Method and planning device for planning local selective irradiation of a work region using an energy beam, and method and manufacturing device for additively manufacturing a component from a powder material

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for planning a locally selective irradiation of a work region (15) using at least one energy beam (11), in order to produce, layer-by-layer and by means of the at least one energy beam (11), at least one component (3) from a plurality of powder material layers of a powder material (5) that are temporally successively arranged in a layer sequence in the work region (15), wherein - irradiation of a plurality of irradiation regions (21) on the work region (15) using the at least one energy beam (11) is planned, wherein - a respectively assigned parameter value of at least one irradiation parameter is chosen for the irradiation regions (21) of the plurality of irradiation regions (21), wherein - the assigned parameter value is chosen on the basis of an assignment of the respective irradiation region (21) to one sub-region (23) of at least two sub-regions (23) of the work region (15), wherein in particular - an irradiation plan for the locally selective irradiation of the work region (15) using the at least one energy beam (11) in the at least one powder material layer is obtained.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Method and planning device for planning a locally selective irradiation of a work area with an energy beam, as well as method and manufacturing device for the additive manufacturing of a component from a powder material

[0003] The invention relates to a method and a planning device for planning a locally selective irradiation of a work area with an energy beam, as well as a method and a manufacturing device for the additive manufacturing of a component from a powder material.

[0004] During the production of components by locally selective irradiation of a work area with an energy beam, various disturbances can result in different component properties depending on the location of the irradiation within the work area, even with otherwise identical irradiation parameters. Examples of such disturbances include locally different conditions resulting from a symmetry-breaking gas flow or inhomogeneities in the gas flow over the work area, or from locally different angles of incidence of the energy beam. This, in turn, can result in inhomogeneities within a component or different properties of different components manufactured simultaneously at different locations within the work area. Both are undesirable because they lead to a lack of reproducibility of the process and / or reduced component quality.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method and a planning device for planning a locally selective irradiation of a work area with an energy beam as well as a method and a manufacturing device for the additive manufacturing of a component from a powder material, wherein the aforementioned disadvantages are at least reduced, preferably do not occur.

[0006] The object is achieved by providing the present technical teaching, in particular the teaching of the independent claims as well as the embodiments disclosed in the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] The object is achieved in particular by providing a method - hereinafter also referred to as a planning method - for planning a locally selective irradiation of a work area with at least one energy beam in order to produce at least one component layer by layer from a plurality of powder material layers arranged in a layer sequence in the work area in chronological succession, wherein an irradiation of a plurality of irradiation areas on the work area with the at least one energy beam is planned, wherein for the irradiation areas, in particular for each irradiation area, a respective assigned parameter value of at least one irradiation parameter is selected,The assigned parameter value is selected depending on the assignment of the respective irradiation area to a sub-area of ​​at least two sub-areas of the work area. By assigning the respective irradiation area to a sub-area of ​​the work area and selecting the respective assigned parameter value depending on this assignment, it is advantageously possible to take into account location dependencies in the manufacturing conditions in the work area during irradiation and thus, in particular, to compensate for different local conditions or to homogenize production at different locations in the work area. This advantageously at least reduces, and preferably prevents, variations in component properties occurring locally across the work area, thereby increasing the reproducibility of manufacturing and the quality of the components.

[0008] In particular, an irradiation plan for the locally selective irradiation of the working area with the at least one energy beam in the at least one powder material layer is obtained - in particular as a result or product of the planning process.

[0009] In the context of the present technical teaching, an irradiation area is understood in particular to mean an area that is irradiated with an energy beam completely, in particular systematically, in particular with a defined displacement direction of the energy beam. Such an irradiation area comprises, in particular, at least two irradiation vectors that are irradiated with the energy beam directly one after the other, i.e., are processed by the energy beam. In particular, such an irradiation area can be designed as a strip of irradiation vectors aligned parallel to one another and arranged side by side perpendicular to their alignment.

[0010] An irradiation vector is understood to mean, in particular, a continuous, particularly linear displacement of the energy beam over a specific distance with a specific displacement direction. The irradiation vector includes, in particular, the direction and orientation of the displacement, i.e., the vector orientation. The irradiation vector does not have to be a straight line; rather, an irradiation vector can also follow a line or curve that is at least partially curved.

[0011] In the context of the present technical teaching, irradiation or processing of an irradiation vector is understood in particular to mean that irradiation of the powder material in the working area is carried out in accordance with the definition given by the irradiation vector.

[0012] In particular, the respective parameter value of the at least one irradiation parameter is assigned to the respective associated irradiation zone. In particular, within the scope of the planning process, at least one identical irradiation parameter is used for a plurality of different irradiation zones, whereby different parameter values ​​of the irradiation parameter are assigned to the different irradiation zones depending on the assignment to a respective sub-zone of the working area.

[0013] In particular, the assigned parameter value is selected depending on a geometric assignment of the respective irradiation area to the respective sub-area, in particular depending on a geometric position of the irradiation area relative to the sub-area.

[0014] In one embodiment, different parameter values ​​of the at least one irradiation parameter are assigned to each of the sub-areas. In another embodiment, the same parameter value is assigned to a first group of sub-areas, while at least one further sub-area or at least one second group of sub-areas is assigned a different parameter value. In particular, the parameter value assigned to the sub-area to which the irradiation area is assigned is assigned to an irradiation area.

[0015] In particular, for a plurality of powder material layers, in particular for all powder material layers, irradiation of a plurality of irradiation regions on the working area with the at least one energy beam is planned, wherein a respective assigned parameter value of at least one irradiation parameter is selected for the irradiation regions of the plurality of irradiation regions of the respective powder material layer, wherein the assigned parameter value is selected depending on the assignment of the respective irradiation region to a sub-region of at least two sub-regions of the working area. In particular, this procedure is carried out for all powder material layers of the plurality of powder material layers. In particular, an irradiation plan is thus obtained for all powder material layers. In particular, the method is carried out iteratively - powder material layer by powder material layer.

[0016] Additive or generative manufacturing or production of a component is understood to mean, in particular, a layer-by-layer build-up of a component from powder material, in particular a powder bed-based method for producing a component in a powder bed, in particular a manufacturing method selected from a group consisting of selective laser sintering, laser metal fusion (LMF), direct metal laser melting (DMLM), laser net shaping manufacturing (LNSM), selective electron beam melting (SEBM), and laser engineered net shaping (LENS). The manufacturing device is accordingly configured, in particular, to carry out at least one of the aforementioned additive or generative manufacturing methods.

[0017] The energy beam is selected, in particular, from a group consisting of an electromagnetic beam, in particular an optical working beam, in particular a laser beam, and a particle beam, in particular an electron beam. The energy beam can be continuous or pulsed, in particular continuous laser radiation or pulsed laser radiation. In an embodiment with a plurality of energy beams, in one specific configuration, all energy beams are laser beams.

[0018] In particular, within the scope of the planning method, a locally selective irradiation of a work area with a plurality of energy beams can be planned in order to produce one component or several components layer by layer from a plurality of powder material layers arranged sequentially in a layer sequence in the work area using the plurality of energy beams. In one embodiment, it is possible for all energy beams to be displaced across the entire work area. However, it is also possible for certain energy beams of the plurality of energy beams to be assigned specific partial displacement areas in the work area within which they can be displaced, whereby these energy beams cannot be displaced, in particular in other partial displacement areas.In particular, with larger manufacturing devices or larger work areas, it is possible that certain energy beams cannot reach certain partial displacement areas of the work area due to the design.

[0019] If a plurality of energy beams is used, it is possible to define separate sub-regions in the working area at least for a subset of the energy beams that is smaller than the total number of energy beams, but in particular for all energy beams, wherein the choice of the respective parameter values ​​is made depending on the assignment of an irradiation area assigned to a specific energy beam to a sub-region of the working area assigned to the same energy beam. Alternatively, however, when using a plurality of energy beams, it is also possible for the sub-regions in the working area to be defined uniformly at least for a subset of the energy beams, but in particular for all energy beams, so that the assignment of a sub-region to a specific energy beam is not important in this respect.

[0020] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the at least one irradiation parameter is selected from a group consisting of: an irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area, a position of the irradiation area in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas, a vector direction of the irradiation vectors, a vector orientation of the irradiation vectors, a sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors, in particular within the irradiation area, a distance between immediately adjacent irradiation vectors of the irradiation area, a beam power of the at least one energy beam, a shape of the energy beam on the working area, a size of the energy beam on the working area, a displacement speed of the at least one energy beam on the working area,a flow velocity of a shielding gas flow over the work area, a flow direction of the shielding gas flow, a position of the irradiation area within the work area, and a combination of at least two of the aforementioned irradiation parameters. These irradiation parameters are particularly suitable for compensating for local differences in the irradiation conditions within the work area by varying the parameter values.

[0021] In the context of the present technical teaching, an irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area is understood in particular to mean a vector processing sequence of the irradiation vectors, i.e., a sequence in which the irradiation vectors are processed sequentially in time. In particular, the irradiation sequence is a vector processing sequence along a processing direction determined for the irradiation area. A processing direction is understood in particular to be the direction along which the irradiation vectors, in particular those arranged parallel to one another, are processed sequentially in time.

[0022] In the context of the present technical teaching, a position of the irradiation area in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas is understood in particular to mean the position or rank within the processing sequence of the irradiation area in question. A processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas is understood to mean a chronological order in which the various irradiation areas are processed sequentially.

[0023] In the context of the present technical teaching, a vector direction of an irradiation vector is understood to mean, in particular, a direction of the irradiation vector within the working area. The direction can be specified, for example, in the form of an angle formed by the irradiation vector with a reference axis or preferred direction defined within the working area.

[0024] In contrast, in the context of the present technical teaching, a vector orientation of an irradiation vector is understood in particular to mean how the irradiation vector is oriented within the working area, i.e., how a starting point and an end point of the energy beam's displacement are arranged along the irradiation vector, or—in other words—the direction in which the vector arrow of the irradiation vector points. In particular, two different vector orientations result for a specific vector direction of an irradiation vector. The vector orientation of the irradiation vector is thus fully specified by specifying the vector direction on the one hand and the vector orientation on the other.

[0025] In the context of the present technical teaching, a sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors is understood in particular to mean how the vector orientations of the irradiation vectors of an irradiation region, arranged parallel to one another along the processing direction, are aligned with one another. In particular, the adjacent irradiation vectors can be aligned in the same direction or alternately. If the irradiation vectors are aligned alternately, they can be aligned individually, i.e., exactly alternating, or within vector groups, in the same direction and alternating in groups.

[0026] A distance between immediately adjacent irradiation vectors is understood, in particular, to be a minimum geometric distance between two immediately adjacent irradiation vectors of an irradiation area, which is measured, in particular, perpendicular to the vector direction of at least one of the irradiation vectors, in particular perpendicular to the vector direction of both irradiation vectors oriented parallel to each other. The distance can be identical for all pairs of immediately adjacent irradiation vectors within the irradiation area, or it can vary within the irradiation area.

[0027] In the context of the present technical teaching, a shape of the energy beam on the work area is understood in particular to mean the shape of a projection of the energy beam onto the work area, i.e., in particular, a cross-sectional shape of the energy beam that results on the work area. A boundary line or border of the shape is defined, in particular, at a predetermined percentage of the peak power of the energy beam. In particular, the shape of the energy beam on the work area—especially in the case of non-rotationally symmetric shapes—includes a direction and preferably also an orientation of the shape.

[0028] In the context of the present technical teaching, a size of the energy beam on the working area is understood to mean in particular a measure of the extent of the shape of the energy beam, for example a diameter or the like.

[0029] In the context of the present technical teaching, a position of the irradiation area on the work area is understood to mean, in particular, a geometric position of the irradiation area, optionally also of a plurality of irradiation areas or even of all irradiation areas of a specific component or an island of a component, on the work area. In particular, the position of the irradiation area—particularly in the case of non-rotationally symmetric irradiation areas—includes a direction and preferably also an orientation of the irradiation area. In particular, in one embodiment, the irradiation parameter used is the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area. Alternatively or additionally, the position of the irradiation area in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas is used as the irradiation parameter.Alternatively or additionally, the vector direction and / or the vector orientation of the irradiation vectors is used as the irradiation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors is used as the irradiation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the position of the irradiation area on the work area, in particular its direction and / or orientation, is used as the irradiation parameter.

[0030] In particular, in one embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation region is used as the sole irradiation parameter, the parameter value of which is selected depending on the assigned sub-region. In particular, in this embodiment, all other irradiation parameters that may also be used are defined independently of the assignment of a specific sub-region.

[0031] In particular, in another embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area and the vector direction of the irradiation vectors are used as the at least one irradiation parameter—in particular exclusively. In one embodiment, the sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors is additionally used as the irradiation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the position of the irradiation area on the work area, in particular its direction and / or orientation, is used as the irradiation parameter.

[0032] In particular, in yet another embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation region and the vector orientation of the irradiation vectors are used as the at least one irradiation parameter—in particular exclusively. In one embodiment, the sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors is additionally used as the irradiation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the position of the irradiation region on the work area, in particular its direction and / or orientation, is used as the irradiation parameter. In another embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation region, the vector direction, and the vector orientation of the irradiation vectors are used as the at least one irradiation parameter—in particular exclusively.In one embodiment, the sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors is additionally used as the irradiation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the position of the irradiation area on the work area, in particular its direction and / or orientation, is used as the irradiation parameter.

[0033] In another embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area, the position of the irradiation area in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas, and the vector direction of the irradiation vectors are used as the at least one irradiation parameter—in particular exclusively. In one embodiment, the sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors is additionally used as the irradiation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the position of the irradiation area on the work area, in particular its direction and / or orientation, is used as the irradiation parameter.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area, the position of the irradiation area in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas, and the vector orientation of the irradiation vectors are used as the at least one irradiation parameter—in particular exclusively. In one embodiment, the sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors is additionally used as the irradiation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the position of the irradiation area on the work area, in particular its direction and / or orientation, is used as the irradiation parameter.

[0035] In another embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area, the position of the irradiation area in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas, the vector direction of the irradiation vectors, and the vector orientation of the irradiation vectors are used as the at least one irradiation parameter—in particular exclusively. In one embodiment, the sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors is additionally used as the irradiation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the position of the irradiation area on the work area, in particular its direction and / or orientation, is used as the irradiation parameter.

[0036] In another embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area, the position of the irradiation area in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas, the vector direction of the irradiation vectors, the vector orientation of the irradiation vectors, and the sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors are used as the at least one irradiation parameter—in particular exclusively. In one embodiment, the position of the irradiation area on the work area, in particular its direction and / or orientation, is additionally used as the irradiation parameter.

[0037] In another embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area, the position of the irradiation area in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas, the vector direction of the irradiation vectors, the vector orientation of the irradiation vectors, the sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors and the position of the irradiation area on the work area, in particular its direction and / or orientation, are used as the at least one irradiation parameter - in particular exclusively.

[0038] According to a further development of the invention, fields selected from a group consisting of sectors, sector segments, circular segments, circular rings, rectangular fields, free-form fields, and a combination of at least two of the aforementioned fields are used as the at least two partial areas in the work area. The fields mentioned here are particularly suitable for advantageously taking into account locally different irradiation conditions in the work area as partial areas within the planning process.

[0039] In the context of the present technical teaching, a sector is understood to mean, in particular, a circular sector. A circular segment is understood to mean, in particular, a circular segment. A sector segment is understood to mean, optionally, an intersection of a circular sector and a circular segment, or an intersection of a circular sector and an annulus.

[0040] In one embodiment, sectors are used as the at least two subregions. Alternatively or additionally, sector sections are used as the at least two subregions. Alternatively or additionally, circular sections are used as the at least two subregions. Alternatively or additionally, circular rings are used as the at least two subregions.

[0041] In one embodiment, sectors and circular segments, in particular in the form of intersections of these fields, are used as the at least two partial areas.

[0042] In another embodiment, sectors and circular rings, in particular in the form of intersections of these fields, are used as the at least two partial areas.

[0043] In particular, the at least two subregions can be designed as square fields, in particular arranged in the form of chess pieces. In another embodiment, an arrangement of the subregions in the form of pie slices is conceivable, in particular when sectors are used as the subregions. An arrangement of the subregions as fields resulting from a—in particular multiple—division of a circular work area by at least one straight line, in particular by lines offset parallel to one another, is also conceivable. In particular, straight lines that are partially parallel to one another and partially perpendicular to one another can also be used.

[0044] In particular, in one embodiment, the irradiation parameter used is the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area, and sectors or rectangular fields are used as the at least two sub-areas.

[0045] In another embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation region is used as the irradiation parameter, and circular segments are used as the at least two partial regions.

[0046] In another embodiment, the irradiation parameter used is the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area, and sectors and circular segments, in particular in the form of intersections of these fields, are used as the at least two partial areas.

[0047] In another embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area is used as the irradiation parameter, and sectors and circular rings, in particular in the form of intersections of these fields, are used as the at least two partial areas.

[0048] According to a further development of the invention, at least one—in particular imaginary—dividing line, which delimits the at least two sub-areas from one another in the working area, is or will be defined on the working area in such a way that it runs adjacent to at least one energy beam center. Advantageously, the at least one dividing line can be defined or will be defined with reference to at least one energy beam center, which results in particular in connection with the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within an irradiation area relative to such an energy beam center.In particular, it has been found that better component properties result when the irradiation sequence of the irradiation vectors is directed away from the assigned energy beam center, i.e., irradiation vectors located closer to the energy beam center are processed before irradiation vectors located farther from the energy beam center. A similar relationship was also found for the vector orientation of the irradiation vectors, with better component properties resulting for irradiation vectors oriented toward the assigned energy beam center than for irradiation vectors oriented away from the energy beam center.

[0049] The fact that an energy beam center is assigned to an irradiation vector or irradiation area is understood in particular to mean that the energy beam center is assigned to the energy beam with which the irradiation vector or irradiation area is irradiated.

[0050] In the context of the present technical teaching, an energy beam center is understood in particular to be a location on the work area that results as the base point of a scanner device for displacing an energy beam, in particular by dropping a perpendicular to the work area from an origin of the energy beam on the scanner device. In one embodiment, it is provided that the at least one dividing line is defined in the planning method. In this case, the planning method includes defining the at least one dividing line as a method step. In another embodiment, the at least one dividing line is predetermined from the perspective of the planning method, wherein it can be stored in a suitable form or, in particular, can be obtained from an external computing device or upstream routine.It is also possible for a user to manually define at least one dividing line, particularly via a user interface.

[0051] In particular, the at least one dividing line is or will be defined on the working area such that it runs at a predetermined distance from the energy beam center. The predetermined distance is, in particular, a minimum distance from the energy beam center to the dividing line, which is, in particular, measured locally perpendicular to the dividing line.

[0052] Alternatively or in addition to the course of the at least one dividing line which is adjacent to the at least one energy beam center, one embodiment provides that the at least one dividing line is or will be fixed on the working area in such a way that it runs through the at least one energy beam center.

[0053] Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, it is provided in one embodiment that the at least one dividing line is or will be fixed on the working area in such a way that it runs through a center of gravity of a plurality of energy beam centers.

[0054] In the context of this technical teaching, a center of gravity is generally understood to mean a geometric center of gravity, i.e., a point obtained by averaging all relevant points, specifically all energy beam centers in this case. In a symmetrical arrangement of points, the center of gravity is the center of this arrangement.

[0055] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the at least one dividing line which delimits the at least two partial regions on the work area from one another is or will be fixed on the work area in such a way that it runs transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a flow direction of a protective gas flow over the work area. In this way, it is advantageously possible to additionally take into account the influence of the protective gas flow on the irradiation conditions. In particular, one embodiment provides that the at least one dividing line is or will be fixed on the work area in such a way that it runs adjacent to at least one energy beam center, or through the at least one energy beam center, or through a center of gravity of a plurality of energy beam centers, and that it additionally runs transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the flow direction of the protective gas flow over the work area.

[0056] In one embodiment, it is further additionally provided that the at least one irradiation parameter is selected from a group consisting of: an irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation region, a position of the irradiation region in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation regions, a vector direction of the irradiation vectors, a vector orientation of the irradiation vectors, and a combination of at least two of the said irradiation parameters.In particular, in this way, the choice of the irradiation parameter can be made depending on the assignment to the respective sub-area in such a way that the direction of displacement of the energy beam - be it with regard to the sequence of the irradiation vectors, with regard to the displacement along the individual irradiation vectors, or with regard to the processing of the various irradiation areas one after the other - is suitably aligned both with regard to the at least one energy beam center and relative to the flow direction for the highest possible reproducibility and the highest possible component quality.

[0057] This is particularly the case if the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area is advantageously used as the at least one irradiation parameter: If the at least one dividing line is defined in such a way that it runs adjacent to the at least one energy beam center, or through the at least one energy beam center, or through a center of gravity of a plurality of energy beam centers, and that it additionally runs transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the flow direction of the shielding gas flow over the working area, the working area is in any case divided into at least two sub-areas, of which a first sub-area, starting from the dividing line, is arranged against the shielding gas flow closer to the source of the shielding gas flow, that is to say upstream of the shielding gas flow,wherein a second sub-region, starting from the dividing line, is arranged further away from the source of the shielding gas flow, i.e., downstream of the shielding gas flow. The irradiation sequence of the irradiation vectors is now selected, for at least one first irradiation region assigned to the first sub-region, in particular, such that it is oriented counter to the shielding gas flow, so that those irradiation vectors that are arranged closer to the dividing line and further away from the source of the shielding gas flow are irradiated before those irradiation vectors that are arranged further from the dividing line and closer to the source of the shielding gas flow. Thus, in the first irradiation region, the irradiation sequence is simultaneously oriented away from the at least one energy beam center, i.e., those irradiation vectors that are arranged closer to the at least one energy beam center,are irradiated before those irradiation vectors that are located further away from the at least one energy beam center. For at least one second irradiation region assigned to the second subregion, the irradiation sequence is selected to be aligned with the shielding gas flow, so that those irradiation vectors that are located closer to the dividing line and closer to the source of the shielding gas flow are irradiated before those irradiation vectors that are located further from the dividing line and further from the source of the shielding gas flow. Thus, the irradiation sequence is also aligned away from the at least one energy beam center in the second irradiation region.

[0058] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the at least two sub-areas are defined before planning the irradiation of the plurality of irradiation areas on the work area. In this case, the definition of the at least two sub-areas is advantageously part of the planning method, as a step preceding the planning of the irradiation. Within the planning method, there is complete control over the design of the irradiation, including the definition of the sub-areas. These can be defined, in particular, automatically by a planning device, in particular the planning device according to the invention described below or a planning device according to one or more of the embodiments described below, or by a user, in particular via a human-machine interface.

[0059] In one embodiment, it is provided that the at least two sub-areas are defined on the work area by defining at least one dividing line on the work area, which delimits the at least two sub-areas of the at least two sub-areas from one another. By defining the at least one dividing line, the at least two sub-areas are advantageously defined in a simple manner at the same time. The at least one dividing line can be defined in particular automatically by the planning device, in particular the planning device according to the invention described below or a planning device according to one or more of the embodiments described below, or by a user, in particular via a human-machine interface.

[0060] According to a further development of the invention, the at least one dividing line used is a line selected from a group consisting of: a radius line, a diameter line, a circular line centered on a center point or - in particular geometric - center of gravity of the work area, a secant, a chord, a parallel line to a boundary edge of the work area, and a combination of at least two of the aforementioned lines. Such dividing lines are particularly advantageously suitable for defining the at least two sub-areas as fields on the work area, which are selected from the group consisting of: sectors, sector sections, circular sections, circular rings, rectangular fields, free-form fields, and a combination of at least two of the aforementioned fields.

[0061] According to a further development of the invention, the respective irradiation area is assigned to a specific sub-area of ​​the at least two sub-areas if a position of a—in particular geometric—center of gravity of the respective irradiation area on the work area falls within the specific sub-area. Advantageously, the respective irradiation area is thus assigned to the sub-area in which it is located for the most part—in particular with respect to its area.

[0062] Alternatively or additionally, one embodiment provides for the respective irradiation area to be assigned to a specific sub-area of ​​the at least two sub-areas if the respective irradiation area is located in the specific sub-area. This advantageously represents a particularly simple assignment rule based on the geometric position of the irradiation areas relative to the sub-areas.

[0063] In one embodiment, the respective irradiation area is divided if it falls into more than one of the at least two sub-areas. In this way, even those irradiation areas that fall into more than one sub-area, in particular those irradiation areas that are divided by at least one dividing line, can be easily assigned to the corresponding sub-areas. The appropriate division of the irradiation areas ensures that, as a result, only those irradiation areas remain that are completely and unambiguously located within one sub-area.

[0064] Alternatively, for irradiation areas located entirely within a single sub-area, the simple rule can be applied, assigning them to that sub-area. Other irradiation areas located in at least two sub-areas, particularly because they are divided by at least one dividing line, are each assigned to the sub-area in which their respective center of gravity falls. In effect, this approach is identical to applying the assignment according to the center of gravity for each sub-area, but may be simpler and faster to calculate.

[0065] According to a further development of the invention, a first predetermined parameter value is assigned to the at least one irradiation parameter as the assigned parameter value when the respective irradiation area is assigned to a first sub-area of ​​two sub-areas of the work area, wherein a second predetermined parameter value different from the first parameter value is assigned to the at least one irradiation parameter as the assigned parameter value when the respective irradiation area is assigned to a second sub-area of ​​the two sub-areas. This advantageously represents a particularly simple and at the same time functional embodiment of the planning method.

[0066] In particular, one embodiment provides that the first predetermined parameter value is assigned to the at least one irradiation parameter as the assigned parameter value when the respective irradiation area is assigned to the first sub-area of ​​exactly two sub-areas of the working area, wherein the second predetermined parameter value, which is different from the first parameter value, is assigned to the at least one irradiation parameter as the assigned parameter value when the respective irradiation area is assigned to the second sub-area of ​​exactly two sub-areas.

[0067] In a particularly simple embodiment of the planning method, it is additionally provided that precisely one irradiation parameter of a plurality of irradiation parameters is assigned either the first predetermined parameter value or the second predetermined parameter value. In particular, the other irradiation parameters of the plurality of irradiation parameters are selected independently of the assignment of the respective irradiation region to a sub-region of the working area, in particular identically for all sub-regions. In one embodiment, the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within a respective irradiation region is used alternatively or additionally as the at least one irradiation parameter.

[0068] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors within the respective irradiation area is used as the at least one irradiation parameter, wherein the irradiation sequence is selected along a first processing direction when the respective irradiation area is assigned to a first sub-area of ​​- in particular exactly - two sub-areas of the working area, wherein the irradiation sequence is selected along a second processing direction when the respective irradiation area is assigned to a second sub-area of ​​- in particular exactly - two sub-areas, wherein the first processing direction has at least one component that is oriented antiparallel to a flow direction of a protective gas flow over the working area, wherein the second processing direction has at least one component,which is aligned parallel to the flow direction, with the second processing direction in particular being aligned antiparallel to the first processing direction. Advantageously, the processing direction in the respective sub-regions is thus aligned in a defined manner relative to the flow direction.

[0069] In particular, one embodiment additionally provides that the dividing line is or will be defined on the work area in such a way that it runs adjacent to at least one energy beam center, or through the at least one energy beam center, or through a center of gravity of a plurality of energy beam centers. Advantageously, the processing direction in the respective sub-areas is thus aligned in a defined manner relative to the flow direction and additionally relative to the position of the at least one energy beam center.

[0070] In particular, one embodiment further provides that the dividing line is or will be fixed on the working area in such a way that it runs transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the flow direction of the shielding gas flow over the working area. In particular, the first sub-area is arranged upstream of the shielding gas flow starting from the dividing line, and the second sub-area is arranged downstream of the shielding gas flow starting from the dividing line. Thus, the irradiation sequence in at least one first irradiation area assigned to the first sub-area is aligned at least component-wise against the shielding gas flow and away from the at least one energy beam center. In at least one second irradiation area assigned to the second sub-area, the irradiation sequence is aligned at least component-wise with the shielding gas flow and away from the at least one energy beam center.

[0071] According to a further development of the invention, the irradiation is planned with a plurality of energy beams, wherein an assignment of a specific energy beam from the plurality of energy beams to the respective irradiation area is used as an additional irradiation parameter. This advantageously makes it possible to assign an energy beam to each irradiation area, the energy beam center being arranged as close as possible to the respective irradiation area, in particular as close as possible to the—in particular geometric—center of gravity of the irradiation area. In this way, shallow angles of incidence onto the working area for the energy beams are advantageously avoided wherever possible.

[0072] According to a further development of the invention, the irradiation is planned with a plurality of energy beams, wherein the assigned parameter value of the at least one irradiation parameter is additionally selected depending on the assignment of a specific energy beam of the plurality of energy beams to the respective irradiation area. In particular, this advantageously allows consideration of the relative position of the respective energy beam center to the assigned irradiation area, in particular to the—in particular geometric—center of gravity of the irradiation area.In particular, it can be ensured in this way that the displacement direction of the associated energy beam within the irradiation area is suitably aligned relative to the energy beam center of the energy beam, and / or that the parameter value of the irradiation parameter is suitably selected in order to at least mitigate any adverse effects, for example of a flat angle of incidence.

[0073] In particular, the irradiation plan is obtained as a data set for controlling a manufacturing device, in particular a manufacturing device according to the invention described below or a manufacturing device according to one or more of the embodiments described below, for additively manufacturing a component from the powder material. Regardless of whether the method is carried out on a planning device arranged separately from a manufacturing device or on the manufacturing device itself, the irradiation plan is thus obtained in an easily manageable, in particular machine-readable form. In particular, it is preferably also possible to export the irradiation plan obtained as a data set and to transport it, in particular to transmit it, independently of a specific device, for example embodied on a data carrier or virtually via a network.

[0074] The object is also achieved by creating a method - also referred to below as a manufacturing method - for the additive manufacturing of at least one component from a powder material, which has the following steps: providing an irradiation plan obtained with the aid of a planning method according to the invention or a planning method according to one or more of the previously described embodiments for the locally selective irradiation of a work area with at least one energy beam in order to produce the at least one component by means of the at least one energy beam layer by layer from a plurality of powder material layers of the powder material arranged in a layer sequence in the work area, and producing the at least one component according to the irradiation plan, in particular by means of the methods described below,manufacturing device according to the invention or a manufacturing device according to one or more of the embodiments described below. In connection with the manufacturing method, the advantages already explained above in connection with the planning method arise in particular.

[0075] In one embodiment, the irradiation plan is provided by performing a planning method according to the invention or a planning method according to one or more of the previously described embodiments. Thus, the method for manufacturing the component simultaneously also includes the planning method—particularly in the form of upstream steps.

[0076] A laser beam or an electron beam is preferably used as the energy beam.

[0077] Preferably, the component is manufactured by means of selective laser sintering and / or selective laser melting.

[0078] A metallic or ceramic powder can preferably be used as the powder material. The invention also includes a computer program product comprising machine-readable instructions, based on which a planning method according to the invention or a planning method according to one or more of the previously described embodiments is executed on a computing device when the computer program product is running on the computing device.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, the computer program product comprises machine-readable instructions on the basis of which a manufacturing method according to the invention or a manufacturing method according to one or more of the previously described embodiments is carried out on the computing device when the computer program product is running on the computing device.

[0080] In connection with the computer program product, the advantages that have already been explained in connection with the planning process or the manufacturing process arise in particular.

[0081] The invention also includes a data carrier comprising a computer program product according to the invention or a computer program product according to one or more of the previously described embodiments.

[0082] The object is also achieved by providing a planning device for planning a locally selective irradiation of a work area with at least one energy beam in order to produce at least one component from a powder material arranged in the work area by means of the at least one energy beam. The planning device is configured to carry out a planning method according to the invention or a planning method according to one or more of the previously described embodiments. In connection with the planning device, the advantages that have already been explained in connection with the planning method, the manufacturing method, or the computer program product arise in particular.

[0083] In particular, the planning device can be configured to plan the locally selective irradiation of the work area with a plurality of energy beams.

[0084] In one embodiment, the planning device is configured as a device selected from a group consisting of a computer, in particular a personal computer (PC), a plug-in card or control card, and an FPGA board. In one embodiment, the planning device is an RTC5 or RTC6 control card from SCANLAB GmbH, in particular in the configuration currently available on the date determining the priority of the present patent.

[0085] In particular, the planning device can be provided externally or separately from a manufacturing device, wherein the planning device preferably creates a data set, which is then transmitted in a suitable manner, for example by means of a data carrier or via a network, in particular via the Internet, or via another suitable wireless or wired transmission form, to a manufacturing device, in particular a control device of a manufacturing device. For example, it is possible for the planning device to generate CAM data from CAD data, i.e., in particular, a command sequence, in particular an NC program, for controlling the manufacturing device. This command sequence is then transmitted to the manufacturing device for its control.It is also possible for CAD data of a component to be transferred to the planning device, with the planning device generating the command sequence for the manufacturing device from this data. However, the planning device can also be integrated into a manufacturing device. In particular, the planning device can be integrated into the control device of the manufacturing device, or the control device of the manufacturing device can be designed as a planning device, in particular by providing a suitable hardware component and / or by implementing a suitable computer program product, in particular software.For example, it is possible for CAD data of a component to be manufactured to be transferred to the manufacturing device, whereby the manufacturing device itself, in particular the planning device implemented in the control device, generates corresponding CAM data or a command sequence for controlling the manufacturing device from the CAD data. However, it is also possible for the planning device to comprise a plurality of computing devices, wherein it is designed in a physically distributed manner, in particular. Preferably, the planning device then comprises a plurality of interconnected computing devices. In particular, the planning device can be designed as a data cloud or so-called cloud, or the planning device can be part of a data cloud or cloud.In a preferred embodiment, it is also possible for the planning device to comprise, on the one hand, at least one computing device external to the production device and, on the other hand, the production device, in particular the control device of the production device, wherein steps performed by the planning device are then carried out partly on the external computing device and partly on the production device, in particular on the control device. In particular, it is also possible for the planning device not to take over the complete planning of the locally selective irradiation of the work area, but only parts thereof; in particular, it is possible for the planning device to take over only that part of the planning of the locally selective irradiation of the work area that relates to the previously described steps and / or specifications.Other parts of the planning of the locally selective irradiation, however, can be performed in other computing devices, in particular in computing devices external to the manufacturing device, or in the manufacturing device itself, in particular its control device, or even in a data cloud. In particular, it is possible for the planning device to modify, adapt, or correct CAM data generated by another computing device or a command sequence, in particular an NC program.

[0086] The object is finally also achieved by providing a manufacturing device for the additive manufacturing of components from a powder material. The manufacturing device has at least one beam generation device configured to generate at least one energy beam. Furthermore, the manufacturing device has at least one scanner device configured to locally and selectively irradiate a work area with the at least one energy beam in order to produce a component from the powder material arranged in the work area by means of the at least one energy beam. Finally, the manufacturing device has a control device operatively connected to the at least one scanner device and configured to control the scanner device.The control device is configured to carry out a manufacturing method according to the invention or a manufacturing method according to one or more of the previously described embodiments. In connection with the manufacturing device, the advantages already explained in connection with the planning method, the manufacturing method, the computer program product, and the planning device are particularly advantageous.

[0087] In one embodiment, the beam-generating device is configured to generate a plurality of energy beams, and / or the manufacturing device comprises a plurality of beam-generating devices for generating a plurality of energy beams. It is possible for a plurality of scanner devices to be provided for the plurality of energy beams. However, it is also possible for the scanner device to be configured to displace a plurality of energy beams—in particular independently of one another—on the work area. In particular, the scanner device can comprise a plurality of separately controllable scanners, in particular scanner mirrors, for this purpose.

[0088] The scanner device preferably comprises at least one scanner, in particular a galvanometer scanner, piezo scanner, polygon scanner, MEMS scanner, and / or a working head or processing head that can be displaced relative to the work area. The scanner devices proposed here are particularly suitable for displacing the energy beam within the work area between a plurality of irradiation positions.

[0089] A working head or processing head that can be displaced relative to the work area is understood here in particular to mean an integrated component of the manufacturing device that has at least one radiation outlet for at least one energy beam. The integrated component, i.e., the working head, can be displaced as a whole relative to the work area along at least one displacement direction, preferably along two mutually perpendicular displacement directions. Such a working head can, in particular, be designed as a gantry or be guided by a robot. In particular, the working head can be designed as a robot hand of a robot.

[0090] The control device is preferably selected from a group consisting of a computer, in particular a personal computer (PC), a plug-in card or control card, and an FPGA board. In a preferred embodiment, the control device is an RTC5 or RTC6 control card from SCANLAB GmbH, in particular in the version currently available on the date determining the priority of the present patent.

[0091] Preferably, the at least one beam-generating device comprises at least one laser. The at least one energy beam is thus advantageously generated as an intense beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation, in particular coherent light. Irradiation in this respect preferably means exposure.

[0092] The manufacturing device is preferably configured for selective laser sintering. Alternatively or additionally, the manufacturing device is configured for selective laser melting. These configurations of the manufacturing device have proven particularly advantageous. According to a further development of the invention, the manufacturing device comprises a protective gas device—as a source of the protective gas flow—which is configured to generate a protective gas flow with a defined flow direction over the work area.

[0093] In one embodiment, the manufacturing device additionally comprises a protective gas influencing device which is configured to determine, in particular to change, a flow parameter value of at least one flow parameter of the protective gas flow, wherein the at least one flow parameter is selected from a group consisting of: the flow direction over the working area and the flow velocity of the protective gas flow.

[0094] In particular, the control device is operatively connected to the protective gas influencing device and configured to select the at least one flow parameter value depending on the assignment of a respective irradiation area to a sub-area of ​​at least two sub-areas of the working area. In particular, the control device is configured to use the flow parameter as the at least one irradiation parameter.

[0095] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, which show:

[0096] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a manufacturing device for the additive manufacturing of components from a powder material with an embodiment of a planning device, and

[0097] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a method for planning a locally selective irradiation of a work area with an energy beam, and

[0098] Figure 3 schematic detailed representations of further embodiments of the method for planning a locally selective irradiation of a work area with an energy beam.

[0099] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a manufacturing device 1 for the additive manufacturing of a component 3 from a powder material 5 with an embodiment of a planning device 7. The manufacturing device 1 has at least one beam generating device 9, preferably designed as a laser, which is set up to generate at least one energy beam 11, in particular a laser beam, and also a scanner device 13, which is set up to irradiate a work area 15 locally and selectively with the at least one energy beam 11 in order to produce the component 3 from the powder material 5 arranged in the work area 15 by means of the at least one energy beam 11.In particular, the beam generating device 9 generates more than one energy beam 11, or the manufacturing device 1 has more than one beam generating device 9 for generating a plurality of energy beams 11; Figure 1 specifically shows a first beam generating device 9.1 for generating a first energy beam 11.1 and a second beam generating device 9.2 for generating a second energy beam 11.2. Preferably, the manufacturing device 1 has a separate scanner device 13 for each energy beam 11, namely a first scanner device 13.1 for the first energy beam 11.1 and a second scanner device 13.2 for the second energy beam 11.2.The manufacturing device 1 further comprises a control device 17, which is embodied in particular as a computing device 8, which is operatively connected to the scanner device 13 and preferably also to the beam generating device 9 and is configured to control the scanner device 13 and, if appropriate, the beam generating device 9. The control device 17 is configured to carry out a method, described in more detail below, for planning the locally selective irradiation of the work area 15 with the energy beam 11, also referred to as the planning method for short.

[0100] In particular, the control device 17 has the planning device 7, which is designed in particular as a further computing device 10 and is configured accordingly to carry out the planning method. Alternatively, it is possible for the control device 17 itself to be designed as the planning device 7. However, in an embodiment not shown here, it is also possible for the planning method to be carried out on a planning device 7 provided separately from the production device 1.

[0101] The manufacturing device 1 further comprises a protective gas device 19 which is configured to generate a protective gas flow with a defined flow direction represented by first arrows PI over the working area 15.

[0102] The manufacturing device 1 is particularly configured to build the component 3 layer by layer from a plurality of powder material layers arranged sequentially in a layer sequence in the work area 15. For this purpose, the work area 15, in particular in the form of a powder bed, is arranged on a build platform which is gradually lowered counter to a vertical direction as the sequential powder material layers are provided in the work area 15. The powder material 5 forming each next powder material layer is conveyed from the region of a storage cylinder into the work area 15 by means of a coating element, in particular designed as a wiper or slider, and is smoothed there by the coating element so that the current powder material layer is provided.By successively and selectively solidifying the powder material 5 layer by layer of powder material in this way by means of the energy beam 11 in the working area 15, the component 3 is built up layer by layer, i.e. layer by layer.

[0103] It is possible for the first energy beam 11.1 to be displaced only within a first partial displacement region 15.1 and not within a second partial displacement region 15.2 of the working region 15, while the second energy beam 11.2, conversely, can only be displaced within the second partial displacement region 15.2 and not within the first partial displacement region 15.1. The partial displacement regions 15.1, 15.2 are separated from one another in Figure 1 by a dash-dotted, imaginary boundary line G. In another embodiment, however, it is also possible for both energy beams 11.1, 11.2 to be displaced across the entire working region 15, or for overlapping partial displacement regions 15.1, 15.2 to be assigned to them.

[0104] Within the scope of a method, also referred to as a manufacturing method, for manufacturing the component 3 from the powder material 5, an irradiation plan, obtained in particular using the planning method described below, is provided for the locally selective irradiation of the work area 15 with the energy beam 11, and the component 3 is manufactured according to the provided irradiation plan. The irradiation plan is preferably provided by carrying out the planning method—in particular by the planning device 7.

[0105] Within the scope of the planning method, in particular, irradiation of a plurality of irradiation areas 21 on the work area 15 with the at least one energy beam 11 is planned, wherein a respective assigned parameter value of at least one irradiation parameter is selected for the irradiation areas 21, wherein the assigned parameter value is selected depending on an assignment of the respective irradiation area 21 to a sub-area 23 of at least two sub-areas 23 of the work area 15. In this way, in particular, the irradiation plan for the locally selective irradiation of the work area 15 with the at least one energy beam 11 in the at least one powder material layer is obtained.

[0106] Specifically, in the embodiment of Figure 1, the working area 15 is divided into two sub-areas 23 by an imaginary dividing line 25 shown there in dashed lines, a first sub-area 23.1 and a second sub-area 23.2.

[0107] Figure 1 also shows, by way of example, three strip-shaped irradiation regions 21, of which only one is identified by a reference numeral for the sake of clarity. In particular, in one embodiment, the irradiation regions 21 are irradiated in the form of adjacent, parallel-offset irradiation vectors 27, wherein the irradiation vectors 27 are aligned, in particular, perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the irradiation regions 21 and arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction. As schematically indicated, the irradiation vectors 27 within an irradiation region 21 can be oriented in the same direction, in groups in opposite directions, or alternately in opposite directions. Other embodiments are also possible.In particular, the irradiation areas 21 are each completely covered or filled with irradiation vectors 27, or they are formed by the irradiation vectors 27, although for the sake of clarity only a few irradiation vectors 27 per irradiation area 21 are actually shown here.

[0108] The at least one irradiation parameter is in particular selected from a group consisting of: an irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors 27 within the respective irradiation areas 21, a position of the irradiation areas 21 in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas 21, a vector direction of the irradiation vectors 27, a vector orientation of the irradiation vectors 27, a sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors 27, a distance between immediately adjacent irradiation vectors 27 of the respective irradiation area 21, a beam power of the at least one energy beam 11, a shape of the energy beam 11 on the working area 15, a size of the energy beam 11 on the working area 15, a displacement speed of the at least one energy beam 11 on the working area 15, a flow speed of the protective gas flow over the working area 15,the flow direction PI of the protective gas flow, a position of the irradiation areas 21 on the working area 15, and a combination of at least two of the above-mentioned irradiation parameters.

[0109] Figure 1 also shows two energy beam centers 29 on the work area 15: a first energy beam center 29.1, which is assigned to the first energy beam 11.1, and a second energy beam center 29.2, which is assigned to the second energy beam 11.2. An energy beam center 29 is understood to be a location on the work area 15 that results as the base point of the respective scanner device 13 for relocating the associated energy beam 11, in particular by dropping the perpendicular to the work area 15 from a respective starting point 31, 31.1, 31.2 of the associated energy beam 11, 11.1, 11.2 on the respective scanner device 13, 13.1, 13.2.

[0110] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the planning method.

[0111] Identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures, so that reference is made to the preceding description in each case.

[0112] In particular, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the irradiation parameter used is the irradiation sequence of the irradiation vectors 27 within the respective irradiation region 21, each represented by a second arrow P2. Five different irradiation regions 21 are illustrated here by way of example: a first irradiation region 21.1, a second irradiation region 21.2, a third irradiation region 21.3, a fourth irradiation region 21.4, and a fifth irradiation region 21.5. To simplify the further explanations, only one energy beam center 29 of an energy beam 11 is illustrated in the exemplary embodiment illustrated here. For the sake of clarity, only one of the second arrows P2 is identified with a reference symbol.

[0113] In the illustrated embodiment, the working area 15 is again divided by exactly one dividing line 25 into the first partial area 23.1 and the second partial area 23.2. The dividing line 25 is here in particular a diameter line of the circular working area 15. The dividing line 25 is or will be defined in particular on the working area 15 such that it runs through the energy beam center 29. Alternatively or additionally, the dividing line 25 can run adjacent to the energy beam center 29 or through a center of gravity of a plurality of energy beam centers 29. The dividing line 25 also runs perpendicular to the flow direction of the shielding gas flow represented by the first arrow PI.

[0114] The irradiation sequence of the irradiation vectors 27 is now preferably selected for the irradiation regions 21 assigned to the first subregion 23.1 such that it is oriented counter to the shielding gas flow, so that those irradiation vectors 27 that are arranged closer to the dividing line 25 and further away from the source of the shielding gas flow, i.e., the shielding gas device 19, are irradiated before those irradiation vectors 27 that are arranged further away from the dividing line 25 and closer to the shielding gas device 19. For the second subregion 23.2 assigned irradiation areas 21, the irradiation sequence is selected such that it is aligned with the protective gas flow, so that those irradiation vectors 27 which are arranged closer to the dividing line 25 and closer to the protective gas device 19 are irradiated before those irradiation vectors 27 which are arranged further away from the dividing line 25 and further away from the protective gas device 19.

[0115] In order to assign the irradiation areas 21 to specific sub-areas 23, the following assignment criterion is used in particular: An irradiation area 21 is assigned to that sub-area 23 in which a - in particular geometric - center of gravity 33 of the irradiation area 21 is arranged on the work area 15. The centers of gravity 33 of the irradiation areas 21 are each schematically marked in Figure 2 by a square, wherein, for the sake of clarity, only one of the centers of gravity 33 is provided with a reference symbol. Alternatively or additionally, one embodiment provides as an assignment criterion that an irradiation area 21 is assigned to the sub-area 23 in which it is - entirely - arranged. In particular, the respective irradiation area 21 can be divided along the dividing line 25 if it falls into more than one sub-area 23.

[0116] In particular, a first predetermined parameter value is assigned to the at least one irradiation parameter as the assigned parameter value when the respective irradiation area 21 is assigned to the first sub-area 23.1, wherein a second predetermined parameter value different from the first parameter value is assigned to the at least one irradiation parameter as the assigned parameter value when the respective irradiation area 21 is assigned to the second sub-area 23.2. In the illustrated embodiment, the irradiation sequence is selected along a first processing direction when the respective irradiation area 21 is assigned to the first sub-area 23.1, wherein the irradiation sequence is selected along a second processing direction when the respective irradiation area 21 is assigned to the second sub-area 23.2, wherein the first processing direction is aligned antiparallel to the flow direction of the protective gas flow, and wherein the second processing direction is aligned parallel to the flow direction.

[0117] In particular, based on the position of their centers of gravity 33 in the first sub-area 23.1, the first irradiation area 21.1, the second irradiation area 21.2, and the third irradiation area 21.3 are assigned to the first sub-area 23.1, and the irradiation sequence for the irradiation vectors 27 is selected for these three irradiation areas 21.1, 21.2, 21.3 along the first processing direction, i.e., opposite to the flow direction. The fourth irradiation area 21.4 and the fifth irradiation area 21.5, on the other hand, are assigned to this second sub-area 23.2 based on the position of their centers of gravity 33 in the second sub-area 23.2, and accordingly, for these two irradiation areas 21.4, 21.5, the irradiation sequence of the irradiation vectors 27 is selected along the second processing direction and thus parallel to the flow direction.

[0118] Preferably, when using more than one energy beam 11, an assignment of a specific energy beam 11 of the plurality of energy beams 11 to the respective irradiation region 21 is used as an additional irradiation parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the assigned parameter value of the at least one irradiation parameter is selected depending on an assignment of a specific energy beam 11 of the plurality of energy beams 11 to the respective irradiation region 21.

[0119] Fig. 3 shows schematic detailed representations of further embodiments of the method for planning a locally selective irradiation of the working area 15 with the at least one energy beam 11.

[0120] In a) it is schematically shown that rectangular, in particular square fields 35 on the working area 15 are used as the at least two partial areas 23. Accordingly, two mutually orthogonal diameter lines and secants offset parallel to the diameter lines are used as dividing lines 25. In b) it is schematically shown that fields 35 resulting from the intersection of sectors and circular rings of the working area 15 are used as the at least two partial areas 23. Accordingly, diameter lines and circular lines centered at a center point 37 of the working area 15 are used as dividing lines 25. Alternatively or additionally, fields 35 selected from a group consisting of: sectors, sector sections, circular sections, circular rings, free-form fields, and a combination of at least two of the aforementioned fields can be used as partial areas 23.

[0121] Alternatively or additionally, 25 lines can be used as dividing lines, which are selected from a group consisting of: radius lines, chords, parallel lines to a boundary edge of the working area 15, and a combination of at least two of the lines mentioned.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method for planning a locally selective irradiation of a work area (15) with at least one energy beam (11) in order to produce at least one component (3) layer by layer from a plurality of powder material layers of a powder material (5) arranged in a layer sequence in the work area (15) in a temporally successive manner, by means of the at least one energy beam (11), wherein an irradiation of a plurality of irradiation areas (21) on the work area (15) with the at least one energy beam (11) is planned, wherein - a respective assigned parameter value of at least one irradiation parameter is selected for the irradiation areas (21) of the plurality of irradiation areas (21), wherein the assigned parameter value is selected as a function of an assignment of the respective irradiation area (21) to a sub-area (23) of at least two sub-areas (23) of the working area (15), wherein in particular an irradiation plan is obtained for the locally selective irradiation of the working area (15) with the at least one energy beam (11) in the at least one powder material layer.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one irradiation parameter is selected from a group consisting of: an irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors (27) within the respective irradiation area (21), a position of the irradiation area (21) in a processing sequence of the plurality of irradiation areas (21), a vector direction of the irradiation vectors (27), a vector orientation of the irradiation vectors (27), a sequence of vector orientations of the irradiation vectors (27), a distance between immediately adjacent irradiation vectors (27) of the irradiation area (21), a beam power of the at least one energy beam (11), a shape of the energy beam (11) on the work area (15), a size of the energy beam (11) on the work area (15), a displacement speed of the at least one energy beam (11) on the work area (15),a flow velocity of a protective gas flow over the working area (15), a flow direction of the protective gas flow, a position of the irradiation area (21) on the working area (15), and a combination of at least two of the said irradiation parameters.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein fields on the work area (15) are used as the at least two partial areas (23) which are selected from a group consisting of: sectors, sector sections, circular sections, circular rings, rectangular fields, free-form fields, and a combination of at least two of said fields.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one dividing line (25) which delimits the at least two partial areas (23) on the working area (15) from one another is or will be fixed on the working area (15) in such a way that it - adjacent to at least one energy beam center (29), or through at least one energy beam center (29), or through a center of gravity of a plurality of energy beam centers (29).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one dividing line (25) which delimits the at least two partial regions (23) on the working region (15) from one another is or is fixed on the working region (15) in such a way that it runs transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a flow direction of a protective gas flow over the working region (15).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two sub-areas (23) are defined on the working area (15) before planning the irradiation of the plurality of irradiation areas (21), in particular by defining at least one dividing line (25) on the working area (15) which delimits at least two sub-areas (23) of the at least two sub-areas (23) from one another.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein as the at least one dividing line (25) a line is used which is selected from a group consisting of: a radius line, a diameter line, a circular line centered in a center or center of gravity of the working area (15), a secant, a chord, a line parallel to a boundary edge of the working area (15), and a combination of at least two of said lines.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective irradiation area (21) is assigned to a specific sub-area (23) of the at least two sub-areas (23) if a position of a center of gravity (33) of the respective irradiation area (21) on the working area (15) falls into the specific sub-area (23), or the respective irradiation area (21) is arranged in the specific sub-area (23), wherein in particular the respective irradiation area (21) is divided if it falls into more than one sub-area (23) of the at least two sub-areas (23).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first predetermined parameter value is assigned to the at least one irradiation parameter as the assigned parameter value when the respective irradiation area (21) is assigned to a first sub-area (23) of two sub-areas (23) of the working area (15), wherein a second predetermined parameter value different from the first parameter value is assigned to the at least one irradiation parameter as the assigned parameter value when the respective irradiation area (21) is assigned to a second sub-area (23) of the two sub-areas (23).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an irradiation sequence of at least two irradiation vectors (27) within the respective irradiation area (21) is used as the at least one irradiation parameter, wherein the irradiation sequence is selected along a first processing direction when the respective irradiation area (21) is assigned to a first sub-area (23) of two sub-areas (23) of the working area (15), wherein the irradiation sequence is selected along a second processing direction when the respective irradiation area (21) is assigned to a second sub-area (23) of the two sub-areas (23), wherein the first processing direction has at least one component that is oriented antiparallel to a flow direction of a protective gas flow over the working area (15), wherein the second processing direction has at least one component,which is aligned parallel to the flow direction, wherein in particular the second processing direction is aligned antiparallel to that of the first processing direction., 11. Method according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 10, wherein the irradiation is planned with a plurality of energy beams (11), wherein an assignment of a specific energy beam (11) of the plurality of energy beams (11) to the respective irradiation region (21) is used as an additional irradiation parameter.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the irradiation is planned with a plurality of energy beams (11), wherein the assigned parameter value of the at least one irradiation parameter is additionally selected as a function of an assignment of a specific energy beam (11) of the plurality of energy beams (11) to the respective irradiation region (21).

13. A method for the additive manufacturing of at least one component (3) from a powder material (5), comprising the following steps: providing an irradiation plan obtained using a method according to one of claims 1 to 12 for the locally selective irradiation of a work area (15) with at least one energy beam (11) in order to produce the at least one component (3) by means of the at least one energy beam (11) layer by layer from a plurality of powder material layers of the powder material (5) arranged sequentially in a layer sequence in the work area (15), and manufacturing the at least one component (3) according to the irradiation plan.

14. Planning device (7) for planning a locally selective irradiation of a work area (15) with at least one energy beam (11) in order to produce at least one component (3) from a powder material (5) arranged in the work area (15) by means of the at least one energy beam (11), wherein the planning device (7) is set up to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 12.

15. Manufacturing device (1) for the additive manufacturing of components (3) from a powder material (5), with - at least one beam generating device (9) which is designed to generate at least one energy beam (11), - at least one scanner device (13) which is designed to irradiate a working area (15) locally selectively with the at least one energy beam (11) in order to produce at least one component (3) from the powder material (5) arranged in the working area (15) by means of the at least one energy beam (11), and with a control device (17) which is operatively connected to the at least one scanner device (13) and is configured to control the at least one scanner device (13), wherein the control device (17) is configured to carry out a method according to claim 13.

16. Manufacturing device (1) according to claim 15, comprising a protective gas device (19) which is designed to generate a protective gas flow with a defined flow direction over the working area (15).

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