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 semiconductor fabrication apparatus includes a source chamber being operable to generate charged particles; and a processing chamber integrated with the source chamber and configured to receive the charged particles from the source chamber. The processing chamber includes a wafer stage being operable to secure and move a wafer, and a laser-charged particles interaction module that further includes a laser source to generate a first laser beam; a beam splitter configured to split the first laser beam into a second laser beam and a third laser beam; and a mirror configured to reflect the third laser beam such that the third laser beam is redirected to intersect with the second laser beam to form a laser interference pattern at a path of the charged particles, and wherein the laser interference pattern modulates the charged particles by in a micron-zone mode for processing the wafer using the modulated charged particles.

A method and apparatus for the generative manufacture of a three-dimensional component in a processing chamber, in which the steps “providing a metallic starting material in the processing chamber” and “melting the starting material by means of energy input” are repeated multiple times, wherein a process gas is provided in the processing chamber are disclosed. The method is characterized by the steps: 1) the hydrogen content of the process gas or a sample of the process gas is determined; 2) the oxygen content of the process gas or a sample of the process gas is determined by means of an oxygen sensor and/or the dew point of the process gas or a sample of the process gas is determined; and 3) the values for the oxygen content and/or the dew point determined in step 2 are corrected by means of the value for the hydrogen content determined in step 1.

A manipulator device such as a robot arm that is capable of increasing manufacturing throughput for additively manufactured parts, and allows for the manipulation of parts that would be difficult or impossible for a human to move is described. The manipulator can grasp various permanent or temporary additively manufactured manipulation points on a part to enable repositioning or maneuvering of the part.

An article is produced by welding a first piece to a second piece by a laser beam. The first piece includes an open cavity and a first sealing surface. The second piece has a second sealing surface. The first piece and second piece are inside chamber with a controllable internal pressure that is changed to cause a flow of a gas from the open cavity. The open cavity is closed by moving at least one of the pieces. The first sealing surface forms a partially gas tight preliminary joint with the second sealing surface. The first piece and the second piece define an interface. The chamber is opened after the preliminary joint has been formed. A welded seam is formed by focusing a laser beam to the interface after the chamber is opened. The first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are substantially planar.

A method for producing a battery cell involves producing a battery cell with a housing having a first volume containing a multiplicity of electrodes are stacked one on top of another and an electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte can be introduced into the first volume via an opening in the housing.

A laser machining apparatus includes, a processing chamber, a window disposed in a surface of the processing chamber, a substrate carrier disposed inside the processing chamber and facing the window, a laser irradiator which irradiates a laser onto the substrate carrier through the window, a protector supplier disposed on a side of the processing chamber, a protector retriever disposed on an opposite side of the processing chamber opposite to the side of the processing chamber, and a protector which connects the protector supplier with the protector retriever, where at least a portion of the protector is disposed between the substrate carrier and the window in the processing chamber.

A laser beam applying unit in a laser processing apparatus includes a laser oscillator for emitting a laser beam, a beam condenser for focusing the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator and applying the focused laser beam to a workpiece held on a holding table, and a scanning unit that is disposed on an optical path of the laser beam between the laser oscillator and the beam condenser and that has scanning mirrors for scanning the laser beam and guiding the scanned laser beam toward the beam condenser. The scanning mirrors are housed in a chamber having a first window for allowing the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator to pass therethrough to the scanning mirrors and a second window for allowing the laser beam scanned by the scanning mirrors to pass therethrough to the beam condenser.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) objects, 3D printing processes, as well as methods, apparatuses and systems for the production of a 3D object. Methods, apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need for auxiliary supports. The present disclosure provides three dimensional (3D) objects printed utilizing the printing processes, methods, apparatuses and systems described herein.

A laser apparatus includes: a first vacuum chamber, wherein machining is performed on a target substrate in the first vacuum chamber; a laser facing the first vacuum chamber; a carrier disposed in the first vacuum chamber, wherein the target substrate is seated on the carrier; a chamber window disposed in one surface of the first vacuum chamber, wherein a laser beam emitted by the laser passes through the chamber window; a first protection window positioned between the carrier and the chamber window; a second vacuum chamber disposed at a first side of the first vacuum chamber; and a transfer unit configured to transfer the first protection window to the second vacuum chamber.