calibration quality value is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Christian Dicken, Moritz Beck
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Publication number: 20200324485Abstract: Methods for calibrating an irradiation device of an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material consolidated by at least two energy beams are provided. The at least two energy beams may be guided via at least two irradiation units. The method may comprise: generating at least two calibration patterns in a calibration specimen comprising an at least partially overlapping first sub-pattern and second sub-pattern, wherein the first sub-pattern is generated via the first irradiation unit and the second sub-pattern is generated via the second irradiation unit and determining calibration information relating to a calibration status of the two irradiation units based on the at least two calibration patterns. Systems and apparatus for performing such a method are also generally provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Fabian Zeulner, Christian Dicken, Ann-Kathrin Kleinschmidt
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Publication number: 20200180216Abstract: Method for calibrating an irradiation device for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, which irradiation device comprises a first and a second irradiation unit adapted to guide a first and a second energy beam, wherein at least two first and two second calibration patterns are generated, wherein the at least two first calibration patterns are generated in at least two different first positions via the first energy beam and the at least two second calibration patterns are generated in at least two different second positions via the second energy beam and position information are determined relating to the positions of the at least two first and second calibration patterns and calibration information are generated relating to a calibration status of the irradiation device based on the determined position information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2019Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: CONCEPT LASER GMBHInventors: Moritz BECK, Christian DICKEN
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Publication number: 20200130279Abstract: Determination device (2) for determining at least one parameter of an energy beam (4), in particular an energy beam (4) generated via an irradiation device of an apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, which determination device (2) comprises two determination units (5, 6) arrangeable or arranged in succession in a beam path (3) of the energy beam (4), characterized in that each determination unit (5, 6) builds or comprises at least one complementary pattern element (15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 27, 30), wherein at least two pattern elements (15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 27, 30) of the two determination units (5, 6) complement each other to a superordinate pattern (32, 35).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Applicant: CONCEPT LASER GMBHInventors: Christian DICKEN, Thomas SCHULZ
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Publication number: 20200086557Abstract: Method for calibrating an irradiation device (2) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects which irradiation device (2) comprises at least two irradiation units (3, 4), comprising: guiding one of the at least two energy beams (6, 10) via the corresponding irradiation unit (3, 4) to a determination region (15), preferably a part of a build plane (8), for generating a calibration pattern (18, 19); imaging at least one part of the determination region (15) to an on-axis determination unit (12, 14) of the at least one other irradiation unit (3, 4); determining a position of the calibration pattern (18, 19) in the determination region (15) on basis of the image of the at least one part of the determination region (15); generating calibration information relating to a calibration status of at least one part of the irradiation device (2) based on the position of the calibration pattern (18, 19).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Applicant: CONCEPT LASER GMBHInventors: Tim KLAUßNER, Christian DICKEN, Bertram GÄRBER
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Publication number: 20190061253Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), wherein a measuring unit (5) is provided that is configured to generate information relating to a collimated part (6) of the energy beam (4) and information relating to a focused part (7) of the energy beam (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: CONCEPT LASER GMBHInventors: Fabian Zeulner, Christian Dicken, Stephan Hunze