Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a printer chamber having a printer bed that supports manufacturing materials and an internal heating system supported by the printer chamber. The internal heating systems is configured to direct patterned heat energy onto the printer bed and supported manufacturing materials. An external heating system is supported by or positioned near the printer chamber and configured to direct patterned heat energy onto the printer bed and any supported manufacturing materials.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method may include providing a powder bed and directing a shaped laser beam pulse train consisting of one or more pulses and having a flux greater than 20 kW/cm2 at a defined two dimensional region of the powder bed. This minimizes adverse laser plasma effects during the process of melting and fusing powder within the defined two dimensional region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods, devices, and assemblies for processing feedstock materials using microwave plasma processing. Specifically, the feedstock materials disclosed herein pertains to scrap materials, dehydrogenated or non-hydrogenated feed material, and recycled used powder. Microwave plasma processing can be used to spheroidize and remove contaminants. Advantageously, microwave plasma processed feedstock can be used in various applications such as additive manufacturing or powdered metallurgy (PM) applications that require high powder flowability.

Abstract: An apparatus with first and second transparent conductive oxide layers is described. A photoconductive layer can be positioned between the first and a second transparent conductive oxide layers. The photoconductive layer can be a crystalline layer that can include bismuth silicate or other suitable materials. An electro-optical layer is positioned in contact with the photoconductive layer. In some embodiments the photoconductive layer is positionable to receive a write beam that defines a two-dimensional spatial pattern.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method may include providing a powder bed and directing a shaped laser beam pulse train consisting of one or more pulses and having a flux greater than 20 kW/cm2 at a defined two dimensional region of the powder bed. This minimizes adverse laser plasma effects during the process of melting and fusing powder within the defined two dimensional region.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method may include providing a powder bed and directing a shaped laser beam pulse train consisting of one or more pulses and having a flux greater than 20 kW/cm2 at a defined two dimensional region of the powder bed. This minimizes adverse laser plasma effects during the process of melting and fusing powder within the defined two dimensional region.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes one or more light sources and one or more light valves that can be written with two-dimensional gray scale patterns that the light valves impose on beams from the one or more light sources to obtain one or more patterned beams. The one or more patterned beams are steered to each area of a plurality of areas on a layer of powder. The two-dimensional gray scale patterns are selected to achieve desired material properties at each pixel position of the patterned beam incident on the layer of powder. The light valves may modulate one or more of amplitude, phase, or coherence. The material properties may include one or more of Young's modulus, porosity, grain size, and crystalline microstructure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods, devices, and assemblies for processing feedstock materials using microwave plasma processing. Specifically, the feedstock materials disclosed herein pertains to scrap materials, dehydrogenated or non-hydrogenated feed material, and recycled used powder. Microwave plasma processing can be used to spheroidize and remove contaminants. Advantageously, microwave plasma processed feedstock can be used in various applications such as additive manufacturing or powdered metallurgy (PM) applications that require high powder flowability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods, devices, and assemblies for processing feedstock materials using microwave plasma processing. Specifically, the feedstock materials disclosed herein pertains to scrap materials, dehydrogenated or non-hydrogenated feed material, and recycled used powder. Microwave plasma processing can be used to spheroidize and remove contaminants. Advantageously, microwave plasma processed feedstock can be used in various applications such as additive manufacturing or powdered metallurgy (PM) applications that require high powder flowability.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for performing large area laser powder bed fusion (LBPF) to form a plurality of layers of a 3D part in a layer-by-layer fashion using meltable powder particles. In one implementation the system makes use of a first light source, which may be a diode laser subsystem, for generating a first light pulse of a first duration. The first light is used to preheat a substrate underneath a new layer of powder particles, wherein the substrate is formed from a previously fused quantity of the powder particles. A second light source, which may be a pulse laser, generates a second light pulse subsequent to the first light pulse. The second light pulse has a second duration shorter than the first duration by a factor of at least about 10, and fully melts the new layer of powder particles in addition to the substrate, to achieve a smooth printed layer. The wavelength of the first light pulse also differs from a wavelength of the second light pulse.

Abstract: An apparatus with first and second transparent conductive oxide layers is described. A photoconductive layer can be positioned between the first and a second transparent conductive oxide layers. The photoconductive layer can be a crystalline layer that can include bismuth silicate or other suitable materials. An electro-optical layer is positioned in contact with the photoconductive layer. In some embodiments the photoconductive layer is positionable to receive a write beam that defines a two-dimensional spatial pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods, devices, and assemblies for processing feedstock materials using microwave plasma processing. Specifically, the feedstock materials disclosed herein pertains to scrap materials, dehydrogenated or non-hydrogenated feed material, and recycled used powder. Microwave plasma processing can be used to spheroidize and remove contaminants. Advantageously, microwave plasma processed feedstock can be used in various applications such as additive manufacturing or powdered metallurgy (PM) applications that require high powder flowability.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a printer chamber having a printer bed that supports manufacturing materials and an internal heating system supported by the printer chamber. The internal heating systems is configured to direct patterned heat energy onto the printer bed and supported manufacturing materials. An external heating system is supported by or positioned near the printer chamber and configured to direct patterned heat energy onto the printer bed and any supported manufacturing materials.

Abstract: A print engine of an additive manufacturing system includes a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge. A laser engine including a frame can be positioned to hold at least one removable field replaceable unit that includes at least some laser optics or patterning optics. An optical alignment system can be attached to at least one of the print station or the laser engine to align the field replaceable unit with respect to the removable cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge for a manufacturing system includes a sealable chamber having a bed and a laser transparent window. A powder hopper can be positioned within the sealable chamber. A powder spreader is positioned within the sealable chamber for distributing powder from the powder hopper onto the bed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods, devices, and assemblies for processing feedstock materials using microwave plasma processing. Specifically, the feedstock materials disclosed herein pertains to scrap materials, dehydrogenated or non-hydrogenated feed material, and recycled used powder. Microwave plasma processing can be used to spheroidize and remove contaminants. Advantageously, microwave plasma processed feedstock can be used in various applications such as additive manufacturing or powdered metallurgy (PM) applications that require high powder flowability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods, devices, and assemblies for processing feedstock materials using microwave plasma processing. Specifically, the feedstock materials disclosed herein pertains to scrap materials, dehydrogenated or non-hydrogenated feed material, and recycled used powder. Microwave plasma processing can be used to spheroidize and remove contaminants. Advantageously, microwave plasma processed feedstock can be used in various applications such as additive manufacturing or powdered metallurgy (PM) applications that require high powder flowability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, systems and methods of use of an improved liner for a plasma torch. In particular, a segmented liner for use in a plasma torch (e.g., annular torch, swirl torch) is provided. In general, the improved segmented liner has improved thermal shock resistance capabilities over conventional unitary liners.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods, devices, and assemblies for processing feedstock materials using microwave plasma processing. Specifically, the feedstock materials disclosed herein pertains to scrap materials, dehydrogenated or non-hydrogenated feed material, and recycled used powder. Microwave plasma processing can be used to spheroidize and remove contaminants. Advantageously, microwave plasma processed feedstock can be used in various applications such as additive manufacturing or powdered metallurgy (PM) applications that require high powder flowability.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method may include providing a powder bed and directing a shaped laser beam pulse train consisting of one or more pulses and having a flux greater than 20 kW/cm2 at a defined two dimensional region of the powder bed. This minimizes adverse laser plasma effects during the process of melting and fusing powder within the defined two dimensional region.