System And Method For High Power Diode Based Additive Manufacturing

摘要

A system is disclosed for performing an Additive Manufacturing (AM) fabrication process on a powdered material forming a substrate. The system may make use of a diode array for generating an optical signal sufficient to melt a powdered material of the substrate. A mask may be used for preventing a first predetermined portion of the optical signal from reaching the substrate, while allowing a second predetermined portion to reach the substrate. At least one processor may be used for controlling an output of the diode array.

主权项

1. A method for performing Additive Manufacturing (AM) comprising:
irradiating a powdered layer of a substrate using a pulsed optical signal sufficient to irradiate at least a substantial portion of an entire two dimensional area within which the substrate is positioned; using a mask to selectively rotate and block portions of the pulsed optical signal from reaching the first layer of the substrate, wherein the mask absorbs substantially no optical energy from the optical signal as the optical signal passes therethrough; placing a second layer of powdered material over the first layer; and irradiating the second layer using the pulsed optical signal while using the mask to selectively block additional portions of the pulsed optical signal from reaching the second layer of the substrate.