Abstract: A welding apparatus for welding workpieces of high-temperature superalloys is provided. The welding apparatus includes a heat source for producing a heat input zone on the workpiece surface, a supplying device for supplying welding filler into the heat input zone and a transporting device for producing a relative movement between the heat source and the supplying device on the one hand and the workpiece surface on the other hand. The welding apparatus further includes a control unit with a control program, which carries out the relative movement in such a way that the welding power and the diameter of the heat input zone are set such that the cooling rate during the solidifying of the material is at least 8000 Kelvins per second.

Abstract: A method for directionally compacting a weld seam during build-up welding is provided. The method is used for the build-up welding of a component substrate that is compacted in a directional manner and comprises dendrites which extend in a substrate dendrite direction. The method parameters with respect to feed, laser power, weld beam diameter, powder beam focus and/or powder mass flow are designed such that they result in a local orientation of the temperature gradient to the solidification front, which is smaller than 45° with respect to the substrate dendrite direction of the dendrites in the substrate, wherein the relative speed is between 30 mm/mm and 100 mm/mm, and/or the power is between 200 W and 500 W, and/or the diameter of the laser beam on the surface of the substrate is between 3 mm and 6 mm, and/or the mass feed rate is between 30 mg/mm and 600 mg/mm.

Abstract: A process for the directional solidification of a weld seam during build up welding is provided which includes the targeted selection of process parameters for laser welding, feeding, laser power beam diameter, and powder mass flow. The temperature gradient substantially decisive for single crystal growth during laser application welding can be set deliberately.

Abstract: A welding method for welding workpieces made of highly heat-resistant superalloys is provided. The method includes generating a heat input zone on the workpiece surface by means of a heat source, feeding welding filler material into the heat input zone by means of a feeding device, and generating a relative motion between the heat source and the feeding device on one hand and the workpiece surface on the other hand by means of a conveying device. Furthermore, according to the welding method, the mass feed rate is ?350 mg/min.

Abstract: A process for welding a component in which a recess is filled by welding tracks is provided. The process includes providing a recess with a contour which delimits an outer upper surface of the component with respect to the recess. The welding tracks are laid such that the welding tracks also reach the surface outside a contour of the recess and that a plurality of welding layers are used in order to fill the recess until a last layer protrudes completely beyond the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for deposition of at least one electrically conducting film (20) on a substrate (30), comprising the steps: selecting a layer (10) of a film material, wherein the layer (10) comprises a mask (40) on a front side (11) and wherein the layer (10) and the mask (40) are one piece, positioning the front side (11) of the layer (10) upon the substrate (30), applying at least one laser pulse (120) onto a back side (12) of the layer (10), so as to melt and to vaporize at least parts of the layer (10) such that melt droplets (110) are propelled toward and deposited upon said substrate (30), forming the film (20), wherein at least one slot (45) of the mask (40) limits the distribution of said melt droplets (110).

Abstract: A welding apparatus for welding workpieces of high-temperature superalloys is provided. The welding apparatus includes a heat source for producing a heat input zone on the workpiece surface, a supplying device for supplying welding filler into the heat input zone and a transporting device for producing a relative movement between the heat source and the supplying device on the one hand and the workpiece surface on the other hand. The welding apparatus further includes a control unit with a control program, which carries out the relative movement in such a way that the welding power and the diameter of the heat input zone are set such that the cooling rate during the solidifying of the material is at least 8000 Kelvins per second.

Abstract: A method of welding workpieces of high-temperature superalloys is provided. Welding filler is applied in a plurality of layers to a surface of the workpiece via a heat input zone and a supply zone for supplying the welding filler into the heat input zone. The heat input zone and the supply zone on the one hand and the workpiece surface on the other hand are moved in relation to one another. A polycrystalline weld seam is generated by remelting a previously applied layer of the plurality of layers. Welding parameters are chosen such that a cooling rate during a solidifying of the material is at least 8000 Kelvins per second. Further, a welding apparatus for carrying out such a method is provided.

Abstract: An extractor is provided to extract an insert used with a bone connection element such as a bone plate having at least one opening for a bone screw used with the insert. The extractor has an outer hollow sleeve having proximal abutment surface for engaging a surface portion of the bone plate, and an inner bar having a diameter enabling the insertion of the bar into the hollow sleeve. The bar has a threaded leading end to engage the thread of the insert to be extracted. The hollow sleeve has an inner thread and the inner bar has an outer threaded element for engaging the inner thread of the hollow sleeve. The outer threaded element is positioned with respect to the bar in a longitudinal position to enable the threaded locking end to extend beyond the proximal abutment surface of the sleeve to be threaded into the insert.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable orthopaedic device comprising a load-bearing element, such as a bone plate, for fixing elements, such as bone screws, that can be oriented polyaxially. The load-bearing element is equipped with at least one opening for the passage of the fixing elements. A two part insert is provided in the opening, the insert having an external form that complements the internal form of the receiving opening and permits the polyaxial rotation of the insert in the opening. The insert is equipped with a central bore for receiving the body of the fixing element. The first insert element part has a central inner hollow chamber, into which the second insert element part can be introduced.

Abstract: An extractor is provided to extract an insert used with a bone connection element such as a bone plate having at least one opening for a bone screw used with the insert. The extractor has an outer hollow sleeve having proximal abutment surface for engaging a surface portion of the bone plate, and an inner bar having a diameter enabling the insertion of the bar into the hollow sleeve. The bar has a threaded leading end to engage the thread of the insert to be extracted. The hollow sleeve has an inner thread and the inner bar has an outer threaded element for engaging the inner thread of the hollow sleeve. The outer threaded element is positioned with respect to the bar in a longitudinal position to enable the threaded locking end to extend beyond the proximal abutment surface of the sleeve to be threaded into the insert.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable orthopaedic device comprising a load-bearing element, such as a bone plate, for fixing elements, such as bone screws, that can be oriented polyaxially. The load-bearing element is equipped with at least one opening for the passage of the fixing elements. A two part insert is provided in the opening, the insert having an external form that complements the internal form of the receiving opening and permits the polyaxial rotation of the insert in the opening. The insert is equipped with a central bore for receiving the body of the fixing element. The first insert element part has a central inner hollow chamber, into which the second insert element part can be introduced.

Abstract: An extractor device is provided to extract an insert to be used with a bone connection element such as a bone plate having at least one opening for a bone screw used with said insert. The extractor device has an outer hollow sleeve having proximal abutment surface being able to engage a surface portion of the bone connection element, and an inner bar having a diameter enabling the insertion of the bar into the hollow sleeve. The bar has a threaded leading end to engage the thread of the insert to be extracted. The hollow sleeve has an inner thread and the inner bar has an outer threaded element for engaging the inner thread of the hollow sleeve. The outer threaded element is positioned with respect to the bar in a longitudinal position to enable the thread at its leading end to extend beyond the proximal abutment surface of the sleeve to be threaded into the insert.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a generative method of fabrication and an accompanying device with which components can be fabricated from a combination of materials. The device comprises a bottom surface (1) with a lowerable building platform (2), a leveling mechanism (5) for leveling a first material (4) in a processing plane (3) above the building platform (2), a laser beam source for emitting a laser beam (11), a processing unit (6) with a focusing optical system (8) for focusing the laser beam (11) onto the processing plane (3) and a positioning mechanism which can position the processing unit (6) in any desired positions in a plane parallel to the processing plane (3) above the component (14). Furthermore, the device is provided with a suction device (10) for sectioning off the material from the processing plane (3) and an introduction mechanism (9) for a second material (12) with which the latter is brought into the focal range of the laser beam (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process chamber for the selective laser fusion of material powder for the production of moulded parts. The process chamber consists of a closed chamber (1) having a bottom area, side walls and a cover area (6), a reservoir volume (3) and a production volume (2) in said bottom area, and first inlet and outlet openings (7, 9) for a protective gas. In the cover area (6), above the production volume (2), a raised region is provided with side areas, in which a beam injection window (10) is disposed that is transparent to laser radiation to be coupled in. Second inlet openings (13) are provided for a further gas in the side areas of the raised region. With the inventive design of the process chamber it is possible to protect the beam injection window (10) efficiently from being soiled by gaseous components rising from the zone of interaction, without impairment of the efficiency in guiding the protective gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a process using a laser beam to scan an area of an object, in particular, for selective laser melting of metal powder for fabrication of a mold. The device is provided with a plotter mechanic with two linear axes (4, 5) over which a carrier element can be positioned and moved, an optical means, which guides the laser beam to the carrier element or provides the laser beam at the carrier element, a scanning means (9) at the carrier element, which guides the laser beam to the area of the object and moves the laser beam back and forth in a presetable angle, a focusing optic (15) for focusing the laser beam (8) onto the area of the object (11).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a molded body, in accordance with three-dimensional CAD data of a model of a molded body, by depositing layers of a metallic material in powder form. Several layers of powder are successively deposited one on top of the other, whereby each layer of powder is heated to a specific temperature by means of a focused laser beam applied to a given area corresponding to a selected cross-sectional area of the model of the molded body, before deposition of the next layer. The laser beam is guided over each layer of powder in accordance with the CAD cross-sectional data of the selected cross-sectional area of the model in such a way that each layer of powder is fixed to the layer below it.