A method and an apparatus for collecting powder samples in real-time in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involves an ingester system for in-process collection and characterizations of powder samples. The collection may be performed periodically and uses the results of characterizations for adjustments in the powder bed fusion process. The ingester system of the present disclosure is capable of packaging powder samples collected in real-time into storage containers serving a multitude purposes of audit, process adjustments or actions.

A processing machine includes a splash guard that defines and forms a processing area, a tool spindle that is movable in a Z-axis direction and a Y-axis direction inside the processing area, an additive-manufacturing head connected to the tool spindle, and a line body that extends from the additive-manufacturing head, is drawn from an inside of the processing area to an outside, and supplies material powder and a laser beam to the additive-manufacturing head. A maximum movement amount of the tool spindle in the Y-axis direction is shorter than a maximum movement amount of the tool spindle in the Z-axis direction. A drawing direction of the line body from the inside to the outside of the processing area is a direction intersecting the Z-axis direction in top view.

A processing machine includes a splash guard that defines and forms a processing area, a tool spindle that is movable in a Z-axis direction and a Y-axis direction inside the processing area, an additive-manufacturing head connected to the tool spindle, and a line body that extends from the additive-manufacturing head, is drawn from an inside of the processing area to an outside, and supplies material powder and a laser beam to the additive-manufacturing head. A maximum movement amount of the tool spindle in the Y-axis direction is shorter than a maximum movement amount of the tool spindle in the Z-axis direction. A drawing direction of the line body from the inside to the outside of the processing area is a direction intersecting the Z-axis direction in top view.

A laser-solid-forming manufacturing device includes a laser emitter, a magnetic field generator, and a forming platform. The laser emitter emits a laser beam which acts on a feedstock to form a molten pool. The magnetic field generator includes a spiral copper coil, a first electrode and a second electrode. The spiral copper coil is formed by spirally winding a copper tube. The first and second electrodes are arranged at respective ends of the copper tube and are used for loading a voltage to generate a magnetic field in the spiral copper coil. At any time, the spiral copper coil sleeves an action point of the laser beam and the feedstock. A corresponding laser-solid-forming manufacturing method is also presented.

A laser-solid-forming manufacturing device includes a laser emitter, a magnetic field generator, and a forming platform. The laser emitter emits a laser beam which acts on a feedstock to form a molten pool. The magnetic field generator includes a spiral copper coil, a first electrode and a second electrode. The spiral copper coil is formed by spirally winding a copper tube. The first and second electrodes are arranged at respective ends of the copper tube and are used for loading a voltage to generate a magnetic field in the spiral copper coil. At any time, the spiral copper coil sleeves an action point of the laser beam and the feedstock. A corresponding laser-solid-forming manufacturing method is also presented.

A plasticizing device includes a driving motor, a rotor that is rotated by rotation of the driving motor and has a groove-formed surface having a groove formed in a rotation direction, and a barrel that is opposite to the groove-formed surface and has a communication hole and a heater, plasticizes a material supplied between the groove and the barrel by rotation of the rotor and heating by the heater, and causes the plasticized material to flow out from the communication hole. Aside surface of the groove has a protrusion and recess surface including protrusion portions or recess portions.

A compactor is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may include a housing connectable to the additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may also include a compacting wheel, and at least one spring disposed in the housing and configured to exert an axial force on the compacting wheel. The compactor may further include a piston moveable to adjust a distance between the housing and the compacting wheel.

A compactor is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may include a housing connectable to the additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may also include a compacting wheel, and at least one spring disposed in the housing and configured to exert an axial force on the compacting wheel. The compactor may further include a piston moveable to adjust a distance between the housing and the compacting wheel.

A thermal control apparatus including a body defining a centerline axis extended along a height and a circumferential direction extended relative to the centerline axis. The body forms a flow circuit therethrough, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening each in fluid communication with the flow circuit. The flow circuit is extended in parallel flow arrangement along the circumferential direction from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. A cavity is extended at least partially through the body along the centerline axis. A thermal control system includes the thermal control apparatus, a fluid flow device configured to provide a flow of heat transfer fluid to the apparatus through the inlet opening and to receive the flow of heat transfer fluid from the outlet opening of the apparatus, and a flow conduit providing fluid communication of the flow of heat transfer fluid between the fluid flow device and the apparatus.

A thermal control apparatus including a body defining a centerline axis extended along a height and a circumferential direction extended relative to the centerline axis. The body forms a flow circuit therethrough, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening each in fluid communication with the flow circuit. The flow circuit is extended in parallel flow arrangement along the circumferential direction from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. A cavity is extended at least partially through the body along the centerline axis. A thermal control system includes the thermal control apparatus, a fluid flow device configured to provide a flow of heat transfer fluid to the apparatus through the inlet opening and to receive the flow of heat transfer fluid from the outlet opening of the apparatus, and a flow conduit providing fluid communication of the flow of heat transfer fluid between the fluid flow device and the apparatus.