Method and program for adjusting irradiation position of energy beam, and laminate-shaping apparatus

Abstract

To improve accuracy of an irradiation position of an energy beam to a powder material.SOLUTION: A method for adjusting an irradiation position of an energy beam includes: a step S1 of attaching an energy beam position-obtaining jig 8 to a rotary table 6; a step S3 of obtaining information indicating a position of a first intrinsic beam source coordinate system with reference to a jig coordinate system 8S; a step S4 of moving the energy beam position-obtaining jig 8 from a first irradiation area 61A to a second irradiation area 61B; a step S5 of obtaining information indicating a position of a second intrinsic beam source coordinate system with reference to the jig coordinate system 8S; and a step S6 of obtaining a first correction information that converts a first intrinsic irradiation position to a first corrected irradiation position by using the information indicating the position of the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system, and obtaining a second correction information that converts a second intrinsic irradiation position to a second corrected irradiation position defined by the second intrinsic beam source coordinate system by using the information indicating the position of the second intrinsic beam source coordinate system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for adjusting an irradiation position of an energy beam, a program for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, and an additive manufacturing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known devices that irradiate an object with an energy beam such as an electron beam or a laser. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a three-dimensional additive manufacturing device using an electron beam. Patent Document 2 discloses a three-dimensional additive manufacturing device using a laser. Patent Document 3 discloses a processing device using a charged particle beam. Patent Document 4 discloses a device that records a signal on an optical disk using an electron beam. Patent Document 5 discloses an electron beam writing device using an electron beam.

[0003] In these devices, it is important to irradiate the energy beam to the desired position of the target with high accuracy. In Patent Documents 1, 4, and 5, the irradiation position of the energy beam is measured using a so-called Faraday cup. In Patent Document 2, the irradiation position of the energy beam is measured based on the position of a marker provided on a table. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6190040 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2019 / 139775 [Patent Document 3] JP 2022-180890 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2003-249188 A [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-174158 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A so-called additive manufacturing device repeats a process of spreading powder material evenly on a table and a process of partially solidifying the powder material by irradiating the powder material with an energy beam. In order to finish a molded object into a desired shape, the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam on the powder material is important. In this technical field, there has been a demand for a technology that can increase the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam on the powder material by a simple method.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, which can improve the accuracy of the irradiation position of an energy beam on powder material, a program for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, and an additive manufacturing apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for adjusting an energy beam irradiation position for an additive manufacturing apparatus that irradiates a powder material arranged on a turntable with a first energy beam from a first energy beam source and a second energy beam from a second energy beam source to obtain a molded object. The method for adjusting the energy beam irradiation position of the present disclosure includes the steps of: attaching an energy beam position acquisition jig to the turntable for acquiring information on a position on the turntable where the first energy beam is irradiated and a position on the turntable where the second energy beam is irradiated; placing the energy beam position acquisition jig in a first irradiation area that defines the irradiation range of the first energy beam source, and acquiring information indicating a position of a first inherent beam source coordinate system of the first energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system in a state where the jig coordinate system of the energy beam position acquisition jig is associated with a first irradiation area coordinate system that defines the first irradiation area based on the turntable coordinate system of the turntable; and moving the energy beam position acquisition jig from the first irradiation area to a second irradiation area that defines the irradiation range of the second energy beam source by rotating the turntable. the step of acquiring information indicating the position of a second intrinsic beam source coordinate system of the second energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system after moving the energy beam position acquisition jig to the second irradiation area, with the jig coordinate system associated with a second irradiation area coordinate system that defines the second irradiation area based on the rotary table coordinate system; and obtaining first correction information using the information indicating the position of the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system to convert a first intrinsic irradiation position defined in the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system into a first corrected irradiation position defined in a first corrected beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system, and obtaining second correction information using the information indicating the position of the second intrinsic beam source coordinate system to convert a second intrinsic irradiation position defined in the second intrinsic beam source coordinate system into a second corrected irradiation position defined in the second corrected beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a program for adjusting an energy beam irradiation position for an additive manufacturing apparatus that obtains a molded object by irradiating a powder material arranged on a rotary table with a first energy beam from a first energy beam source and irradiating a powder material arranged on a rotary table with a second energy beam from a second energy beam source. The program for adjusting the energy beam irradiation position includes a computer, a first processing unit that arranges an energy beam position acquisition jig for acquiring information on a position on the rotary table where the first energy beam is irradiated and a position on the rotary table where the second energy beam is irradiated, in a first irradiation area that defines an irradiation range of the first energy beam source, and acquires information indicating a position of a first inherent beam source coordinate system of the first energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system in a state in which a jig coordinate system of the energy beam position acquisition jig is associated with a first irradiation area coordinate system that defines the first irradiation area based on a rotary table coordinate system of the rotary table, a rotary table command unit that moves the energy beam position acquisition jig from the first irradiation area to a second irradiation area that defines the irradiation range of the second energy beam source by rotating the rotary table, an energy beam position acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a position of a first inherent beam source coordinate system of the first energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system, a rotary table command unit that moves the energy beam position acquisition jig from the first irradiation area to a second irradiation area that defines the irradiation range of the second energy beam source by rotating the rotary table, a rotary table command unit that executes the program for adjusting the energy beam irradiation position. and a correction information calculation unit that obtains, using the information indicating the position of the first eigenbeam source coordinate system, first correction information for converting a first eigenbeam source coordinate system defined in the first eigenbeam source coordinate system into a first corrected irradiation position defined in the first corrected beam source coordinate system coinciding with the first irradiation area coordinate system, and that obtains, using the information indicating the position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system, second correction information for converting a second eigenbeam source coordinate system defined in the second eigenbeam source coordinate system into a second corrected irradiation position defined in the second corrected beam source coordinate system coinciding with the first irradiation area coordinate system, and that obtains, using the information indicating the position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system, second correction information for converting a second eigenbeam source coordinate system defined in the second eigenbeam source coordinate system into a second corrected irradiation position defined in the second corrected beam source coordinate system coinciding with the first irradiation area coordinate system.

[0009] An additive manufacturing apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a turntable that supports powder material, a first energy beam source that irradiates a first irradiation area based on a turntable coordinate system of the turntable with a first energy beam, a second energy beam source that irradiates a second irradiation area based on the turntable coordinate system with a second energy beam, an energy beam position acquisition jig that obtains information regarding a position on the turntable to which the first energy beam is irradiated and a position to which the second energy beam is irradiated, and a controller that outputs control commands to be given to the turntable, the first energy beam source, and the second energy beam source. The controller includes a first processing unit that places the energy beam position acquisition jig in a first irradiation area that defines the irradiation range of the first energy beam source, and acquires information indicating the position of a first inherent beam source coordinate system of the first energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system in a state in which a jig coordinate system of the energy beam position acquisition jig is associated with a first irradiation area coordinate system that defines the first irradiation area based on a turntable coordinate system of the turntable; a turntable command unit that moves the energy beam position acquisition jig from the first irradiation area to a second irradiation area that defines the irradiation range of the second energy beam source by rotating the turntable; and a second processing unit that acquires information indicating the position of a first inherent beam source coordinate system of the first energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system after the energy beam position acquisition jig has been moved to the second irradiation area based on the turntable coordinate system. a second processing unit that obtains information indicating the position of a second intrinsic beam source coordinate system of the second energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system, with the jig coordinate system associated with a second irradiation area coordinate system that defines a second irradiation area; and a correction information calculation unit that obtains first correction information using the information indicating the position of the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system to convert a first intrinsic irradiation position defined in the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system into a first modified irradiation position defined in a first modified beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system, and obtains second correction information using the information indicating the position of the second intrinsic beam source coordinate system to convert a second intrinsic irradiation position defined in the second intrinsic beam source coordinate system into a second modified irradiation position defined in the second modified beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system.

[0010] According to this method, program, and additive manufacturing apparatus, the energy beam position acquisition jig used for acquiring information indicating the position of the first eigenbeam source coordinate system in the first irradiation area is moved from the first irradiation area to the second irradiation area by rotating the turntable. Then, information indicating the position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system is acquired in the second irradiation area. Therefore, since there is no need to prepare multiple jigs or large jigs for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam in multiple irradiation areas, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam on the powder material by a simple method.

[0011] In one embodiment of the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam, a distance from the origin of the rotary table coordinate system to the origin of the first irradiation area coordinate system may be equal to a distance from the origin of the rotary table coordinate system to the origin of the second irradiation area coordinate system. Even in this configuration, the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam on the powder material can be improved by a simple method.

[0012] In one embodiment of the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam, a distance from the origin of the rotary table coordinate system to the origin of the first irradiation area coordinate system may be different from a distance from the origin of the rotary table coordinate system to the origin of the second irradiation area coordinate system. Even in this configuration, the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam on the powder material can be improved by a simple method.

[0013] In one embodiment of the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam, the energy beam position acquisition jig may have an elongated shape extending in a radial direction of the rotary table coordinate system, and may have an inner circumference position acquisition unit provided on the inner circumference side and an outer circumference position acquisition unit provided on the outer circumference side, and when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed in the first irradiation area, the inner circumference position acquisition unit may overlap the first irradiation area, and when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed in the second irradiation area, the outer circumference position acquisition unit may overlap the second irradiation area. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam on the powder material in a plurality of irradiation areas having different radial positions on the rotary table by a simple method.

[0014] In one embodiment of the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam, the energy beam position acquisition jig may have a movable position acquisition unit movable in a radial direction of the rotary table coordinate system, and when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed in a first irradiation area, the movable position acquisition unit may move to the inner periphery so as to overlap with the first irradiation area, and when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed in a second irradiation area, the movable position acquisition unit may move to the outer periphery so as to overlap with the second irradiation area. This configuration also makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam on the powder material in a plurality of irradiation areas having different radial positions on the rotary table by a simple method.

[0015] In one embodiment of a method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, the step of obtaining information indicating the position of the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system may include the steps of: obtaining first positional deviation information indicating a deviation of the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system relative to the turntable coordinate system when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed at a first position in the first irradiation area; rotating the turntable by a predetermined angle; obtaining second positional deviation information indicating a deviation of the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system relative to the turntable coordinate system when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed from the first position to a second position in the first irradiation area after the step of rotating the turntable by the predetermined angle; and obtaining a radial position of the energy beam position acquisition jig based on the origin of the turntable coordinate system using the rotation angle of the turntable, the first positional deviation information, and the second positional deviation information.

[0016] According to this method, the position where the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed can be obtained.

[0017] This method also makes it possible to obtain the position where the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed.

[0018] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for adjusting an irradiation position of an energy beam for an additive manufacturing apparatus that obtains a molded object by irradiating a first energy beam from a first energy beam source onto a powder material arranged on a rotary table. Another embodiment of a method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam includes the steps of attaching an energy beam position acquisition jig to a turntable for acquiring information regarding a position on the turntable where a first energy beam is irradiated; acquiring first positional deviation information indicating a deviation of a first intrinsic beam source coordinate system of the first energy beam source relative to the turntable coordinate system of the turntable when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed at a first position in a first irradiation area that defines the irradiation range of the first energy beam source; rotating the turntable by a predetermined angle; acquiring second positional deviation information indicating a deviation of the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system relative to the turntable coordinate system when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed from the first position to a second position in the first irradiation area after the step of rotating the turntable by the predetermined angle; and acquiring a radial position of the energy beam position acquisition jig based on the origin of the turntable coordinate system using the rotation angle of the turntable, the first positional deviation information, and the second positional deviation information.

[0019] According to this method, the position where the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed can be obtained.

[0020] This method also makes it possible to obtain the position where the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, which can improve the accuracy of the irradiation position of an energy beam on a powder material, a program for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, and an additive manufacturing apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an additive manufacturing apparatus to which the method of adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam according to the present disclosure is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a processing section of the layered manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the irradiation area. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing a state where the beam coordinate system coincides with the irradiation area coordinate system, and Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing a state where the beam coordinate system deviates from the irradiation area coordinate system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of an energy beam position acquisition jig used in carrying out the method of adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a diagram for explaining the operation of the energy beam position acquisition jig shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6(b) is an example of current information acquired by the energy beam position acquisition jig. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the energy beam position acquisition jig. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the physical configuration of the controller. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the controller. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing the main steps of the method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] Fig. 11(a) is a diagram showing a state where the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed in the first irradiation area, and Fig. 11(b) is a diagram showing a state where the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed in the second irradiation area. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a modification of the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing another modified example of the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam shown in FIG. [Figure 14]Fig. 14(a) is a diagram showing a state where the energy beam position acquisition jig of Modification 1 is placed in a first irradiation area, and Fig. 14(b) is a diagram showing a state where the energy beam position acquisition jig of Modification 1 is placed in a second irradiation area. [Figure 15] Fig. 15(a) is a diagram showing a state where the energy beam position acquisition jig of Modification 2 is placed in the first irradiation area, and Fig. 15(b) is a diagram showing a state where the energy beam position acquisition jig of Modification 2 is placed in the second irradiation area. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing main steps of a method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam according to the third modification. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a step of obtaining arrangement information of an energy beam position obtaining jig in the method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam according to the third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, the method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, the program for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, and the additive manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0024] [First embodiment] The three-dimensional additive manufacturing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "additive manufacturing apparatus 1") shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called 3D printer that manufactures a model 91 from a powder material 90. The powder material 90 is a metal powder, such as titanium-based metal powder, Inconel powder, aluminum powder, or the like. The powder material 90 is not limited to a metal powder, and may be a powder containing carbon fiber and resin, such as CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics). The powder material 90 may be other powders having electrical conductivity. The powder material in the present disclosure is not limited to those having electrical conductivity. For example, when a laser is used as the energy beam, the powder material may not have electrical conductivity.

[0025] The additive manufacturing apparatus 1 applies energy to the powder material 90. Examples of the energy include an electron beam and a laser. In other words, the additive manufacturing apparatus 1 increases the temperature of the powder material 90. As a result, the powder material 90 melts or sinters. When the additive manufacturing apparatus 1 stops applying energy, the temperature of the powder material 90 drops, causing it to solidify. In other words, the additive manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures a molded object 91 by repeating the application and stopping of energy application multiple times. The molded object 91 is, for example, a machine part. Note that the molded object 91 may be another structure.

[0026] The additive manufacturing apparatus 1 has a rotary table driving source 2, a controller 3, a processing unit 4, and a housing 5. The rotary table driving source 2 realizes various operations required for modeling. The processing unit 4 processes the powder material 90 to obtain a modeled object 91. Specifically, the processing of the powder material 90 includes a supplying process of the powder material 90, a preheating process of the powder material 90, and a modeling process of the powder material 90. The housing 5 is supported by a plurality of columns 51. The housing 5 forms a modeling space S. The modeling space S is an airtight space that can be decompressed to accommodate the powder material 90 and to process the powder material 90 by the processing unit 4.

[0027] A turntable 6 and a modeling tank 7 are arranged in the modeling space S. The turntable 6 is a processing stage where modeling processing is performed. The turntable 6 is, for example, disk-shaped, and a powder material 90, which is the raw material of the model 91, is arranged on the turntable 6. The turntable 6 may be arranged so that its central axis overlaps with the central axis of the housing 5. A turntable driving source 2 is connected to the turntable 6. Therefore, the turntable 6 rotates and moves linearly along the rotation axis by the turntable driving source 2.

[0028] The turntable driving source 2 rotates and raises and lowers the turntable 6. The turntable driving source 2 has a rotation unit 21 and a lifting unit 22. The rotation unit 21 rotates the turntable 6. The upper end of the rotation unit 21 is connected to the turntable 6, and a drive source (e.g., a motor) is attached to the lower end of the rotation unit 21. The lifting unit 22 raises and lowers the turntable 6 relative to the modeling tank 7. This lifting is along the rotation axis of the rotation unit 21. Note that the turntable driving source 2 may be any mechanism capable of rotating and raising and lowering the turntable 6, and the turntable driving source 2 is not limited to the mechanism described above.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the main components used in the modeling process. The processing section 4 is disposed on the turntable 6. That is, the processing section 4 faces the modeling surface 6a (main surface) of the turntable 6. The processing section 4 includes processing units 4A and 4B as a plurality of processing units. The processing units 4A and 4B are disposed at equal intervals (180 degrees) around the rotation axis. In other words, the processing units 4A and 4B are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, for example. According to this arrangement, the layer thickness of the powder material 90 can be made uniform according to the rotation angle to the next processing region. Note that the arrangement of the processing units 4A and 4B described above is merely an example, and is not limited to this configuration. For example, the processing units 4A and 4B may be disposed at different angles in the circumferential direction.

[0030] The processing units 4A and 4B are different from each other only in the positions where they are arranged, and the specific components are the same. The components of the processing units 4A and 4B may be different from each other. For example, the processing units 4A and 4B may be one in which one of the components is omitted from the other. Below, the processing unit 4A will be described in detail, and the processing unit 4B will be described as necessary.

[0031] The processing unit 4A includes a feeder 41, a heater 42, and an energy beam source 43. The feeder 41 supplies a powder material 90. The heater 42 preheats the powder material 90. The energy beam source 43 shapes the powder material 90. The feeder 41, the heater 42, and the energy beam source 43 are arranged in this order along the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction) of the turntable 6.

[0032] The feeder 41 supplies the powder material 90 to the turntable 6. The feeder 41 has a raw material tank and a leveling unit, not shown. The raw material tank stores the powder material 90 and supplies the powder material 90 onto the turntable 6. The leveling unit levels the surface of the powder material 90 on the turntable 6. The additive manufacturing apparatus 1 may have a roller unit, a rod-shaped member, a brush unit, or the like, instead of the leveling unit.

[0033] The heater 42 uses radiant heat to increase the temperature of the powder material 90. As the heater 42, for example, an infrared heater or a gas heater may be used.

[0034] The energy beam source 43 generates an electron beam, which is an example of an energy beam, and irradiates the electron beam onto the powder material 90. The energy beam source 43 has, for example, an electron gun 431. The energy beam source 43 uses a coil 432 to control the traveling direction of electrons emitted from the electron gun 431.

[0035] The range in which the energy beam can be irradiated is defined as the irradiation area 61. The irradiation area 61 is an area in which the temperature of the powder material 90 is increased, and the temperature is higher than the temperature in a preheating area (not shown) set upstream of the irradiation area 61. In other words, the temperature of the powder material 90 in the irradiation area 61 is a temperature (sintering temperature, melting temperature) at which a model 91 can be formed. The energy beam source 43 irradiates a desired portion in the irradiation area 61 with an electron beam.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, a first irradiation area 61A corresponding to the first energy beam source 43A and a second irradiation area 61B corresponding to the second energy beam source 43B are set on the turntable 6. The irradiation position in the first irradiation area 61A is defined by a first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS set in the first irradiation area 61A. The first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS, which is an orthogonal coordinate system, includes an origin 61AG. The position of the origin 61AG of the first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS is determined based on the turntable coordinate system 6S. Similarly, the irradiation position in the second irradiation area 61B is also defined by a second irradiation area coordinate system 61BS set in the second irradiation area 61B. The second irradiation area coordinate system 61BS includes an origin 61BG. The position of the origin 61BG of the second irradiation area coordinate system 61BS is determined based on the turntable coordinate system 6S.

[0037] [Setting the irradiation position] The controller 3 gives the energy beam source 43 an irradiation position command that specifies the irradiation position of the energy beam. The controller 3 first reads out a design irradiation position that defines a pre-stored irradiation position. This design irradiation position is defined based on the rotary table coordinate system 6S. Meanwhile, the energy beam source 43 has its own inherent beam source coordinate system, and the irradiation position of the energy beam is specified based on this inherent beam source coordinate system. Therefore, in irradiating the energy beam, the irradiation position defined based on the rotary table coordinate system 6S may be coordinate-converted to a position based on the inherent beam source coordinate system.

[0038] More specifically, the turntable coordinate system 6S is defined as a world coordinate system, and the irradiation area coordinate system 61S is set as a local coordinate system based on the turntable coordinate system 6S. Since both the turntable coordinate system 6S and the irradiation area coordinate system 61S are set on the printing surface 6a of the turntable 6, there is no unintended deviation between the turntable coordinate system 6S and the irradiation area coordinate system 61S.

[0039] The energy beam source 43 is installed so that the intrinsic beam source coordinate system coincides with the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. As a result, by specifying an irradiation position based on the intrinsic beam source coordinate system, it is possible to irradiate the energy beam to the corresponding position in the irradiation area coordinate system 61S (see FIG. 4(a)). For example, referring to FIG. 4(a), an actual irradiation pattern P2 defined by a plurality of irradiation positions P2a to P2d coincides with an original irradiation pattern P1 defined by a plurality of irradiation positions P1a to P1d.

[0040] However, in reality, the inherent beam source coordinate system may not coincide with the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. For example, the installation position of the energy beam source 43 may deviate from the ideal installation position where the inherent beam source coordinate system 43S coincides with the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. In this case, the irradiation position based on the inherent beam source coordinate system 43S deviates from the position where irradiation was originally intended in the irradiation area coordinate system 61S (FIG. 4(b)). For example, referring to FIG. 4(b), the actual irradiation pattern P3 deviates from the original irradiation pattern P1.

[0041] Therefore, the additive manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present disclosure has a function of correcting the deviation of the intrinsic beam source coordinate system from the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. By converting the coordinates of the deviation irradiation pattern P3 (plurality of pre-correction irradiation positions P3a to P3d) into the irradiation area coordinate system 61S, the plurality of pre-correction irradiation positions P3a to P3d are converted into the plurality of corrected irradiation positions P4a to P4d so as to obtain the original irradiation pattern P1.

[0042] Since the energy beam source 43 is physically fixed, it is not practical to move it to correct the deviation. In other words, since the position of the energy beam source 43 is determined, the inherent beam coordinate system of the energy beam source 43 cannot essentially be moved. Therefore, a process is performed to correct the deviation for the coordinate information defined by the beam coordinate system. As a result, the position of the actual beam coordinate system relative to the irradiation area coordinate system does not change, but the beam coordinate system can be made to appear to match the irradiation area coordinate system by applying the correction. In the following description, the actual beam coordinate system that is not corrected is referred to as the "intrinsic beam source coordinate system". And the beam coordinate system that appears to match the irradiation area coordinate system by applying the correction is referred to as the "corrected beam coordinate system".

[0043] [Mechanism for acquiring irradiation position] In the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam described below, it is necessary to obtain the position of the energy beam irradiated by the energy beam source 43. Therefore, when carrying out the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam of the present disclosure, an energy beam position acquisition jig 8 for obtaining the position irradiated by the energy beam shown in FIG. 5 is used. The energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is attached to the turntable 6 when carrying out the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam. After the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam is completed, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is removed from the turntable 6. Strictly speaking, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is attached to the turntable 6 when obtaining correction information for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam. The energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is removed from the turntable 6 when irradiating while adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam using the correction information.

[0044] There is no particular limitation on the specific configuration of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, it may be a device using a so-called Faraday cup 81 and a knife edge 82. The energy beam position acquisition jig 8 shown in Fig. 5 can be applied when an electron beam B (electron beam) is used as the energy beam.

[0045] The energy beam position acquisition jig 8 has a Faraday cup 81 and a knife edge 82. The Faraday cup 81 has an electron capture plate 811. The electron capture plate 811 captures electrons constituting the electron beam B received from an opening 812. As a result, electric charge is accumulated on the electron capture plate 811. The amount of accumulated electric charge can be known by an ammeter 83.

[0046] A knife edge 82 is attached to the edge of the opening 812. When a part of the electron beam B is blocked by the knife edge 82, the remaining part of the electron beam B reaches the electron capture plate 811. As a result, a first current value G6a shown in the graph G6 of FIG. 6(b) is obtained. When the electron beam B moves to the right of the paper, the part of the electron beam B that overlaps the knife edge 82 decreases. As a result, the number of electrons that reach the electron capture plate 811 increases. That is, the amount of charge accumulated in the electron capture plate 811 increases. Therefore, as the electron beam B moves to the right of the paper, the current value output from the ammeter 83 also gradually increases (see points G6b and G6c). By using this graph G6, the irradiation position of the electron beam B can be obtained. More specifically, the irradiation position of the electron beam B based on the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 can be obtained.

[0047] 7, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 has a jig coordinate system 8S. The jig coordinate system 8S may be defined by a leading edge 82Aa of an X-axis knife edge 82A and a leading edge 82Ba of a Y-axis knife edge 82B.

[0048] The deviation of the intrinsic beam source coordinate system 43S from the irradiation area coordinate system 61S includes a deviation component due to translation and a deviation component due to rotation. To correct the deviation including these deviation components, that is, to make the intrinsic beam source coordinate system 43S seemingly coincide with the irradiation area coordinate system 61S, it is necessary to obtain the irradiation position of the electron beam B with respect to at least two points of the jig coordinate system 8S. Alternatively, it is necessary to obtain the irradiation position of the electron beam B with respect to one point of the jig coordinate system 8S and the tilt of the X-axis (or Y-axis) of the intrinsic beam source coordinate system 43S with respect to the X-axis (or Y-axis) of the irradiation area coordinate system 61S.

[0049] For example, one locus L1 intersecting the X-axis knife edge 82A and two loci L2 and L3 intersecting the Y-axis knife edge 82B may be set. By setting the loci L1, L2, and L3 in this way, it is possible to obtain the irradiation position of the electron beam B based on one jig coordinate system 8S and the inclination of the Y-axis of the intrinsic beam source coordinate system 43S with respect to the Y-axis of the irradiation area coordinate system 61S.

[0050] The energy beam position acquisition jig 8 may use X-rays as the detection object, or may use secondary electrons as the detection object.

[0051] [Controller: A device that adjusts the irradiation position of the energy beam] First, the hardware configuration of the controller 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The controller 3 is configured by a computer 100. The computer 100 has a processor 101 which is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, an external communication unit 104, an operation unit 105, and an output unit 106. The controller 3 is configured by one or more computers 100 which are configured by these hardware components and software such as programs.

[0052] When the controller 3 is composed of multiple computers 100, these computers 100 may be connected locally or via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet. This connection logically constitutes one controller 3.

[0053] The processor 101 executes an operating system, application programs, etc. The main memory unit 102 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The auxiliary memory unit 103 is a storage medium composed of a hard disk, a flash memory, etc. The auxiliary memory unit 103 generally stores a larger amount of data than the main memory unit 102. At least a part of each unit constituting the controller 3 is realized by the auxiliary memory unit 103. At least a part of each unit constituting the controller 3 may be realized by an external communication unit 104. The operation unit 105 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a microphone for voice input, etc.

[0054] The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores in advance a program P for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam and data necessary for processing. The program P for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam causes the computer 100 to execute each functional element of the controller 3. For example, the program P for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam is read by the processor 101 or the main storage unit 102, and operates at least one of the processor 101, the main storage unit 102, the auxiliary storage unit 103, the external communication unit 104, the operation unit 105, and the output unit 106. For example, the program P for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam reads and writes data in the main storage unit 102 and the auxiliary storage unit 103.

[0055] The program P for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam may be provided in a form recorded on a tangible recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, etc. The program P for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam may be provided as a data signal via a communication network.

[0056] The controller 3 provides a rotation command C2 to the turntable driving source 2. The rotation command C2 includes a command to start rotation, a command to stop rotation, and a rotation angle command to rotate by a predetermined angle. The rotation command C2 may include other commands that specify the operation of the turntable 6. The controller 3 has a turntable command unit 31 as a functional component. The turntable command unit 31 generates the rotation command C2. The turntable command unit 31 provides the rotation command C2 to the turntable driving source 2 via the output unit 106.

[0057] The controller 3 gives irradiation commands C43 to the first energy beam source 43A and the second energy beam source 43B. The irradiation command C43 includes a command to start irradiation, a command to stop irradiation, and a command to specify an irradiation position. The irradiation command C43 may include other commands to specify the operation of the energy beam source 43. The controller 3 has an energy beam source command unit 32 as a functional component. The energy beam source command unit 32 generates the irradiation command C43.

[0058] The energy beam source command unit 32 receives current information D1 from the Faraday cup 81 via the current information acquisition unit 33. The energy beam source command unit 32 obtains correction information D4 using the current information D1. The energy beam source command unit 32 corrects the inherent irradiation position to a corrected irradiation position using the correction information D4. The energy beam source command unit 32 generates an irradiation command C43 for irradiating the electron beam B to the corrected irradiation position. Then, the energy beam source command unit 32 gives irradiation commands C43A and C43B to the first energy beam source 43A and the second energy beam source 43B, respectively, via the output unit 106.

[0059] The controller 3 has an auxiliary storage unit 103 and an output unit 106 as components for assisting the operation of the energy beam source command unit 32. The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores various information for generating the rotation command C2 and the irradiation command C43. For example, the auxiliary storage unit 103 may store current information D1, set trajectory information, measured trajectory information, coordinate position information D3, correction information D4, designed irradiation position, inherent irradiation position, corrected irradiation position, etc. The auxiliary storage unit 103 can receive information from the current information acquisition unit 33, the rotation table command unit 31, the energy beam source command unit 32, and the output unit 106. It can also provide information requested by these elements.

[0060] The output unit 106 functions as an interface for giving a rotation command C2 from the controller 3 to the rotary table driving source 2. Similarly, the output unit 106 functions as an interface for giving an irradiation command C43 from the controller 3 to the first energy beam source 43A and the second energy beam source 43B.

[0061] The energy beam source command section 32 will now be described in further detail.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9, the energy beam source command unit 32 includes a trajectory calculation unit 321 , a coordinate position information calculation unit 322 , a correction information calculation unit 323 , and an irradiation command generation unit 324 .

[0063] The trajectory calculation unit 321 reads out the current information D1 from the auxiliary storage unit 103. The trajectory calculation unit 321 obtains the trajectory information D2 by using the current information D1. Then, the trajectory calculation unit 321 causes the auxiliary storage unit 103 to store the trajectory information D2.

[0064] The coordinate position information calculation unit 322 reads out a plurality of pieces of trajectory information D2 from the auxiliary storage unit 103. The coordinate position information calculation unit 322 obtains coordinate position information D3 using the plurality of pieces of trajectory information D2. Then, the coordinate position information calculation unit 322 causes the auxiliary storage unit 103 to store the coordinate position information D3.

[0065] The trajectory calculation unit 321 and the coordinate position information calculation unit 322 constitute the first processing unit 45A and the second processing unit 45B described in the claims. The first processing unit 45A and the second processing unit 45B defined in the claims may be separate functional components or may be a single functional component.

[0066] The correction information calculation unit 323 reads out the coordinate position information D3 from the auxiliary storage unit 103. The correction information calculation unit 323 obtains the correction information D4 by using the coordinate position information D3. Then, the correction information calculation unit 323 stores the correction information D4 in the auxiliary storage unit 103. The correction information D4 converts the coordinate information defined by the eigenbeam source coordinate system 43S that is shifted with respect to the irradiation area coordinate system 61S into the coordinate information defined by the irradiation area coordinate system 61S while correcting the shift. That is, the correction information D4 may be information for coordinate conversion. For example, the correction information D4 may include a translation matrix that translates the eigenbeam source coordinate system 43S and a rotation matrix that rotates the eigenbeam source coordinate system 43S.

[0067] The irradiation command generating unit 324 reads out the correction information D4 and the irradiation position defined by the rotary table coordinate system 6S from the auxiliary storage unit 103. First, the irradiation command generating unit 324 performs coordinate conversion of the irradiation position defined by the rotary table coordinate system 6S into the irradiation position defined by the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. When the inherent beam source coordinate system 43S of the energy beam source 43 coincides with the irradiation area coordinate system 61S, the result of converting the irradiation position defined by the rotary table coordinate system 6S into the irradiation position defined by the irradiation area coordinate system 61S may be applied directly to the inherent beam source coordinate system 43S. However, in reality, the inherent beam source coordinate system 43S may include a deviation from the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. Therefore, a more accurate corrected irradiation position is obtained by further coordinate conversion of the result of converting the irradiation position defined by the rotary table coordinate system 6S into the irradiation position defined by the irradiation area coordinate system 61S using the correction information D4. Then, the irradiation command generating unit 324 provides an irradiation command C43 based on the corrected irradiation position via the output unit 106 to the first energy beam source and / or the second energy beam source 43B.

[0068] [Method of adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam] The method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam according to the present disclosure is executed by the controller 3. Hereinafter, the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0069] First, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is attached to the modeling surface 6a of the rotary table 6 (S1). This step S1 may be performed manually by an operator. It may also be performed by an automatic attachment mechanism provided in the additive manufacturing apparatus 1. In the present disclosure, the position of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is assumed to coincide with the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. Specifically, the origin 8G of the jig coordinate system 8S of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 can be made to coincide with the origin 61G of the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. Furthermore, the direction of the X-axis of the jig coordinate system 8S coincides with the direction of the X-axis of the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. Similarly, the direction of the Y-axis of the jig coordinate system 8S coincides with the direction of the Y-axis of the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. That is, in step S1 of the present disclosure, the arrangement information of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is known. The position information of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 8G of the jig coordinate system 8S, and the inclination between the axis of the turntable coordinate system 6S and the axis of the jig coordinate system 8S.

[0070] It is not necessary that the arrangement information of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is known in advance. A method for obtaining the arrangement information of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 will be described later as modified examples 3 and 4.

[0071] Next, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is placed in the first irradiation area 61A (S2: see FIG. 11(a)). This step S2 is executed when the rotation command C2 is given from the rotation table command unit 31 to the rotation table drive source 2.

[0072] Next, coordinate position information indicating the position of the first inherent beam source coordinate system 43AS is obtained (S3). The position of the first inherent beam source coordinate system 43AS is based on the jig coordinate system 8S.

[0073] Specifically, first, current information D1 is obtained (S31). An electron beam B is irradiated from the first energy beam source 43A along each of the three trajectories L1, L2, and L3. This operation is executed by the energy beam source command unit 32 and the first energy beam source 43A. Next, trajectory information D2 is obtained using the current information D1 (S32). This operation is executed by the trajectory calculation unit 321. Next, coordinate position information D3 is obtained using the trajectory information D2 (S33). This operation is executed by the coordinate position information calculation unit 322. By the above operations, the coordinate position information can be obtained.

[0074] Next, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is placed in the second irradiation area 61B (S4: see FIG. 11(b)). This operation is executed by the rotary table command unit 31.

[0075] Next, coordinate position information indicating the position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system 43BS is obtained (S5). Step S5 also includes step S51 for obtaining current information D1, step S52 for obtaining trajectory information D2, and step S53 for obtaining coordinate position information D3. The specific operations of steps S51, S52, and S53 are the same as steps S31, S32, and S33 for obtaining coordinate position information indicating the position of the first eigenbeam source coordinate system 43AS (S3), and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0076] Next, correction information D4 is obtained (S6). This operation is executed by the correction information calculation unit 323. The step of obtaining correction information D4 (S6) includes a step of obtaining correction information D4 regarding the first irradiation area 61A (S61) and a step of obtaining correction information D4 regarding the second irradiation area 61B (S62).

[0077] The above steps S1 to S6 obtain correction information D4 for adjusting the irradiation position of the electron beam B. That is, steps S1 to S6 configure a method for obtaining correction information for adjusting the irradiation position of the electron beam B.

[0078] The method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam includes a step (S7) of correcting the irradiation position in addition to steps S1 to S6. This operation is executed by the irradiation command generating unit 324. Then, the irradiation command generating unit 324 outputs irradiation commands C43A and C43B for irradiating the electron beam B to the corrected irradiation position via the output unit 106.

[0079] The method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam is not limited to the above order.

[0080] The process (S3, S5) of obtaining the position of the eigenbeam source coordinate system 43S includes a process (S31, S51) of obtaining current information D1, a process (S32, S52) of obtaining trajectory information D2, and a process (S33, S53) of obtaining coordinate position information D3. In the present disclosure, an example has been presented in which the process (S3, S5) of obtaining the position of the eigenbeam source coordinate system 43S includes a process (S31, S51) of obtaining current information D1, a process (S32, S52) of obtaining trajectory information D2, and a process (S33, S53) of obtaining coordinate position information D3, each of which is executed as a single process. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

[0081] For example, as shown in Fig. 12, after current information D1 is obtained in the first irradiation area 61A (S31), the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is immediately placed in the second irradiation area 61B (S4). Then, current information D1 may be obtained in the second irradiation area 61B (S51). Then, trajectory information D2 regarding the first irradiation area 61A may be obtained (S32) and coordinate position information D3 may be obtained (S33). Furthermore, trajectory information D2 regarding the second irradiation area 61B may be obtained (S52) and coordinate position information D3 may be obtained (S53).

[0082] 13, for example, for the first irradiation area 61A, a step S32 for obtaining trajectory information D2, a step S33 for obtaining coordinate position information D3, and a step S61 for obtaining correction information D4 may be executed as one step S3B. Similarly, for the second irradiation area 61B, a step S52 for obtaining trajectory information D2, a step S53 for obtaining coordinate position information D3, and a step S62 for obtaining correction information D4 may be executed as one step S5B.

[0083] [Effects] The method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam includes a step S1 of attaching an energy beam position acquisition jig 8 to the turntable 6 for obtaining information on the position on the turntable 6 where the first energy beam is irradiated and the position on the turntable 6 where the second energy beam is irradiated; a step S3 of arranging the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 in a first irradiation area 61A that defines the irradiation range of the first energy beam source 43A and obtaining information indicating the position of the first inherent beam source coordinate system 43AS of the first energy beam source 43A based on the jig coordinate system 8S in a state where a jig coordinate system 8S of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is associated with a first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS that defines the first irradiation area 61A based on a turntable coordinate system 6S of the turntable 6; and a step S4 of moving the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 from the first irradiation area 61A to a second irradiation area 61B that defines the irradiation range of the second energy beam source 43B by rotating the turntable 6. The method includes a step S5 of acquiring information indicating the position of a second eigenbeam source coordinate system 43BS of the second energy beam source 43B based on the jig coordinate system 8S, after moving the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 to the second irradiation area 61B, with the jig coordinate system 8S associated with a second irradiation area coordinate system 61BS that defines the second irradiation area 61B based on the rotary table coordinate system 6S; and a step S6 of acquiring first correction information using the information indicating the position of the first eigenbeam source coordinate system 43AS to convert a first eigen irradiation position defined in the first eigenbeam source coordinate system 43AS into a first corrected irradiation position defined in a first corrected beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS, and acquiring second correction information using the information indicating the position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system 43BS to convert a second eigen irradiation position defined in the second eigenbeam source coordinate system 43BS into a second corrected irradiation position defined in the second corrected beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS.

[0084] The program P for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam includes a computer 100, an energy beam position acquisition jig 8 for obtaining information on the position on the turntable 6 where the first energy beam is irradiated and the position on the turntable 6 where the second energy beam is irradiated, in a first irradiation area 61A that defines the irradiation range of the first energy beam source 43A, and a trajectory calculation unit 321 and a coordinate position information calculation unit 322 that obtain information indicating the position of the first inherent beam source coordinate system 43AS of the first energy beam source 43A based on the jig coordinate system 8S in a state where a jig coordinate system 8S of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is associated with a first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS that defines the first irradiation area 61A based on a turntable coordinate system 6S of the turntable 6, a turntable 6 command unit that moves the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 from the first irradiation area 61A to a second irradiation area 61B that defines the irradiation range of the second energy beam source 43B by rotating the turntable 6, an energy beam position acquisition After the jig 8 is moved to the second irradiation area 61B, in a state where the jig coordinate system 8S is associated with the second irradiation area coordinate system 61BS that defines the second irradiation area 61B based on the rotary table coordinate system 6S, a trajectory calculation unit 321 and a coordinate position information calculation unit 322 obtain information indicating the position of the second inherent beam source coordinate system 43BS of the second energy beam source 43B based on the jig coordinate system 8S, and a coordinate position information calculation unit 323 obtain information indicating the position of the first inherent beam source coordinate system 43AS based on the jig coordinate system 8S. The correction information calculation unit 323 obtains first correction information for converting the defined first inherent irradiation position into a first modified irradiation position defined in a first modified beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS, and also functions as a correction information calculation unit 323 for obtaining second correction information for converting the second inherent irradiation position defined in the second inherent beam source coordinate system 43BS into a second modified irradiation position defined in the second modified beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS, using information indicating the position of the second inherent beam source coordinate system 43BS.

[0085] The additive manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a turntable 6 that supports powder material 90, a first energy beam source 43A that irradiates a first irradiation area 61A based on a turntable coordinate system 6S of the turntable 6 with a first energy beam, a second energy beam source 43B that irradiates a second irradiation area 61B based on the turntable coordinate system 6S with a second energy beam, an energy beam position acquisition jig 8 that obtains information regarding the position on the turntable 6 where the first energy beam is irradiated and the position where the second energy beam is irradiated, and a controller 3 that outputs control commands to be given to the turntable 6, the first energy beam source 43A and the second energy beam source 43B.The controller 3 disposes the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 in a first irradiation area 61A that defines the irradiation range of the first energy beam source 43A, and in a state in which a jig coordinate system 8S of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is associated with a first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS that defines the first irradiation area 61A based on a turntable coordinate system 6S of the turntable 6, the controller 3 includes a trajectory calculation unit 321 and a coordinate position information calculation unit 322 that acquire information indicating the position of the first inherent beam source coordinate system 43AS of the first energy beam source 43A based on the jig coordinate system 8S, a turntable 6 command unit that moves the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 from the first irradiation area 61A to a second irradiation area 61B that defines the irradiation range of the second energy beam source 43B by rotating the turntable 6, and a turntable 6 command unit that acquires information indicating the position of the first inherent beam source coordinate system 43AS of the first energy beam source 43A based on the jig coordinate system 8S after moving the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 to the second irradiation area 61B based on the turntable coordinate system 6S. the second irradiation area coordinate system 61AS and the second irradiation area coordinate system 61B defined by the second eigenbeam source coordinate system 43AS; a trajectory calculation unit 321 and a coordinate position information calculation unit 322 which obtain information indicating the position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system 43BS of the second energy beam source 43B based on the jig coordinate system 8S, with the jig coordinate system 8S associated with the second irradiation area coordinate system 61BS defining the second irradiation area 61B; and a correction information calculation unit 323 which obtains first correction information for converting a first eigen irradiation position defined in the first eigenbeam source coordinate system 43AS into a first corrected irradiation position defined in a first corrected beam source coordinate system coinciding with the first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS, using the information indicating the position of the first eigenbeam source coordinate system 43AS, and which obtains second correction information for converting a second eigen irradiation position defined in the second eigenbeam source coordinate system 43BS into a second corrected irradiation position defined in the second corrected beam source coordinate system coinciding with the first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS, using the information indicating the position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system 43BS.

[0086] According to this method, the program P, and the additive manufacturing apparatus 1, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 used to acquire information indicating the position of the first eigenbeam source coordinate system 43AS in the first irradiation area 61A is moved from the first irradiation area 61A to the second irradiation area 61B by rotating the turntable 6. Then, information indicating the position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system 43BS is acquired in the second irradiation area 61B. Therefore, since there is no need to prepare multiple jigs or large jigs for adjusting the irradiation positions of the energy beam in multiple irradiation areas, the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam on the powder material 90 can be improved by a simple method.

[0087] In the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam, the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 61AG of the first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS is equal to the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 61BG of the second irradiation area coordinate system 61BS. Even with this configuration, the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam with respect to the powder material 90 can be improved by a simple method.

[0088] [Variations] The method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, the program for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, and the additive manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure have been described above. The method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, the program for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, and the additive manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms without being limited to the above examples.

[0089] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 61AG of the first irradiation area 61A is the same as the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 61BG of the second irradiation area 61B. The distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 61AG of the first irradiation area 61A may be different from the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 61BG of the second irradiation area 61B. For example, as shown in FIG. 14(a), the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 61AG of the first irradiation area 61A may be shorter than the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 61BG of the second irradiation area 61B.

[0090] In this case, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8A has two Faraday cups. The energy beam position acquisition jig 8A has a jig body 85, an inner circumference side Faraday cup 81A (inner circumference position acquisition part), and an outer circumference side Faraday cup 81B (outer circumference position acquisition part). The jig body 85 is an elongated member extending in the radial direction of the rotary table 6. The inner circumference end of the jig body 85 is located on the inner circumference side of the outer edge of the imaginary circle 61AC including the origin 61AG of the first irradiation area 61A. The outer circumference end of the jig body 85 is located on the outer circumference side of the outer edge of the imaginary circle 61BC including the origin 61BG of the second irradiation area 61B. The inner circumference side Faraday cup 81A is provided in an area including the origin 61AG of the first irradiation area 61A. The outer circumference side Faraday cup 81B is provided in an area including the origin 61BG of the second irradiation area 61B.

[0091] 14(a), when the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is placed in the first irradiation area 61A, the inner circumference side Faraday cup 81A overlaps with the first irradiation area 61A. As shown in FIG 14(b), when the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is placed in the second irradiation area 61B, the outer circumference side Faraday cup 81B overlaps with the second irradiation area 61B.

[0092] With such an energy beam position acquisition jig 8A, the irradiation position of the electron beam B can be adjusted by a simple method for each of the first irradiation area 61A and the second irradiation area 61B, which have different positions along the radial direction of the turntable 6.

[0093] [Effects of Modification Example 1] In the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam of the first modification, the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 61AG of the first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS is different from the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 61BG of the second irradiation area coordinate system 61BS. Even with this configuration, the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam with respect to the powder material 90 can be improved by a simple method.

[0094] In the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam of the first modification, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8A has an elongated shape extending in the radial direction of the rotary table coordinate system 6S, and has an inner circumference side Faraday cup 81A provided on the inner circumference side and an outer circumference side Faraday cup 81B provided on the outer circumference side. When the energy beam position acquisition jig 8A is placed in the first irradiation area 61A, the inner circumference side Faraday cup 81A overlaps the first irradiation area 61A. When the energy beam position acquisition jig 8A is placed in the second irradiation area 61B, the outer circumference side Faraday cup 81B overlaps the second irradiation area 61B. With this configuration, the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam with respect to the powder material 90 can be improved by a simple method in the first irradiation area 61A and the second irradiation area 61B, which are located at different radial positions on the rotary table 6.

[0095] [Variation 2] When the distance from the origin 6G of the rotating table coordinate system 6S to the origin 61AG of the first irradiation area 61A is shorter than the distance from the origin 6G of the rotating table coordinate system 6S to the origin 61BG of the second irradiation area 61B, the irradiation position of the electron beam B can be adjusted by a simple method using a separate energy beam position acquisition jig 8B.

[0096] The energy beam position acquisition jig 8B shown in FIG. 15(a) has one movable Faraday cup 81C (movable position acquisition unit). This movable Faraday cup 81C can move relative to the jig body 85. That is, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8B has the jig body 85, the movable Faraday cup 81C, and the drive unit 86. The jig body 85 is an elongated member extending in the radial direction of the rotary table 6. The inner peripheral end of the jig body 85 is located on the inner peripheral side of the outer edge of the imaginary circle 61AC including the origin 61AG of the first irradiation area 61A. The outer peripheral end of the jig body 85 is located on the outer peripheral side of the outer edge of the imaginary circle 61BC including the origin 61BG of the second irradiation area 61B. As shown in FIG. 15(b), the drive unit 86 moves the movable Faraday cup 81C from the first position to the second position. In addition, the driving unit 86 moves the movable Faraday cup 81C from the second position to the first position. The first position corresponds to the position where the inner Faraday cup 81A of the first modification is provided. The second position corresponds to the position where the outer Faraday cup 81B of the first modification is provided.

[0097] Such an energy beam position acquisition jig 8 can also be used to adjust the irradiation position of the electron beam B in a simple manner for each of the first irradiation area 61A and the second irradiation area 61B, which have different positions along the radial direction of the turntable 6.

[0098] [Effects of Modification Example 2] In the method for adjusting the irradiation position of the energy beam of the second modification, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8B has a movable Faraday cup 81C that is movable in the radial direction of the turntable coordinate system 6S, and when the energy beam position acquisition jig 8B is placed in the first irradiation area 61A, the movable Faraday cup 81C moves to the inner periphery so as to overlap with the first irradiation area 61A. When the energy beam position acquisition jig 8B is placed in the second irradiation area 61B, the movable Faraday cup 81C moves to the outer periphery so as to overlap with the second irradiation area 61B. This configuration also makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the irradiation position of the energy beam with respect to the powder material 90 in the first irradiation area 61A and the second irradiation area 61B, which are located at different radial positions on the turntable 6, by a simple method.

[0099] [Variation 3] In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the jig coordinate system 8S coincides with the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. In other words, the position of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 attached to the turntable 6 is known. More specifically, the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 8G of the jig coordinate system 8S is known. According to the method of the modified example 3, the radial position R from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 8G of the jig coordinate system 8S can be obtained.

[0100] This method of obtaining the radial position R may be additionally executed in either step S3 or step S5 in the flow diagram of Fig. 10. In addition, this method of obtaining the radial position R can also be applied to the case where the additive manufacturing apparatus 1 is equipped with one energy beam source 43. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to the flow diagram shown in Fig. 16.

[0101] The energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is placed in the irradiation area 61 (S81: see FIG. 17). Specifically, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is placed at a first position 611 included in the irradiation area 61. The first position 611 defines, for example, a virtual line 61K connecting the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S and the origin 61G of the irradiation area coordinate system 61S. This virtual line 61K divides the irradiation area 61 in half. The first position 611 may be set in one of the two divided regions 61R.

[0102] Next, first positional deviation information is obtained using the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 arranged at the first position 611 (S82). The first positional deviation information indicates the deviation of the intrinsic beam source coordinate system 43S of the energy beam source 43 with respect to the rotary table coordinate system 6S.

[0103] Next, the turntable 6 is rotated by a predetermined angle θ (S83). As a result, the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 moves from the first position 611 to a second position 612 in the same irradiation area 61. The second position 612 may be set in the other region 61L of the bisected irradiation area 61.

[0104] Next, second positional deviation information is obtained using the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 arranged at the second position 612 (S84). The second positional deviation information indicates the deviation of the intrinsic beam source coordinate system 43S of the energy beam source 43 with respect to the rotary table coordinate system 6S.

[0105] Next, the position information of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is obtained (S85). In step S85, the position information is obtained using the first positional deviation information, the second positional deviation information, and the rotation angle θ1 of the turntable 6. This position information includes the radial position and tilt angle of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8. The radial position is the distance from the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 8G of the jig coordinate system 8S. The tilt angle δ is the deviation angle between the reference line connecting the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S to the origin 8G of the jig coordinate system 8S and the axis 8Y of the jig coordinate system 8S.

[0106] First, an intersection point X is obtained by extending an axis 8Y1 of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 arranged at the first position 611 and an axis 8Y2 of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 arranged at the second position 612. Furthermore, an axis 8J passing through an origin 8G1 of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 arranged at the first position 611 and an origin 8G2 of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 arranged at the second position 612 is defined. Then, a triangle is defined by the three axes 8Y1, 8Y2, and 8J.

[0107] Next, a distance K1 from the origin 8G1 to the intersection X on the axis 8Y1 is obtained. Furthermore, a distance K2 from the origin 8G2 to the intersection X on the axis 8Y2 is obtained. That is, the distances K1 and K2 are known values. On the other hand, a distance K3 from the origin 8G1 to the origin 8G2 on the axis 8J is an unknown value. Furthermore, a predetermined angle θ between the axis 8Y1 and the axis 8Y2 is obtained, and an angle η between the axis 8Y1 and the axis 8J is obtained. The predetermined angle θ is a known value. On the other hand, the angle η between the axis 8Y1 and the axis 8J is an unknown value.

[0108] Then, the unknown values ​​of angle η and distance K3 are calculated by applying the distances K1 and K2 and the predetermined angle θ to trigonometric functions.

[0109] Finally, the distance (radial position R) from the origin 8G1 to the origin 6G and the tilt angle δ between the axis 8Y1 and the axis 61T are obtained. The distance from the origin 8G1 to the origin 6G can be obtained using equation (1). The tilt angle δ can be obtained using equation (2). R = (K3 / 2) / sin(θ / 2)…(1) δ = η - (π - θ) / 2 … (2)

[0110] [Effects of Modification 3] The third modification is a method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam for an additive manufacturing apparatus 1 that obtains a molded object 91 by irradiating a powder material 90 arranged on a turntable 6 with a first energy beam from a first energy beam source 43A. The method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam of the third modification includes a step S80 of attaching an energy beam position acquisition jig 8 to the turntable 6 to obtain information on the position on the turntable 6 where the first energy beam is irradiated, a step S82 of acquiring first positional deviation information indicating a deviation of a first inherent beam source coordinate system 43AS of the first energy beam source 43A from a turntable coordinate system 6S of the turntable 6 when the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is arranged at a first position 611 in a first irradiation area 61A that defines the irradiation range of the first energy beam source 43A, and a step S83 of acquiring first positional deviation information indicating a deviation of a first inherent beam source coordinate system 43AS of the first energy beam source 43A from a turntable coordinate system 6S of the turntable 6 when the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is arranged at a first position 611 in a first irradiation area 61A that defines the irradiation range of the first energy beam source 43A, and The method includes a step S83 of rotating the turntable 6 by a predetermined rotation angle θ1, and after the step S83 of rotating the turntable 6 by the predetermined rotation angle θ1, a step S84 of obtaining second position deviation information indicating the deviation of the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system 43AS from the turntable coordinate system 6S when the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 is positioned from the first position 611 to a second position 612 within the first irradiation area 61A, and a step S85 of obtaining the radial position R of the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 based on the origin 6G of the turntable coordinate system 6S using the rotation angle of the turntable 6, the first position deviation information and the second position deviation information.

[0111] According to the method of the third modification, the position information (radial position R, tilt angle δ) regarding the energy beam position acquisition jig 8 attached to the rotary table 6 can be obtained.

[0112] The method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, the program for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam, and the additive manufacturing apparatus disclosed herein may further include the following modifications.

[0113] For example, the turntable coordinate system 6S, the first irradiation area coordinate system 61AS, and the second irradiation area coordinate system 61BS may use a polar coordinate system instead of a Cartesian coordinate system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1 Additive manufacturing equipment 3. Controller 31 Rotary table control unit 32 Energy Beam Source Command Unit 33 Current information acquisition section 321 Trajectory calculation section 322 Coordinate position information calculation unit 323 Correction Information Calculation Unit 324 Irradiation command generation unit 4 Processing section 43A First Energy Beam Source 43AS first eigenbeam source coordinate system 43B Second Energy Beam Source 43BS Second eigenbeam source coordinate system 45A First Processing Section 45B Second Processing Section 6 Rotating table 6G,8G,61AG,61BG,61G,61G Origin 6S Rotary table coordinate system 61A First irradiation area 61AS 1st irradiation area coordinate system 61B Second irradiation area 61BS Second irradiation area coordinate system 611 1st position 612 2nd position 8,8A,8B Energy beam position acquisition jig 8S Jig Coordinate System 81A Inner circumference Faraday cup (inner circumference position acquisition part) 81B Outer Faraday cup (outer position acquisition part) 81C Movable Faraday cup (movable position acquisition part) 90 Powder materials 91 Sculptures 100 Computers P Program P1a~P1d,P2a~P2d Irradiation position R radius position θ Predetermined angle θ1 Rotation angle

Claims

1. A method for adjusting an irradiation position of an energy beam for an additive manufacturing apparatus that obtains a molded object by irradiating a powder material arranged on a rotary table with a first energy beam from a first energy beam source and irradiating a powder material with a second energy beam from a second energy beam source, the method comprising: a step of attaching an energy beam position acquisition jig to the rotary table to acquire information regarding a position on the rotary table where the first energy beam is irradiated and a position on the rotary table where the second energy beam is irradiated; a step of placing the energy beam position acquisition jig in a first irradiation area that defines an irradiation range of the first energy beam source, and acquiring information indicating a position of a first inherent beam source coordinate system of the first energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system in a state in which a jig coordinate system of the energy beam position acquisition jig is associated with a first irradiation area coordinate system that defines the first irradiation area based on a rotary table coordinate system of the rotary table; moving the energy beam position acquisition jig from the first irradiation area to a second irradiation area that defines an irradiation range of the second energy beam source by rotating the rotary table; a step of acquiring information indicating a position of a second inherent beam source coordinate system of the second energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system after moving the energy beam position acquisition jig to the second irradiation area and associating the jig coordinate system with a second irradiation area coordinate system that defines the second irradiation area based on the rotary table coordinate system; a step of obtaining first correction information using information indicating a position of the first eigenbeam source coordinate system to convert a first eigenirradiation position defined in the first eigenbeam source coordinate system into a first corrected irradiation position defined in a first corrected beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system, and a step of obtaining second correction information using information indicating a position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system to convert a second eigenirradiation position defined in the second eigenbeam source coordinate system into a second corrected irradiation position defined in a second corrected beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system.

2. 2. The method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam according to claim 1, wherein a distance from the origin of the rotating table coordinate system to the origin of the first irradiation area coordinate system is equal to a distance from the origin of the rotating table coordinate system to the origin of the second irradiation area coordinate system.

3. 2. The method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam according to claim 1, wherein a distance from the origin of the rotating table coordinate system to the origin of the first irradiation area coordinate system is different from a distance from the origin of the rotating table coordinate system to the origin of the second irradiation area coordinate system.

4. the energy beam position acquisition jig has an elongated shape extending in a radial direction of the rotary table coordinate system, and includes an inner circumference position acquisition unit provided on an inner circumference side and an outer circumference position acquisition unit provided on an outer circumference side, When the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed in the first irradiation area, the inner circumference position acquisition unit overlaps with the first irradiation area, The method for adjusting an energy beam irradiation position according to claim 3 , wherein the outer periphery position acquisition unit overlaps with the second irradiation area when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed in the second irradiation area.

5. the energy beam position acquisition jig has a movable position acquisition unit that is movable in a radial direction of the rotary table coordinate system, When the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed in the first irradiation area, the movable position acquisition unit moves to an inner periphery side so as to overlap with the first irradiation area, The method for adjusting the irradiation position of an energy beam according to claim 3 , wherein when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed in the second irradiation area, the movable position acquisition unit moves to the outer periphery so as to overlap with the second irradiation area.

6. The step of obtaining information indicative of a position of the first eigenbeam source coordinate system includes: obtaining first positional deviation information indicating a deviation of the first inherent beam source coordinate system with respect to the rotary table coordinate system when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed at a first position within the first irradiation area; rotating the rotary table by a predetermined angle; obtaining second positional deviation information indicating a deviation of the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system from the rotary table coordinate system when the energy beam position acquisition jig is moved from the first position to a second position within the first irradiation area after the step of rotating the rotary table by a predetermined angle; and obtaining a radial position of the energy beam position acquisition jig based on the origin of the rotary table coordinate system using the rotation angle of the rotary table, the first positional deviation information, and the second positional deviation information.

7. A program for adjusting an irradiation position of an energy beam for an additive manufacturing apparatus that obtains a molded object by irradiating a powder material arranged on a rotary table with a first energy beam from a first energy beam source and irradiating a powder material with a second energy beam from a second energy beam source, the program comprising: Computer, a first processing unit that places an energy beam position acquisition jig for obtaining information regarding a position on the turntable where the first energy beam is irradiated and a position on the turntable where the second energy beam is irradiated in a first irradiation area that defines an irradiation range of the first energy beam source, and obtains information indicating a position of a first inherent beam source coordinate system of the first energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system in a state in which a jig coordinate system of the energy beam position acquisition jig is associated with a first irradiation area coordinate system that defines the first irradiation area based on a turntable coordinate system of the turntable; a rotary table command unit that rotates the rotary table to move the energy beam position acquisition jig from the first irradiation area to a second irradiation area that defines an irradiation range of the second energy beam source; a second processing unit that, after moving the energy beam position acquisition jig to the second irradiation area, acquires information indicating a position of a second inherent beam source coordinate system of the second energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system in a state in which the jig coordinate system is associated with a second irradiation area coordinate system that defines the second irradiation area based on the rotary table coordinate system; and a correction information calculation unit that uses information indicating a position of the first eigenbeam source coordinate system to obtain first correction information for converting a first eigenbeam position defined in the first eigenbeam source coordinate system into a first modified irradiation position defined in a first modified beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system, and that uses information indicating a position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system to obtain second correction information for converting a second eigenbeam position defined in the second eigenbeam source coordinate system into a second modified irradiation position defined in a second modified beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system.

8. a rotary table for supporting the powder material; a first energy beam source that irradiates a first irradiation area based on a rotary table coordinate system of the rotary table with a first energy beam; a second energy beam source that irradiates a second irradiation area based on the rotary table coordinate system with a second energy beam; an energy beam position acquisition tool for acquiring information on a position on the rotary table where the first energy beam is irradiated and a position on the rotary table where the second energy beam is irradiated; a controller that outputs control commands to be applied to the rotary table, the first energy beam source, and the second energy beam source, The controller: a first processing unit that places the energy beam position acquisition jig in a first irradiation area that defines an irradiation range of the first energy beam source, and acquires information indicating a position of a first inherent beam source coordinate system of the first energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system in a state in which a jig coordinate system of the energy beam position acquisition jig is associated with a first irradiation area coordinate system that defines the first irradiation area based on a rotary table coordinate system of the rotary table; a rotary table command unit that rotates the rotary table to move the energy beam position acquisition jig from the first irradiation area to a second irradiation area that defines an irradiation range of the second energy beam source; a second processing unit that, after moving the energy beam position acquisition jig to the second irradiation area, acquires information indicating a position of a second inherent beam source coordinate system of the second energy beam source based on the jig coordinate system in a state in which the jig coordinate system is associated with a second irradiation area coordinate system that defines the second irradiation area based on the rotary table coordinate system; and a correction information calculation unit that uses information indicating a position of the first eigenbeam source coordinate system to obtain first correction information for converting a first eigen irradiation position defined in the first eigenbeam source coordinate system into a first modified irradiation position defined in a first modified beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system, and that uses information indicating the position of the second eigenbeam source coordinate system to obtain second correction information for converting a second eigen irradiation position defined in the second eigenbeam source coordinate system into a second modified irradiation position defined in a second modified beam source coordinate system that coincides with the first irradiation area coordinate system.

9. 1. A method for adjusting an irradiation position of an energy beam for an additive manufacturing apparatus that obtains a molded object by irradiating a powder material arranged on a rotary table with a first energy beam from a first energy beam source, the method comprising: a step of attaching an energy beam position acquisition jig to the rotary table for acquiring information regarding a position on the rotary table where the first energy beam is irradiated; obtaining first positional deviation information indicating a deviation of a first inherent beam source coordinate system of the first energy beam source with respect to a rotary table coordinate system of the rotary table when the energy beam position acquisition jig is placed at a first position within a first irradiation area that defines an irradiation range of the first energy beam source; rotating the rotary table by a predetermined angle; obtaining second positional deviation information indicating a deviation of the first intrinsic beam source coordinate system from the rotary table coordinate system when the energy beam position acquisition jig is moved from the first position to a second position within the first irradiation area after the step of rotating the rotary table by a predetermined angle; and obtaining a radial position of the energy beam position acquisition jig based on the origin of the rotary table coordinate system using the rotation angle of the rotary table, the first positional deviation information, and the second positional deviation information.

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