This invention relates to a method for calibrating the delay settings of a laser or scanner head in a laser additive manufacturing process. More particularly, the invention relates to calibrating delay settings during run-ins and run-outs of a laser scanning process.

This invention relates to a method for calibrating the delay settings of a laser or scanner head in a laser additive manufacturing process. More particularly, the invention relates to calibrating delay settings during run-ins and run-outs of a laser scanning process.

A lamella block is provided for a calibrating device for calibrating an extruded profile, wherein the lamella block includes a carrier structure and a lamella structure, and wherein the lamella structure has a plurality of lamellae, which are spaced apart from each other by grooves and arranged in a longitudinal direction (L) of the carrier structure. Neighboring lamellae of the lamella block are arranged laterally offset to each other in the longitudinal direction (L). Also provided is a method for manufacturing the lamella block mentioned above, as well as a calibrating device, which includes a plurality of the lamella blocks mentioned above. Further provided is a system for additively manufacturing the lamella block mentioned above, a corresponding computer program and a corresponding dataset.

A lamella block is provided for a calibrating device for calibrating an extruded profile, wherein the lamella block includes a carrier structure and a lamella structure, and wherein the lamella structure has a plurality of lamellae, which are spaced apart from each other by grooves and arranged in a longitudinal direction (L) of the carrier structure. Neighboring lamellae of the lamella block are arranged laterally offset to each other in the longitudinal direction (L). Also provided is a method for manufacturing the lamella block mentioned above, as well as a calibrating device, which includes a plurality of the lamella blocks mentioned above. Further provided is a system for additively manufacturing the lamella block mentioned above, a corresponding computer program and a corresponding dataset.

This invention teaches a quality assurance system for additive manufacturing. This invention teaches a multi-sensor, real-time quality system including sensors, affiliated hardware, and data processing algorithms that are Lagrangian-Eulerian with respect to the reference frames of its associated input measurements. The quality system for Additive Manufacturing is capable of measuring true in-process state variables associated with an additive manufacturing process, i.e., those in-process variables that define a feasible process space within which the process is deemed nominal. The in-process state variables can also be correlated to the part structure or microstructure and can then be useful in identifying particular locations within the part likely to include defects.

This invention teaches a quality assurance system for additive manufacturing. This invention teaches a multi-sensor, real-time quality system including sensors, affiliated hardware, and data processing algorithms that are Lagrangian-Eulerian with respect to the reference frames of its associated input measurements. The quality system for Additive Manufacturing is capable of measuring true in-process state variables associated with an additive manufacturing process, i.e., those in-process variables that define a feasible process space within which the process is deemed nominal. The in-process state variables can also be correlated to the part structure or microstructure and can then be useful in identifying particular locations within the part likely to include defects.

Device for the additive production of three-dimensional components (2), namely a laser melting device or laser sintering device, in which a component (2) is produced by successive solidifying of individual layers (3) made from solidifiable construction material, by the effect of radiation (4), through melting of the construction material (5), wherein the dimensions and/or temperature of the melt area (6) generated by a point-shaped or line-shaped energy input can be captured by a sensor device (8) of a process monitoring system, and sensor values for evaluation of a component quality can be deduced therefrom, wherein the radiation (9) created by the melt area and used for the generation of the sensor values passes through the scanner used for the melt energy input, and is guided from there to the sensor device (8) of the process monitoring system, wherein an optical focus tracking device (20) is arranged in the radiation path used for generation of the sensor values between the scanner (10) and the sensor device (8) of the process monitoring system, which optical focus tracking device can be controlled by electronic machine data for focus tracking.

Methods, systems, and devices for precision locating additively manufactured components for assembly and/or post processing manufacturing are provided for herein. In some embodiments, at least one component can be additively manufactured to include one or more kinematic features on one or more surfaces of the component. The kinematic feature(s) can be configured to engage complementary kinematic feature(s) formed in a second component so the two components can form an assembly. Alternatively, the kinematic feature(s) can be configured to engage complementary kinematic feature(s) associated with a post-processing machine such that the one or more post-processing actions can be performed on the component after the component is precisely located with respect to the machine by way of the kinematic features of the component and associated with the machine. A variety of systems and methods that utilize kinematic features are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning a 3D printed article, in particular a 3D printed heat exchanger. After 3D printing, an article may have internal passages formed from bonded powder and said passages may contain unbonded powder that needs to be removed before further use of/processing of the article. To remove this unbonded powder, the article is filled with a cleaning fluid and vibrated. The cleaning fluid is then pumped out of the article and past a sensor that generates a magnetic field. The sensor detects the presence of powder particles in the fluid by detecting a perturbation of the magnetic field caused by said particles. The fluid is then filtered and returned to a reservoir for use. The sensor may indicate the article is sufficiently clean when a detected concentration of particles in the fluid drops below a threshold.

Techniques of additive deposition for producing articles of manufacture are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an article of manufacture can include a substrate having a surface and composed of a metal or metal alloy and multiple layers of composite materials deposited on the surface of the substrate. The composite materials is composed of the metal or metal alloy and a ceramic material. The individual composite materials at each of the multiple layers has a composition with a corresponding ratio between the metal or metal alloy material and the ceramic material. The ratios between the metal or metal alloy material and the ceramic material change along at least one dimension of the article of manufacture.