Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for generating additive manufacturing control data. The control data are generated such that the energy beam has an intensity distribution, at the area of incidence on the build field, in a see tion plane running perpendicularly to the beam axis of the energy beam, which intensity distribution has at least one local minimum in a middle region along at least one secant of the intensity distribution in the section plane and has an intensity profile curve, running along the edge of the intensity distribution, which intensity profile curve has, at least at one point, a maximum value, and, at least at one point in a region opposite the maximum value on the intensity profile curve, a minimum value.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include an energy delivery device configured to deliver energy to a component to form a melt pool at least partially surrounded by a cooling region; and an optical system comprising: an imaging device; and an occulting device, wherein the occulting device is configured to occult at least part of thermal emissions produced by the energy and the melt pool and transmit at least some thermal emissions produced by the cooling region.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for weld tapering at a trailing edge using time multiplexing are disclosed. Systems, apparatus, and methods for control of an electron beam for welding using time multiplexing are disclosed. An example apparatus includes memory and at least one processor to execute instructions to at least: in a first portion of a line of an object being formed, control an energy beam at a first position at a first time to form a weld from a powder; and in a second portion of a line of the object being formed, control the energy beam to perform a dispersion sweep at a second position at a second time.

Abstract: A brewing device is used for preparing beverages like coffee or tea. The brewing device includes a brewing chamber with an opening for loading/unloading a brewing material, a piston slidably mounted in the brewing chamber and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is programmed to cause the piston to move among a loading configuration, in which the brewing material is loadable in the brewing chamber, a compression configuration, in which the piston compacts the brewing material in the brewing chamber, and an expulsion configuration, in which the piston extracts the exhausted material from the brewing chamber. The electronic control unit is programmed to cause, in the loading configuration, the piston to lower from a higher position, corresponding to an initial loading configuration, to a lower position, corresponding to a final loading configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for an electron beam system for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by fusing successive layers of powder, said system having at least one lens for reshaping of said electron beam, an electron source and a powder bed, said method comprising the step: blocking a selected cross section of said electron beam for controlling the electron beam power. By interference between the electron beam and a beam blocking part a portion of the electron beam is prevented from reaching the powder bed.

Abstract: The layer construction method comprises at least the following steps: a) applying at least one powder layer of a material to at least one construction and joining zone of at least one movable construction platform; b) locally solidifying the material to form a component layer, wherein the material is selectively scanned along scan lines by at least one energy beam and fused; c) lowering the construction platform layer by layer by a predefined layer thickness; and d) repeating the steps a) to c) until the component region is complete. In step b), a distance hs between at least two central lines of neighboring scan lines in at least one component layer is adjusted in accordance with Formula I 0.85?bsmin/hs?1.00??(I) wherein bsmin represents a minimum melt pool width of the scan lines.

Abstract: A method for laser additive manufacturing of a mechanical part includes providing a laser beam the operation of which will be controlled by a computer into which is introduced a CAD computer file which is cut into one or more strata which, once superimposed, allow to form the structure of the desired mechanical part, disposing a substrate in a manufacturing enclosure wherein an atmosphere of a neutral gas is created, depositing on the substrate at least a first layer of a powder of a first metallic material to be melted, levelling the first layer, subjecting by means of the laser beam the first layer to a selective melting step, if necessary, depositing on the substrate a second layer, levelling the second layer and subjecting this second layer to a step of selective melting, removing the excess material and cleaning the assembly and subjecting the part to finishing operations.

Abstract: The problem of limited throughput in three-dimensional (3D) printing processes is addressed by systems and methods that employ mirrors to receive energy reflected by the melt pool and to redirect such light back to the melt pool, where it may further heat the melt pool. Multiple such passes of reflection from the melt pool and redirection back to the melt pool may substantially increase the efficiency at which the melt pool absorbs the energy, thereby substantially increasing the throughput of the 3D printing process.

Abstract: A method for heat treatment of an object of sheet metal, includes the step of heating at least one selected portion of the object using an energy beam. The beam is projected onto a surface of the object so as to produce a primary spot on the object, the beam being repetitively scanned in two dimensions in accordance with a scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot on the object, the effective spot having a two-dimensional energy distribution. The effective spot is displaced in relation to the surface of the object to progressively heat the at least one selected portion of the object. The scanning pattern includes interconnected curved segments.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for calibrating for an electron beam additive manufacturing system. The electron beam manufacturing system includes electron beam guns. A calibration system includes an optical pyrometer. The optical pyrometer captures thermal radiation emitted from raw material. An analysis component is communicatively coupled to the optical pyrometer. The analysis component is programmed to determine calibration parameters from information from the optical pyrometer and a phase transition temperature.

Abstract: Optics assemblies and their methods of use in additive manufacturing systems are described. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing system may include a build surface, a plurality of laser energy sources configured to produce a plurality of laser spots on the build surface, and an optics assembly configured to independently control a size of each of the plurality of laser spots and a spacing between the plurality of laser spots on the build surface. The optics assembly may include a plurality of lens arrays, where the plurality of lens arrays is configured to adjust a size of each of the plurality of laser spots on the build surface, and at least one lens. The at least one lens may also be configured to adjust a spacing between the plurality of laser spots on the build surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser processing system comprising a frame structure; a work base for supporting a work material, wherein the work base defines a work field in a work plane, wherein the work plane is parallel to the work base; at least one laser device for projecting work light on the work plane and/or on the work material, when the work material is disposed on the work base, wherein the at least one laser device is attached to the frame structure; wherein each laser device is configured for generating one or more reference marks on the work material and/or on the work plane within the corresponding laser field, wherein the laser field corresponds to at least a part of the work field; an optical detector for scanning the work field for detecting at least a part of the one or more reference marks generated by each laser device, wherein the optical detector is movable with respect to the frame structure with not more than two, preferably not more than one, degree of freedom; and a control uni

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a method for preventing spot welding crack of a galvanized steel plate, which can reduce crack occurring due molten zinc having a low melting point when a galvanized advanced high strength steel (AHSS) plate is spot-welded, and can thus improve welding strength and fatigue life.

Abstract: An electrode feed device for a plasma torch installation including an element for fastening an active electrode, movable in translation along a longitudinal axis of the active electrode, wherein it further has a magazine including compartments each adapted to receive an electrode amongst a plurality of additional electrodes, a system or moving the compartments, configured to place an additional electrode amongst the plurality of additional electrodes in alignment with a current active electrode along the longitudinal axis, an assembly device configured to fasten a proximal end of the current active electrode and a distal end of the additional electrode end-to-end, so that they form together a new active electrode.

Abstract: A microwave oven and a method of operating the same is provided herein. The method includes the steps of: sensing that a door of the microwave is in an open state; interrupting a power input to a generator power supply unit comprising a first converter, a first energy reserve, a second energy reserve located downstream from the first energy reserve, and a second converter located between the first and second energy reserves; detecting an input voltage; and disabling the second converter if the detected input voltage is less than a threshold voltage that is proportional to the detected input voltage, wherein disabling the second converter triggers the second energy reserve to discharge, and wherein the time necessary to discharge the second energy reserve is free of influence from the first energy reserve and is independent of the detected input voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a 3D component printing process wherein a body is built up from starting material that is irradiated trace-by-trace with a beam, and to a 3D printed component produced by this process. The beam has an effective area profile that is not rotationally symmetric, the effective area profile of the beam being oriented in accordance with the track direction. The invention further relates to a beam orienting assembly for a 3D printing machine and a 3D printing machine comprising such a beam orienting assembly.

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: A system includes a first group of optic lenses within a focusing unit positioned along the propagation direction of a collimated laser beam, the first group of optic lenses separated by a predetermined fixed distance. The first group of optic lenses in conjunction cause the collimated beam to form as an annular beam as it passes through the first group of optic lenses. An axicon lens located distal from the first group of optic lenses along the propagation direction, the axicon lens operable to bifurcate the annular beam into two deflected collimated beam sections, and the axicon lens having a focus that causes the two deflected collimated beam sections to merge at a distance distal from the axicon lens to create an interference pattern region.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and kits of parts for monitoring operation of an electron beam additive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A monitoring system includes one or more measuring devices positioned on the at least one wall in the interior of a build chamber of the additive manufacturing system. Each one of the one or more measuring devices includes a piezoelectric crystal. The monitoring system further includes an analysis component communicatively coupled to the one or more measuring devices. The analysis component is programmed to receive information pertaining to a frequency of oscillation of the piezoelectric crystal. A collection of material on the one or more measuring devices during formation of an article within the build chamber causes a change to the frequency of oscillation of the piezoelectric crystal that is detectable by the analysis component and usable to determine a potential build anomaly of the article.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include an energy source, an optical system to modify and direct an energy beam from the energy source toward a component to form a melt pool, and a material delivery device to deliver material to the melt pool. The optical system may form an annular energy beam, direct the annular energy beam toward the component, receive at least a portion of thermal emissions produced by the annular energy beam and the melt pool, and direct the portion of the thermal emissions toward an imaging device, which may be used to control the energy source.