Patents Assigned to Renishaw, PLC
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Patent number: 11123799Abstract: This invention concerns an additive manufacturing apparatus for building objects by layerwise consolidation of material. The apparatus comprises a build chamber 101 containing a working area, a plurality of high energy beams 133, 233 for consolidating material deposited in the working area in layers and an optical unit 135 for controlling transmission of the high energy beams onto material in the working area. The optical unit 135 comprises a plurality of independently controllable optical elements 141, 241 each optical element 141, 241 for controlling transmission of at least one of the high energy beams onto the material in the working area, the optical unit 135 movable in the build chamber 101.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: David Roberts McMurtry, Geoffrey McFarland, Nicholas John Weston, Ben Ian Ferrar
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Patent number: 11123924Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: David Roberts McMurtry, Christopher Sutcliffe, Robin Geoffrey Weston, Paul Campton, David John Whitton, David Beeby
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Publication number: 20210285762Abstract: A method for generating a measurement cycle for inspecting an object using a measurement probe carried by a coordinate positioning apparatus, computer program and apparatus, wherein the measurement cycle includes a measurement path where the measurement probe moves relative to the object enabling inspection of the object using a series of touch trigger measurements. The method includes defining multiple touch trigger measurement points on the surface of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2019Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventor: Martin Peter SUMMERS
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Patent number: 11117360Abstract: A device and method for generating scan data and/or slice data for use in an additive manufacturing process, in which an energy beam is scanned across layers of flowable material to consolidate the material in a layer-by-layer manner to build a part. The device includes a display and a processor. The processor is arranged to determine scan data for slices and/or slices of the part to be built in the additive manufacturing process and cause the display to display scan data and/or slices that has been determined whilst determining scan data for other ones of the slices and/or other ones of the slices from the geometric data.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Ramkumar Revanur, Michael Joseph McClelland
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Publication number: 20210278254Abstract: A method of operating a position encoder apparatus, including a scale having features defining position information and a readhead for reading the scale. The method includes: calculating extrapolated position information from at least one previous reading of the scale; comparing an extrapolated position with a position calculated from a reading of the scale to determine any discrepancy between them; using the extrapolated position information whether or not there is a discrepancy; and maintaining a record of any discrepancies.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventor: Andrew Paul GRIBBLE
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Patent number: 11110563Abstract: A method for tool measurement using a non-contact tool setting apparatus mounted to a machine tool, which includes a transmitter for emitting a light beam having a beam width and a receiver for receiving the light beam. The receiver generates a beam intensity signal describing the intensity of received light. The method is for measuring a tool having a nominal tool diameter less than the beam width so fully inserting the tool feature into the light beam would only partially occlude the beam. The method includes moving the tool through the beam thereby causing a change in the intensity signal and generating a trigger signal when the intensity signal crosses a trigger threshold. The tool size is derived using the trigger signal generated. Also, a step of applying a tool length correction that accounts for the nominal tool diameter of the tool being less than the beam width.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Benjamin Jason Merrifield, Edward Benjamin Egglestone, Alan James Holloway
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Patent number: 11104121Abstract: A method of selecting a scanning sequence of a laser beam in a selective laser solidification process, in which one or more objects are formed layer-by-layer by repeatedly depositing a layer of powder on a powder bed and scanning the laser beam over the deposited powder to selectively solidify at least part of the powder layers, includes determining an order in which areas should be scanned by: projecting a debris fallout zone that would be created when solidifying each area based on a gas flow direction of a gas flow passed over the powder bed; determining whether one or more other areas to be solidified fall within the debris fallout zone; and selecting to solidify the one or more other areas that fall within the debris fallout zone before solidifying the area from which the debris fallout zone has been projected.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventor: Ben Ian Ferrar
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Patent number: 11105607Abstract: A method of putting a feature of interest on an object and an optical inspection system of a non-contact probe mounted on a positioning apparatus in a desired relationship. The method includes: a) identifying a target point of interest on the object to be inspected by arranging the non-contact probe and object at a first relative configuration at which a marker feature, projected by the non-contact probe along a projector axis that is not coaxial with the optical inspection system's optical axis, identifies the target point of interest; and b) subsequently moving the non-contact probe and/or object so as to put them at a second relative configuration at which the target point of interest and optical inspection system are at the desired relationship, in which the positioning apparatus is configured to guide such motion in accordance with the control path.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Nicholas John Weston, Yvonne Ruth Huddart
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Publication number: 20210245250Abstract: A powder bed additive manufacturing apparatus includes a build sleeve, a build platform for supporting a powder bed and object during a build, the build platform lowerable in the build sleeve, and at least one acoustic sensing system. The acoustic sensing system includes an acoustic emission sensor and an acoustic waveguide. The acoustic waveguide extends through the build platform such that a receiving end of the acoustic waveguide distal from the acoustic emission sensor abuts a surface of a build substrate removable mounted to the build platform to transmit structure-borne acoustic waves from the build substrate to the acoustic emission sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Damon Mark NORTHEAST, Jonathan MANSELL, Nicholas Henry Hannaford JONES
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Publication number: 20210229215Abstract: A laser beam scanner including a laser beams positioning optic, a plurality of optical fibres for delivering a plurality of laser beams and a fibre termination optic aligned to direct the laser beams from output ends of the plurality of optical fibres to the laser beams positioning optic. The laser beams positioning optic is movable relative to the fibre termination optic to scan the laser beams across a working surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2019Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Nicholas John WESTON, Geoffrey MCFARLAND
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Patent number: 11060836Abstract: A positioning apparatus including a moveable member moveable along a bearing guideway in a first dimension, the moveable member including at a first end thereof at least first and second bearing members which are preloaded against corresponding first and second sides of a concave corner of the bearing guideway.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Stephen Paul Hunter, David Andrew Larkham
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Publication number: 20210205928Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus including a build chamber, a build platform in the build chamber for supporting a powder bed, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder to form the powder bed, a scanner for scanning an energy beam across the powder bed to fuse the powder and a gas circuit for forming a gas flow across the powder bed. The gas circuit includes a separator for separating particles from gas in the gas circuit, a nozzle for propelling gas into the build chamber and an exhaust for extracting gas from the build chamber and delivering the gas to the separator. The exhaust includes an exhaust channel or opening located for receiving powder wiped from the powder bed and/or build platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2018Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: David Edward BEEBY, David John Whitton, Andrew Thomas CRITCHLEY
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Publication number: 20210207981Abstract: A sealed encoder module for mounting onto a machine so as to measure relative displacement of first and second parts of the machine. The sealed encoder module can comprise, a scale, a readhead comprising a scale signal receiver, and an integral protective housing which encapsulates at least the scale and said scale signal receiver. The sealed encoder module can be configured to determine and output diagnostic information regarding a scale signal detected by the readhead.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Finlay Jonathan EVANS, James Reynolds HENSHAW, Stephen Lindsey TOCKNELL, Richard David James GEARING
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Publication number: 20210207938Abstract: Method for measuring an object using a scanning probe carried by a machine tool having a probe holder for the scanning probe and a carrier for the object. The method includes (i) using the machine tool to move the probe holder relative to the carrier along a pre-programmed scan path, (ii) measuring acceleration whilst the pre-programmed scan path is traversed, (iii) collecting probe data whilst the pre-programmed scan path is traversed, and (iv) using the acceleration measured to identify at least one acceleration zone of the pre-programmed scan path and thereby determine one or more positions along the scan path at which the probe data of step (iii) were collected.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2019Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: John Charles OULD, Thomas Phillip HANDFORD
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Publication number: 20210199473Abstract: An incremental measurement encoder including a scale and a readhead. The scale includes a periodic series of features forming an incremental track and at least one reference mark. The readhead including a structured light source and a reference mark photodetector array. The at least one reference mark can include at least one imaging element configured to form an image of the structured light source onto the reference mark photodetector array.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventor: Alexander David McKENDRICK
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Publication number: 20210187729Abstract: A coordinate positioning machine that includes: a structure moveable within a working volume of the machine, a hexapod metrology arrangement for measuring the position of the structure within the working volume, and a non-hexapod drive arrangement for moving the structure around the working volume. Also, a coordinate positioning machine including a structure moveable within a working volume of the machine, a drive arrangement for moving the structure around the working volume in fewer than six degrees of freedom, and a metrology arrangement for measuring the position of the structure within the working volume in more degrees of freedom than the drive arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventor: Stephen Mark ANGOOD
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Patent number: 11040414Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus comprises a processing chamber defining a window for receiving a laser beam and an optical module. The optical module is removably-mountable to the processing chamber for delivering the laser beam through the window. The optical module contains optical components for focusing and steering the laser beam and a controlled atmosphere can be maintained within the module.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Simon Peter Scott, Chris Sutcliffe
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Patent number: 11035658Abstract: A positioning apparatus, having first and second members relatively moveable in a substantially vertical degree of freedom. At least one energy conduit is mounted to at least one of the first and second members, which imparts a load on at least one of the members it is mounted to that varies dependent on the relative position of the first and second members. A compensatory member is configured to apply a load that varies, dependent on the relative position of the first and second members, inversely to the variation in load applied by the at least one energy conduit, so as to at least partially counteract the variation in load applied by the at least one energy conduit on said at least one of the members.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Hugo George Derrick, Stephen Paul Hunter
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Patent number: 11033968Abstract: This invention concerns a flow device for an additive manufacturing apparatus, in which material is consolidated in a layer-by-layer manner to build a part. The flow device comprises a first member having at least one inlet aperture therein and a second member having three or more downstream apertures therein. The first and second members are connected such that the downstream apertures of the second member are in fluid communication with the inlet aperture of the first member with a shortest fluid path from the inlet aperture to each downstream aperture being substantially the same.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventor: Christopher John Sutcliffe
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Publication number: 20210146447Abstract: This invention concerns a method of monitoring an additive manufacturing apparatus. The method comprises receiving one or more sensor signals from the additive manufacturing apparatus during a build of a workpiece, comparing the one or more sensor signals to a corresponding acceptable process variation of a plurality of acceptable process variations and generating a log based upon the comparisons. Each acceptable process variation of the plurality of acceptable process variations is associated with at least one state of progression of the build of the workpiece and the corresponding acceptable process variation is the acceptable process variation associated with the state of progression of the build when the one or more sensor signals are generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Nicholas Henry Hannaford JONES, Ceri BROWN, Ramkumar REVANUR, Geoffrey MCFARLAND
