Metal powder deposition control method

Abstract

To control deposition of a metal powder that is used in producing a metal additively fabricated article.SOLUTION: A metal powder deposition control method performed by a manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a metal additively fabricated article having a plurality of layers in a height direction, the apparatus comprising a head that irradiates laser light LS generated by a laser oscillator onto an irradiation position, and a suction mechanism that sucks air from a suction port, the method controlling deposition of metal powders 15, 15A, and 15B, wherein the head is moved to irradiate the laser light toward the metal powders, and air above the irradiation position of the laser light is sucked by the suction port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling deposition of metal powder. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a laser additive manufacturing device that irradiates a surface layer of metal powder with laser light to form a metal layer by sintering or melting and solidifying the metal powder, and stacks the layers to manufacture a metal object. The laser additive manufacturing device includes a chamber, a manufacturing stage located within the chamber and having a manufacturing tank on its surface that is filled with metal powder, a laser light source that irradiates the surface layer of the metal powder in the manufacturing tank with laser light, a shield cover located within the chamber that covers the periphery of the laser light in the chamber and separates the atmosphere within the chamber from the atmosphere around the laser light, and an inert gas supply unit that supplies an inert gas into the shield cover. The shield cover in the laser additive manufacturing device has a first shield member having a double-tube structure consisting of an inner tube and an outer tube, a second shield member consisting of a tubular member with openings at both ends connected to the outer tube, and a gas diffusion mechanism located in the space between the inner tube and the outer tube and diffusing an inert gas throughout the shield cover, with laser light passing inside the inner tube and supplying the inert gas from the space between the inner tube and the outer tube into the second shield member, so that the pressure inside the shield cover is more positive than inside the chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6889744 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure has been devised in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a metal powder deposition control method for controlling the deposition of metal powder used in the production of metal additive manufacturing products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure provides a method for controlling the deposition of metal powder performed by a manufacturing device for manufacturing a metal additive manufacturing object having multiple layers in the vertical direction, the device comprising: a head that irradiates an irradiation position with laser light generated by a laser oscillator; and a suction mechanism that sucks air through a suction port, the method comprising: moving the head to irradiate the laser light toward the metal powder; and sucking air above the irradiation position of the laser light through the suction port.

[0006] The present disclosure also provides a method for controlling the deposition of metal powder performed by a manufacturing device for manufacturing a metal additive manufacturing object having multiple layers in the vertical direction, the device comprising: a head that irradiates an irradiation position with laser light generated by a laser oscillator; and a suction nozzle that sucks air through a suction port, the method comprising: moving the head to irradiate the laser light toward the metal powder; and sucking air near the irradiation position of the laser light through the suction port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure allows for controlled deposition of metal powders used in the production of metal additive manufacturing objects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a metal additive manufacturing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram showing a modified example of the manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of an irradiation control device in a manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of a metal additive manufacturing object. [Figure 5] An example of metal powder pre-suction [Figure 6] An example of metal powder suction [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of metal powder suction using the suction mechanism DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Background to this disclosure) In the laser additive manufacturing device of Patent Document 1, the shielding gas supplied into the shield cover flows gently from top to bottom around the laser without causing turbulence, preventing turbulence-induced scattering of the laser light or the raising of metal powder. When the laser beam is irradiated onto the surface of the metal powder, the laser additive manufacturing device appropriately purges any moisture or oxygen adsorbed on the powder surface, spatter, or metal vapor that may be generated, thereby reducing adverse effects on the object and enabling the manufacture of objects with excellent mechanical properties.

[0010] However, if the laser light irradiation causes some of the metal powder to curl up or if the metal powder is attracted to the laser light irradiation position, the amount of metal powder melted by the laser becomes unstable, which could result in a decrease in the quality of the manufactured metal layer or metal additive manufacturing object.

[0011] Therefore, in the following embodiment, an example of a metal powder deposition control method for controlling the deposition of metal powder used in manufacturing a metal additive manufacturing object will be described.

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, embodiments specifically disclosing a method for controlling metal powder deposition according to the present disclosure will be described in detail. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0013] First, a manufacturing apparatus 1 for manufacturing a metal additive manufacturing product will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The manufacturing apparatus 1 will now be described, but this may also be interpreted as a description of a manufacturing method. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus 1 for a metal additive manufacturing product according to the present embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 1 for a metal additive manufacturing product according to the present disclosure executes a manufacturing method that employs, for example, a powder bed method.

[0014] Furthermore, in this disclosure, an example is described in which the suction nozzle NZ is provided on the head HD that controls the irradiation position of the laser beam LS, but the suction nozzle NZ may be provided separately from the head HD and movable in accordance with the irradiation position of the laser beam LS. Furthermore, in this disclosure, an example is shown in which the chamber 10 does not form an enclosed space, but the upper part of the chamber 10 may be purged using glass or the like. In such a case, the suction nozzle NZ may be provided inside the chamber 10 and configured separately from the head HD.

[0015] The metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a chamber 10, a stage 11, a base 12, a squeegee 13, and a rotating unit 14. The chamber 10 is a housing in which the metal additive manufacturing (MA) object is formed. The stage 11 has a base 12 on its upper surface where the metal additive manufacturing (MA) object is performed. Metal powder 15, which is the material for the metal additive manufacturing (MA), is spread on the base 12 by the squeegee 13 to a predetermined thickness (e.g., 20 to 300 μm). Note that the base 12 is not an essential component and may be omitted. In such a case, the metal powder 15 may be spread directly or indirectly on the upper surface of the stage 11 in the manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0016] The stage 11 and the base 12 are fixedly connected to the rotating unit 14 by a plurality of support shafts. Therefore, when the rotating unit 14 is rotated by a control mechanism (not shown) included in the metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1 during irradiation with a laser beam, which will be described later, the stage 11 and the base 12 rotate integrally in accordance with the rotation of the rotating unit 14. As a result, the metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1 can manufacture a metal additive manufacturing object in which metal layers are stacked in a spiral shape by rotating the stage 11 and the base 12. Note that the mechanism of the rotating unit 14 may be a commonly known mechanism, and it is also possible to fix the stage 11 and the base 12 and rotate the laser scanning direction by the mechanism of the optical system 21 to stack metal layers in a spiral shape without providing the mechanism of the rotating unit 14.

[0017] The thickness of the metal powder 15 spread over the base 12 is uniform as the squeegee 13 moves left and right in FIG. 1 . The metal powder 15 is periodically supplied in accordance with the control of the irradiation of the laser light LS. The type of metal powder 15 is not particularly limited. Examples include powders of various metals such as copper, carbon, boron, magnesium, calcium, chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, hafnium, niobium, titanium, and aluminum, as well as alloys thereof. The particle size of the metal powder is also not particularly limited. For example, it may be approximately 0.1 to 300 μm.

[0018] The metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1 also includes a laser oscillator 20 and a head HD. The head HD includes an optical system 21 that irradiates a desired irradiation position with laser light oscillated from the laser oscillator 20, and a suction nozzle NZ that sucks in the vicinity of the irradiation position of the laser light LS before or after laser irradiation.

[0019] The manufacturing apparatus 1 controls the irradiation position of the laser beam generated by the laser oscillator 20 by driving the head HD. The metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1 moves the head HD in the horizontal direction and pinpoints the laser beam toward any location on the top surface of the base 12 (for example, a location where a corresponding layer of the metal additive manufacturing object will be formed) in accordance with a pre-prepared laser beam irradiation program (not shown). This allows the metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1 to irradiate the metal powder 15 disposed on the base 12 or the metal powder 15 located in an upper layer thereof with the laser beam while scanning it. The irradiation width of the laser beam is 20 μm to 500 μm, and here, as an example, 50 μm, and the laser wavelength is 400 nm to 600 nm with a beam parameter product (BPP) of 3 or less.

[0020] Furthermore, the metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1 uses a suction nozzle NZ positioned a predetermined distance from the laser beam LS to suck in air near the irradiation position of the laser beam LS before or after laser irradiation. The suction port IN of the suction nozzle NZ (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is positioned at a height that leaves a predetermined gap between it and the metal powder 15 spread on the base 12, and sucks in the vicinity of the irradiation position of the laser beam LS. The suction nozzle NZ collects the metal powder 15 that has been blown up by the irradiation energy of the laser beam LS or the metal powder 15 that has been blown up by the updraft generated by the irradiation of the laser beam LS, at the irradiation position that will be irradiated with the laser beam LS in the future, or along the irradiation trajectory of the laser beam LS that has already been irradiated with the laser beam LS.

[0021] The optical system 21 controls the focal position of the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator 20 and irradiated onto the metal powder 15 in accordance with a program for irradiating the laser light that has been prepared in advance.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the laser oscillator 20, the optical system 21, and the head HD are all electrically connected to a control unit 31 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, in the metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1, the control unit 31 can arbitrarily control the direction of laser light irradiated onto the upper surface of the stage 11 (i.e., the base 12). Furthermore, the metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1 can also rotate the stage 11 (i.e., the base 12) connected to the rotating unit 14 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating unit 14, or the stage 11 (i.e., the base 12) can be fixed and the laser scanning direction can be rotated by the mechanism of the optical system 21. In practice, the metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1 uses a blue laser oscillator that allows for a long working distance.

[0023] First, with reference to Fig. 2, an example of a manufacturing apparatus 1A having a different configuration from the manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0024] In the manufacturing apparatus 1A, the opening of the chamber 10 is closed by the glass GS and a suction mechanism NNZ (described later). Although not shown in Fig. 2, the manufacturing apparatus 1A may be configured such that an air intake hole is provided in the chamber 10 at any position on the chamber 10, the glass GS, or the suction mechanism NNZ, so that air can be filled into the chamber 10.

[0025] The suction mechanism NNZ in the manufacturing apparatus 1A has a plurality of suction ports IN arranged at predetermined intervals. The suction mechanism NNZ uses each of the plurality of suction ports IN to suck in air above the irradiation position (irradiation point) of the laser light LS and exhausts it to the outside of the chamber 10. Note that in FIG. 2, for ease of understanding, only some of the suction ports IN are labeled with reference numerals.

[0026] Next, the irradiation control device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the irradiation control device 30 in the manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The irradiation control device 30 may be configured as an integrated unit with the manufacturing apparatus 1, or may be configured as a separate unit that communicates with the manufacturing apparatus 1 for a metal additive manufacturing product, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0027] The irradiation control device 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The control unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the communication unit 33 are connected to each other via an internal bus (not shown) or the like so as to enable input and output of data signals (data).

[0028] The control unit 31 is configured using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and performs various processes and controls in cooperation with the storage unit 32. Specifically, the control unit 31 references the programs and data stored in the storage unit 32 and executes the programs to realize the functions of the irradiation control device 30.

[0029] The memory unit 32 has, for example, a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as "RAM") as a work memory used when executing each process of the control unit 31, and a storage for storing programs and data that define the operation of the control unit 31. The RAM temporarily stores data or information generated or acquired by the control unit 31. The storage has written therein programs that define the operation of the control unit 31.

[0030] The control unit 31 controls various operations of the metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1, and functionally includes a rotation control unit 311, a layering control unit 312, a head control unit 313, and a suction control unit 314.

[0031] The rotation control unit 311 controls the rotation of the rotation unit 14 in accordance with conditions (for example, manufacturing conditions for the metal additive manufacturing object).

[0032] The stacking control unit 312 controls the stacking state of the metal additive manufacturing object so that it satisfies desired conditions (for example, conditions such as appearance, dimensions, and shape required for the stacking state of a pre-prepared metal additive manufacturing object). Each of these conditions will be described later.

[0033] The head control unit 313 controls the position of the head HD in accordance with a program for irradiating the laser light so that the suction nozzle NZ moves ahead or behind the movement direction (irradiation position) of the laser light LS, and so that the laser light is directed along any irradiation position on the top surface of the base 12 (for example, the location where the corresponding layer of the metal additive manufacturing product is to be formed).

[0034] The suction control unit 314 executes ON / OFF control of suction by the suction nozzle NZ in accordance with a program for irradiating laser light.

[0035] The storage unit 32 stores rotation condition information 321 and stacking condition information 322 .

[0036] Rotation condition information 321 is information such as conditions for rotation control unit 311 to control the rotation of rotating unit 14.

[0037] The layering condition information 322 is information such as conditions for the layering control unit 312 to perform control so that the layering state of the metal additive manufacturing object satisfies desired conditions.

[0038] The communication unit 33 transmits control information from the control unit 31 to the metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1 and receives information transmitted from the metal additive manufacturing apparatus 1. The communication unit 33 can also communicate with other electronic devices. The communication method may be any wired or wireless communication. The wireless communication here may be communication via a wireless local area network (LAN) such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or the like, or communication using an Internet of Things (IoT) network or protocol such as Matter, Z-Wave, or ZigBee.

[0039] Next, a metal additive manufacturing object manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a metal additive manufacturing object according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of an upright object as a comparative example, and Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of a substantially spiral-shaped object.

[0040] The metal additive manufacturing product shown in FIG. 4(a) is formed by stacking a plurality of metal layers in the height direction (in other words, in the direction perpendicular to the top surface of the base 12).

[0041] 4(b), a metal additive manufacturing object is formed by stacking multiple metal layers in a generally spiral shape. The generally spiral shape does not necessarily have to be an exact spiral, but rather it is sufficient that the metal additive manufacturing object is generated so that at least a portion of the metal additive manufacturing object has metal layers stacked to form a spiral while the stage 11 is rotated by the rotating unit 14.

[0042] Next, an example of prior suction of metal powder 15 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of prior suction of metal powder 15. Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of a main part of a laser irradiated area.

[0043] The suction nozzle NZ advances in the direction of travel while sucking in air ahead of the irradiation position of the laser beam LS. The manufacturing apparatus 1 controls the head HD so that the trajectory of the suction nozzle NZ, which is ahead, coincides with the irradiation trajectory of the laser beam LS, which is behind it. The suction nozzle NZ sucks in air so that the metal powder 15B, which has a small particle size and is light, and the metal powder 15A, which has been blown into the air by the irradiation energy of the laser beam LS irradiated from behind or by the rising air current generated on the surface of the metal powder 15 spread on the base 12 due to the irradiation of the laser beam LS, are gathered on the irradiation trajectory of the laser beam LS.

[0044] This allows the manufacturing apparatus 1 to control the deposition of the metal powder 15B so that the metal powder 15B that has been lifted into the air at a position preceding the irradiation position of the laser beam LS or that has been drawn to the irradiation position of the laser beam LS is deposited in the molten metal pool MP that has been melted by the irradiation of the laser beam LS. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can more accurately control the production of the metal BD (layer of the metal additive manufacturing product) by more stabilizing the amount of metal (amount of metal powder 15) that is melted by the irradiation of the laser beam LS, and can form a more precise layered structure.

[0045] Next, an example of sucking metal powder 15 in a trailing manner will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of sucking metal powder 15 in a trailing manner. Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of a main part of a laser irradiated area.

[0046] The suction nozzle NZ follows the irradiation position of the laser beam LS and moves in the direction of travel while sucking in the metal powder 15. The manufacturing apparatus 1 controls the head HD so that the irradiation trajectory of the preceding laser beam LS coincides with the movement trajectory of the following suction nozzle NZ. The suction nozzle NZ sucks air so that the metal powder 15A that has been blown up into the air by the irradiation energy of the laser beam LS irradiated in front of it or by an updraft generated on the surface of the metal powder 15 spread on the base 12 by the irradiation of the laser beam LS is collected on the irradiation trajectory of the laser beam LS.

[0047] This allows the manufacturing apparatus 1 to control the deposition of the metal powder 15A so that the metal powder 15A that has been lifted into the air at a position behind the irradiation position of the laser beam LS or that has been drawn to the irradiation position of the laser beam LS is deposited in the molten metal pool MP that has been melted by the irradiation of the laser beam LS. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can more accurately control the production of the metal BD (layer of the metal additive manufacturing product) by more stabilizing the amount of metal (amount of metal powder 15) that is melted by the irradiation of the laser beam LS, and can form a more precise layered structure.

[0048] In the above, the present disclosure has shown an example in which the deposition of metal powders 15A and 15B is controlled by sucking air near the irradiation position of laser light LS using a suction nozzle NZ provided preceding or following the irradiation position of laser light LS, but a plurality of suction nozzles NZ may be provided on one head HD. For example, a suction nozzle NZ may be provided at a position preceding the irradiation position of laser light LS and at a position following the irradiation position of laser light LS.

[0049] As a result, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can control the deposition of the metal powders 15A and 15B that have been rolled up before and after the irradiation position of the laser beam LS or that have been drawn to the irradiation position of the laser beam LS. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can more accurately control the production of the metal BD (layer of the metal additive manufacturing product) formed by solidification of the molten metal pool MP, and can form a more precise layered structure.

[0050] Next, an example of suctioning metal powder 15 from above will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of suctioning metal powder 15 by suction mechanism NNZ. Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of a main part of the laser irradiated area.

[0051] The suction mechanism NNZ sucks air through each of the multiple suction ports IN and exhausts it outside the chamber 10. This allows the manufacturing apparatus 1A to suck the metal powders 15A and 15B that have been stirred up inside the chamber 10 regardless of the irradiation position of the laser beam LS, and to control the deposition of the metal powders 15A and 15B so that they are deposited in the molten metal pool MP melted by the irradiation of the laser beam LS. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 1A can more accurately control the production of the metal BD (layers of the metal additive manufacturing object) by more stabilizing the amount of metal (amount of metal powder 15) melted by the irradiation of the laser beam LS, and can form a more precise layered structure.

[0052] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0053] (Technology 1) a head HD for irradiating an irradiation position with a laser beam LS generated by a laser oscillator 20; a suction mechanism (NNZ) that sucks air from a suction port (IN), and a manufacturing apparatus (1) that manufactures a metal additive manufacturing object having a plurality of layers in a height direction, the method comprising: The head HD is moved to irradiate the laser light LS toward the metal powder, The air above the irradiation position of the laser light LS is sucked in by the suction port IN. A method for controlling deposition of metal powder. As a result, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can control the metal powders 15A and 15B that are lifted by the irradiation of the laser light LS or drawn to the irradiation position of the laser light LS out of the spread metal powder 15 so that they are deposited at the irradiation position of the laser light LS. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can stabilize the amount of metal (amount of metal powder 15) melted by the irradiation of the laser light LS, and form a more precise layered structure.

[0054] (Technology 2) a head HD for irradiating an irradiation position with a laser beam LS generated by a laser oscillator 20; a suction nozzle (NZ) that sucks air from a suction port (IN), and a manufacturing apparatus (1) that manufactures a metal additive manufacturing object having a plurality of layers in a height direction, the method comprising: The head HD is moved to irradiate the laser light LS toward the metal powder, The air in the vicinity of the irradiation position of the laser light LS is sucked in by the suction port IN. A method for controlling deposition of metal powder. As a result, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can control the metal powders 15A and 15B that are lifted by the irradiation of the laser light LS or drawn to the irradiation position of the laser light LS out of the spread metal powder 15 so that they are deposited at the irradiation position of the laser light LS. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can stabilize the amount of metal (amount of metal powder 15) melted by the irradiation of the laser light LS, and form a more precise layered structure.

[0055] (Technology 3) The suction port IN sucks air in front of the irradiation position of the laser light LS in a direction along the traveling direction of the head HD that forms the layer, prior to the irradiation of the laser light LS. A method for controlling deposition of metal powder according to (Technology 1) or (Technology 2). As a result, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can control the metal powder 15B that is lifted up or drawn to the irradiation position of the laser beam LS by the irradiation of the laser beam LS among the spread metal powder 15 so that it is deposited at the irradiation position of the laser beam LS (molten metal pool MP). Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can stabilize the amount of metal (amount of metal powder 15) melted by the irradiation of the laser beam LS, and form a more precise layered structure.

[0056] (Technology 4) the suction port IN sucks air behind the irradiation position of the laser beam LS in a direction along the traveling direction of the head HD that forms the layer, following the irradiation of the laser beam LS; A method for controlling deposition of metal powder according to (Technology 1) or (Technology 2). As a result, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can control the metal powder 15A that is lifted up or drawn to the irradiation position of the laser beam LS by the irradiation of the laser beam LS among the spread metal powder 15 so that it is deposited at the irradiation position of the laser beam LS (molten metal pool MP). Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can stabilize the amount of metal (amount of metal powder 15) melted by the irradiation of the laser beam LS, and form a more precise layered structure.

[0057] (Technology 5) a suction position of the suction port IN and an irradiation position of the laser light LS are spaced apart at a predetermined interval in a direction along the traveling direction of the head HD that forms the layer; The method for controlling deposition of metal powder according to any one of (Technology 1) to (Technology 1). As a result, the manufacturing apparatus 1 uses the suction nozzle NZ to suck in air, thereby guiding and depositing the metal powders 15A and 15B that have been rolled up or attracted to the irradiation position of the laser light LS to the irradiation position of the laser light LS or the metal molten pool MP formed by the laser light LS, thereby stabilizing the amount of metal (amount of metal powder 15) melted by irradiation with the laser light LS and forming a more precise laminated structure.

[0058] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the various embodiments described above may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] The present disclosure is useful as a method for controlling the deposition of metal powder used in the production of metal additive manufacturing products. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Manufacturing equipment 10 Chambers 11 Stages 12 base 13 Squeegee 14 Rotating part 15,15A,15B Metal powder 20 Laser oscillator 21 Optical system 30 Irradiation control device 31 Control Unit 32 Storage section 311 Rotation control unit 312 Stacking control unit 313 Head control unit 314 Suction control unit 321 Rotation condition information 322 Lamination condition information HD Head LS laser light NNZ suction mechanism NZ suction nozzle

Claims

1. a head that irradiates a laser beam generated by a laser oscillator onto an irradiation position; a suction mechanism that sucks air through a suction port, and a manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a metal additive manufacturing object having a plurality of layers in a height direction, the method comprising: The head is moved to irradiate the laser light toward the metal powder; The air above the irradiation position of the laser light is sucked through the suction port. A method for controlling deposition of metal powder.

2. a head that irradiates a laser beam generated by a laser oscillator onto an irradiation position; a suction nozzle that sucks air from a suction port, and a manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a metal additive manufacturing object having a plurality of layers in a height direction, the method comprising: The head is moved to irradiate the laser light toward the metal powder; The air in the vicinity of the irradiation position of the laser light is sucked through the suction port. A method for controlling deposition of metal powder.

3. the suction port sucks air in front of the irradiation position of the laser light in a direction along the traveling direction of the head that forms the layer, prior to the irradiation of the laser light. The method for controlling deposition of metal powder according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the suction port sucks air behind the irradiation position of the laser light in a direction along a traveling direction of the head that forms the layer after the irradiation of the laser light. The method for controlling deposition of metal powder according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a suction position of the suction port and an irradiation position of the laser light are spaced apart at a predetermined interval in a direction along the traveling direction of the head that forms the layer; The method for controlling deposition of metal powder according to claim 1 or 2.

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