Method and apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus (1) for producing three-dimensional objects (6) layer by layer using a powdery material which can be solidified by irradiating it with a beam (4) of charged particles, said apparatus (1) comprising means for successive application of powder layers to a work table, and a radiation gun (3) for delivering said beam (4) of charged particles, wherein the inventive apparatus (1) comprises a powder-lifting detection device (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e) capable of generating a signal (S) upon detection of lifting of powdery material from the working area (5).

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects layer by layer using a powdery material which can be solidified by irradiating the powdery material with a beam of charged particles, said apparatus comprising: a powder supply portion configured for successive application of one or more layers of a powdery material to a work table to define a powder bed; a radiation gun configured for delivering said beam of charged particles and successively irradiating at least a part of the working area where the powdery material are applied, so as to fuse together successive layers of said three-dimensional object; and at least one detection device having a field of view focused above and across the work table on a volume spaced apart from the defined powder bed, such that neither the field of view nor the focused volume intersect any portion of the powder bed, wherein the at least one detection device is configured for: generating a powder-lifting detection signal upon detection of at least a portion of said powdery material having lifted from the working area and moving around above and spaced apart from the defined powder bed; and based upon the generated detection signal, automatically interrupting the irradiation of at least a part of the working area where the powdery material lifting has occurred.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection signal created by the at least one detection device is used for automatically triggering interruption of the irradiation of at least a part of the working area where powder lifting occurs.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detection device comprises a powder-lifting detection unit that is configured for generating a primary signal that varies with varying amounts of powder particles being detected moving around above and spaced apart from the defined powder bed.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detection device comprises a capacitor having two plates over which a voltage is applied.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detection device comprises a conductive cup and an electronic component configured for measuring a current and producing the detection signal.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detection device comprises a camera directed at an angle relative to the working area.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one detection device further comprises an image processing unit configured for analyzing a signal from the camera so as to determine whether powder-lifting occurs, and based upon detection thereof, to generate the detection signal.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detection device comprises an X-ray detector with a field of view directed above and across the working area.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one detection device comprises a laser source configured for generating a laser beam directed above and across the working area; and said detection of said powder lifting is based upon at least one of a detection of a decrease in an intensity of the laser beam or an increase in a scattering of the laser beam.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one detection device comprises a first detection device that is sensitive to powder-lifting events and configured for generating the powder-lifting detection signal; the apparatus further comprises a second detection device, the second detection device being insensitive to powder-lifting events; and wherein a difference signal from the first and second detection devices is used for generating the detection signal.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second detection device comprises a capacitor having two plates over which a voltage is applied.

12. An apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects layer by layer using a powdery material which can be solidified by irradiating the powdery material with a beam of charged particles, said apparatus comprising: a powder supply portion configured for successive application of powder layers to a work table to define a powder bed; a radiation gun for delivering said beam of charged particles; and at least one detection device having a field of view focused above and across the work table on a volume spaced apart from the defined powder bed, such that neither the field of view nor the focused volume intersect any portion of the powder bed, wherein the at least one detection device is configured for generating a detection signal upon detection of at least a portion of powdery material having lifted from the working area and moving around above and spaced apart from the defined powder bed.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the detection signal created by the detection device is used for automatically triggering interruption of the irradiation of at least a part of the working area where powder lifting occurs.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the detection device comprises a detection unit that is configured for generating a primary signal that varies with varying amounts of powder particles present at least one of above or beside the working area.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the detection device comprises a capacitor having two plates over which a voltage is applied.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: the at least one detection device comprises a first detection device that is sensitive to powder-lifting events and configured for generating the powder-lifting detection signal; the apparatus further comprises a second detection device, the second detection device being insensitive to powder-lifting events; and wherein a difference signal from the two detection devices is used for generating the detection signal.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second detection device comprises a capacitor having two plates over which a voltage is applied.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detection device is positioned such that the field of view is focused along a plane parallel to the defined powder bed.

19. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one detection device is positioned such that the field of view is focused along a plane parallel to the defined powder bed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) In the description of the invention given below reference is made to the following figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic view, a preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows, in a schematic view, a first example of a powder-lifting detection device for use with the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 shows, in a schematic view, a second example of a powder-lifting detection device for use with the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 4 shows, in a schematic view, a third example of a powder-lifting detection device for use with the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,

(6) FIG. 5 shows, in a schematic view, a fourth example of a powder-lifting detection device for use with the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and

(7) FIG. 6 shows, in a schematic view, a fifth example of a powder-lifting detection device for use with the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic view, a preferred embodiment of an inventive apparatus 1 for producing a three-dimensional object 6 layer by layer using a powdery material which can be solidified by irradiating it with an energy beam. The described apparatus 1 is suitable for applying the inventive method. The apparatus 1 comprises an electron gun 3 generating an electron beam 4 in an evacuated chamber 2. A powder bed 7 is positioned onto a height adjustable work table 9. Powder is taken from a powder supply (not shown) and applied layer by layer onto the working table 9. An upper part of the powder bed 7 forms a working area 5 over which the electron beam 4 sweeps during irradiation. After irradiation and fusing together of selected parts of the working area 5, a new layer of powder is distributed over the working area 5 on top of the powder bed 7. These parts, as well as how to control the electron gun 3, how to establish vacuum in the chamber 2 etc., are well known to the skilled man in the art.

(9) in contrast to a conventional apparatus, the inventive apparatus 1 further comprises a powder-lifting detection device 10 for detection of lifting of powdery material from the working area 5, i.e. for detection of powdery material that has left the working area 5 and that is present above and/or aside of the working area 5. The detection device 10 is positioned inside the chamber 2 at a side of the working area 5 and is electronically connected to a control unit 11 that in turn is electronically connected to the electron gun 3 for controlling purposes, such as for directing the beam 4 and for turning on and off the beam 4. The electronic connections are indicated with dashed lines 13. The powder-lifting detection device 10 is arranged in such a way that it is capable of generating an electronic signal S upon detection of lifting of powdery material from the working area 5.

(10) As described above, during irradiation of the working area 5 part of the powdery material may reach an amount of charging high enough for making powder particles begin to lift from and leave the working area 5 and move around above and beside of the powder bed 7. The powder-lifting detection device 10 detects such an event and generates an electronic detection signal S. This signal is sent to the control unit 11 which controls the electron gun 3 in such a way that the irradiation of the working area 5, or at least of a part of working area 5 where powder lifting occurs, is interrupted. Thus the electronic signal S created by the powder-lifting detection device 10 is used for automatically trigging the interruption. This way it is possible to prevent the lifting phenomenon from propagating to surrounding parts of the working area 5 and thereby it is possible to prevent a massive powder lift-off. If the powder-lifting process is interrupted sufficiently quickly it is possible to continue the production process without having to apply a new layer of powder.

(11) Interruption of the irradiation of a part of the working area 5 can be carried out by turning off the beam 4 or by directing the beam 4 towards another part of the working area 5 or towards an area outside of the working area 5. If the beam 4 is directed towards another part of the working area 5, the average power of the beam 4 is preferably reduced for some time in order to avoid a new powder-lifting event but at the same time keep up the heat of the powder. A reduced average beam power can be achieved by reducing the beam power and/or by pulsing the beam.

(12) Irradiation of the part of the working area 5 subject to powder-lifting is continued automatically after a certain, second time period which in this example is 5 seconds.

(13) The powder-lifting detection device 10 is arranged to detect a powder-lifting event at an early stage so that it can be suppressed at an early stage and so that the irradiation can be continued after the relatively short second time period.

(14) As a safety measure, the powder-lifting detection device 10 is also arranged to quantify the powder-lifting event, i.e. to quantify the amounts of powder that has lifted from the working area 5. Thus the powder-lifting detection device 10 is for instance capable of determining whether a major powder discharge has occurred. If the powder discharge is determined to exceed a certain level, a second electronic signal S2 is generated for cancelling or delaying the automatic re-start of the irradiation. In such a case it may be necessary to apply a new layer of powder onto the working area 5.

(15) FIGS. 2-6 show, in schematic views, examples of powder-lifting detection devices 10 a-10 e for use with the apparatus shown in FIG. These figures show parts of the powder bed 7 and the three-dimensional object 6 as well as the working area 5. Powder particles that have lifted from the working area 5 and that move around above and away from the working area 5 are indicated with arrows 15.

(16) In FIG. 2 the powder-lifting detection device 10 a is a type of capacitive microphone detector positioned at a side of the powder bed 7. This detection device 10 a comprises a capacitor 16 having two plates over which a voltage is applied. The capacitor plate facing the working area 5, i.e. left plate in FIG. 2, is movable (i.e. flexible, deformable, etc.) whereas the other plate is stationary. Powder particles that lift from the working area 5 and hit the movable capacitor plate induce movements (deformations, vibrations, etc.) of the plate which influences the distance between the two plates and thus the capacitance of the capacitor 16. This change of capacitance can be converted to an electronic signal. An amplifier 17 is provided for amplifying the primary signal Obtained from the capacitor 16 such as to generate the signal S used for interrupting the irradiation process as described above. Capacitor microphones are known as such and can he designed in different ways.

(17) In FIG. 3 the powder-lifting detection device 10 b is a type of Faraday cup detector positioned at a side of the powder bed 7. This detection device 10 b comprises a conductive cup 18 and an electronic device 19 for measuring a current and for producing the electronic signal S. Powder particles that lift from the working area 5 and hit the cup 18 carry a charge acquired from the beam 4. These charges are collected by the cup 18 and the resulting current is measured by the device 19. If the current exceeds a certain value the signal S is generated. Faraday cups are known as such and can he designed in different ways.

(18) In FIG. 4 the powder-lifting detection device 10 c comprises a camera 21 directed at an angle downwards towards the working area 5. The detection device 10 c further comprises an image processing unit 22 capable of analyzing a signal from the camera 21 such as to identify whether powder-lifting occurs as well as of generating the electronic signal S if that is the case. Cameras and image processors are known as such and can be designed in different ways.

(19) In FIG. 5 the powder-lifting detection device 10 d comprises an X-ray detector 24 with a field of view 26 directed above and across the working area 5. Powder particles exposed to the beam 4 emit X-rays. If powder lifting occurs, X-ray emitting particles will be present in the field of view 26 of the X-ray detector 24 and will thus be detected by the X-ray detector 24. The detection device 10 d further comprises a signal processing unit 25 capable of analyzing a signal from the X-ray detector 24 such as to identify whether powder-lifting occurs as well as of generating the electronic signal S if that is the case. X-ray detectors and signal processors are known as such and can be designed in different ways.

(20) In FIG. 6 the powder-lifting detection device 10 e comprises a laser source 27 capable of generating a laser beam 28 directed above and across the working area 5. If powder lifting occurs powder particles will be present in the path of the laser beam 28 resulting in scattering of the light in the laser beam 28. To detect powder lifting it is therefore possible to either detect a decrease in intensity of the original laser beam 28 or to detect an increase of scattered laser light 28 a. A first light detector 29 is arranged to detect the intensity of the original laser beam 28 and a second light detector 29 a is arranged to detect scattered laser light 28 a. The detection device 10 e further comprises a signal processing unit 30 capable of analyzing a signal from the light detectors 29, 29 a such as to identify whether powder-lifting occurs as well as of generating the electronic signal S if that is the case. The powder-lifting detection device 10 e may comprise either or both light detectors 29,29 a. Laser sources, light detectors and signal processors are known as such and can be designed in different ways.

(21) All powder-lifting detection devices 10 a-10 e can be adapted to determine the amount of powder particles registered by the detector and not just to determine whether powder-lifting occurs, which means that the powder-lifting effect can be quantified. Thereby the powder-lifting detection devices 10 a-10 e become capable of generating the second electronic signal S2 mentioned above.

(22) The response time of the detector 10, i.e. the time from detecting occurrence of lifting of powdery material until sending the signal S used for trigging interruption of the irradiation, is preferably as short as possible. The sensitivity and the positioning of the detector should be adjusted to the particular application.

(23) All powder-lifting detection devices 10 a-10 e shown in FIGS. 2-6 comprises a detection unit, i.e. the capacitor 16, the cup 18, the camera 21, the X-ray detector 24 and the first and second light detectors 29, 29 a, that is capable of generating a primary electronic signal that varies with varying amounts of powder particles present above or beside the working area 5.

(24) The microphone detection device 10 a shown in FIG. 2 is particularly advantageous because i) it is not affected by the electron beam (as a Faraday cup might be), ii) the signal strength is not dependent on the beam current (as is the case for the X-ray detector), and iii) it is simpler and less costly to implement compared to optical devices such as camera and laser which require considerations with regard to surface metallisation.

(25) In a preferred variant of the invention the apparatus 1 is provided with a first and a second microphone detection device 10 a of the type shown in FIG. 2. One of these, the first microphone detection device 10 a, is arranged to detect powder-lifting as described above. The other, i.e. the second microphone detection device 10 a, is arranged in or at the apparatus 1 in a similar way as the first one but is arranged to be insensitive to powder-lifting events. This can, for instance, be achieved by providing a shield between the working area 5 and the second detector or by positioning the capacitor 16 of the second detector such that the stationary plate faces the working area 5. The first and second microphone detection devices are further arranged in such a way that the individual signal generated from one of the detectors is subtracted from the individual signal generated by the other detector, wherein the resulting difference signal is analyzed such as to identify whether powder-lifting occurs as well as to generate the signal S if that is the case. This way true powder-lifting events can be distinguished from “false alarms” in the form of interferences, such as noise from the apparatus 1 and external knocks onto the chamber 2, which may create a detection signal S if only one microphone detector is used.

(26) The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. For instance, the detection device 10 can be positioned in other places inside or outside the chamber or integrated in a wall of the chamber 2. In some applications it may be advantageous to use more than one detection device. Also other types of detection devices may be useful in order to apply the inventive method.

(27) Although the various signals and connections described above are electronic it is of course possible also to use other types of means for communication, such as optical or other types of electromagnetic signals and connections.