In various embodiments, a beam-parameter adjustment system and focusing system alters a spatial power distribution of a radiation beam, via thermo-optic effects, before the beam is coupled into an optical fiber or delivered to a workpiece.

A laser oscillator includes a plurality of laser modules, beam coupler (12) that couples a plurality of laser beams (LB1 to LB4) emitted from the plurality of laser modules to form a coupled laser beam, beam coupler (12) emitting the coupled laser beam, and a condensing lens unit having a condensing lens, the condensing lens unit condensing the coupled laser beam to have a given beam diameter and guiding the condensed coupled laser beam to a transmission fiber. Beam coupler (12) has optical members (OC1 to OC4) configured to change optical paths of laser beams (LB1 to LB4). By changing the optical paths of laser beams (LB1 to LB4) by optical members (OC1 to OC4,) a beam profile of the coupled laser beam emitted from the transmission fiber is changed without adjusting a position of the condensing lens.

A laser processing head includes a laser irradiation part, a collimating optical system for collimating laser light from the laser irradiation part, and a collecting optical system for collecting the laser light after passing through the collimating optical system. An optical system including the collimating optical system and the collecting optical system is configured such that the laser light after passing through the collecting optical system has coma aberration. The laser processing head further includes a first moving part for moving at least one of the laser irradiation part or the collimating optical system so as to change a relative position of the collimating optical system with respect to the laser irradiation part, in a first direction orthogonal to a center axis of the laser irradiation part or the collimating optical system, and a second moving part for moving the collecting optical system so as to change a relative position of the collecting optical system with respect to the collimating optical system, in a second direction orthogonal to a center axis of the collecting optical system.

A system comprising a beam source (110) and an optical system (304) comprising first and second portions. The system further comprises first and second torque motors integrated into respective ones of the first and second portions, The first torque motor (420) is configured to rotate first portion (416) around a first axis (434). The second torque motor (426) is configured to rotate second portion (418) around a second axis (436). The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis.

The present disclosure relates to a system for performing an Additive Manufacturing (AM) fabrication process on a powdered material, deposited as a powder bed and forming a substrate. The system makes use of a laser for generating a laser beam, and an optical subsystem. The optical subsystem is configured to receive the laser beam and to generate an optical signal comprised of electromagnetic radiation sufficient to melt or sinter the powdered material. The optical subsystem uses a digitally controlled mask configured to pattern the optical signal as needed to melt select portions of a layer of the powdered material to form a layer of a 3D part. A power supply and at least one processor are also included for generating a plurality of different power density levels selectable based on a specific material composition, absorptivity and diameter of the powder particles, and a known thickness of the powder bed. The powdered material is used to form the 3D part in a sequential layer-by-layer process.

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.

In various embodiments, the beam parameter product and/or beam shape of a laser beam is adjusted by coupling the laser beam into an optical fiber of a fiber bundle and directing the laser beam onto one or more in-coupling locations on the input end of the optical fiber. The beam emitted at the output end of the optical fiber may be utilized to process a workpiece.

This disclosure describes various methods and apparatus for characterizing an additive manufacturing process. A method for characterizing the additive manufacturing process can include generating scans of an energy source across a build plane; measuring an amount of energy radiated from the build plane during each of the scans using an optical sensing system that monitors two discrete wavelengths associated with a blackbody radiation curve of the layer of powder; determining temperature variations for an area of the build plane traversed by the scans based upon a ratio of sensor readings taken at the two discrete wavelengths; determining that the temperature variations are outside a threshold range of values; and thereafter, adjusting subsequent scans of the energy source across or proximate the area of the build plane.

The invention relates to a handheld laser machining apparatus for machining a workpiece. The laser machining apparatus comprises a handheld apparatus (100) comprising an optical device for deflecting laser beams onto the workpiece, a supply unit (3) for open-loop or closed-loop control of the handheld device and/or for supplying power/fluid to the handheld device and a funnel (4) for coupling the handheld device to the workpiece. The invention also relates to a funnel (4) for a corresponding laser machining apparatus.

An apparatus for radial laser processing of a workpiece, located on a center axis, includes a laser beam scanner directing a laser beam along but offset from the center axis, and a bi-conical reflector system including first and second conical mirror surfaces surrounding the center axis. The first conical mirror surface faces away from the center axis to reflect the laser beam radially outwards therefrom, toward the second conical mirror surface. The second conical mirror surface faces the center axis to reflect the laser beam radially inwards toward the workpiece. The laser beam scanner azimuthally scans a location of incidence of the laser beam on the first conical mirror surface to scan an azimuthal angle of propagation of the laser beam from the second conical mirror surface toward the workpiece. The apparatus enables irradiation of the entire circumference of the workpiece without physically rotating the workpiece.