An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional work piece comprises a carrier to receive a layer of raw material powder, a control unit, an irradiation system adapted to selectively irradiate electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the layer of raw material powder applied onto the carrier, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the irradiation system in such a manner that the raw material powder is heated to a first temperature which allows sintering and/or melting of the raw material powder in order to generate a layer of the three-dimensional work piece, and a heating system adapted to selectively irradiate electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the layer of raw material powder applied onto the carrier, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the operation of the heating system in such a manner that the raw material powder is heated to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.

A High Energy Beam Processing (HEBP) system provides feedback signal monitoring and feedback control for the improvement of process repeatability and three-dimensional (3D) printed part quality. Electrons deflected from a substrate in the processing area impinge on a surface of a sensor. The electrons result from the deflection of an electron beam from the substrate. Either one or both of an initial profile of an electron beam and an initial location of the electron beam relative to the substrate are determined based on a feedback electron signal corresponding to the impingement of the electrons on the surface of the sensor. With an appropriate profile and location of the electron beam, the build structure is fabricated on the substrate.

A High Energy Beam Processing (HEBP) system provides feedback signal monitoring and feedback control for the improvement of process repeatability and three-dimensional (3D) printed part quality. Electrons deflected from a substrate in the processing area impinge on a surface of a sensor. The electrons result from the deflection of an electron beam from the substrate. Either one or both of an initial profile of an electron beam and an initial location of the electron beam relative to the substrate are determined based on a feedback electron signal corresponding to the impingement of the electrons on the surface of the sensor. With an appropriate profile and location of the electron beam, the build structure is fabricated on the substrate.

Disclosed are an automatic continuous operation robot for laying large-diameter pipelines and an operating method therefor. The operation robot comprises a platform, a main frame (1), an operation room, a navigation subsystem (1002), a pipe grabbing and conveying subsystem (3), a pipe end face pre-treatment subsystem (4), an on-line measurement subsystem, a pipe supporting subsystem, a welding and welding quality inspection subsystem (5), and a control system. The operating method comprises: first detecting and grabbing a pipe, then performing groove machining on the pipe, fitting the welding end faces of the current pipe and a previous pipe, then putting down the pipe, finely adjusting and fixedly connecting the two pipes, and finally, welding the two pipes. The automatic continuous operation robot for laying large-diameter pipelines has a high degree of automation and high working efficiency, and the laying period is short.

This disclosure describes various methods and apparatus for characterizing an additive manufacturing process. A method for characterizing the additive manufacturing process can include generating scans of an energy source across a build plane; measuring an amount of energy radiated from the build plane during each of the scans using an optical sensor; determining an area of the build plane traversed during the scans; determining a thermal energy density for the area of the build plane traversed by the scans based upon the amount of energy radiated and the area of the build plane traversed by the scans; mapping the thermal energy density to one or more location of the build plane; determining that the thermal energy density is characterized by a density outside a range of density values; and thereafter, adjusting subsequent scans of the energy source across or proximate the one or more locations of the build plane.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, apparatuses, systems and software that effectuate formation of a robust 3D object comprising at least one metal alloy. The 3D object may be formed by 3D printing. The 3D object may comprise diminished defects (e.g., heat cracks). The alloy may be formed by diffusion. The diffusion may be a controlled diffusion. The control may comprise (e.g., real time) temperature control during the formation of the 3D object. The 3D object may comprise controlled crystal structure and/or metallurgical phases.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, apparatuses, systems and software that effectuate formation of a robust 3D object comprising at least one metal alloy. The 3D object may be formed by 3D printing. The 3D object may comprise diminished defects (e.g., heat cracks). The alloy may be formed by diffusion. The diffusion may be a controlled diffusion. The control may comprise (e.g., real time) temperature control during the formation of the 3D object. The 3D object may comprise controlled crystal structure and/or metallurgical phases.

A system for making a build using directed energy deposition is provided. The system includes a primary heat source; a processing nozzle movable relative to the build for delivering a metal powder, a carrier gas for the metal powder, and a shield gas to the build; a melt pool sensor for providing information regarding a temperature of a melt pool of the build; a secondary heat source separate from the primary heat source positionable relative to the build for delivering heat to a selected area of the build; a cooling source positionable relative to the build for delivering a cooling fluid to a selected area of the build; and a control system for operating the primary heat source, the secondary heat source and the cooling source to maintain a desired temperature profile for the build. The system preferably includes a temperature sensor for providing a temperature profile of the build. The temperature control system preferably includes a programmable controller configured to control the secondary heat source and the cooling source to conform the temperature of the build to the desired temperature profile. In one embodiment, the programmable controller is pre-programmed with a dynamic thermal model of a thermal history of the build for each time step.

A system for making a build using directed energy deposition is provided. The system includes a primary heat source; a processing nozzle movable relative to the build for delivering a metal powder, a carrier gas for the metal powder, and a shield gas to the build; a melt pool sensor for providing information regarding a temperature of a melt pool of the build; a secondary heat source separate from the primary heat source positionable relative to the build for delivering heat to a selected area of the build; a cooling source positionable relative to the build for delivering a cooling fluid to a selected area of the build; and a control system for operating the primary heat source, the secondary heat source and the cooling source to maintain a desired temperature profile for the build. The system preferably includes a temperature sensor for providing a temperature profile of the build. The temperature control system preferably includes a programmable controller configured to control the secondary heat source and the cooling source to conform the temperature of the build to the desired temperature profile. In one embodiment, the programmable controller is pre-programmed with a dynamic thermal model of a thermal history of the build for each time step.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, apparatuses, systems and/or software to form one or more complex three-dimensional objects. The three-dimensional object may be formed by three-dimensional printing one or more methodologies. The three-dimensional object may comprise an overhang portion and/or cavity ceiling with diminished deformation and/or auxiliary support structures.