System And Method For High Power Diode Based Additive Manufacturing
AssigneeLawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
InventorsBassem S. EL-DASHER, Andrew BAYRAMIAN, James A. DEMUTH, Joseph C. FARMER, Sharon G. TORRES
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Abstract
A system is disclosed for performing an Additive Manufacturing (AM) fabrication process on a powdered material forming a substrate. The system may make use of a diode array for generating an optical signal sufficient to melt a powdered material of the substrate. A mask may be used for preventing a first predetermined portion of the optical signal from reaching the substrate, while allowing a second predetermined portion to reach the substrate. At least one processor may be used for controlling an output of the diode array.
Claims20
A system for performing an Additive Manufacturing (AM) fabrication process on a powdered material forming a substrate, the system comprising:
- an optical subsystem for generating an optical signal comprised of electromagnetic radiation sufficient to melt or sinter a powdered material of the substrate;
- a dynamically controllable, two dimensional mask for receiving the optical signal and controllably selecting portions of the optical signal passing therethrough such that a first selected portion of the optical signal passes through the mask, and a second selected portion of the optical signal also passes through the mask, the mask permitting one of the first and selected second portions to reach the powdered material, and the mask causing the other one of the first and second selected portions to be prevented from reaching the powdered material;
- and
- at least one processor which dynamically controls the mask.
A system for performing an Additive Manufacturing (AM) fabrication process on a powdered material forming a substrate, the system comprising:
- a diode array for generating a pulsed optical signal forming electromagnetic radiation sufficient in optical intensity to melt a powdered material of the substrate;
- a mask configured to pass first and second portions of the optical signal through the mask, but to selectively control polarizations of the first or second portions to permit one of the first or second portions to reach the powdered material, and thus to melt the powdered material, while preventing the other one of the first or second portions from reaching the powdered material;
- and
- a processor for determining which one or more pixels of the mask need to be controlled in a manner such that only the one of the first or second portions of the optical signal reach the powdered material.
A system for performing an Additive Manufacturing (AM) fabrication process on a powdered material forming a substrate, the system comprising:
- a diode array for generating a pulsed optical signal sufficient in optical intensity to melt a powdered material of the substrate;
- a mask including a liquid crystal module and a polarizer disposed downstream of the liquid crystal module, the mask being controllable to pass a first portion of the optical signal through the mask without causing any polarization rotation of the first portion, and to pass a second portion of the optical signal through the mask but to cause a predetermined degree of polarization rotation of the second portion;
- one of the first and second portions being used to melt the powdered material, and the other of the first and second portions not being used to melt the powdered material;
- and
- a processor for dynamically controlling the mask so that only select portions of the powdered material are melted by the optical signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.