Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a component 1 by additive manufacturing. The method comprises providing a work surface 2 on which the component 1 is to be manufactured, and providing at least one deposition material 3 from which the component 1 is to be composed. The deposition material, typically in the form of wire, is advanced to a localized deposition area 4 where it is added to the component 1 being manufactured. The method further comprises focusing at least one light beam 5 of incoherent light emitted from at least one heating source 6 in the deposition area 4 so that the deposition material 3 is deposited for building up the component 1. At least one light focusing mirror 7 and/or lens 11 is used to focus the incoherent light in the deposition area 4. The invention further relates to the use of such a method in space, such as on a space station, on a space craft or on parabolic flights for testing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ceramic article (3) from a metal or metal matrix composite preform (1) provided by 3D-printing or by 3D-weaving. The preform (1) is placed in a heating chamber (2), and a predetermined time-temperature profile is applied in order to controllably react the preform (1) with a gas introduced into the heating chamber (2). The metal, the gas and the time-temperature profile are chosen so as to induce a metal-gas reaction resulting in at least a part of the preform (1) transforming into a ceramic. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprises a first oxidation stage involving a metal-gas reaction in order to form a supporting oxide layer (5) at the surface of the metal, followed by a second stage in which the heating chamber (2) is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the metal to increase the kinetics of the chemical reaction. The invention also relates to a number of advantageous uses of a ceramic article manufactured as described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for contactless induction of high-frequency vibrations in a volume of molten metal during the manufacturing of a metal component or a metal matrix composite component. The system includes a moveably arranged electromagnetic primary coil, adjustment means for adjusting the position of the primary coil, and a control unit for controlling the position of the primary coil to a predefined distance above, but not in contact with, an upper free surface of the molten metal. The molten metal may be contained in a foundry crucible during manufacturing. The system can be used as an additive manufacturing system, with the primary coil arranged above the melt pool. A secondary low-frequency electromagnetic coil may be arranged around and at a distance from the molten metal to induce flow and/or vibrations in the molten metal.

Abstract: Systems and methods, comprising a directed heat source coupled to a multi-wire feed-head configured to feed one or more wires having diverse compositions into a heat affected region, are provided for the synthesis of alloy samples having defined compositions, combinatorial alloy sample series and libraries, and shaped alloy components.

Abstract: Systems and methods, comprising a directed heat source coupled to a multi-wire feed-head configured to feed one or more wires having diverse compositions into a heat affected region, are provided for the synthesis of alloy samples having defined compositions, combinatorial alloy sample series and libraries, and shaped alloy components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ceramic article (3) from a metal or metal matrix composite preform (1) provided by 3D-printing or by 3D-weaving. The preform (1) is placed in a heating chamber (2), and a predetermined time-temperature profile is applied in order to controllably react the preform (1) with a gas introduced into the heating chamber (2). The metal, the gas and the time-temperature profile are chosen so as to induce a metal-gas reaction resulting in at least a part of the preform (1) transforming into a ceramic. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprises a first oxidation stage involving a metal-gas reaction in order to form a supporting oxide layer (5) at the surface of the metal, followed by a second stage in which the heating chamber (2) is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the metal to increase the kinetics of the chemical reaction. The invention also relates to a number of advantageous uses of a ceramic article manufactured as described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for contactless induction of high-frequency vibrations in a volume of molten metal (1) during the manufacturing of a metal component or a metal matrix composite component. The system comprises a moveably arranged electromagnetic primary coil (2), adjustment means (3) for adjusting the position of the primary coil (2), and a control unit (5) for controlling the position of the primary coil (2) to a predefined distance above and not in physical contact with an upper free surface (4) of the molten metal (1) during use of the system. In some embodiments of the invention the molten metal (1) is contained in a foundry crucible (7) during manufacturing. In other embodiments, the system is used for an additive manufacturing system, so that the primary coil (2) is arranged above the melt pool (16). In both embodiments, a secondary low-frequency electromagnetic coil (9) may be arranged around and at a distance from the molten metal (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal matrix composite component (9). It comprises the use of a container (1) having a first compartment (2) and a second compartment (3) interconnected by a passage (4). A porous reinforcement preform (6) is placed in the first compartment (2), and matrix metal (7) is placed in the second compartment (3). The container (1) is then evacuated and sealed. The container (1) and its content is heated to above a melting temperature of the matrix metal (7) at least until the matrix metal (7) has melted. Then a high pressure P is applied to the outside of the container (1) so that at least the second compartment (3) is deformed to such an extent that melted matrix metal (7) is forced to flow via the passage (4) into the first compartment (2) and to infiltrate the porous reinforcement preform (6). The method may preferably be carried out in a hot isostatic pressure vessel (8).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metallic component (1) wherein a plurality of layers of metallic wire (7) is wound around a mandrel or inner layer (2). An outer layer of a metallic material is provided around the wound layers of wire (7) so that a canister (8) is obtained. The canister (8) is then evacuated and sealed before it placed in a hot isostatic pressing device (9) at high pressure and high temperature for a predetermined period of time. Hereby at least a majority of the windings of wire (7) consolidate and diffusion-bond to form the metallic component (1). In some embodiments of the invention, the canister (8) and/or the mandrel/inner layer (2) is/are not removed after the consolidation and thus forms an integral part of the component (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a component 1 by additive manufacturing. The method comprises providing a work surface 2 on which the component 1 is to be manufactured, and providing at least one deposition material 3 from which the component 1 is to be composed. The deposition material, typically in the form of wire, is advanced to a localized deposition area 4 where it is added to the component 1 being manufactured. The method further comprises focusing at least one light beam 5 of incoherent light emitted from at least one heating source 6 in the deposition area 4 so that the deposition material 3 is deposited for building up the component 1. At least one light focusing mirror 7 and/or lens 11 is used to focus the incoherent light in the deposition area 4. The invention further relates to the use of such a method in space, such as on a space station, on a space craft or on parabolic flights for testing.

Abstract: Systems and methods, comprising a directed heat source coupled to a multi-wire feed-head configured to feed one or more wires having diverse compositions into a heat affected region, are provided for the synthesis of alloy samples having defined compositions, combinatorial alloy sample series and libraries, and shaped alloy components.