Method and arrangement for producing a workpiece by using additive manufacturing techniques
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of producing a workpiece by using additive manufacturing techniques, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a CAD data set representing the workpiece in a plurality of layers, the CAD data set comprising a plurality of predefined layer definitions corresponding to the plurality of layers,providing a build platform,providing a layer tool moveable relative to the build platform and configured for at least one of generating and solidifying a material layer on the build platform,producing a defined material layer of the workpiece on the build platform by controlling the layer tool in accordance with a defined layer definition from the plurality of layer definitions,measuring the defined material layer of the workpiece using a measuring head in order to determine individual characteristics of the defined material layer during the production process, andproducing further material layers of the workpiece on the defined layer by controlling the layer tool in accordance with further layer definitions,wherein the further layer definitions are generated by modifying at least one of the plurality of predefined layer definitions corresponding to the further material layers during the production process using information from the determined individual characteristics of the defined material layer,wherein the step of producing a material layer comprises heating a process material provided in a powder bed up to a defined process temperature that is higher than an ambient temperature, andwherein the step of measuring is carried out on the basis of the powder bed before the process material is heated up to the defined process temperature.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and an arrangement for producing a workpiece using additive manufacturing techniques involve in-process measurement in order to determine individual characteristics of one or more workpiece layers. In particular, dimensional and/or geometrical characteristics of a workpiece layer are measured before the next workpiece layer is produced. Advantageously, the measurement results are fed back into the production process in order to increase accuracy and precision of the production process.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method of producing a workpiece by using additive manufacturing techniques, the method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a CAD data set representing the workpiece in a plurality of layers, the CAD data set comprising a plurality of predefined layer definitions corresponding to the plurality of layers, providing a build platform, providing a layer tool moveable relative to the build platform and configured for at least one of generating and solidifying a material layer on the build platform, producing a defined material layer of the workpiece on the build platform by controlling the layer tool in accordance with a defined layer definition from the plurality of layer definitions, measuring the defined material layer of the workpiece using a measuring head in order to determine individual characteristics of the defined material layer during the production process, and producing further material layers of the workpiece on the defined layer by controlling the layer tool in accordance with further layer definitions, wherein the further layer definitions are generated by modifying at least one of the plurality of predefined layer definitions corresponding to the further material layers during the production process using information from the determined individual characteristics of the defined material layer, wherein the step of producing a material layer comprises heating a process material provided in a powder bed up to a defined process temperature that is higher than an ambient temperature, and wherein the step of measuring is carried out on the basis of the powder bed before the process material is heated up to the defined process temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19)
-
-
14. A method of producing a workpiece by using additive manufacturing techniques, the method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a CAD data set representing the workpiece in a plurality of layers, the CAD data set comprising a plurality of predefined layer definitions corresponding to the plurality of layers, providing a build platform, providing a layer tool moveable relative to the build platform and configured for at least one of generating and solidifying a material layer on the build platform, providing a measuring head moveable relative to the build platform, producing a defined material layer of the workpiece on the build platform by controlling the layer tool in accordance with a defined layer definition from the plurality of layer definitions, measuring the defined material layer of the workpiece using the measuring head in order to determine individual characteristics of the defined material layer, and producing further material layers of the workpiece on the defined layer by controlling the layer tool in accordance with further layer definitions, wherein the further layer definitions are generated from the plurality of layer definitions in accordance with the determined individual characteristics of the defined material layer, wherein the step of producing a material layer comprises heating a process material provided in a powder bed up to a defined process temperature that is higher than an ambient temperature, and wherein the step of measuring is carried out on the basis of the powder bed before the process material is heated up to the defined process temperature. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of producing a workpiece by using additive manufacturing techniques, the method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a CAD data set representing the workpiece in a plurality of layers, the CAD data set comprising a plurality of predefined layer definitions corresponding to the plurality of layers, providing a build platform, providing a layer tool moveable relative to the build platform and configured for at least one of generating and solidifying a material layer on the build platform, producing a defined material layer of the workpiece on the build platform by controlling the layer tool in accordance with a defined layer definition from the plurality of layer definitions, measuring the defined material layer of the workpiece using a measuring head in order to determine individual characteristics of the defined material layer during the production process, and producing further material layers of the workpiece on the defined layer by controlling the layer tool in accordance with further layer definitions, wherein the further layer definitions are generated by modifying at least one of the plurality of predefined layer definitions corresponding to the further material layers during the production process using information from the determined individual characteristics of the defined material layer, and wherein the build platform comprises a distinct datum feature defining a reference point for the measuring head.
-
Specification