Three dimensional objects comprising robust alloys
AssigneeVelo3D, Inc.
InventorsKimon SYMEONIDIS, Benyamin BULLER, Tasso LAPPAS
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, apparatuses, systems and software that effectuate formation of a robust 3D object comprising at least one metal alloy. The 3D object may be formed by 3D printing. The 3D object may comprise diminished defects (e.g., heat cracks). The alloy may be formed by diffusion. The diffusion may be a controlled diffusion. The control may comprise (e.g., real time) temperature control during the formation of the 3D object. The 3D object may comprise controlled crystal structure and/or metallurgical phases.
Claims20
A method for printing a three-dimensional object comprising:
- (a) irradiating at a first position a first portion of a powder bed comprising a first powder and a second powder that is different from the first powder, which first powder comprises a first material, and wherein the second powder comprises a second material, which irradiating is to a temperature that is sufficient to melt the first powder of the first portion, and does not melt the second powder of the first portion, wherein the second powder comprises a particle that includes the second material;
- (b) facilitating diffusion of the first material into the particle to form a requested alloy as at least a first segment of the three-dimensional object, which first material is of the first portion and which particle is of the first portion.
A system for printing a three-dimensional object comprising:
- an enclosure configured to accommodate a powder bed comprising a first powder and a second powder that is different from the first powder, which first powder comprises a first material, and which the second powder comprises a second material, wherein the second powder comprises a particle that includes the second material;
- an energy source configured to generate an energy beam that melts a portion of the powder bed, wherein the energy source is operatively coupled to the enclosure;
- at least one controller that is operatively coupled to the powder bed and to the energy beam and is separately or collectively configured to perform:
- operation (i) direct the energy beam to irradiate at a first position a first portion of a powder bed to a temperature that is sufficient to melt the first powder of the first portion, and does not melt the second powder of the first portion, wherein the second powder comprises a particle that includes the second material;
- and operation (ii) facilitate diffusion of the first material into the particle to form a requested alloy as at least a first segment of the three-dimensional object, which first material is of the first portion, and wherein the particle is of the first portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.