Additive manufacturing systems and related methods utilizing risley prism beam steering
AssigneeVulcanForms Inc.
InventorMartin C. Feldmann
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Abstract
Additive manufacturing systems and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing system includes a build surface, one or more laser energy sources configured to emit laser energy, an optical phased array operatively coupled to the one or more laser energy sources, and a Risley prism assembly comprising a plurality of wedge prisms. The optical phased array includes one or more phase shifters operatively coupled to the one or more laser energy sources and configured to control a phase of the laser energy. The optical phased array is configured to direct the laser energy towards the Risley prism assembly, and the Risley prism assembly is configured to direct the laser energy towards the build surface.
Claims20
An additive manufacturing system comprising:
- a build surface;
- one or more laser energy sources configured to emit laser energy;
- an optical phased array operatively coupled to the one or more laser energy sources, the optical phased array comprising one or more phase shifters operatively coupled to the one or more laser energy sources and configured to control a phase of the laser energy;
- and
- a Risley prism assembly comprising a plurality of wedge prisms,
- wherein the optical phased array is configured to direct the laser energy towards the Risley prism assembly,
- wherein the Risley prism assembly is configured to direct the laser energy towards the build surface.
An additive manufacturing system comprising:
- a build surface;
- one or more laser energy sources configured to emit laser energy;
- an optical phased array operatively coupled to the one or more laser energy sources, the optical phased array configured to control a shape of at least one laser beam directed onto a build surface;
- and
- a Risley prism assembly configured to control a position of the at least one laser beam on the build surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.