AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING MACHINE

Abstract

A body and a table located on the body that allows powders to be laid thereon by a laying apparatus is disclosed. At least one layer is created by sintering or fusing the powders laid on the table, a part that is produced by piling up the layers using additive manufacturing method, at least one heat source that is located on the body and applies heat treatment to powders laid on the table, at least one sensor for detecting position and operating status of the heat source and at least one control unit controlling the heat source based on information received from the sensor.

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing machine (1) comprising a body (2); a table (3) which is located on the body (2) and allows powders (T) to be laid thereon by means of a laying apparatus (S); at least one layer (L) which is created by sintering or fusing the powders (T) laid on the table (3); a part (P) which is produced by piling up the layers (L) using additive manufacturing method; at least one heat source (4) which is located on the body (2) and applies heat treatment to powders (T) laid on the table (3); at least one sensor (5) for detecting position and operating status of the heat source (4); and at least one control unit (6) controlling the heat source (4) based on information received from the sensor (5), characterized by at least one head (7) located on the body (2) in a movable manner, controlled by the sensor (5) and the control unit (6), covering the layer (L) when the layer (L) is contacted thereon, and thus, applying pressure on the layer (L), wherein perimeter of said head (7) is made of a semi-elastic material to completely match with layer (L) surface while applying pressure to the layer (L) surface.

2. The additive manufacturing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a head (7) comprising a plurality of particles therein.

3. (canceled)

4. The additive manufacturing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by at least one trigger mechanism (8) for moving the head (7) and which is located on the body (2), wherein movements of the trigger mechanism (8) are controlled by the control unit (6).

5. The additive manufacturing machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized by a control unit (6) for electronically controlling the pressure amount applied by the trigger mechanism (8) to the layer (L) by means of the head (7), speed or movements of the trigger mechanism (8) during part production.

6. The additive manufacturing machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized by a control unit (6) which enables the head (7) moved by means of the trigger mechanism (8): to contact and apply pressure to the layer (L), and at least partially to take the shape of the layer (L), and to apply a mechanical shock by applying a force higher than the force it contacts.

7. The additive manufacturing machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized by a head (7) which enables plastic deformation to be created by applying mechanical shock by means of the trigger mechanism (8) onto the layer (L), and comprises fluid ceramic particles.

8. The additive manufacturing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a control unit (6) for measuring a surface hardness of the layer (L) onto which the head (7) applies a force based on information sent by the head (7) to the sensor (5).

9. The additive manufacturing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a control unit (6) which triggers the head (7) and allows an amount of force predetermined by the user to be applied on the layer (L).

Description

[0022] Exemplary embodiments of the additive manufacturing machine according to the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an additive manufacturing machine.

[0024] All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed as follows: [0025] (1) Additive Manufacturing Machine [0026] (2) Body [0027] (3) Table [0028] (4) Heat Source [0029] (5) Sensor [0030] (6) Control Unit [0031] (7) Head [0032] (8) Trigger Mechanism [0033] (L) Layer [0034] (P) Part [0035] (S) Laying Apparatus [0036] (T) Dust

[0037] The additive manufacturing machine (1) comprises a body (2); a table (3) which is located on the body (2) and allows powders (T) to be laid thereon by means of a laying apparatus (S); at least one layer (L) which is created by sintering or fusing the powders (T) laid on the table (3); a part (P) which is produced by piling up the layers (L) using additive manufacturing method; at least one heat source (4) which is located on the body (2) and applies heat treatment to powders (T) laid on the table (3); at least one sensor (5) for detecting position and operating status of the heat source (4); and at least one control unit (6) controlling the heat source (4) based on information received from the sensor (5) (FIG. 1).

[0038] The additive manufacturing machine (1) of the invention comprises at least one head (7) located on the body (2) in a movable manner, controlled by the sensor (5) and the control unit (6), almost completely surrounding the layer (L) when the layer (L) is contacted thereon, and thus, applying pressure on the layer (L) (FIG. 1).

[0039] Parts (P) with complex geometry are enabled to be produced in additive manufacturing machines (1). To achieve this, powders (T) to be used in part (P) production are laid onto the table (3) in the body (2) by means of the laying apparatus (S). Then, preselected regions of each part (P) are melted or sintered by the heat source (4). The heat source (4), on the other hand, is managed by the control unit (6) based on information acquired by the sensor (5).

[0040] There is provided a head which can almost take the shape of the layer and applies pressure on the layer (L) by means of the control mechanism (6) to create plastic deformation on the part (P). Therefore, pressure is effectively applied to the layer surface (FIG. 1).

[0041] In an embodiment of the invention, the additive manufacturing machine (1) comprises a head (7) comprising a plurality of particles therein. The particles enable the head to easily take a shape. Therefore, the head can apply an effective pressure on the layer (L).

[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, the additive manufacturing machine (1) comprises a head (7), outer perimeter of which is made of a semi-elastic material. Therefore, the head (7) can be almost completely matched with layer (L) surface while applying pressure to the layer (L) surface thanks to the elastic material.

[0043] In an embodiment of the invention, the additive manufacturing machine (1) comprises a trigger mechanism (8) for moving the head (7) and which is located on the body (2), wherein movements of the trigger mechanism (8) are controlled by the control unit (6). Therefore, the head (7) can be moved in a way predetermined by the user or manufacturer.

[0044] In an embodiment of the invention, the additive manufacturing machine (1) comprises a control unit (6) for electronically controlling the pressure amount applied by the trigger mechanism (8) to the layer (L) by means of the head (7), speed or movements of the trigger mechanism (8) during part production. Therefore, the trigger mechanism (8) can be controlled,

[0045] In an embodiment of the invention, the additive manufacturing machine (1) comprises a control unit (6) which enables the head (7) moved by means of the trigger mechanism (8) to contact and apply pressure to the layer (L), and at least partially to take the shape of the layer (L), and to apply a mechanical shock by applying a force higher than the force it contacts. Therefore, the part (P) is subjected to plastic deformation such that it is easily shaped.

[0046] In an embodiment of the invention, the additive manufacturing machine (1) comprises a head (7) which enables plastic deformation to be created by applying mechanical shock by means of the trigger mechanism (8) onto the layer (L), and comprises fluid ceramic particles. Thus, it is enabled that an effective and instant shock is applied to the layer (L) and the part is plastically deformed. Therefore, the part is effectively shaped,

[0047] In an embodiment of the invention, the additive manufacturing machine (1) comprises a control unit (6) for measuring a surface hardness of the layer (L) onto which the head (7) applies a force based on information sent by the head (7) to the sensor (5). The sensor (5) detects the hardness, and sends the detected signals to the control unit (6). The control unit (6) provides control of the force applied to the layer (L) by the head (7) depending on hardness value measured by means of the sensor (5).

[0048] In an embodiment of the invention, the additive manufacturing machine (1) comprises a control unit (6) which triggers the head (7) and allows an amount of force predetermined by the user to be applied on the layer (L), The control unit (6) allows an amount of force predetermined by the user and/or manufacturer to be applied.