Abstract: A method for casting an object includes additively producing, by a casting system, multiple production layers, one currently-produced production layer after the other. For each currently-produced production layer, the method includes forming, by a mold system of the casting system, one or more mold-layers, providing, by a replaceable material provision system of the casting system, one or more replaceable material layers; and forming, by a molten metal processing of the casting system, one or more current object regions of the currently-produced production layer by providing molten metal that replaces the one or more replaceable material layers.

Abstract: A deposition system for casting an object additively by producing multiple production layers having mold regions and object regions defined by the mold regions includes a deposition unit, a first induction heating unit, and an induction heating power supply unit. The deposition unit deposits molten metal in a working area of the object region of the currently-produced production layer according to a building plan defining a deposition path and a deposition velocity. The first induction heating unit heats the working area and is held at a working distance above a height of a current one of the mold regions. The induction heating power supply unit is coupled to the first induction heating unit and provides current at a desired magnitude and frequency. The first induction heating unit generates from the current a magnetic field which extends to the working area.

Abstract: A casting system for producing an object with multiple layers having mold regions and object regions includes a mold construction unit, at least one deposition system, and a controller. The mold construction unit constructs the mold regions of the currently-produced layer. The deposition system includes a movable deposition unit, a first induction heating unit, and an induction heating power supply unit. The movable deposition unit deposits molten metal in a working area along a deposition path and with a deposition velocity. The first induction heating unit heats the working area from a working distance above a height of a current mold region. The power supply unit provides current to generate therefrom a magnetic field extending to the working area. The controller controls the system such that the magnetic field heats a desired zone in the working area to a target temperature.

Abstract: A heating system for heating multiple working areas of a metallic workpiece, one working area after another according to a heating plan, includes at least one induction heating unit, at least one travel unit, and an induction heating power supply unit. The induction heating unit heats the working areas from a working distance which is greater than a predetermined height. The travel unit provides relative motion according to the heating plan between the induction heating unit and the workpiece at a travel velocity. The induction heating power supply unit provides current at a desired magnitude and frequency, generating therefrom a magnetic field which extends to the working area. The induction heating unit includes at least one hairpin coil at a vertical position with respect to the working areas, and a magnetic flux concentrator (MFC) surrounding the hairpin coil. The MFC increases the range of a magnetic field to include the working areas.

Abstract: A casting system for casting an object, wherein the casting system may include a mold system, a replaceable material provision system, and a molten metal processing system. The casting system may be configured to additively produce multiple production layers, one currently-produced production layer after the other. For each currently-produced production layer: (i) the mold system is configured to form one or more mold-layers, (ii) the replaceable material provision system is configured to provide one or more replaceable material layers; and (iii) the molten metal processing system is configured to form one or more current object regions of the currently-produced production layer by providing molten metal that replace the one or more replaceable material layers.

Abstract: A scanning electron microscope and a method for evaluating a sample, the method may include (a) illuminating the sample with a primary electron beam, (b) directing secondary electrons emitted from the sample and propagated above a first scintillator, towards an upper portion of the first scintillator, wherein the first scintillator and a second scintillator are positioned between the sample and a column electrode of the column; wherein the first scintillator is positioned above the second scintillator; (c) detecting the secondary electrons by the first scintillator; (d) directing backscattered electrons emitted from the sample towards a lower portion of the second scintillator; and (e) detecting the backscattered electrons by the second scintillator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for additively casting of a metallic object include constructing a mold region of a current production layer before producing the object region of the current production layer; depositing molten metal at a predetermined temperature in working areas at the object region of the current production layer according to a building plan; and moving one or more heaters over the deposition path and heating the working areas. The heating includes (1) heating the working areas to a pre-deposition target temperature before depositing metal on the working areas to affect a bonding of the molten metal with the working areas, and/or (2) heating the working areas to a post-deposition target temperature after depositing metal on the working areas to affect a thermal cooling profile of the working areas. the heating also includes providing annealing heating to earlier production layers by heat conduction through the current production layer.

Abstract: A casting system for casting an object, wherein the casting system may include a mold system, a replaceable material provision system, and a molten metal processing system. The casting system may be configured to additively produce multiple production layers, one currently-produced production layer after the other. For each currently-produced production layer: (i) the mold system is configured to form one or more mold-layers, (ii) the replaceable material provision system is configured to provide one or more replaceable material layers; and (iii) the molten metal processing system is configured to form one or more current object regions of the currently-produced production layer by providing molten metal that replace the one or more replaceable material layers.

Abstract: System and method for additive casting of metal objects by constructing production layers having mold regions and object regions includes a mold construction unit to construct a mold region of the current production layer; a Preparation-Deposition-Post (PDP) unit including: a molten metal depositor to deposit molten metal in an object region; a holder for holding the molten metal depositor; at least one induction heating unit; a build table for supporting the vertical stack of production layers; a movable platform to provide relative movement between the PDP unit and the build table; and a controller for controlling the PDP unit and the movable platform to deposit molten metal in a fabrication area, and to control the PDP unit to perform (1) pre-heating the fabrication area before molten metal deposition, to a pre-deposition temperature, and/or (2) post-heating the fabrication area after molten metal deposition, to a post-deposition temperature.

Abstract: A scanning electron microscope and a method for evaluating a sample, the method may include (a) illuminating the sample with a primary electron beam, (b) directing secondary electrons emitted from the sample and propagated above a first scintillator, towards an upper portion of the first scintillator, wherein the first scintillator and a second scintillator are positioned between the sample and a column electrode of the column; wherein the first scintillator is positioned above the second scintillator; (c) detecting the secondary electrons by the first scintillator; (d) directing backscattered electrons emitted from the sample towards a lower portion of the second scintillator; and (e) detecting the backscattered electrons by the second scintillator.

Abstract: A computer program product and a method for dissipation of an electrical charge stored in a region of an object. The method may include (a) sensing, by at least one sensor, an electrical charging status of the region of the object, while the object is located within a vacuum chamber and while a gaseous pressure within the vacuum chamber is below a certain vacuum pressure threshold; and (b) performing, based on the charging status of the given region, an electrical charge dissipation process that comprises increasing the gaseous pressure within the vacuum chamber to be within a given gaseous pressure range that facilitates a dissipation, by breakdown, of the electrical charge stored in the region of the object to the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A computer program product and a method for dissipation of an electrical charge stored in a region of an object. The method may include (a) sensing, by at least one sensor, an electrical charging status of the region of the object, while the object is located within a vacuum chamber and while a gaseous pressure within the vacuum chamber is below a certain vacuum pressure threshold; and (b) performing, based on the charging status of the given region, an electrical charge dissipation process that comprises increasing the gaseous pressure within the vacuum chamber to be within a given gaseous pressure range that facilitates a dissipation, by breakdown, of the electrical charge stored in the region of the object to the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention there may be provided a system that may include a specimen chamber, an exchange chamber, a pressure monitor; and a controller. The exchange chamber may be configured to (i) receive a specimen when an exchange chamber pressure maintained within the exchange chamber is at a first pressure level, (ii) reduce the exchange chamber pressure to be lower than a specimen vapor pressure. The pressure monitor may be configured to perform, during a measurement period, at least one measurement of the exchange chamber pressure. The exchange chamber may be configured to stop a reduction of the exchange chamber pressure during the measurement period.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention there may be provided a system that may include a specimen chamber, an exchange chamber, a pressure monitor; and a controller. The exchange chamber may be configured to (i) receive a specimen when an exchange chamber pressure maintained within the exchange chamber is at a first pressure level, (ii) reduce the exchange chamber pressure to be lower than a specimen vapor pressure. The pressure monitor may be configured to perform, during a measurement period, at least one measurement of the exchange chamber pressure. The exchange chamber may be configured to stop a reduction of the exchange chamber pressure during the measurement period.