Method and arrangement for building metallic objects by solid freeform fabrication
AssigneeNorsk Titanium AS
InventorsFerdinand Stempfer, Hilde Loken Larsen, Pedro Almeida, Martin Borlaug Mathisen
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Abstract
Provided are a systems and methods for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects, wherein the deposition rate is increased by using two separate heat sources, one heat source for heating the deposition area on the base material and one heat source for heating and melting a metallic material, such as a metal wire or a powdered metallic material.
Claims19
A system for building metallic objects by solid freeform fabrication, comprising:
- a first welding gun comprising a first power source, the first welding gun arranged to direct thermal energy toward a portion of a surface of a base material to pre-heat said portion of the surface of the based material onto which metallic material melted from a source of metal is to be deposited;
- a second welding gun comprising a second power source independent of the first power source, the second welding gun configured to pulsate thermal energy onto the portion of the surface of the base material after it is pre-heated by the first welding gun and further configured to melt the source of metal deposited on the pre-heated portion of the surface;
- and
- a control system comprising a computer processor, the control system configured to independently operate the first welding gun and the second welding gun.
A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object of a metallic material by solid freeform fabrication, where the object is made by fusing together successive deposits of the metallic material onto a base material, the method comprising:
- pre-heating, using a first welding gun, at least a portion of a surface of the base material to form a preheated surface;
- simultaneously, and using a second welding gun, melting a metallic material such that molten metallic material is deposited onto the preheated surface and pulsating thermal energy onto the preheated surface;
- and
- a) moving an actuator tray to move the base material relative to the first welding gun or the second welding gun or both;
- or
- b) moving a first actuator arm to move the first welding gun relative to the base material of the second welding gun or both;
- or
- c) moving a second actuator arm to move the second welding gun relative to the base material or the first welding gun or both;
- or
- d) any combination of a), b) and c).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.