Powder feed nozzle for laser welding

• US 6,696,664 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2002
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Pyritz, Clarence L., Arcella, Frank G., House, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elve, M. Alexandra
• Application Number:
  US10/113,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20020166846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 219/121.64, 219/121.66, 219/121.85, 219/121.65, 219/121.82, 219/121.84
• US Class Current: 219/121.64
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/144 the fluid stream containing particles, e.g. powder

Abstract

A powder feed nozzle for laser welding applications including a multiple outlet nozzle tip for focusing a discharged powder stream. The multiple outlet nozzle tip disperses multiple outlet streams and includes a powder discharge outlet and at least one focus gas discharge outlet, radially spaced from the powder discharge outlet, for dispersing a powder stream and a gas stream. Powder flows from a powder source through a powder channel to discharge a powder stream. Focus gas flows through a focus gas channel angled relative to the powder channel to discharge a focus gas stream.

Claims

1. A method of fabricating an article of manufacture comprising the step of:

focusing a laser beam on a workpiece to form a molten puddle;

supplying powder through a powder feed channel to a powder discharge outlet to discharge a powder stream to the molten puddle on the workpiece;

focusing the powder stream by supplying a focus gas through a focus gas channel angled relative to the powder feed channel to discharge a focus gas stream from a focus gas discharge outlet radially spaced from the powder discharge outlet to control dispersion of the powder.

2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of:

supplying multiple powder layers to the workpiece to form the article of manufacture.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the powder is a titanium powder.

4. The method of claim 1 and further comprising the steps of:

moving the workpiece relative to the laser beam and powder stream to form the article of manufacture.

5. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:

discharging a plurality of focus gas streams from a plurality of focus gas outlets radially spaced about the powder discharge outlet.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of supplying the powder comprises:

providing a gas assist to supply powder through the powder feed channel to discharge the powder stream to the molten puddle on the workpiece.

7. The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of:

supplying a coolant to a tip portion of a nozzle having the powder feed channel and the focus gas channel formed therein.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the powder feed channel and the focus gas channel are formed along a nozzle tip and comprising the step of:

removably coupling the nozzle tip to a nozzle base to discharge the powder stream and the focus gas stream.

9. An article of manufacture formed using the steps of claim 1.