Electron Beam Preheating Paths for Uniform Powder Bed Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing devices face issues with uneven heat input during preliminary heating due to sharp changes in the electron beam's irradiation path, leading to deviations in the actual irradiation position and excessive heating regions.
Innovation Solution
The additive manufacturing device employs a charged particle beam that irradiates the powder material along a first direction and then switches to a second direction at a predetermined distance, curbing the sharp change in the irradiation course and ensuring accurate targeting, thereby preventing uneven heat input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the irradiation position of the electron beam returns from an end portion to the other end portion after moving in a certain direction, then the entire irradiation region can be covered, but the moving direction changes sharply causing the actual irradiation position to deviate from the command position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a curved transition path instead of a sharp angular reversal. When the electron beam reaches an end portion of the irradiation region, it follows a curved trajectory to transition to the opposite end, avoiding abrupt directional changes. This curvature in the movement path ensures continuous smooth irradiation without position deviation, resolving the contradiction between complete region coverage and positioning accuracy.
2Productivity
If the irradiation position returns sharply to the opposite end, then the irradiation process can be completed efficiently, but an excessively heated region appears due to sharp direction change
Solution Approach 1:
The curved transition path distributes the directional change over an extended arc rather than concentrating it at a single point. This gradual redirection of the electron beam prevents energy concentration at turning positions, eliminating excessively heated regions while maintaining efficient irradiation coverage through the curved trajectory.
3Manufacturing precision
If the irradiation position moves continuously without sharp returns, then uniform heat input is achieved, but the irradiation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved transition path optimizes the balance between uniform heating and irradiation time by providing a direct arc-shaped route between opposite ends of the irradiation region. This curved path is more efficient than sharp angular returns while maintaining continuous smooth irradiation, achieving both uniform heat distribution and reasonable processing time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for appropriate preliminary heating by maintaining even heat distribution, reducing the occurrence of uneven heat input and ensuring accurate irradiation, which enhances the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating a powder material with an electron beam
Implementation Method 2
the powder material is melted by further irradiating the powder material with an electron beam
Data Source
AI summary
An additive manufacturing device performs preliminary heating of a powder material laid and leveled in an irradiation region of an electron beam by irradiating the powder material with the electron beam and manufacturing an additively manufactured article thereafter by irradiating the powder material with the electron beam and melting the powder material. The additive manufacturing device includes a beam emitting unit emitting the electron beam and irradiating the powder material with the electron beam. When the preliminary heating is performed, the beam emitting unit performs irradiation with the electron beam along an irradiation path in a first direction and performs irradiation with the electron beam thereafter along an irradiation path in a second direction set at a jump distance from the irradiation path in the first direction as a direction opposite to the first direction.