An in-fiber beam scanning system may comprise an input fiber to provide a beam, a feeding fiber comprising an imaging bundle with multiple cores embedded in a first cladding that is surrounded by a second cladding, and an in-fiber beam shifter that comprises a first multibend beam shifter coupled to the input fiber, a graded index fiber following the first multibend beam shifter, and a second multibend beam shifter following the graded index fiber and coupling into the feeding fiber. In some implementations, the first multibend beam shifter is actuated by a first amount and the second multibend beam shifter is actuated by a second amount to shift the beam in two dimensions and deliver the beam into one or more target cores in the imaging bundle.

An in-fiber beam scanning system may comprise an input fiber to provide a beam, a feeding fiber comprising an imaging bundle with multiple cores embedded in a first cladding that is surrounded by a second cladding, and an in-fiber beam shifter that comprises a first multibend beam shifter coupled to the input fiber, a graded index fiber following the first multibend beam shifter, and a second multibend beam shifter following the graded index fiber and coupling into the feeding fiber. In some implementations, the first multibend beam shifter is actuated by a first amount and the second multibend beam shifter is actuated by a second amount to shift the beam in two dimensions and deliver the beam into one or more target cores in the imaging bundle.

A method for forming at least one freestanding microstructure on a diamond crystal includes the step of removing material from the diamond crystal so as to form a structured surface, wherein the removing of the material includes creating at least two trenches, each trench having a bottom and two side walls and wherein adjacent side walls of the at least two trenches form side walls of the structured surface. The method also includes the steps of depositing at least one masking layer on the structured surface, removing at least a portion of the at least one masking layer from the bottom of each of the at least two trenches, removing additional material from the diamond crystal at least along the side walls so as to deepen the trenches, and undercutting the diamond crystal so as to form the freestanding microstructure.

This invention concerns a module for insertion into an additive manufacturing apparatus. The module comprising a frame mountable in a fixed position in the additive manufacturing apparatus, the frame defining a build chamber and a dosing chamber. A build platform is movable in the build chamber for supporting a powder bed during additive manufacturing of a part. A dosing piston is movable in the dosing chamber to push powder from the dosing chamber. A mechanism mechanically links the build platform to the dosing piston such that downward movement of the build platform in the build chamber results in upward movement of the dosing piston in the dosing chamber.

This invention concerns a module for insertion into an additive manufacturing apparatus. The module comprising a frame mountable in a fixed position in the additive manufacturing apparatus, the frame defining a build chamber and a dosing chamber. A build platform is movable in the build chamber for supporting a powder bed during additive manufacturing of a part. A dosing piston is movable in the dosing chamber to push powder from the dosing chamber. A mechanism mechanically links the build platform to the dosing piston such that downward movement of the build platform in the build chamber results in upward movement of the dosing piston in the dosing chamber.

Disclosed is a method for an all-laser hybrid additive manufacturing. After a matrix is obtained by means of selective laser melting forming, a subtractive forming is carried out on the matrix by means of a pulse laser to form a cavity, and the cavity is then packaged to obtain a forming material with an internal cavity structure. A laser precision packaging method is used in the method based on the melting of the laser selective region. Also disclosed is the apparatus, comprising a laser unit (2), a control unit (4) and a forming unit (6). The laser unit is in light path connection with the forming unit, and the control unit is electrically connected with the laser unit and the forming unit respectively. The laser unit comprises a first laser light source to and a second laser light source. The forming unit comprises a welding unit (68), and the welding unit is controlled by the control unit and is matched with the laser unit for the additive manufacturing.

Laser welding device (1000) includes: laser oscillator (100); optical fiber (300) that transmits a laser beam (LB) generated in laser oscillator (100); laser beam emitting head (400) that is attached to the emission end of optical fiber (300) and emits laser beam (LB) toward workpiece (600); manipulator (500) with laser beam emitting head (400) attached thereto; and controller (200) that controls laser beam emitting head (400) so as to cause laser beam (LB) to be scanned three-dimensionally on the surface of workpiece (600). Controller (200) controls laser beam emitting head (400) so as to change a focal position of laser beam (LB) in accordance with a shape of a welded portion in workpiece (600).

Varied embodiments of a laser-based machine tool, and techniques for controlling the same are provided. Some embodiments relate to techniques to facilitate uniform and reproducible processing of workpieces. Other embodiments relate to a zoom lens having a quickly-variable focal length. Still other embodiments relate to various features of a laser-based multi-axis machine tool that can facilitate efficient delivery of laser energy to a scan head, that can address thermomechanical issues that may arise during workpiece processing, etc. Another embodiment relates to techniques for minimizing or preventing undesired accumulation of particulate matter on workpiece surfaces during processing. A number of other embodiments and arrangements are also detailed.

Varied embodiments of a laser-based machine tool, and techniques for controlling the same are provided. Some embodiments relate to techniques to facilitate uniform and reproducible processing of workpieces. Other embodiments relate to a zoom lens having a quickly-variable focal length. Still other embodiments relate to various features of a laser-based multi-axis machine tool that can facilitate efficient delivery of laser energy to a scan head, that can address thermomechanical issues that may arise during workpiece processing, etc. Another embodiment relates to techniques for minimizing or preventing undesired accumulation of particulate matter on workpiece surfaces during processing. A number of other embodiments and arrangements are also detailed.

A workpiece-separating device includes: a holding member which detachably holds one of the workpiece and the supporting body; a laser irradiation part which irradiates the separating layer with the laser beam through the other of the supporting body and the workpiece of the laminated body being held by the holding member; and a controlling part which controls an operation of the laser irradiation part, wherein the laser irradiation part has a laser scanner which moves the spot like laser beam along the laminated body, an entire irradiated face of the separating layer in an area of the laser beam irradiated from the laser scanner toward the laminated body is divided into a plurality of irradiation areas each having a band shape that is elongated in one of two directions intersecting a light irradiation direction from the laser irradiation part.