A method for producing three-dimensional objects layer by layer using a powdery material which can be solidified by irradiating it with at least two electron beams, said method comprises a pre-heating step, wherein the pre-heating step comprises the sub-step of scanning a pre-heating powder layer area (100) by scanning a first electron beam in a first region (I) and by scanning a second electron beam in a second region (II) distributed over the pre-heating powder layer area (100), wherein consecutively scanned paths are separated by, at least, a security distance (ΔY), said sub-step further comprising the step of synchronising the preheating of said first and second electron beams when simultaneously preheating said powder material within said first and second regions respectively, so that said first and second electron beams are always separated to each other with at least a minimum security distance (ΔX).

A laser machine comprises: a head including optical parts allowing reflection of a laser beam or allowing the laser beam to pass through, while being rotatable about rotary axes, and a focusing optical system that focuses the laser beam; a moving mechanism that allows the head and a target to move relative to each other; and a control unit that controls rotations of the optical parts in such a manner that an irradiation intended position to be reached by an emission optical axis when the laser beam is emitted to the target moves in a curvilinear pattern or a linear pattern, controls movement by the moving mechanism so as to move the head and the target relative to each other, and controls emission output from the laser source so as to change a condition for emitting the laser beam based on the rotation angles of the optical parts.

A method for producing three-dimensional objects layer by layer using a powdery material which can be solidified by irradiating it with at least two electron beams, said method comprises a pre-heating step, wherein the pre-heating step comprises the sub-step of scanning a pre-heating powder layer area (100) by scanning a first electron beam in a first region (I) and by scanning a second electron beam in a second region (II) distributed over the pre-heating powder layer area (100), wherein consecutively scanned paths are separated by, at least, a security distance (ΔY), said sub-step further comprising the step of synchronising the preheating of said first and second electron beams when simultaneously preheating said powder material within said first and second regions respectively, so that said first and second electron beams are always separated to each other with at least a minimum security distance (ΔX).

A laser machine comprises: a head including optical parts allowing reflection of a laser beam or allowing the laser beam to pass through, while being rotatable about rotary axes, and a focusing optical system that focuses the laser beam; a moving mechanism that allows the head and a target to move relative to each other; and a control unit that controls rotations of the optical parts in such a manner that an irradiation intended position to be reached by an emission optical axis when the laser beam is emitted to the target moves in a curvilinear pattern or a linear pattern, controls movement by the moving mechanism so as to move the head and the target relative to each other, and controls emission output from the laser source so as to change a condition for emitting the laser beam based on the rotation angles of the optical parts.

An improved laser weld process control system and method are provided. The system and method include a machine vision camera to detect a deviation between a pre-programmed laser beam toolpath and a gap centerpoint between first and second parts being welded together. The first and second parts are secured to a rotatable fixture, and the system and method cause the rotatable fixture to rotate through a corrective angle to bring the gap centerpoint into alignment with the laser beam toolpath, optionally in real time during the application of laser beam energy. The system and method can also correct for a vertical misalignment of the laser focal point due to rotation of the fixture by adjusting the vertical separation of the laser unit relative to the fixture.

A metal-ceramic article and method for creating the same is disclosed in which the article has undergone machining to remove outer surface volume. The article is then treated to enhance the characteristics of at least the machined surface to be comparable to the original surface. In the disclosed application the machining does not extend to an inner layer of the article in which the article consists purely of a metal.

The disclosed invention includes articles having advantageous ceramic layers with a ceramic/metal intermediate layer that diminishes towards a pure metal core. Such articles have substantial use in unconventional, harsh environments.

A metal-ceramic article and method for creating the same is disclosed in which the article has undergone machining to remove outer surface volume. The article is then treated to enhance the characteristics of at least the machined surface to be comparable to the original surface. The present invention features postformation of ceramic on the portions machined, while the ceramic portions of original surfaces retain their preformation attributes.

A metal-ceramic article and method for creating the same is disclosed in which the article has undergone machining to remove outer surface volume. The intermediate layer of the article includes a gradient of a metal and metal-ceramic that diminishes toward a metal core.

A system and methods for operating a cardboard processing machine, the method comprising creating a pre-processing crease at a location on the cardboard where it is required to process the cardboard; and processing the cardboard along the pre-process crease.