Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for machining a material layer using energetic radiation to produce three-dimensional components by melting a particulate material in layers. In the method, one or more energetic beams of one or more beam sources are directed onto a layer to be machined and guided over the layer by a dynamic beam guidance system. The method is characterized in that at least one of the energetic beams is divided into multiple individual beams by modulation over time, which are directed onto the layer to be machined in a spatially separated manner. The separation is carried out such that the sum of the power of the individual beams corresponds to the power of the respective energetic beam minus power losses caused by the separation process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for additive manufacturing of components, in particular selective laser melting or laser sintering. The device comprises a processing head (7) with a plurality of spatially separated beam guides, via which one or more laser beams can be directed onto a processing plane (8) along spatially separated beam paths, and one or more optical switching devices (4) with which the beam path of the respective laser beam can be switched between the spatially separated beam paths. The device enables use of a laser beam source (1) for different beam paths or target positions with a processing head (7) of such kind, whereby it is possible to achieve better utilization of the beam sources used and irradiation of the processing plane (8) corresponding to a component geometry to be created with a smaller number of laser beam sources (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the tool-free removal of support structures in the additive manufacturing of one or more components. The components are built in layers together with support structures for supporting regions of the components, and the support structures are removed from the components after a complete construction of the components. The support structures are constructed in such a manner that they have target separation points at a transition to the components, which have a structure that breaks down more rapidly by chemical or electrochemical reaction compared to component parts. The support structures are then separated from the components by chemical or electrochemical breakdown of the structure at the target separation points. With this tool-free removal of the support structures, the components can be both arranged in parallel and also completely automatically processed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generatively producing or for repairing at least one area of a component, wherein a zone arranged downstream of a molten bath is post-heated to a post-heating temperature and the component is set to a base temperature, and also a device for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for laser-based generative component production. The device comprises a processing head (1), using which a plurality of mutually separate laser beams are directed adjacently and/or overlapping to some extent onto the processing plane, The processing head (1) is moved across the processing plane using a movement apparatus (9), while the mutually separate laser beams are modulated independently of one another in terms of intensity, in order to obtain the desired exposure geometry. The laser power and the dimensional size can be scaled cost effectively during the generative production using the suggested device and the associated method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a (shaped) ceramic or glass-ceramic article, involving the steps of: (a) providing a powder or a powder mixture comprising ceramic or glass-ceramic material, (b) depositing a layer of said powder or powder mixture on a surface, (d) heating at least one region of said layer by means of an energy beam or a plurality of energy beams to a maximum temperature such that at least a part of said ceramic or glass-ceramic material in said at least one region is melted and (e) cooling said at least one region of said layer so that at least part of the material melted in step (d) is solidified, such that the layer is joined with said surface in said at least one region. The invention also relates to ceramic or glass-ceramic articles and their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for laser-based generative component production. The device comprises a processing head (1), using which a plurality of mutually separate laser beams are directed adjacently and/or overlapping to some extent onto the processing plane, The processing head (1) is moved across the processing plane using a movement apparatus (9), whilst the mutually separate laser beams are modulated independently of one another in terms of intensity, in order to obtain the desired exposure geometry. The laser power and the dimensional size can be scaled cost effectively during the generative production using the suggested device and the associated method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generatively producing or for repairing at least one area of a component, wherein a zone arranged downstream of a molten bath is post-heated to a post-heating temperature and the component is set to a base temperature, and also a device for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a (shaped) ceramic or glass-ceramic article, involving the steps of: (a) providing a powder or a powder mixture comprising ceramic or glass-ceramic material, (b) depositing a layer of said powder or powder mixture on a surface, (d) heating at least one region of said layer by means of an energy beam or a plurality of energy beams to a maximum temperature such that at least a part of said ceramic or glass-ceramic material in said at least one region is melted and (e) cooling said at least one region of said layer so that at least part of the material melted in step (d) is solidified, such that the layer is joined with said surface in said at least one region. The invention also relates to ceramic or glass-ceramic articles and their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a generative method of fabrication and an accompanying device with which components can be fabricated from a combination of materials. The device comprises a bottom surface (1) with a lowerable building platform (2), a leveling mechanism (5) for leveling a first material (4) in a processing plane (3) above the building platform (2), a laser beam source for emitting a laser beam (11), a processing unit (6) with a focusing optical system (8) for focusing the laser beam (11) onto the processing plane (3) and a positioning mechanism which can position the processing unit (6) in any desired positions in a plane parallel to the processing plane (3) above the component (14). Furthermore, the device is provided with a suction device (10) for sectioning off the material from the processing plane (3) and an introduction mechanism (9) for a second material (12) with which the latter is brought into the focal range of the laser beam (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for the selective laser sintering of metallic substances. The construction volume of the device is delimited by side walls (2) and by a construction platform (3), which is adjustable in height, for building up a component (9). A heating plate (5) is placed on the construction platform (3) at a distance from the side walls (2) or is integrated in the surface of the construction platform (3). The heating plate (5) is designed and thermally insulated from the construction platform (3) by an insulation layer (4) in such a manner that it reaches temperatures of at least 500° C. during heating operation. With the device and the corresponding method, metallic components are maintained at temperatures above 500° C. during the building up process thereby reducing the danger of tensions or cracking in the component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process chamber for the selective laser fusion of material powder for the production of moulded parts. The process chamber consists of a closed chamber (1) having a bottom area, side walls and a cover area (6), a reservoir volume (3) and a production volume (2) in said bottom area, and first inlet and outlet openings (7, 9) for a protective gas. In the cover area (6), above the production volume (2), a raised region is provided with side areas, in which a beam injection window (10) is disposed that is transparent to laser radiation to be coupled in. Second inlet openings (13) are provided for a further gas in the side areas of the raised region. With the inventive design of the process chamber it is possible to protect the beam injection window (10) efficiently from being soiled by gaseous components rising from the zone of interaction, without impairment of the efficiency in guiding the protective gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a process using a laser beam to scan an area of an object, in particular, for selective laser melting of metal powder for fabrication of a mold. The device is provided with a plotter mechanic with two linear axes (4, 5) over which a carrier element can be positioned and moved, an optical means, which guides the laser beam to the carrier element or provides the laser beam at the carrier element, a scanning means (9) at the carrier element, which guides the laser beam to the area of the object and moves the laser beam back and forth in a presetable angle, a focusing optic (15) for focusing the laser beam (8) onto the area of the object (11).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a molded body, in accordance with three-dimensional CAD data of a model of a molded body, by depositing layers of a metallic material in powder form. Several layers of powder are successively deposited one on top of the other, whereby each layer of powder is heated to a specific temperature by means of a focused laser beam applied to a given area corresponding to a selected cross-sectional area of the model of the molded body, before deposition of the next layer. The laser beam is guided over each layer of powder in accordance with the CAD cross-sectional data of the selected cross-sectional area of the model in such a way that each layer of powder is fixed to the layer below it.