A method for producing a component by means of an additive manufacturing method using a laser is proposed, the method comprising the following steps: (a) providing a metal powder, (b) applying a powder layer (18) of the metal powder to a build platform (14) of a process chamber (12), (c) introducing a first process gas into the process chamber (12), (d) melting a first selected region (36) of the applied powder layer (18) by means of a laser in a first atmosphere which includes the first process gas, (e) introducing a second process gas into the process chamber (12), wherein the second process gas differs from the first process gas at least in terms of its composition and/or its pressure, and (f) melting a second selected region (38) of the applied powder layer (18) by means of the laser in a second atmosphere which includes the second process gas, wherein the second selected region (38) differs from the first selected region (36).

Methods for calibrating an irradiation device of an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material consolidated by at least two energy beams are provided. The at least two energy beams may be guided via at least two irradiation units. The method may comprise: generating at least two calibration patterns in a calibration specimen comprising an at least partially overlapping first sub-pattern and second sub-pattern, wherein the first sub-pattern is generated via the first irradiation unit and the second sub-pattern is generated via the second irradiation unit and determining calibration information relating to a calibration status of the two irradiation units based on the at least two calibration patterns. Systems and apparatus for performing such a method are also generally provided.

Methods for calibrating an irradiation device of an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material consolidated by at least two energy beams are provided. The at least two energy beams may be guided via at least two irradiation units. The method may comprise: generating at least two calibration patterns in a calibration specimen comprising an at least partially overlapping first sub-pattern and second sub-pattern, wherein the first sub-pattern is generated via the first irradiation unit and the second sub-pattern is generated via the second irradiation unit and determining calibration information relating to a calibration status of the two irradiation units based on the at least two calibration patterns. Systems and apparatus for performing such a method are also generally provided.

In an aspect, a method for making a metal-containing material comprises steps of: forming a metal-containing hydrogel from an aqueous precursor mixture using a photopolymerization; wherein the aqueous precursor mixture comprises water, one or more aqueous photosensitive binders, and one or more aqueous metal salts; and thermally treating the metal-containing hydrogel to form the metal-containing material; wherein the metal-containing hydrogel is exposed to a thermal-treatment atmosphere during the step of thermally treating; wherein a composition of the metal-containing material is at least partially determined by a composition of the thermal-treatment atmosphere during the thermally treating step.

In an aspect, a method for making a metal-containing material comprises steps of: forming a metal-containing hydrogel from an aqueous precursor mixture using a photopolymerization; wherein the aqueous precursor mixture comprises water, one or more aqueous photosensitive binders, and one or more aqueous metal salts; and thermally treating the metal-containing hydrogel to form the metal-containing material; wherein the metal-containing hydrogel is exposed to a thermal-treatment atmosphere during the step of thermally treating; wherein a composition of the metal-containing material is at least partially determined by a composition of the thermal-treatment atmosphere during the thermally treating step.

There are provided an inexpensive copper powder, which has a low content of oxygen even it has a small particle diameter and which has a high shrinkage starting temperature when it is heated, and a method for producing the same. While a molten metal of copper heated to a temperature, which is higher than the melting point of copper by 250 to 700 C. (preferably 350 to 650 C. and more preferably 450 to 600 C.), is allowed to drop, a high-pressure water is sprayed onto the heated molten metal of copper in a non-oxidizing atmosphere (such as an atmosphere of nitrogen, argon, hydrogen or carbon monoxide) to rapidly cool and solidify the heated molten metal of copper to produce a copper powder which has an average particle diameter of 1 to 10 m and a crystallite diameter Dx.sub.(200) of not less than 40 nm on (200) plane thereof, the content of oxygen in the copper powder being 0.7% by weight or less.

Methods and systems comprise new design procedures that can be implemented for additive manufacturing technologies that involve evaluation of stress concentration sites using finite element analysis and implementation of scanning strategies during fabrication that improve performance by spatially adjusting thermal energy at potential failure sites or high stress regions of a part.

Methods and systems comprise new design procedures that can be implemented for additive manufacturing technologies that involve evaluation of stress concentration sites using finite element analysis and implementation of scanning strategies during fabrication that improve performance by spatially adjusting thermal energy at potential failure sites or high stress regions of a part.

One object of the present invention is to provide fine copper particles which are less likely to be deteriorated by oxidation in the atmosphere without being coated with an antioxidant or the like and which can be sintered at a lower temperature. The present invention provides fine copper particles wherein an entire surface is covered with a coating film containing cuprous oxide and having an average film thickness of 1.5 nm or less.

A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma apparatus for synthesizing metal particles is provided. The DBD plasma apparatus includes an electrolyte vessel for receiving an electrolyte solution comprising metal ions; an electrode spaced-apart from the electrolyte vessel; a dielectric barrier interposed between the electrolyte vessel and the electrode such that, when the electrolyte solution is present in the electrolyte vessel, the dielectric barrier and an upper surface of the electrolyte solution are spaced-apart from each other and define a discharge area therebetween; and gas inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the discharge area such that supplying gas in the discharge area while applying an electrical potential difference between the electrode and the electrolyte solution cause a plasma to be produced onto the electrolyte solution, the plasma interacting with the metal ions and synthesizing metal particles. A method for synthesizing metal particles using a DBD plasma apparatus is also provided.