Laser consolidation apparatus for manufacturing precise structures
AssigneeNational Research Council of Canada
InventorsGavin McGregor, Mahmud-Ul Islam
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser consolidation apparatus for manufacturing precise three dimensional structures disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for feeding a stream of material to an area on a surface to be built up, at an angle normal to the surface and means to direct a converging laser beam on the surface at an angle of 25 to 30° to the normal to the surface from a plurality of directions surrounding the material feed. Discrete mirror segments direct the laser beam on to movable plane mirrors producing reflected beams which combine to illuminate an area on the work surface.
Claims7
Apparatus for consolidation and machining of an article comprising:
- a laser;
- focusing means producing a convergent beam from said laser, means adapted for movement of the focussing means to vary the position of the focal point of the beam;
- means splitting said beam including reflective means defining paths for the split beams to impact on a work surface, the reflective means including a plane reflecting surface adapted for movement in a direction to alter the length of the paths;
- whereby the position of the split beams is precisely controllable and overlappable on the work surface to produce an area of enhanced energy.
Apparatus for deposition of layers of material on a work surface, comprising:
- a material feed extending normally to the work surface;
- a laser;
- focusing means producing a convergent beam from said laser;
- reflective means defining a path for said beam to impact on a work surface;
- the reflective means including a plane reflecting surface adapted for movement in a direction to alter the length of the path to vary the position of impact of the beam on the work surface, whereby the material is melted and maintained in molten spherical configuration by surface tension.
Apparatus for deposition of layers of material on a work surface, comprising:
- a material feed extending normally to the work surface;
- a laser;
- focusing means producing a convergent beam from said laser;
- reflecting means defining a path resulting in the focal point of said beam being positioned close to a work surface;
- means adapted for movement of the focusing means whereby the focal point is moved above and below said work surface;
- whereby the material is melted and maintained in molten spherical configuration by surface tension.
Apparatus for deposition of layers of material on a work surface, comprising:
- a material feed extending normally to the work surface;
- a laser;
- focusing means producing a convergent beam from said laser, means adapted for movement of the focussing means to vary the position of the focal point of the beam;
- means splitting said beam including reflective means defining paths for the split beams to impact on a work surface, the reflective means including a plane reflecting surface adapted for movement in a direction to alter the length of the paths;
- whereby the beams overlap on the work surface producing an area of enhanced energy and the material is melted and maintained in molten spherical configuration by surface tension.
Apparatus for manufacturing precise structures, comprising:
- a powder feed substantially normal to a work surface;
- a laser;
- focusing means producing a convergent beam from said laser;
- reflective means defining a path for said beam to impact on a work surface, the reflective means including a plane reflecting surface adapted for movement in a direction to alter the length of the path to vary the position of impact of the beam on the work surface,
- said beam being at an angle of 25° to 30° to the normal, producing an annular pattern on the work surface, substantially surrounding the powder feed.
Apparatus for manufacturing precise structures, comprising:
- a powder feed substantially normal to a work surface;
- a laser;
- focusing means producing a convergent beam from said laser, reflecting means defining a path resulting in the focal point of said beam being positioned close to a work surface;
- means adapted for movement of the focussing means whereby the focal point is moved above and below said work surface;
- said beam being at an angle of 25° to 30° to the normal, producing an annular pattern on the work surface, substantially surrounding the powder feed.
Apparatus for manufacturing precise structures, comprising:
- a powder feed substantially normal to a work surface;
- a laser;
- focusing means producing a convergent beam from said laser, means adapted for movement of the focussing means to vary the position of the focal point of the beam,
- means splitting said beam including reflective means defining paths for the split beams to impact on a work surface, the reflective means including a plane reflecting surface adapted for movement in a direction to alter the length of the paths;
- said beams being at an angle of 25° to 30° to the normal, producing an annular pattern on the work surface, substantially surrounding the powder feed, whereby the beams overlap on the work surface producing an area of enhanced energy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.