Laser beam scanner with mounting location module identifier

Abstract

A module (106a), (106b) configured to be mounted to an apparatus in a mounting location selected from any one of a plurality of module mounting locations. The module (106a), (106b) comprises a module controller (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) for communicating using an electronic identifier and an electronic device (124a, 124b) configured to provide a signal dependent on an interaction between the electronic device (124a, 124b) and an identifying feature (132a, 132b, 132c, 132d) of the selected module mounting location. The module controller is configured to identify the electronic identifier used in communicating with the module 106a, 106b based on 10 the signal provided by the electronic device (124a, 124b).

Description

[0001] MODULE IDENTIFIER

[0002] Field of Invention

[0003] This invention concerns generating an electronic identifier for a module in dependence on a location the module is mounted on an apparatus selected from a plurality of module mounting locations. The application has particular, but not exclusive, application to generating an electronic identifier for a scanner in dependence on a location the scanner is mounted on an apparatus selected from a plurality of scanner mounting locations. The apparatus may be a powder bed fusion apparatus.

[0004] Background

[0005] Powder bed fusion apparatus produce objects through layer-by-layer solidification of a material, such as a metal powder material, using a high-energy beam, such as a laser beam. A powder layer is formed in a build plane across a powder bed contained in a build sleeve by lowering a build platform in the build sleeve to lower the powder bed, dosing a heap of powder adjacent to the lowered powder bed and spreading the heap of powder with a recoater across (from one side to another side of) the powder bed to form the layer. Portions of the powder layer corresponding to a cross-section of the workpiece to be formed are then solidified through irradiating these areas with the beam steered by a scanner. The beam melts or sinters the powder to form a solidified layer. After selective solidification of a layer, the powder bed is lowered and a further layer of powder is spread over the surface and solidified, as required.

[0006] It is known to provide a plurality of scanning modules for simultaneously and independently directing multiple laser beams to the powder bed to melt or sinter the powder. It is preferable for each scanning module to have the same design such that the plurality of scanning modules can be built using a common manufacturing process. When operating the powder bed fusion apparatus, commands are sent toeach scanning module using a unique electronic identifier (address). Furthermore, the command module of the apparatus must know the electronic address and location of each scanning module such that scanning commands for a particular location can be paired with the electronic address for the scanning module at the particular location. Typically, this is achieved by pre-programming each scanning module with an electronic address before the electronic modules are mounted on the apparatus. However, if the scanning modules, which are all physically identical, are located incorrectly on the apparatus or programmed with the incorrect electronic address, this can result in scanning commands being addressed to the wrong scanning module. Furthermore, if a scanning module is to be replaced, either the replacement scanning module must be programmed with the electronic address of the scanning module that it replaces, or the command module must be updated with the electronic address of the replacement scanning module. However, these processes typically require human intervention and therefore, are prone to human error.

[0007] Summary of Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a module configured to be mounted to an apparatus in a mounting location selected from any one of a plurality of module mounting locations, the module comprising a module controller for communicating using an electronic identifier and an electronic device configured to provide a signal dependent on an interaction between the electronic device and an identifying feature of the selected module mounting location, the module controller configured to identify the electronic identifier used in communicating with the module based on the signal provided by the electronic device.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus comprising a plurality of module mounting locations configured such that a module is mountable in any one of the plurality of module mounting locations and eachmodule mounting location comprises an identifying feature arranged to interact with an electronic device of the module such that the electronic device provides a signal indicative of an electronic identifier to be used in communicating with the module. The identifying feature may encode a specific electronic identifier used in communication with a module mounted in the module mounting location. The apparatus may further comprise an apparatus controller configured to communicate with the module using the specific electronic identifier.

[0010] The identifying feature is identifying in the sense that the feature is different from a corresponding feature of the other module mounting locations of the plurality of module mounting locations. Thus, the identifying feature uniquely identifies that module mounting location from the other module mounting locations of the apparatus.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided the apparatus of the second aspect of the invention in combination with a module of the first aspect of the invention, the module mounted to the apparatus in a module mounting location.

[0012] In this way, the act of mounting the module to the apparatus sets the electronic identifier to be used in communication with the module, avoiding human errors in programming the electronic identifier into the module.

[0013] The module controller may be configured to receive commands addressed to the module using the electronic identifier. For example, the commands addressed to the module may be generated by the apparatus controller or a controller external from the apparatus.

[0014] The electronic device may comprise a sensor for sensing the identifying feature when the module is mounted in the selected module mounting location and the signal is dependent on an output from the sensor. Accordingly, the identifying feature is configured for being sensed by the sensor.The sensor may comprise a plurality of detectors configured to generate a different pattern of signals for each different identifying features of the plurality of module mounting locations. The module controller may determine an electronic identifier to be used for communication with the module based on the pattern of signals from the plurality of detectors.

[0015] In one embodiment, the identifying feature may be a geometric feature, such as a shape, of the selected mounting location.

[0016] The sensor may be configured to sense an effect of the mounting of the module on the apparatus on the path of an electromagnetic beam.

[0017] The electronic device may comprise an emitter arranged to emit an electromagnetic beam, and the sensor is configured to generate a signal representative of the interaction of the electromagnetic beam with the identifying feature. The sensor may comprise a plurality of emitter and photodetector pairs, wherein the emitter emits an electromagnetic beam that is detectable by the corresponding photodetector of the pair. The identifying feature may comprise one or more geometric features on the apparatus which, upon mounting of the module in the selected module mounting location, alters a path of the electromagnetic beam to change whether the electromagnetic beam is detected. The change may be a change from detecting the electromagnetic beam to not detecting the electromagnetic beam, for example because the element blocks the electromagnetic beam from the sensor / photodetector, or may be a change from not detecting the electromagnetic beam to detecting the electromagnetic beam, for example because the element reflects the electromagnetic beam back towards the sensor / photodetector. The electronic device may be configured to generate the signal based on whether each of the photodetector has detected the corresponding electromagnetic beam. The identifying feature at each mounting location may cause different ones of the photodetectors to detector the corresponding electromagnetic beam to generate asignal unique to that mounting location.

[0018] The electronic device may comprise a plurality of switches and the identifying feature may comprise one or more geometric features on the apparatus which, upon mounting of the module in the selected module mounting location, contact a corresponding one the switches. The electronic device may be configured to generate the signal based on a state of each of the switches. The identifying feature at each mounting location may contact different combinations of the switches to generate a signal unique to that mounting location.

[0019] The electronic device may comprise a plurality of open contacts and the identifying feature may comprise one or more shorting tracks on the apparatus which, upon mounting of the module in the selected module mounting location, close a corresponding one the shorting contacts. The electronic device may be configured to generate the signal based on the shorting tracks that are closed upon mounting of the module in the selected mounting location. Different ones of the shorting tracks may be closed at each mounting location to generate a signal unique to that mounting location.

[0020] The electronic device may comprise a plurality of capacitive sensors and the identifying feature may comprise one or more elements on the apparatus which, upon mounting of the module in the selected module mounting location, induces a change in an electric field around a corresponding one of the capacitive sensors. The electronic device may be configured to generate the signal based on a state of each of the capacitive sensors. Different ones of the capacitive sensors may be triggered at each mounting location to generate a signal unique for that mounting location.

[0021] The electronic device may comprise a reader and the identifying feature may comprise a data tag having encoded therein unique identifying data, such as the electronic identifier used in communication with the module, and, when the moduleis mounted at that mounting location, the reader is configured to read the identifying data from the data tag.

[0022] The reader may comprise radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader and the data tag may comprise radio-frequency identification tag detectable by the radiofrequency identification reader. The radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag at each mounting location may emit different identifying data unique to that mounting location.

[0023] The data tag may comprise a circuit, such as a programmable circuit, having encoded therein the identifying data and the reader may comprise two conductive pins that connect to the circuit when the module is mounted in the mounting location. The electronic device may be arranged to read the identifying data from the circuit when the pins are connected to the circuit.

[0024] The reader may be a 1-D or 2D barcode or a matrix code reader and the data tag a 1-D or 2D barcode or a matrix code. The 1-D or 2D barcode or a matrix code at each mounting location may encode different identifying data unique to that mounting location.

[0025] The module may be removably mountable to the apparatus. “Removably mountable” as used herein means that the module can be removed from the apparatus, for example by actuating a locking mechanism, as a unit. The module may be removably mountable to the apparatus in a suitable manner such that removal of the module may be carried out by a service engineer. The module may be removably mountable to the apparatus such that, upon removal of the module from the apparatus, the identifying feature remains in place on the apparatus. In this way, the identifying feature can be detected by a replacement module.

[0026] The identifying feature may comprise one or more geometric elements of the apparatus. The or each geometric element may be formed as part of a componentof the apparatus, for example, a component on which the module is removably mountable. Each identifying feature may be formed as an integral part of the same component, such as a roof of a build chamber. The one or more geometric elements may be formed during manufacture, for example by subtractive or additive manufacturing, as an integral element of the apparatus, such as an integral element of the component on which the module is removably mountable. Preferably, the one or more geometric elements cannot be removed without removing the component of the apparatus on which the module is removably mountable and are an integral part of the geometric design of the component rather than applied post manufacture, such as during assembly, of the apparatus. “Manufacture” as used herein means the process of creating a component from raw materials, whilst assembly is the process of putting the manufactured components together.

[0027] The apparatus may comprise a communication network to which the module controller is connected when the module is mounted in the module mounting location. The electronic identifier may be used by the module controller for the receiving and / or sending of messages on the communication network. The messages may comprise commands to be executed by the module and / or feedback signals sent by the module controller. The apparatus controller may be programmed to generate commands for a module located at a particular module mounting location, the commands addressed with an electronic identifier corresponding to the electronic identifier encoded by the identifying feature of the particular module mounting location. The apparatus controller may be programmed to generate other commands for other devices of the apparatus, such as other modules, the commands sent on the communication network, the other commands addressed with different electronic identifiers. The communication network may be configured such that the other commands may be received by the module, for example as is the case in a bus network, wherein the electronic identifier is used to distinguish between commands to be executed by the module and commands to be executed by other devices / modules. Replacement of the module mounted at the particular module mounting location results in the replacement module communicating using theelectronic identifier used for the particular module mounting location.

[0028] The module may comprise movable elements that are used in a process, such as manufacturing or measurement process, carried out by the apparatus. The movable elements may be used in conjunction with other movable elements of the apparatus, such as movable elements of other modules.

[0029] The module may be a scanner for steering an energy beam, such as a laser, across a working plane. The module may be a laser. The module may be a combination of a scanner and a laser.

[0030] The apparatus may comprise a powder bed fusion apparatus. The powder bed fusion apparatus may be configured to be used with a plurality of scanner modules for simultaneously directing multiple energy beams to the powder bed to melt or sinter the powder.

[0031] The apparatus may comprise a laser marking machine. The laser marking machine may be configured to be used with a plurality of scanner modules for simultaneously directing multiple energy beams to a substrate to be marked.

[0032] The apparatus may comprise a coordinate positioning machine for positioning a measuring probe or cutting tool. For example, the apparatus may be a coordinate measuring machine, machine tool, robot or a non-cartesian measuring machine, such as Renishaw’s Equator™ gauging system. The apparatus may comprise calibration systems to be used for calibrating with such coordinate positioning machines, such as a calibration system using one or more ballbars, for example Renishaw’s RCS T-90™ kit, or one or more laser interferometers. For such apparatus, the module may be a component used in multiple locations in the machine or system that is to communicate with the apparatus controller, such as a strut or arm of the machine or a ballbar.According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assigning an electronic identifier to a module of an apparatus, the electronic identifier to be used for communications with the module, the method comprising receiving a signal from an electronic device of a module resulting from an interaction between the electronic device and an identifying feature of a module mounting location on the apparatus, and identifying the electronic identifier based on the signal generated by the electronic device.

[0033] According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a data carrier having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a module, causes the processor to carry out the method of the fourth aspect of invention.

[0034] The data carrier may be a non-transient data carrier, such as volatile memory, e.g. RAM, non-volatile memory, e.g. ROM, flash memory and data storage devices, such as hard discs, optical discs, or a transient data carrier, such as an electronic or optical signal.

[0035] According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a scanner for mounting on a laser processing apparatus in a mounting location selected from a plurality of mounting locations, the scanner comprising at least one movable optic for steering a laser beam; a controller for controlling a range of movement of the movable optic; memory having stored thereon a plurality of sets of movement settings for the movable optic, each set suitable for a different one of the mounting locations; and a mounting location identifier for identifying the mounting location in which the scanner is mounted, wherein the controller is configured to select a set of movement settings to use with the movable optic from the plurality of movement settings dependent on the mounting location identified by the position identifier.

[0036] In this way, the scanner can be mounted in any one of the mounting locations without programming / reprogramming the movement settings of the movable optic into the controller. In particular, the movement settings are given simply by themounting location identified by the mounting location identifier.

[0037] Preferably, the scanner is a module in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the mounting location identifier may be an electronic device configured to provide a signal dependent on an interaction between the electronic device and an identifying feature of the mounting location. However, in another embodiment, the mounting location identifier may be another means for identifying a mounting location that is not dependent on interaction between an electronic device and an identifying feature of the mounting location. For example, the mounting location identifier may comprise a user input, such as a switch, which the user can use to indicate a mounting location of the scanner.

[0038] The movement settings may comprise limits on movement of the movable optic. For one or more or all of the mounting locations, a range of movement of the laser beam given by the physical limitations of the movable optic may be beyond a desired working area, such as beyond an edge of a powder bed in a powder bed fusion apparatus. Accordingly, it may be desirable to limit movement of the movable optic to less that its maximum physical range, for example through software movement settings stored in the memory, such that the laser beam is not steered beyond the working area.

[0039] Description of the Drawings

[0040] FIGURE 1 is a schematic of a powder bed fusion apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0041] FIGURE 2 is a schematic of a communication network used in the powder bed fusion apparatus of Figure 1;

[0042] FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of galvanometers and steering mirrors of a scanner of the powder bed fusion apparatus;FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a scanner of the powder bed fusion apparatus shown in Figure 1 that faces a building chamber roof when mounted on the build chamber; and

[0043] FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the scanner mounted on the powder bed fusion apparatus, including a ghosted illustration of the roof of the build chamber to show a recess into which detectors of the scanning module extend when the scanning module is mounted to the apparatus.

[0044] Description of Embodiments

[0045] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, a powder bed fusion apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a build chamber 101 having therein a processing plate 115 defining a build aperture 117, and a build sleeve 116 extending down from the build aperture 117. A build platform 102 is lowerable in the build sleeve 116 such that the build sleeve 116 and the build platform 102 together define a build volume. During a build, the build platform 102 supports a build substrate plate 102a, a powder bed 104 and workpiece (object) 103 as the workpiece is built by selective laser melting or sintering of the powder. The platform 102 is lowered within the build volume under the control of a drive mechanism (not shown) as successive layers of the workpiece / object 103 are formed.

[0046] Layers of powder 104 are formed as the workpiece / object 103 is built by dispensing apparatus 108 and a recoater 109. The dispensing apparatus 108 dispenses powder 104 from hopper 110 onto the processing plate 115 at a dosing location such that movement of the recoater 109 spreads powder into powder layers of the powder bed 104.

[0047] A plurality of scanning modules (in this embodiment, four scanning modules, two of which 106a, 106b are shown in Figure 1) are provided for steering acorresponding laser beam 118a, 118b across selected areas of the powder bed 104 to melt the powder. The laser beams 118a, 118b enter through a common laser window 107. However, it will be understood that separate laser windows may be provided for each laser beam 118a, 118b.

[0048] Each scanning module 106a, 106b is identical and configured to be removably mounted to the build chamber 101 in a mounting location selected from any one of a plurality of module mounting locations. Each module mounting location may be defined by features on the build chamber 101 that match cooperating features 119a’, 119a”, 119b’, 119b” on the scanning module 106a, 106b, such as holes, pins or the like and locking features (not shown) that act to locate and secure the scanning module 106a, 106b in place. The module mounting locations are configured such that each one of the scanning modules 106a, 106b can be mounted in any one of the module mounting locations.

[0049] Each scanning module 106a, 106b comprises a module controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d for controlling components of the scanning module 106a, 106b, such as actuators, for example galvanometers 127a, 127b, for rotating mirrors 126a, 126b (see Figure 3) to steer the corresponding laser beam 118 and actuators, such as a voice coil, for moving focussing optics. Typically, each scanner 106a, 106b comprises two rotatable mirrors 126a, 126b, a first mirror 126a for moving the laser beam 118 across the powder bed 104 in a first dimension, x, and a second rotatable mirror 126b for moving the laser 118 across the powder bed 104 in a first dimension, y. The module controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d may also send data packets (messages) reporting status information about the scanning module 106a, 106b and sensor data recorded by the scanning module 106a, 106b. For example, the data packets sent by the module controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d may be in accordance with those disclosed in WO2017 / 085469, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The module controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d comprises memory 125a, 125b, 125c, 125d having stored therein a plurality of sets of movement settings for the actuators 127a, 127b, which define limits on a rangeof movement of each actuator 127a, 127b. Each set is associated with an electronic identifier used by the scanner 106a, 106b when mounted in a particular mounting location.

[0050] In this embodiment, the combination of the galvanometer 127a, 127b and mirror 126a, 126b provides a sufficient range of movement such that the laser beam 118 can be scanned across the entire powder bed 104 regardless of the mounting location of the scanner. This may require each combination of galvanometer 127a, 127b and mirror 126a, 126b to be physically capable of scanning the laser beam 118 beyond an edge of the powder bed 104 in certain directions depending on its mounting position. For example, in Figure 1, scanner 106a may be physically capable of scanning the laser beam 118a beyond the edge of the powder bed 104 to the left and scanner 106b may be capable of scanning the laser beam 118b beyond the edge of the powder bed 104 to the right. The set of movement settings associated with the electronic identifier for the position of scanner 106a in Figure 1 may set a limit on the galvanometer 127a, 127b movement such that the laser beam 118 is not scanned beyond the left edge of the powder bed 104. The set of movement settings associated with the electronic identifier for the position of scanner 106b in Figure 1 may set a limit on the galvanometer 127a, 127b movement such that the laser beam 118 is not scanned beyond the right edge of the powder bed 104. Similar principles may also apply for the perpendicular dimension in and out of the page.

[0051] The module controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d is programmed with appropriate software to carry out the method steps described herein.

[0052] When the scanning module 106a, 106b is mounted in a mounting location on the powder bed fusion apparatus, a corresponding controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d is connected to a communication network 123 of the powder bed fusion apparatus. The communication network 123 may comprise a communication bus. The communication network connects the module controllers 120a, 120b, 120c, 120dto a main controller 121 of the powder bed fusion apparatus. The main controller 121generates commands to be executed by the scanning modules 106a, 106b. Other active systems of the powder bed fusion apparatus, such as the recoater 109 and / or build platform 102 may comprise controllers 122 that communicate using the communication networks 123. The main controller 121 may generate commands for the scanning modules, recoater 109 and build platform 102 based on build instructions generated by build preparation software, such as Renishaw’s Quant AM™ build preparation software. Communications on the network 121 are addressed to a particular controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 122 using a unique electronic identifier (address). In particular, the main controller 121 identifies commands to be executed by a scanning module 106a, 106b at a particular module mounting location on the apparatus using electronic identifiers unique to that module mounting location.

[0053] To avoid the need to program a module controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d with the unique electronic identifier used by the main controller 121 for a scanning module 106a, 106b in that location on the powder bed fusion apparatus, the scanning module 106a 106b and powder bed fusion apparatus are configured such that the module controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d can determine the electronic identifier used to address a scanning module at that module mounting location from the identifying feature of the powder bed fusion apparatus distinctive to the module mounting location.

[0054] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, each module controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d comprises a sensor 124a, 124b, in this embodiment comprising four detectors 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, for sensing an identifying feature of the apparatus distinctive to the selected mounting location. The detectors 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d protrude from a face of a housing of the scanning module 106 that faces the build chamber 101 when the scanning module is mounted thereon.

[0055] The build chamber, in this embodiment a roof of the build chamber 101, comprises a recess 131 therein configured to receive the detectors 130a, 130b, 130c, 130dwhen the scanning module 106 is mounted in a module mounting location on the build chamber 101. The recess 131 comprise elements in the form of projections 132a, 132b and flats 132c, 132d, integrally formed with the walls that define the recess 131. which provide the identifying feature that encodes the electronic identifier to be used by the scanning module 106 when mounted in that module mounting location. The combination of projections and flats is different for each module mounting location.

[0056] In this embodiment, each detector 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d is paired with an emitter of the sensor 124a, 124b. The emitter emits an electromagnetic beam that is detectable by the detector. Upon mounting of the scanning module 106a, 106b in a selected mounting location, each sensor 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d enters the recess 131 and each projection 132a, 132b extends in-between a corresponding pair of emitter and detector 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d blocking the electromagnetic beam from the detector. A signal generated by the detector 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d is dependent on whether or not the electromagnetic beam is detected by the detector. In this embodiment, the pattern of signals from the four detectors 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d of a sensor 124a, 124b represents a four-digit binary number.

[0057] The module controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d is configured to determine an electronic identifier to be used for communication on the network 121 based on the pattern of signals (the four-digit binary number) from the plurality of detectors 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d. Accordingly, once mounted in place, the scanning module 106a, 106b will act on commands addressed with the identified electronic identifier and may send reporting messages, for example back to the main controller 121, using the electronic identifier to identify the data therein as originating from the scanning module 106a, 106b. Furthermore, the module controller 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d is configured to use the movement settings stored in memory associated with the determined electronic identifier. Accordingly, limits on the movement of the galvanometers 127a, 127b are automatically set based on the mounting location of the scanner 106a, 106b. Accordingly, there is no requirement to programme eachscanner 106a, 106b differently after mounting of the scanner 106a, 106b on the powder bed fusion apparatus.

[0058] During manufacture and assembly of the powder bed fusion apparatus, the roof of the build chamber 101 is manufactured by a machine to include the distinctive combination of elements 132a, 132b, 132c, 132d, for example based on a CAD model. A plurality of identical scanning modules 106a, 106b can be manufactured, for example, in a feeder line to the main assembly line, and a plurality of the identical scanning modules 106a, 106b can be mounted on to the powder bed fusion apparatus without due regard to the module mounting location in which each scanning module 106a, 106b is mounted as the unique electronic identifier is acquired as a result of its mounting rather than via a prior or post programming step. Thus, the potential for human error during assembly of the powder bed fusion apparatus is reduced.

[0059] It will be understood that modifications and alterations may be made to the abovedescribed embodiment without departing from the invention as defined herein. For example, the apparatus may be machine other than a powder bed fusion apparatus, for example a laser marking machine, coordinate measuring machine or machine tool.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A module configured to be mounted to an apparatus in a mounting location selected from any one of a plurality of module mounting locations, the module comprising a module controller for communicating using an electronic identifier and an electronic device configured to provide a signal dependent on an interaction between the electronic device and an identifying feature of the selected module mounting location, the module controller configured to identify the electronic identifier used in communicating with the module based on the signal provided by the electronic device.

2. A module according to claim 1 , wherein the module controller is configured to receive commands addressed to the module using the electronic identifier.

3. A module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electronic device comprises a sensor for sensing the identifying feature when the module is mounted in the selected module mounting location and the signal is dependent on an output from the sensor.

4. A module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of detectors configured to generate a different pattern of signals for each different identifying feature of the plurality of module mounting locations.

5. A module according to claim 4, wherein the module controller determines an electronic identifier to be used for communication with the module based on the pattern of signals from the plurality of detectors.

6. A module according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an emitter arranged to emit an electromagnetic beam and the sensor is configured to generate a signal representative of the interaction of the electromagnetic beam with the identifying feature.

7. A module according to claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of emitter and detector pairs, wherein the emitter emits an electromagnetic beam that is detectable by the detector.

8. A module according to any one of the preceding claims comprising movable elements that are used in a process carried out by the apparatus.

9. A module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module is a scanner for steering an energy beam across a working plane.

10. Apparatus comprising a plurality of module mounting locations configured such that a module is mountable in any one of the module mounting locations and each module mounting location comprises an identifying feature arranged to interact with an electronic device of the module such that the electronic device provides a signal indicative of an electronic identifier to be used in communicating with the module.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the identifying feature encodes a specific electronic identifier used in communication with a module mounted in the module mounting location.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the identifying feature comprises at least one element on the apparatus that, upon mounting of the module in the mounting location, alters a path of the electromagnetic beam emitted from an emitter on the module to change whether the electromagnetic beam is detected by a sensor on the module.

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the identifying feature comprises one or more geometric elements formed as part of a component of the apparatus to which the module is removably mountable.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, comprising a controllerfor generating commands addressed to the module using the electronic identifier.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, comprising a communication network to which the module controller is connected when the module is mounted in the module mounting location and the electronic identifier is used by the module controller for the receiving and / or sending of messages on the communication network.

16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the apparatus comprises a powder bed fusion apparatus configured to be used with a plurality of scanner modules for simultaneously directing multiple energy beams to the powder bed to melt or sinter the powder.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 10 to 16 in combination with a module of any one of claims 1 to 9, the module mounted to the apparatus in a module mounting location.

18. A method of assigning an electronic identifier to a module of an apparatus, the electronic identifier to be used for communications with the module, the method comprising receiving a signal from an electronic device of a module resulting from an interaction between the electronic device and an identifying feature of a module mounting location on the apparatus, and identifying the electronic identifier based on the signal generated by the electronic device.

19. A data carrier having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a module, causes the processor to carry out the method of claim 18.

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