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 at least one energy beam (4), which apparatus (1) comprises an irradiation device (5) with at least one beam guiding element (7) on which the energy beam (4) is partially reflected, wherein a first beam part (10) extends between the beam guiding element (7) and a build plane (18) of the apparatus (1) and a second beam part (11) is transmitted through or scattered at the beam guiding element (7), wherein a determination device (12) is provided that is adapted to determine at least one parameter of the second beam part (11).

Abstract: Methods of determining at least one parameter of an irradiation device of an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include generating an energy beam and guiding the energy beam across a structured test surface, generating a signal by detecting radiation that is emitted from the test surface, and determining the at least one parameter based on a frequency spectrum of the signal.

Abstract: Method for calibrating an irradiation device (2) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects which irradiation device (2) comprises at least two irradiation units (3, 4), comprising: guiding one of the at least two energy beams (6, 10) via the corresponding irradiation unit (3, 4) to a determination region (15), preferably a part of a build plane (8), for generating a calibration pattern (18, 19); imaging at least one part of the determination region (15) to an on-axis determination unit (12, 14) of the at least one other irradiation unit (3, 4); determining a position of the calibration pattern (18, 19) in the determination region (15) on basis of the image of the at least one part of the determination region (15); generating calibration information relating to a calibration status of at least one part of the irradiation device (2) based on the position of the calibration pattern (18, 19).

Abstract: Method for determining an operational parameter for an imaging device for imaging at least one part of a build plane, in particular for a determination device for determining at least one parameter of an energy beam for an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, comprising the steps: determining at least one spot parameter that relates to an extension of a spot, in particular a spot of an energy beam, in a determination plane; determining a difference between the determined spot parameter and a nominal spot parameter; determining an imaging parameter of the imaging device based on the determined difference adjusting the imaging parameter based on the determined difference.

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).

Abstract: Methods of determining at least one parameter of an irradiation device of an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include generating an energy beam and guiding the energy beam across a structured test surface, generating a signal by detecting radiation that is emitted from the test surface, and determining the at least one parameter based on a frequency spectrum of the signal.

Abstract: Method for determining an operational parameter for an imaging device for imaging at least one part of a build plane, in particular for a determination device for determining at least one parameter of an energy beam for an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, comprising the steps: determining at least one spot parameter that relates to an extension of a spot, in particular a spot of an energy beam, in a determination plane; determining a difference between the determined spot parameter and a nominal spot parameter; determining an imaging parameter of the imaging device based on the determined difference adjusting the imaging parameter based on the determined difference.

Abstract: Method for calibrating an irradiation device (2) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects which irradiation device (2) comprises at least two irradiation units (3, 4), comprising: guiding one of the at least two energy beams (6, 10) via the corresponding irradiation unit (3, 4) to a determination region (15), preferably a part of a build plane (8), for generating a calibration pattern (18, 19); imaging at least one part of the determination region (15) to an on-axis determination unit (12, 14) of the at least one other irradiation unit (3, 4); determining a position of the calibration pattern (18, 19) in the determination region (15) on basis of the image of the at least one part of the determination region (15); generating calibration information relating to a calibration status of at least one part of the irradiation device (2) based on the position of the calibration pattern (18, 19).

Abstract: Apparatus (11) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (19) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, wherein a position determination device (1) is provided that is adapted to determine position data relating to a position of at least one part (3) of at least one object (2) based on a detection of a reflected part (8) of an energy beam (16) or a measurement beam (5) that is reflected at the at least one part (3) of the at least one object (2).

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).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation (8) and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, comprising a determination device (13) adapted to determine at least one parameter of radiation (8) emitted from a build plane (6), wherein an optical unit (19) is provided that is adapted to guide at least a part of the radiation (8) emitted from the build plane (6) to a determination unit (14, 15) of the determination device (13) and to reduce radiation (10) emitted from at least a central part of a consolidation zone (9) of the build plane (6) in the at least one guided part of the radiation (8).

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 at least one energy beam (4), which apparatus (1) comprises an irradiation device (5) with at least one beam guiding element (7) on which the energy beam (4) is partially reflected, wherein a first beam part (10) extends between the beam guiding element (7) and a build plane (18) of the apparatus (1) and a second beam part (11) is transmitted through or scattered at the beam guiding element (7), wherein a determination device (12) is provided that is adapted to determine at least one parameter of the second beam part (11).