A method for producing a component by means of an additive manufacturing method using a laser is proposed, the method comprising the following steps: (a) providing a metal powder, (b) applying a powder layer (18) of the metal powder to a build platform (14) of a process chamber (12), (c) introducing a first process gas into the process chamber (12), (d) melting a first selected region (36) of the applied powder layer (18) by means of a laser in a first atmosphere which includes the first process gas, (e) introducing a second process gas into the process chamber (12), wherein the second process gas differs from the first process gas at least in terms of its composition and/or its pressure, and (f) melting a second selected region (38) of the applied powder layer (18) by means of the laser in a second atmosphere which includes the second process gas, wherein the second selected region (38) differs from the first selected region (36).

A modular laser processing enclosure includes an enclosure housing defining a laser processing area. The enclosure housing includes a top defining a top laser processing access opening providing access to the laser processing area and at least two sides defining side laser processing access openings providing access to the laser processing area. The side laser processing access openings may be located proximate the top of the enclosure housing. The enclosure may further include at least one plate configured to cover any one of the laser processing access openings. Optionally, at least one laser processing head may be configured to be mounted to any one of the laser processing access openings and/or a least one part handling mechanism may be provided to access the laser processing area through any one of the laser processing access openings for delivering parts to and/or from the laser processing area.

A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method may include providing a powder bed and directing a shaped laser beam pulse train consisting of one or more pulses and having a flux greater than 20 kW/cm.sup.2 at a defined two dimensional region of the powder bed. This minimizes adverse laser plasma effects during the process of melting and fusing powder within the defined two dimensional region.

A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method can include providing an enclosure surrounding a powder bed and having an atmosphere including helium gas. A high flux laser beam is directed at a defined two dimensional region of the powder bed. Powder is melted and fused within the defined two dimensional region, with less than 50% by weight of the powder particles being displaced into any defined two dimensional region that shares an edge or corner with the defined two dimensional region where powder melting and fusing occurs.

A device for structuring a surface of a through opening in a component, in particular a cylinder opening of a cylinder crankcase for an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a lance, which can be moved into the through opening by a displacement device. The lance has means for emitting a laser beam from a laser light source in the direction of the surface of the through opening. A preferably plate-shaped cover is provided, which is designed for placement on an end face of the component. The cover forms a passage opening which is dimensioned such that the lance can be moved through it. A compressed gas feed is integrated into the cover and comprises a connector for connecting to a compressed gas source and forms one or more outlet openings at the edge of the passage opening.

A jig structure for manufacturing heat dissipation unit includes a main body, which internally defines a chamber and has a top forming an upper side thereof. The top defines at least one opening, on which at least one silicon dioxide layer is provided. The chamber is in a vacuum-tight state or maintains a positive pressure inert gas atmosphere therein. The jig structure for manufacturing heat dissipation unit can be used with a laser machining tool to provide a better environment and increased flexibility for laser machining or laser welding in manufacturing a heat dissipation unit.

A method for treating a raw-material powder includes forming a layer of the raw-material powder and removing oxide film formed on a surface of the raw-material powder from which the layer has been formed.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for using printing process data to predict quality measures for three-dimensional (3D) printed objects and properties of the materials comprising the 3D objects. Printing may be performed using resistive or Joule printing. The system may include a computer communicatively coupled to a 3D printing apparatus, which may store printing parameters. The 3D printing apparatus may be able to take measurements during a print job, and record those measurements in memory. The 3D printing apparatus may also be able to record printing states before, during, and/or after printing. A combination of printing states, printing parameters, and measurements may be analyzed, for example, by a machine learning algorithm, in order to predict material properties and quality measures.

The present disclosure provides various apparatuses, systems, software, and methods for three-dimensional (3D) printing. The disclosure delineates various optical components of the 3D printing system, their usage, and their optional calibration. The disclosure delineates calibration of one or more components of the 3D printer (e.g., the energy beam).

A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method may include providing a powder bed and directing a shaped laser beam pulse train consisting of one or more pulses and having a flux greater than 20 kW/cm.sup.2 at a defined two dimensional region of the powder bed. This minimizes adverse laser plasma effects during the process of melting and fusing powder within the defined two dimensional region.