Overheating of and unintended melting of powder is suppressed, and thus the shaping accuracy is improved. A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes an electron gun that generates an electron beam, at least one primary deflector that deflects the electron beam one- or two-dimensionally, at least one lens that is provided between the electron gun and the primary deflector and focuses the electron beam, a secondary deflector that is provided between the electron gun and the primary deflector, and deflects the electron beam one- or two-dimensionally, and a controller that controls the deflection directions and scanning speeds of the primary deflector and the second deflector. The controller controls the deflection direction and scanning speed of the second deflector while the scanning speed of the primary deflector is lower than a predetermined speed.

Provided is a three-dimensional laminating and shaping apparatus 100 including a column unit 200 that is configured to output an electron beam EB and deflect the electron beam EB toward the front surface of a powder layer 32, an electron detector 72 that is configured to detect electrons that may be emitted in a predetermined direction from the front surface of the powder layer 32 when the powder layer 32 is irradiated with the electron beam EB, a melting judging unit 410 that is configured to generate a melting signal based on the strength of the detection signal from the electron detector 72, and a deflection controller 420 that is configured to receive the melting signal to determine the condition of the irradiation the electron beam.

Provided is a three-dimensional laminating and shaping apparatus 100 including a column unit 200 that is configured to output an electron beam EB and deflect the electron beam EB toward the front surface of a powder layer 32, an electron detector 72 that is configured to detect electrons that may be emitted in a predetermined direction from the front surface of the powder layer 32 when the powder layer 32 is irradiated with the electron beam EB, a melting judging unit 410 that is configured to generate a melting signal based on the strength of the detection signal from the electron detector 72, and a deflection controller 420 that is configured to receive the melting signal to determine the condition of the irradiation the electron beam.

Provided is a three-dimensional laminating and shaping apparatus 100 including a column unit 200 that is configured to output an electron beam EB and deflect the electron beam EB toward the front surface of a powder layer 32, an insulating portion that electrically insulates a three-dimensional structure 36 from a ground potential member, an ammeter 73 that is configured to measure the current value indicative of the current flowing into the ground after passing through the three-dimensional structure 36, a melting judging unit 410 that is configured to detect that the powder layer 32 is melted based on the current value measured by the ammeter 73 and generate a melting signal, and a deflection controller 420 that is configured to receive the melting signal to determine the condition for the irradiation with the electron beam.

A solid freeform manufacturing system includes a manufacturing chamber containing a powder based additive manufacturing device. The manufacturing chamber is connected to an environmental control chamber. The environmental control chamber contains environmental control devices including fans, filters, and an inert gas source. An interconnection between the environmental control chamber and manufacturing chamber allows an inert, contaminant free manufacturing environment.

A solid freeform manufacturing system includes a manufacturing chamber containing a powder based additive manufacturing device. The manufacturing chamber is connected to an environmental control chamber. The environmental control chamber contains environmental control devices including fans, filters, and an inert gas source. An interconnection between the environmental control chamber and manufacturing chamber allows an inert, contaminant free manufacturing environment.

A method for fabricating a main body of a trapped vortex fuel injector having a main body defining a fuel circuit. The method includes determining three-dimensional information of the main body including the fuel circuit where the fuel circuit is fully circumscribed within the main body and extends between an annular portion and a semi-annular portion of the main body and where the three-dimensional information of the main body further includes a plurality of fuel injection ports which provide for fluid communication between the fuel circuit and a trapped vortex pre-mix zone. The method further includes converting the three-dimensional information into a plurality of slices that define a cross-sectional layer of the main body and successively forming each layer of the main body by fusing a metallic powder using laser energy or electron beam energy.

A method for fabricating a main body of a trapped vortex fuel injector having a main body defining a fuel circuit. The method includes determining three-dimensional information of the main body including the fuel circuit where the fuel circuit is fully circumscribed within the main body and extends between an annular portion and a semi-annular portion of the main body and where the three-dimensional information of the main body further includes a plurality of fuel injection ports which provide for fluid communication between the fuel circuit and a trapped vortex pre-mix zone. The method further includes converting the three-dimensional information into a plurality of slices that define a cross-sectional layer of the main body and successively forming each layer of the main body by fusing a metallic powder using laser energy or electron beam energy.

A method for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed, comprising the steps of: providing at least one model of said three-dimensional article, moving a support structure in z-direction at a predetermined speed while rotating said support structure at a predetermined speed, directing a first and second energy beam causing said powder layer to fuse in first and second selected locations according to said model, wherein a first cover area of said first energy beam on said powder layer is arranged at a predetermined minimum distance and non-overlapping from a second cover area of said second energy beam on said powder layer, a trajectory of said first cover area and a trajectory of said second cover area are at least one of overlapping each other, abutting each other or separated to each other when said support structure is rotated a full lap.

A method for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed, comprising the steps of: providing at least one model of said three-dimensional article, moving a support structure in z-direction at a predetermined speed while rotating said support structure at a predetermined speed, directing a first and second energy beam causing said powder layer to fuse in first and second selected locations according to said model, wherein a first cover area of said first energy beam on said powder layer is arranged at a predetermined minimum distance and non-overlapping from a second cover area of said second energy beam on said powder layer, a trajectory of said first cover area and a trajectory of said second cover area are at least one of overlapping each other, abutting each other or separated to each other when said support structure is rotated a full lap.