Back to results
US 6,429,402 B1Granted
Controlled laser production of elongated articles from particulates
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsRaymond D. Dixon, Gary K. Lewis, John O. Milewski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
It has been discovered that wires and small diameter rods can be produced using laser deposition technology in a novel way. An elongated article such as a wire or rod is constructed by melting and depositing particulate material into a deposition zone which has been designed to yield the desired article shape and dimensions. The article is withdrawn from the deposition zone as it is formed, thus enabling formation of the article in a continuous process. Alternatively, the deposition zone is moved along any of numerous deposition paths away from the article being formed.
Claims34
A method of forming a wire from materials in particulate form, said method comprising:
- (a) defining the shape and dimensions of a wire;
- (b) creating control commands effective to form said wire by deposition of molten material along a deposition path in a single axis;
- (c) focusing a laser beam at a location within a deposition zone;
- (d) providing particulate material to said deposition zone;
- (e) forming a pool of molten material in said deposition zone by melting a portion of an article support and said particulate material by means of energy provided by said laser beam;
- (f) depositing molten material from said deposition zone on said article support at points along a first portion of said deposition path by moving said deposition zone along said deposition path, where said molten material solidifies after leaving said deposition zone, in order to form a portion of said wire which is adjacent to said article support;
- (g) forming a pool of molten material in said deposition zone by melting a portion of said partially formed wire and said particulate material by means of energy provided by said laser beam;
- (h) depositing molten material from said deposition zone at points along a second portion of said deposition path by moving said deposition zone along said deposition path, where said molten material solidifies after leaving said deposition zone, in order to continue formation of said wire;
- and
- (i) controlling flow of particulate material into said deposition zone, energy density of said laser beam, speed of withdrawal of said deposition zone from wire being formed, and focal position of said laser beam by means of said control commands as deposition takes place.
7 more elements
A method of forming a wire from materials in particulate form, said method comprising:
- (a) defining the shape and dimensions of a wire;
- (b) creating control commands effective to form said wire by deposition of molten material along a deposition path in a single axis;
- (c) focusing a laser beam at a location within said deposition zone;
- (d) providing particulate material to said deposition zone;
- (e) forming a pool of molten material in said deposition zone by melting a portion of an article support and said particulate material by means of energy provided by said laser beam;
- (f) depositing molten material from said deposition zone on said article support at points along a first portion of said deposition path by moving said article support away from said deposition zone as said molten material solidifies after leaving said deposition zone, in order to form a portion of said wire which is adjacent to said article support;
- (g) forming a pool of molten material in said deposition zone by melting a portion of said partially formed wire and said particulate material by means of energy provided by said laser beam;
- (h) depositing molten material from said deposition zone at points along a second portion of said deposition path by moving said partially formed wire away from said deposition zone in accordance with said deposition path as said molten material solidifies after leaving said deposition zone, in order to continue formation of said wire;
- and
- (i) controlling flow of particulate material into said deposition zone, and energy density of said laser beam, focal position of said laser beam, and speed of withdrawal of said wire being formed from said deposition zone by means of said control commands as deposition takes place.
7 more elements
An apparatus for forming a wire from materials in particulate form, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a means for defining the shape and dimensions of a wire, said means being capable of creating control commands effective to form a wire by depositions of molten material along a deposition path in a single axis;
- (b) a feed mechanism for introducing particulate material into a deposition zone;
- (c) a laser positioned to focus a laser beam into said particulate material in said deposition zone;
- (d) a supporting and drawing device for moving said wire away from said deposition zone;
- and
- (e) a controller for controlling flow of said particulate material, energy density of said laser beam, focal position of said laser beam, and speed of withdrawal of wire being formed from said deposition zone by using said control commands.
3 more elements
An apparatus for forming an wire from materials in particulate form, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a means for defining the shape and dimensions of a wire, said means being capable of creating control commands effective to form a wire by depositions of molten material along a deposition path in a single axis;
- (b) a feed mechanism for introducing particulate material into a deposition zone;
- (c) a laser positioned to focus a laser beam into said particulate material in said deposition zone;
- (d) a supporting device for holding said wire in said deposition zone;
- (e) a means for moving said deposition zone along said deposition path away from said wire;
- (f) a controller for controlling flow of said particulate material, energy density of said laser beam, focal position of said laser beam, and speed of withdrawal of said deposition zone from wire being formed by using said control commands.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.