The invention relates to a laser metal deposition system, which comprises a feed nozzle (301), the tubular wall (306) of which has external fins (305) designed to allow heat dissipation by heat exchange with the immediate surroundings of the feed nozzle (301).

A gas-dispersion apparatus for an additive-manufacturing apparatus includes a pipe defining an axis, an outlet, and a cooling tube coiled about the pipe. The pipe includes a passageway along the axis, and the pipe extends from a first end to a second end. The outlet is positioned to discharge gas into the passageway at the first end. The first end is attachable to a laser so that a beam emitted by the laser travels along the axis.

A device for shaping tissue includes a tip with an internal close-looped circulation system. The tip is configured to connect to tubes. One tube is configured to connect to a submersible cold-water pump. Another tube is an outlet. The tip has a sapphire window on one face and, on opposite face, a shaft with a laser fiber therein, and an opening for laser beam to shine through.

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 method for thermally joining thermoplastic fiber composite components, including jointly covering thermoplastic fiber composite components to be joined, at least in the region of a joining zone, with a pressurization arrangement, which is flexible, at least in some section or sections, and extensive pressurization of thermoplastic fiber composite components to be joined by the pressurization arrangement, with the result that the fiber composite components are pressed against one another, at least in the joining zone. The fiber composite components are welded in the joining zone during pressurization. The pressurization is maintained by the pressurization arrangement until the joining zone solidifies. A cover is also disclosed, in particular a mold or diaphragm, for a pressurization device for thermally joining thermoplastic fiber composite components, and an apparatus for thermally joining thermoplastic fiber composite components.

A laser processing apparatus includes: a laser emission unit configured to emit laser beam; a control member configured to control the laser emission unit; a casing in which the laser emission unit and the control member are accommodated; and a pipe through which compressed gas supplied from outside of the casing flows in a branched manner, the pipe being provided in the casing. The pipe includes a first branch pipe arranged with a leading end for jetting the compressed gas facing the laser emission unit, and a second branch pipe arranged with a leading end for jetting the compressed gas facing the control member.

A production system and method of using the same for forming filtration tubes. The system includes: a six-axis robotic arm that moves tubes between sub-systems. The arm moves an unprocessed tube from an input-output subsystem, to an inspection system, a laser cutting system, and optional post-processing system. The inspection may include a laser and/or camera that scans a surface of a tube to determine abnormalities, defects, and/or quality issues. The laser cutting system cuts pores, holes, or slots into and through a wall of the tube, that passes inspection, to form a filtration tube used to filter solids from fluids. The post-processing system may post-process and/or clean the tube after cutting. If the tube fails inspection, it is moved to a reject bin or tray. The arm moves completed filtration tubes to a finished tube bin or tray.

Additive manufacturing systems and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing system includes a build surface, one or more laser energy sources configured to emit laser energy, an optical phased array operatively coupled to the one or more laser energy sources, and a Risley prism assembly comprising a plurality of wedge prisms. The optical phased array includes one or more phase shifters operatively coupled to the one or more laser energy sources and configured to control a phase of the laser energy. The optical phased array is configured to direct the laser energy towards the Risley prism assembly, and the Risley prism assembly is configured to direct the laser energy towards the build surface.

A laser processing head transmits a laser beam to a process zone. An input lens fixedly mounted in the head images the beam from an input with a first (negative) focal length along an optical axis. An intermediate lens is movably mounted in the head in connection with an actuator, which can move the intermediate lens along the axis at a variable lens distance relative to the input lens. The intermediate lens images the beam with a second (positive) focal length. An output lens fixedly mounted in the head images the beam with a third (positive) focal length along the axis to a focal point. The third focal length is greater than the second focal length and provides a large working distance. The focal point can be varied at a variable focal distance along the axis in relation to the variable lens distance by which the intermediate lens is moved.

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.