Optical fiber modules for additive manufacturing systems
AssigneeVulcanForms Inc.
InventorsStephen C. Couitt, Manuel Joseph Leonardo, Michael von Dadelszen, Martin C. Feldmann, Jonathan Robert Silva
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for additive manufacturing are generally described. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing system may include at least one alignment fixture for accurately positioning one or more optical fibers. The alignment fixture may maintain a desired position and/or orientation of the fiber or endcap. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing system may include at least one stray light baffle coupled to the alignment fixture for reducing the amount of stray light within the optical system.
Claims20
An additive manufacturing system comprising:
- at least one laser energy source;
- an optics assembly configured to direct laser energy from the at least one laser energy source onto a build surface to form at least one laser energy spot on the build surface;
- a plurality of optical fibers optically coupling the at least one laser energy source with the optics assembly;
- at least one alignment fixture configured to align at least a portion of each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers in one or more predetermined directions;
- and
- a stray light baffle optically coupled to at least one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the at least one alignment fixture is coupled to the stray light baffle, and the stray light baffle is configured to redirect a stray light away from the plurality of optical fibers.
A method for additive manufacturing, comprising:
- transmitting laser energy with an optics assembly from at least one laser energy source along an axial dimension of at least one optical fiber of a plurality of optical fibers;
- aligning at least a portion of each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers in one or more predetermined directions with at least one alignment fixture coupled to the optics assembly;
- and
- redirecting stray light away from the plurality of optical fibers with a stray light baffle optically coupled to at least one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the at least one alignment fixture is coupled to the stray light baffle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.