Abstract: A process for layer manufacturing comprising: (a) feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; (b) depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit under a first processing condition; (c) monitoring the molten pool deposit for a preselected condition using a detector substantially contemporaneously with the depositing step; (d) comparing information about the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit with a predetermined desired value for the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit; (e) solidifying the molten pool deposit; (f) automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step (d); (g) protecting the detector with a vapor protection device; and (h) repeating steps (a) through (g) at one or more second locations.

Abstract: A method for layer-by-layer manufacturing of a three-dimensional metallic work piece, comprising the steps of: delivering a metallic feed material in a substantially solid state into a feed region; emitting an electron beam; and translating the electron beam through a first predetermined raster pattern frame in an x-y plane. The method may also include monitoring a condition of one or both of the feed region or the substrate region in real time for the occurrence of any deviation from a predetermined condition; upon detecting of any deviation, translating the electron beam through at least one second predetermined raster pattern frame in the x-y plane that maintains the melting beam power density level substantially the same as the first predetermined raster pattern frame, but alters the substrate beam power density level.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for free form fabrication of a three-dimensional work piece comprising (a) feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; (b) depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit under a first processing condition; (c) monitoring the molten pool deposit for a preselected condition; (d) comparing information about the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit with a predetermined desired value for the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit; (e) solidifying the molten pool deposit; (f) automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step (d); and repeating steps (a) through (f) at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer a three-dimensional work piece.

Abstract: A method for layer-by-layer manufacturing of a three-dimensional work piece, including: (a) delivering a metallic feed material into a feed region; (b) emitting an electron beam; (c) translating the electron beam through a first predetermined raster pattern frame that includes: (i) a plurality of points within the feed region; and (ii) a plurality of points in a substrate region that is outside of the feed region; (d) monitoring a condition of the feed region or the substrate region for the occurrence of any deviation from a predetermined condition; (e) upon detecting of any deviation, translating the electron beam through at least one second predetermined raster pattern frame that maintains the melting beam power density level substantially the same, but alters the substrate beam power density level; and (f) repeating steps (a) through (e) at one or more second locations for building up layer-by-layer.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for free form fabrication of a three-dimensional work piece comprising (a) feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; (b) depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit under a first processing condition; (c) monitoring the molten pool deposit for a preselected condition; (d) comparing information about the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit with a predetermined desired value for the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit; (e) solidifying the molten pool deposit; (f) automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step (d); and repeating steps (a) through (f) at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer a three-dimensional work piece.

Abstract: A method for layer-by-layer manufacturing of a three-dimensional work piece, including: (a) delivering a metallic feed material into a feed region; (b) emitting an electron beam; (c) translating the electron beam through a first predetermined raster pattern frame that includes: (i) a plurality of points within the feed region; and (ii) a plurality of points in a substrate region that is outside of the feed region; (d) monitoring a condition of the feed region or the substrate region for the occurrence of any deviation from a predetermined condition; (e) upon detecting of any deviation, translating the electron beam through at least one second predetermined raster pattern frame that maintains the melting beam power density level substantially the same, but alters the substrate beam power density level; and (f) repeating steps (a) through (e) at one or more second locations for building up layer-by-layer.

Abstract: A process (and apparatus for performing the process) for layer manufacturing a three-dimensional work piece comprising the steps of: feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; exposing the raw material to an electron beam to liquefy the raw material; depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit, the deposit having a forward edge region in an x-y plane with a forward edge region width and a trailing edge region in the x-y plane with a trailing edge region width, under at least one first processing condition; monitoring the molten pool deposit for at least one preselected condition using detecting of scatter from a scanning electron beam contemporaneously with the depositing step; solidifying the molten pool deposit; automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step; and repeating steps at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer, generally alo

Abstract: A method for layer-by-layer manufacturing of a three-dimensional work piece, including: (a) delivering a metallic feed material into a feed region; (b) emitting an electron beam; (c) translating the electron beam through a first predetermined raster pattern frame that includes: (i) a plurality of points within the feed region; and (ii) a plurality of points in a substrate region that is outside of the feed region; (d) monitoring a condition of the feed region or the substrate region for the occurrence of any deviation from a predetermined condition; (e) upon detecting of any deviation, translating the electron beam through at least one second predetermined raster pattern frame that maintains the melting beam power density level substantially the same, but alters the substrate beam power density level; and (f) repeating steps (a) through (e) at one or more second locations for building up layer-by-layer.

Abstract: A process (and apparatus for performing the process) for layer manufacturing a three-dimensional work piece comprising the steps of: feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; exposing the raw material to an electron beam to liquefy the raw material; depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit, the deposit having a forward edge region in an x-y plane with a forward edge region width and a trailing edge region in the x-y plane with a trailing edge region width, under at least one first processing condition; monitoring the molten pool deposit for at least one preselected condition using detecting of scatter from a scanning electron beam contemporaneously with the depositing step; solidifying the molten pool deposit; automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step; and repeating steps at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer, generally alo

Abstract: A process and apparatus for free form fabrication of a three-dimensional work piece comprising (a) feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; (b) depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit under a first processing condition; (c) monitoring the molten pool deposit for a preselected condition; (d) comparing information about the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit with a predetermined desired value for the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit; (e) solidifying the molten pool deposit; (f) automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step (d); and repeating steps (a) through (f) at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer a three-dimensional work piece.

Abstract: A process (and apparatus for performing the process) for layer manufacturing a three-dimensional work piece comprising the steps of: feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; exposing the raw material to an electron beam to liquefy the raw material; depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit, the deposit having a forward edge region in an x-y plane with a forward edge region width and a trailing edge region in the x-y plane with a trailing edge region width, under at least one first processing condition; monitoring the molten pool deposit for at least one preselected condition using detecting of scatter from a scanning electron beam contemporaneously with the depositing step; solidifying the molten pool deposit; automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step; and repeating steps at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer, generally alo

Abstract: A process and apparatus for free form fabrication of a three-dimensional work piece comprising (a) feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; (b) depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit under a first processing condition; (c) monitoring the molten pool deposit for a preselected condition; (d) comparing information about the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit with a predetermined desired value for the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit; (e) solidifying the molten pool deposit; (f) automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step (d); and repeating steps (a) through (f) at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer a three-dimensional work piece.

Abstract: A method for layer-by-layer manufacturing of a three-dimensional work piece including, (a) delivering a metallic feed material into a feed region; (b) emitting an electron beam; (c) translating the electron beam through a first predetermined raster pattern frame that includes: (i) a plurality of points within the feed region; and (ii) a plurality of points in a substrate region that is outside of the feed region; (d) monitoring a condition of the feed region or the substrate region for the occurrence of any deviation from a predetermined condition; (e) upon detecting of any deviation, translating the electron beam through at least one second predetermined raster pattern frame that maintains the melting beam power density level substantially the same, but alters the substrate beam power density level; and (f) repeating steps (a) through (e) at one or more second locations for building up layer-by-layer.

Abstract: A method for layer-by-layer manufacturing of a three-dimensional metallic work piece, comprising the steps of: delivering a metallic feed material in a substantially solid state into a feed region; emitting an electron beam having one or more predetermined electrical currents; translating the electron beam through a first predetermined raster pattern frame in an x-y plane that includes: a plurality of points within the feed region sufficient so that the metallic feed material is subjected to a melting beam power density level sufficient to cause melting of the metallic feed material and formation of a molten pool deposit; and a plurality of points in a substrate region that is outside of the feed region, sufficient so that the plurality of points outside the feed region is subjected to a substrate beam power density level that is different from (e.g.

Abstract: A process (and apparatus for performing the process) for layer manufacturing a three-dimensional work piece comprising the steps of; feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; exposing the raw material to an electron beam to liquefy the raw material; depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit, the deposit having a forward edge region in an x-y plane with a forward edge region width and a trailing edge region in the x-y plane with a trailing edge region width, under at least one first processing condition; monitoring the molten pool deposit for at least one preselected condition using detecting of scatter from a scanning electron beam contemporaneously with the depositing step; solidifying the molten pool deposit; automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step; and repeating steps at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer, generally alo

Abstract: A process and apparatus for free form fabrication of a three-dimensional work piece comprising (a) feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; (b) depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit under a first processing condition; (c) monitoring the molten pool deposit for a preselected condition; (d) comparing information about the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit with a predetermined desired value for the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit; (e) solidifying the molten pool deposit; (f) automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step (d); and repeating steps (a) through (f) at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer a three-dimensional work piece.

Abstract: An electron beam gun for operation from 100 to 200 kilovolts which includes means for maintaining the alignment and spacing of critical gun elements over the wide range of temperatures experienced during operation of the gun and which allows for ease in changing filaments and ease in dismantling the gun for servicing. Means are provided for the safe handling of the gun when this is requires while the gun is mounted on a machine. The gun is provided with a novel filament and cathode support cartridge assembly of simple design. A quick access door assembly allows quick and easy access to the guns internal parts and insures positive vacuum sealing.

Abstract: An improvement in high power electron beam guns including a non-inductive high-voltage cable for supplying power to the gun having barriers for preventing air leakage from inside the cable into the vacuum chamber. The gun includes a support for its cathode and filament, which transmits heat developed in these elements to a heat sink so that dimensional accuracy is maintained in the electron beam generating elements. Provision is made for quick release of cable terminations from the gun receptacle and for maintaining a given pressure in insulating grease placed between mating sufaces of plugs and receptacles.

Abstract: An optical system for use in an electron beam welding machine for viewing workpieces mounted within a vacuum chamber from a position outside the chamber, either before or during the welding operation. The optical system includes an automatic motorized means for adjusting the focus of the system to accommodate different electron beam gun to work distances, and simultaneously to automatically adjust the angle with respect to the axis of the electron beam along which the view of the area being welded is to be observed. A transparent disc, which may be rotated step by step about its central axis in approximately 30.degree. increments is mounted so that a portion of its surface near its periphery is interposed in the viewing path so as to shield the optical parts of the viewing system from the vapors and radiations which are generated during the electron beam welding process. A means for illuminating only the area on the work surface which is to be viewed is also provided with a similar shielding means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for practicing the gas tungsten arc welding process which includes means for rotating the welding torch continuously while welding. Means are provided for feeding the shielding gases, feed wire and electric current to the rotating torch while welding. Means are also provided for tilting the torch about the point of welding. This invention makes it possible to weld continuously along a spiral path about a cylindrical object or on a flat or irregular surface.