Selective laser solidification apparatus and method

US10493562B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• RENISHAW PLC · GB

Inventors

• Marc Dimter · Kornwestheim, DE
• Ralph Mayer · Kornwestheim, DE
• Thomas Hess · Frankfurt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 13, 2014
• Grant date: Dec 3, 2019
• Expiry date: Feb 15, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P10/25
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Selective laser solidification apparatus is described that includes a powder bed onto which a powder layer can be deposited and a gas flow unit for passing a flow of gas over the powder bed along a predefined gas flow direction. A laser scanning unit is provided for scanning a laser beam over the powder layer to selectively solidify at least part of the powder layer to form a required pattern. The required pattern is formed from a plurality of stripes or stripe segments that are formed by advancing the laser beam along the stripe or stripe segment in a stripe formation direction. The stripe formation direction is arranged so that it always at least partially opposes the predefined gas flow direction. A corresponding method is also described.