Patents by Inventor Fabian ZEULNER

Fabian ZEULNER has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230001639
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus comprises a laser beam source emitting a laser beam, a build platform, a powder source depositing a layer of powder onto the build platform, and a scanning assembly disposed along an optical path between the laser beam source and the build platform. The scanning assembly comprises at least one solid state optical deflector that modifies at least one of a size or an impingement location of the laser beam on the layer of powder at a scanning position of the laser beam. The at least one solid state optical deflector may be used to heat treat the layer of powder either before or after the powder is melted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Maik Zimmermann, Florian Bechmann, Fabian Zeulner
  • Publication number: 20220410488
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include an irradiation device configured to emit an energy beam having a manufacturing power level selected to additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object by irradiating a powder material, and a controller configured to perform one or more beam alignment operations when irradiating the powder material. The irradiation device may include a beam source, one or more beam positioning elements, a beam splitter configured to split a measurement beam from the energy beam, and one or more beam sensors configured to determine one or more parameters of the measurement beam. The one or more beam alignment operations may include determining position information of the energy beam based on the one or more parameters of the measurement beam, and aligning the energy beam with an optical axis of the irradiation device by adjusting a position of the one or more beam positioning elements based on the position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Fabian Zeulner, David Scott Simmermon, Laura L. Banks
  • Publication number: 20220331876
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine may include an energy beam system configured to emit an energy beam utilized in an additive manufacturing process, and one or more optical elements utilized by, or defining a portion of, the energy beam system and/or an imaging system of the additive manufacturing machine. The imaging system may be configured to monitor one or more operating parameters of the additive manufacturing process. The additive manufacturing machine may include a light source configured to emit an assessment beam that follows an optical path incident upon the one or more optical elements, and one or more light sensors configured to detect a reflected beam comprising at least a portion of the assessment beam reflected and/or transmitted by at least one of the one or more optical elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Fabian Zeulner, Christian Dicken, Justin Mamrak, MacKenzie Ryan Redding, Bertram Gaerber
  • Patent number: 11446874
    Abstract: Apparatus (17, 24) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, with a filter unit (4) adapted to filter residues from at least one stream of process gas (18), characterized by at least one positioning device (1, 25, 28) adapted to at least partly automatically transfer the filter unit (4) or at least a part of the filter unit between a disconnected state in which the filter unit (4) is disconnected from the stream of process gas (18) to a connected state in which the filter unit (4) is connected to the stream of process gas (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Fabian Zeulner, Ralf Hetzel, Jens Stammberger, Alexander Hofmann, Pascal Krause, Dagmar Wohlfarth
  • Patent number: 11426941
    Abstract: Method for calibrating at least one apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam that can be generated via an irradiation element of an irradiation device (7) of the apparatus (1), wherein a determination unit (2) is provided for determining at least one parameter of radiation (3) inside a process chamber (5), wherein a calibration beam source (4) is arranged or generated inside the process chamber (5) of the apparatus (1), in particular in a build plane (9) or a region above the build plane (9), wherein at least one parameter, in particular the intensity, of radiation (3) emitted by the calibration beam source (4) is determined via the determination unit (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Klaußner, Tobias Bokkes, Martin Wachter, Fabian Zeulner, Marie-Christin Ebert
  • Patent number: 11420261
    Abstract: A system (1) for producing three-dimensional objects (2) by way of the solidification above one another of layers of a building material which can be solidified by means of radiation at the points which correspond to the respective cross section of the object, wherein the system (1) comprises at least one process station (4) which is arranged in a first housing (3) for carrying out the layer-by-layer generative building process in a building container (5), and a handling station (7) in at least one second housing (6) for unpacking produced objects (2) from the building container (5) which can be moved between the at least one process station (4) and the at least one handling station (7), wherein the at least one process station (4) and the at least one handling station (7) are arranged in separate housing units (3, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Herzog, Florian Bechmann, Fabian Zeulner, Jens Stammberger, Christian Diller, Ralf Hetzel
  • Patent number: 11383441
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), wherein a measuring unit (5) is provided that is configured to generate information relating to a collimated part (6) of the energy beam (4) and information relating to a focused part (7) of the energy beam (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Fabian Zeulner, Christian Dicken, Stephan Hunze
  • Publication number: 20220152738
    Abstract: A process monitoring system for an additive manufacturing apparatus includes a scanner, a sensor device, and an optical focus-tracking device. The scanner includes an optical adjustment device that directs a melting beam emitted by a laser melting device onto a construction plane to generate a melting section of the construction plane. The sensor device may detect reflected radiation from the melting section and generate sensor data indicative of a size, shape, and/or temperature corresponding to the melting section. The optical focus-tracking device includes a focusing lens located between the scanner and the sensor device. The focusing lens may be actuatable by electronic machine data derived from the sensor data to impart a first focus adjustment with respect to the reflected radiation detected by the sensor followed by a second focus adjustment with respect to the melting beam directed by the optical adjustment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Herzog, Florian Bechmann, Tobias Bokkes, Fabian Zeulner
  • Patent number: 11292200
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object (2) by means of successive layerwise selective consolidation of layers of build material (3), the apparatus (1) comprising a number of functional devices (7-10) operable at a defined operating voltage level, whereby the apparatus (1) comprises at least one voltage control device (13) configured to change the voltage level of a supply voltage (14) supplyable or supplied to the apparatus (1) from an electrical energy supply grid (15) from a supply grid voltage level different from the defined operating voltage level of the number of functional devices (7-10) of the apparatus (1) to the or a voltage level equal to the defined operating voltage level of the number of functional devices (7-10) of the apparatus (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventor: Fabian Zeulner
  • Patent number: 11179806
    Abstract: Device for production of three-dimensional components, namely a laser melting device or laser sintering device, in which a component is produced by successive solidifying of individual layers made from solidifiable construction material, by radiation, through melting of the construction material, wherein the dimensions and/or temperature of the melt area generated by a point-shaped or line-shaped energy input can be captured by a sensor device of a process monitoring system, and sensor values for evaluation of a component quality can by deduced therefrom, wherein the radiation created by the melt area and used for the generation of the sensor values passes through the scanner used for the melt energy input, and guided to the sensor device of the process monitoring system, wherein an optical focus tracking device is arranged in the radiation path used for generation of the sensor values between the scanner and the sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Herzog, Florian Bechmann, Tobias Bokkes, Fabian Zeulner
  • Publication number: 20210331392
    Abstract: An irradiation assembly for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include an irradiation device and a magnetic mounting device configured to displaceably support the irradiation device. The irradiation device may include one or more illumination elements respectively configured to emit an energy beam. The magnetic mounting device may include a magnetic slider element coupled to the irradiation device and a magnetic stator element couplable to a housing structure of an additive manufacturing machine. The magnetic stator element may include a displacement track configured to guide the magnetic slider element along a movement path above at least a portion of a construction plane of the additive manufacturing machine while the one or more illumination elements respectively emit the energy beam to selectively irradiate build material at specified regions of the construction plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Herzog, Florian Bechmann, Fabian Zeulner
  • Patent number: 11155033
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (5) that is guided inside a process chamber (6) of the apparatus (1), wherein a determination device (7, 8) is provided that is arranged inside the process chamber (6) and adapted to determine at least one parameter of the energy beam (5), preferably during an additive manufacturing process, in particular during a process step of the additive manufacturing process in which build material (3) is applied onto a build plane (11) of the apparatus (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Zeulner, Stephan Hunze
  • Patent number: 11130289
    Abstract: An apparatus for the generative production of a three-dimensional object by successive, selective layer-by-layer solidification of construction material layers of a solidifiable construction material by means of at least one energy beam, comprising at least one device for generating at least one energy beam for selective layer-by-layer solidification of individual construction material layers of a solidifiable construction material, wherein the device is configured to generate an energy beam directed directly onto a construction plane, and an exhaust device which is configured to exhaust non-solidified construction material detached from the construction plane during processing and/or process gases arising during processing, wherein the exhaust device comprises at least one exhaust element through which a suction flow may or does flow, wherein at least one passage opening is formed in the at least one exhaust element for passage of an energy beam generated by the device and directed directly onto the construc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Herzog, Florian Bechmann, Fabian Zeulner
  • Patent number: 11072113
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source (5), wherein a measurement beam source (4, 17) is provided which is adapted to generate a measurement beam (7), wherein a beam guiding unit (20) is provided that is adapted to guide the measurement beam (7) in the build plane (6) in the process chamber, wherein a determination device (8) is adapted to determine at least one parameter relating to the object (2) and/or a build material layer (9) based on interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventor: Fabian Zeulner
  • Patent number: 11052605
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device 1 for the additive manufacture of a three-dimensional object (2) by successive, layered, selective illumination and associated solidification of built material layers formed in a construction plane (11) of a built material (3) that can be solidified by means of at least one energy beam (4), comprising an illumination device (9) which comprises at least one illumination element (10) to generate an energy beam (4) directed to the construction plane (11) for the selective illumination of a built material layer that is to be solidified, wherein at least the one illumination element (10) is movably supported by means of a magnetic moving and mounting device (12) in at least one degree of freedom relative to the construction plane (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Herzog, Florian Bechmann, Fabian Zeulner
  • Publication number: 20210187861
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine includes an energy beam system situated in a fixed position relative to a reference plane coinciding with an expected location of a build plane, an energy beam system with an irradiation device configured to generate an energy beam and to direct the energy beam upon the build plane, and a position measurement system configured to determine a position of the build plane. A position measurement assembly includes one or more position sensors, and one or more mounting brackets configured to attach the one or more position sensors to an energy beam system of an additive manufacturing machine. The position measurement assembly is configured to determine a position of a build plane with the energy beam system situated in a fixed position relative to a reference plane coinciding with an expected location of the build plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Fabian Zeulner, Rachel Wyn Levine, MacKenzie Ryan Redding
  • Patent number: 11014196
    Abstract: A procedure for calibration of at least one scanning system of a laser sinter or laser melt facility can be carried out in a short time, can take place automatically, and thereby can be carried out before each individual construction process. The procedure may include generation of at least one line pattern through at least one scanning system on a surface at the level of a construction field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Herzog, Florian Bechmann, Fabian Zeulner
  • Publication number: 20210053288
    Abstract: A system (1) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising one or more working stations (21), which are provided for performing at least one working process in the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, at least one freely positionable mobile storage unit (2) comprising a rack-like storage device (4) comprising at least one storage room (5) provided for storing at least one powder module (6), especially for the purpose of conveying the powder module (6) between different working stations (21) of the system (1), and at least one driverless, freely movable mobile conveying unit (3) comprising a receiving device (12) provided for receiving at least one mobile storage unit (2) for the purpose of conveying the storage unit (2) between different working stations (21) of the system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Florian Bechmann, Ralf Hetzel, Jens Stammberger, Fabian Zeulner, Alexander Hofmann
  • Patent number: 10914626
    Abstract: Portable measuring unit (1) for performing a measuring process for an apparatus for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, with a holding unit (2) configured for holding an image detection unit (3) in a position relative to a sample, wherein the image detection unit (3) is configured to measure an irradiation pattern of the sample (10) previously irradiated by the apparatus, wherein the portable measuring unit (1) is arbitrarily assignable to the or an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventor: Fabian Zeulner
  • Patent number: 10828835
    Abstract: An unpacking device (4) for unpacking an additively manufactured three-dimensional object (2) from the unsolidified construction material (3) surrounding it after completion of an additive construction process, comprising a suction and/or blower device (12) which comprises at least one suction and/or blower tool (10) with a suction and/or blower tool body (12), wherein the geometric structural design of the suction and/or blower tool body (13) can be or is adapted to at least a partial area of the geometric structural design of an additively manufactured three-dimensional object (2) to be unpacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventor: Fabian Zeulner