Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing 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 at least one energy beam (4), which apparatus (1) comprises an irradiation device (5) with at least one beam guiding element (7) on which the energy beam (4) is partially reflected, wherein a first beam part (10) extends between the beam guiding element (7) and a build plane (18) of the apparatus (1) and a second beam part (11) is transmitted through or scattered at the beam guiding element (7), wherein a determination device (12) is provided that is adapted to determine at least one parameter of the second beam part (11).

Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing an object may include defining an interlace path for a plurality of energy beams from an energy beam system based at least in part on a route-finding algorithm. The interlace path may delineate a first contour zone of a build plane assigned to a first one of the plurality of energy beams from a second contour zone of the build plane assigned to a second one of the plurality of energy beams. An exemplary method may additionally or alternatively include outputting a control command based at least in part on the interlace path. The control command may be configured to cause the energy beam system to irradiate a layer of a powder bed with the plurality of energy beams.

Abstract: Method for calibrating at least one 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 that can be generated via an irradiation element of an irradiation device (7) of the apparatus (1), wherein a determination unit (2) is provided for determining at least one parameter of radiation (3) inside a process chamber (5), wherein a calibration beam source (4) is arranged or generated inside the process chamber (5) of the apparatus (1), in particular in a build plane (9) or a region above the build plane (9), wherein at least one parameter, in particular the intensity, of radiation (3) emitted by the calibration beam source (4) is determined via the determination unit (2).

Abstract: A process monitoring system for an additive manufacturing apparatus includes a scanner, a sensor device, and an optical focus-tracking device. The scanner includes an optical adjustment device that directs a melting beam emitted by a laser melting device onto a construction plane to generate a melting section of the construction plane. The sensor device may detect reflected radiation from the melting section and generate sensor data indicative of a size, shape, and/or temperature corresponding to the melting section. The optical focus-tracking device includes a focusing lens located between the scanner and the sensor device. The focusing lens may be actuatable by electronic machine data derived from the sensor data to impart a first focus adjustment with respect to the reflected radiation detected by the sensor followed by a second focus adjustment with respect to the melting beam directed by the optical adjustment device.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an additive manufacturing machine may include comparing a calibration image to a reference image and performing a calibration operation based at least in part on the comparison. The reference image and the calibration image may be determined from image data obtained by an imaging system included as part of or associated with an additive manufacturing machine. The reference image may portray a reference pattern having been irradiated upon a build plane of the additive manufacturing machine by a first beam generation device, and the calibration image may portray a calibration pattern having been irradiated upon the build plane of the additive manufacturing machine using a second beam generation device. The calibration operation may include calibrating an energy beam system that includes the first beam generation device and/or the second beam generation device, and/or the calibration operation may include calibrating the imaging system.

Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing an object may include defining an interlace path for a plurality of energy beams from an energy beam system based at least in part on a route-finding algorithm. The interlace path may delineate a first contour zone of a build plane assigned to a first one of the plurality of energy beams from a second contour zone of the build plane assigned to a second one of the plurality of energy beams. An exemplary method may additionally or alternatively include outputting a control command based at least in part on the interlace path. The control command may be configured to cause the energy beam system to irradiate a layer of a powder bed with the plurality of energy beams.

Abstract: An apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include a first detection device configured to detect a first process parameter during operation of the apparatus, and to generate a first data set comprising information relating to the first process parameter, a second detection device configured to detect a second process parameter during operation of the apparatus, and to generate a second data set comprising information relating to the second process parameter; and a data processing device configured to determine a mutual dependency between the first process parameter and the second process parameter based at least in part on the first data set and the second data set. The mutual dependency may include a possible influence or a real influence of the first process parameter on the second process parameter. The first process parameter may include a chemical parameter and/or a physical parameter of an atmosphere within a process chamber of the apparatus.

Abstract: Device for production of three-dimensional components, namely a laser melting device or laser sintering device, in which a component is produced by successive solidifying of individual layers made from solidifiable construction material, by radiation, through melting of the construction material, wherein the dimensions and/or temperature of the melt area generated by a point-shaped or line-shaped energy input can be captured by a sensor device of a process monitoring system, and sensor values for evaluation of a component quality can by deduced therefrom, wherein the radiation created by the melt area and used for the generation of the sensor values passes through the scanner used for the melt energy input, and guided to the sensor device of the process monitoring system, wherein an optical focus tracking device is arranged in the radiation path used for generation of the sensor values between the scanner and the sensor device.

Abstract: Method for determining an amount of build material (3) which is to be applied in a build plane (BP) of an apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of build material (3) applied in the build plane (BP) of the apparatus (1) by means of at least one energy beam (4), the method comprising the steps of: subdividing at least a part of the build plane (BP), particularly the complete build plane (BP), of the apparatus (1), in which build plane (BP) build material (3), which is to be selectively irradiated and consolidated during an additive manufacturing process of at least one three-dimensional object (2) by means of the apparatus (1), is to be applied, into a plurality of build plane elements (BPE), categorizing the build plane elements (BPE) in a first category.

Abstract: An apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include at least one calibration unit, at least one irradiation device, and a determination device. The least one calibration unit may include at least one calibration region arranged in the beam guiding plane, and the at least one calibration region may include a plurality of sub-regions differing in respect of at least one optical property. The at least one irradiation device may be configured to guide a plurality of energy beams across the at least one calibration region comprising the plurality of sub-regions, and a plurality of calibration signals may be generated by the plurality of sub-regions being irradiated with the plurality of energy beams. The determination device may be configured to determine the plurality of calibration signals and to determine a calibration status of the irradiation device based at least in part on the determined plurality of calibration signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include a first detection device configured to detect a first process parameter during operation of the apparatus, and to generate a first data set comprising information relating to the first process parameter, a second detection device configured to detect a second process parameter during operation of the apparatus, and to generate a second data set comprising information relating to the second process parameter; and a data processing device configured to determine a mutual dependency between the first process parameter and the second process parameter based at least in part on the first data set and the second data set. The mutual dependency may include a possible influence or a real influence of the first process parameter on the second process parameter. The first process parameter may include a chemical parameter and/or a physical parameter of an atmosphere within a process chamber of the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), the apparatus comprising: a first detection device (15) adapted to detect at least one first process parameter (P1), particularly during operation of the apparatus (1), and to generate a first data set (DS1) comprising information relating to the detected first process parameter (P1); at least one second detection device (16) adapted to detect at least one second process parameter (P2), particularly during operation of the apparatus (1), and to generate at least one second data set (DS2) comprising information relating to the detected second process parameter (P2); a data processing device (18) adapted to link the first data set (DS1) with the at least one second data set (DS1).

Abstract: An apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include a calibration unit, an irradiation device, and a determination unit. The irradiation device may be configured to generate an energy beam and guide the energy beam onto the calibration unit, with a portion of the energy beam guided onto the calibration unit being emitted by the calibration unit as radiation. The determination device may be configured to determine at least one parameter of the radiation emitted from the calibration unit. The calibration unit may include a calibration base body and a plurality of calibration portions arranged on the calibration base body, in which the plurality of calibration portions differ from the calibration base body in respect of at least one material parameter.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing 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 (5), which apparatus (1) comprises a determination device (8) that is adapted to determine at least one parameter relating to the energy beam (5), wherein the determination device (8) comprises at least one determination unit (9) adapted to determine at least one first parameter of a reflected part (10) of the energy beam (5), which is reflected at a build plane (7), wherein the determination device (8) is adapted to determine a difference between a reference parameter and the at least one first parameter of the reflected part (10).

Abstract: Method for calibrating at least one 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 that can be generated via an irradiation element of an irradiation device (7) of the apparatus (1), wherein a determination unit (2) is provided for determining at least one parameter of radiation (3) inside a process chamber (5), wherein a calibration beam source (4) is arranged or generated inside the process chamber (5) of the apparatus (1), in particular in a build plane (9) or a region above the build plane (9), wherein at least one parameter, in particular the intensity, of radiation (3) emitted by the calibration beam source (4) is determined via the determination unit (2).

Abstract: Method for determining an amount of build material (3) which is to be applied in a build plane (BP) of an apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of build material (3) applied in the build plane (BP) of the apparatus (1) by means of at least one energy beam (4), the method comprising the steps of: subdividing at least a part of the build plane (BP), particularly the complete build plane (BP), of the apparatus (1), in which build plane (BP) build material (3), which is to be selectively irradiated and consolidated during an additive manufacturing process of at least one three-dimensional object (2) by means of the apparatus (1), is to be applied, into a plurality of build plane elements (BPE), categorizing the build plane elements (BPE) in a first category.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation (8) and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, comprising a determination device (13) adapted to determine at least one parameter of radiation (8) emitted from a build plane (6), wherein an optical unit (19) is provided that is adapted to guide at least a part of the radiation (8) emitted from the build plane (6) to a determination unit (14, 15) of the determination device (13) and to reduce radiation (10) emitted from at least a central part of a consolidation zone (9) of the build plane (6) in the at least one guided part of the radiation (8).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing 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 at least one energy beam (4), which apparatus (1) comprises an irradiation device (5) with at least one beam guiding element (7) on which the energy beam (4) is partially reflected, wherein a first beam part (10) extends between the beam guiding element (7) and a build plane (18) of the apparatus (1) and a second beam part (11) is transmitted through or scattered at the beam guiding element (7), wherein a determination device (12) is provided that is adapted to determine at least one parameter of the second beam part (11).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers (2) of a powdered build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), the apparatus (1) comprising: an irradiation device (8) configured to generate at least a first and a second energy beam (4, 9), whereby the second energy (9) beam follows the path of the first energy beam (4) with a defined local and/or time offset; a detection device (11) configured to detect radiation (12) emitted from a portion of a layer (2) of powdered build material (3) which was selectively irradiated by the first energy beam (4), an evaluation device (14) configured to evaluate detected radiation (12) emitted from a portion of a layer (2) of powdered build (3) material which was selectively irradiated by the first energy beam (4).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), the apparatus comprising: a first detection device (15) adapted to detect at least one first process parameter (P1), particularly during operation of the apparatus (1), and to generate a first data set (DS1) comprising information relating to the detected first process parameter (P1); at least one second detection device (16) adapted to detect at least one second process parameter (P2), particularly during operation of the apparatus (1), and to generate at least one second data set (DS2) comprising information relating to the detected second process parameter (P2); a data processing device (18) adapted to link the first data set (DS1) with the at least one second data set (DS1).