Abstract: An electron beam installation, which is used for processing powdered material, has a powder container, which can accommodate a powder bed made of the powdered material to be processed. Furthermore, it has an electron beam generator, which is configured to direct an electron beam onto laterally differing locations of the powder bed. To reduce the dispersion of the powdered material during the processing using the electron beam, the electron beam installation has a frit device, which, by applying an AC voltage between at least two electrodes, generates an electromagnetic alternating field, which bonds the powdered material of the powder bed, at least in regions over the powder bed.

Abstract: An electron beam system for the additive manufacture of a workpiece having a process chamber which can be evacuated and comprising an electron beam generator which is designed to direct an electron beam onto laterally different locations of a powder bed made of a pulverulent material to be processed in the process chamber. In order to improve the throughput of the electron beam system, the system has at least one prechamber which can be evacuated and which is constantly connected to the process chamber during the operation of the electron beam system in a vacuum-tight manner via a sluice door. Furthermore, at least one movable receiving device for receiving the powder bed and a transport device are provided, said transport device allowing the at least one receiving device to be transported from the prechamber into the process chamber.

Abstract: Methods for processing a powdered material using electron beam equipment for the additive manufacture of components, which methods solve the problem of electrostatic powder entrainment and significantly reduce the process times. This effect is achieved by acceleration voltages of 90 kV or greater in the pre-heating step and/or in the melting step.

Abstract: An electron beam installation, which is used for processing powdered material, has a powder container, which can accommodate a powder bed made of the powdered material to be processed. Furthermore, it has an electron beam generator, which is configured to direct an electron beam onto laterally differing locations of the powder bed. To reduce the dispersion of the powdered material during the processing using the electron beam, the electron beam installation has a frit device, which, by applying an AC voltage between at least two electrodes, generates an electromagnetic alternating field, which bonds the powdered material of the powder bed, at least in regions over the powder bed.

Abstract: A thermal material-processing method wherein between the working spot of an electron beam and a workpiece a relative motion is brought about. Prior to the actual thermal treatment an effective processing contour is ascertained, in that the working spot of the electron beam executes, in accordance with the stored data of an ideal processing contour, a relative motion in relation to the workpiece, and on this relative motion a scan motion is superimposed which is directed transversely to the ideal processing contour. In this manner, both geometrical and magnetically conditioned deviations of the points of incidence of the electron beam on the workpiece can be compensated.

Abstract: A thermal material-processing method wherein between the working spot of an electron beam and a workpiece a relative motion is brought about. Prior to the actual thermal treatment an effective processing contour is ascertained, in that the working spot of the electron beam executes, in accordance with the stored data of an ideal processing contour, a relative motion in relation to the workpiece, and on this relative motion a scan motion is superimposed which is directed transversely to the ideal processing contour. In this manner, both geometrical and magnetically conditioned deviations of the points of incidence of the electron beam on the workpiece can be compensated.

Abstract: An electron beam is used to generate x-ray radiation in a workpiece, which radiation emerges on the workpiece back at sufficiently thin points of the workpiece and is detected by means of an x-ray radiation detector. Based on the x-ray radiation intensity and the momentary beaming-in position of the electron beam, the surface structure on both sides as well as the local material thickness can be determined. Based on such values, workpieces and/or workpiece treating systems can be adjusted, and vertical material removal in a material-removing workpiece treating system can be controlled.

Abstract: To measure the intensity profile of an electron beam the electron beam is conducted on to a measuring structure having areas with different back-scattering properties, and back-scattered electrons which are produced by scanning of the measuring structure by the electron beam by means of a deflector unit are measured by a sensor ring. The measuring structure can preferably be installed into and removed from an electron-beam welder and consists of a graphite slab from which a tungsten needle projects perpendicularly.