Method and device for producing three-dimensional objects

Abstract

A method for producing three-dimensional objects from a powder material which is capable of solidification by irradiation with a high-energy beam is disclosed. The method comprises homogeneously pre-heating the powder material by scanning with the high-energy beam along predetermined paths over a pre-heating area so that consecutive paths are separated by a minimum security distance which is adapted to prevent undesirable summation effects in the pre-heating area, and then solidifying the powder material by fusing together the powder material. Apparatus for producing such three-dimensional objects is also disclosed.

1 . Apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects from a powder material capable of solidification by irradiation with a high-energy beam, said apparatus comprising scanning means for homogeneously pre-heating said powder material by scanning a predetermined pre-heating area including said powder material with said high-energy beam along a plurality of predetermined paths distributed over said predetermined pre-heating area in a manner such that consecutive paths of said plurality of predetermined paths are separated by at least a predetermined minimum security distance adapted to prevent undesirable summation effects in said predetermined heating area and fusing means for solidifying said powder material by fusing together said powder material. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said high energy beam comprises a high energy electron beam. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said scanning means includes rescanning means for rescanning said predetermined preheating area with said high energy beam. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said scanning means is adapted for scanning a first plurality of predetermined paths and for rescanning said predetermined preheating area along a second plurality of predetermined paths distributed over said predetermined preheating area in a manner such that consecutive paths of said second plurality of predetermined paths are separated by at least an interspacing distance which is less than said predetermined minimum security distance. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including power means for increasing the power of said high energy beam during said homogeneously preheating of said powder material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said power means is adapted to increase said power stepwise between consecutive scanning of said plurality of predetermined paths. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of predetermined paths comprises parallel paths. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of predetermined paths comprises a straight line. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects from a powder material capable of solidification by irradiation with a high-energy beam, said apparatus comprising scanning means for homogeneously pre-heating said powder material by scanning a predetermined pre-heating area including said powder material with said high-energy beam along a plurality of predetermined paths distributed over said predetermined pre-heating area in a manner such that consecutive paths of said plurality of predetermined paths are separated by at least a predetermined minimum security distance and a predetermined time period adapted to prevent undesirable charge summation effects in said predetermined heating area and fusing means for solidifying said powder material by fusing together said powder material.