In a method for controlling an irradiation system (20) for use in an apparatus (10) for producing a three-dimensional work piece and comprising a first and a second irradiation unit (22a, 22b) a first irradiation area (18a) is defined on a surface of a carrier (16) adapted to receive a layer of raw material powder. A layer of raw material powder applied onto the carrier (16) in the first irradiation area (18a) is irradiated by the first irradiation unit (22a) of the irradiation system (20), wherein the operation of the first irradiation unit (22a) is controlled in such a manner that the raw material powder is pre-heated. Thereafter the layer of raw material powder applied onto the carrier (16) in the first irradiation area (18a) is irradiated by means of the second irradiation unit (22b) of the irradiation system (20), wherein the operation of the second irradiation unit (22b) is controlled in such a manner that the raw material powder is heated to a temperature which allows sintering and/or melting of the raw material powder in order to generate a layer of the three-dimensional work piece.

A method of cutting a super-hard material (8) using an electron beam (6), wherein the electron beam (6) is directed onto a surface of the super-hard material (8) and moved relative to the surface such that the electron beam (6) moves across the surface of the super-hard material (8) at an electron beam scanning velocity in a range 100 to 5000 mms.sup.1 to cut the super-hard material (8).

A method of cutting a super-hard material (8) using an electron beam (6), wherein the electron beam (6) is directed onto a surface of the super-hard material (8) and moved relative to the surface such that the electron beam (6) moves across the surface of the super-hard material (8) at an electron beam scanning velocity in a range 100 to 5000 mms.sup.1 to cut the super-hard material (8).

This invention relates to a method and arrangement for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects, wherein the deposition rate is increased by supplying the metallic feed material in the form of a wire and employing two gas transferred arcs, one plasma transferred arc for heating the deposition area on the base material and one plasma transferred arc for heating and melting the feed wire.

The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses adapted to perform additive manufacturing (AM) processes and the resulting products made therefrom, and specifically, to AM processes that employ an energy beam to selectively fuse a base material to produce an object. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and systems that use reactive fluids to actively manipulate the surface chemistry of the base material prior to, during and/or after the AM process.

The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses adapted to perform additive manufacturing (AM) processes and the resulting products made therefrom, and specifically, to AM processes that employ an energy beam to selectively fuse a base material to produce an object. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and systems that use reactive fluids to actively manipulate the surface chemistry of the base material prior to, during and/or after the AM process.

The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses adapted to perform additive manufacturing (AM) processes and the resulting products made therefrom, and specifically, to AM processes that employ an energy beam to selectively fuse a base material to produce an object. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and systems that use reactive fluids to actively manipulate the surface chemistry of the base material prior to, during and/or after the AM process.

The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses adapted to perform additive manufacturing (AM) processes and the resulting products made therefrom, and specifically, to AM processes that employ an energy beam to selectively fuse a base material to produce an object. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and systems that use reactive fluids to actively manipulate the surface chemistry of the base material prior to, during and/or after the AM process.

Provided are a systems and methods for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects, wherein the deposition rate is increased by using two separate heat sources, one heat source for heating the deposition area on the base material and one heat source for heating and melting a metallic material, such as a metal wire or a powdered metallic material.

Provided are a systems and methods for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects, wherein the deposition rate is increased by using two separate heat sources, one heat source for heating the deposition area on the base material and one heat source for heating and melting a metallic material, such as a metal wire or a powdered metallic material.