Apparatus and method for generative production of a component

• US 9,943,907 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2015
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG (MTU)
• Original Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG (MTU)
• Inventors: Hess, Thomas, Ladewig, Alexander, Liebl, Christian, Schlothauer, Steffen, Jakimov, Andreas, Schlick, Georg
• Primary Examiner(s): Jennison, Brian
• Application Number:
  US14/628,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20150246414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/20 Direct sintering or melting
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/30 Process control
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/85 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/43 pulsed; frequency modulated
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/90 Means for process control, e.g. cameras or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/153 using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/165 using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/393 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/00 Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/25 Process efficiency

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the generative production of a component includes a movably dispensing structure for the disposal of a starting material layer; a bonding device, such as a laser, for the local bonding of this starting material layer to a cross section of the component being produced; a platform for supporting the component being produced, which can be displaced counter to a direction of layer buildup in a motor-driven manner; a position sensing device for sensing a position or change in position, such as vibration, of the platform in the direction of layer buildup with the capability of sensing interference as to whether the movement of the dispensing structure is not free of interference on the basis of the sensed position or change in position.

Claims

1. A method for the generative production of a component, comprising the steps of:

disposal of a material layer by movement of a dispensing device;

local bonding of the material layer to a cross section of the component being produced; and

displacement of a platform supporting the component being produced counter to a direction of layer buildup;

sensing the position and change in position of the platform by scanning the position of the platform over time in the direction of layer build up;

determining whether the movement of the dispensing device is not free of interference with the component being produced based on the sensed position or change in position of the platform in the direction of layer buildup; and

triggering a response based on the determination of whether the movement of the dispensing device is not free of interference.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the position or change in position during the movement of the dispensing device is sensed.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the position or change in position is sensed at a scanning frequency of at least 0.5 kHz.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the position or change in position is sensed optically or electrically.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein any interference in the movement of the dispensing device is sensed when it is sensed that a parameter that depends on the sensed position or change in position, is outside of an admissible range that can be specified and/or determined empirically beforehand.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a response is triggered when any interference in the movement of the dispensing device is sensed, the response selected from the group consisting of an interruption or slowing of the movement of the platform, a displacement of the platform, and an emitting of an alarm signal.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the displacement of the platform counter to the direction of layer buildup is regulated and/or controlled, on the basis of the sensed position or change in position.

8. An apparatus for the generative production of a component, comprising:

a movable dispensing device configured for the disposal of a starting material layer;

a bonding device configured for the local bonding of this starting material layer to a cross section of the component being produced;

a platform configured for supporting the component being produced, which can be displaced counter to a direction of layer buildup;

a position sensing device configured for sensing a position and change in position of the platform by scanning the position of the platform over time in the direction of layer buildup; and

an interference sensing device configured for sensing whether the movement of the dispensing device is not free of interference with the component being produced on the basis of the sensed position or change in position of the platform, the interference sensing device configured and arranged to trigger a response based on the determination of whether the movement of the dispensing device is not free of interference.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the position sensing device is configured for sensing the change in position during the movement of the dispensing device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the position sensing device configured for sensing the position or change in position is configured with a scanning frequency of at least 0.5 kHz.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the position sensing device is configured for optical or electrical sensing of the position or change in position of the platform.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the interference sensing device is configured to sense an interference of the movement of the dispensing device when it is sensed that a parameter that depends on the sensed position or change in position, lying outside of an admissible range that can be specified and/or determined empirically beforehand.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the interference sensing device is configured to trigger a response of an interruption or slowing of movement, a displacement of the platform, and/or an emitting of an alarm signal when any interference in the movement of the dispensing device is sensed.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the position sensing device has a control device for regulating and/or controlling, the displacement of the platform counter to the direction of layer buildup on the basis of the sensed position or change in position.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bonding device is a laser.