Energy Beam Surface Processing With Shape-Based Position Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing build apparatuses face challenges in properly processing the surface of build objects, particularly in ensuring accurate irradiation and attitude adjustments during energy beam processing.

Innovation Solution

A processing apparatus equipped with an energy beam irradiation system, a position change apparatus, and an attitude change apparatus, which uses shape information to control the irradiation position and attitude of the build object relative to the energy beam, allowing for precise processing of both the first and second surfaces of the build object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the build object is processed with energy beam irradiation to improve surface quality, then the surface finish improves, but the positioning accuracy and attitude control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface qualityVSAvoidposition control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where shape information about the build object is continuously acquired and used to adjust the irradiation position and object attitude. This closed-loop control ensures accurate energy beam positioning on complex surfaces while maintaining manageable system complexity through intelligent control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts both the irradiation position and the attitude of the build object during processing. This dynamic adaptation allows the energy beam to maintain optimal positioning on varying surface geometries, achieving high surface quality without requiring overly complex static positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the irradiation position is adjusted to process different surfaces of the build object, then the processing versatility improves, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing apparatus is designed with multi-functional capability to handle various surfaces and orientations of the build object. By integrating both position adjustment and attitude change functions, the system achieves universal processing capability for different geometries while consolidating control functions to manage complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the position adjustment apparatus and attitude change apparatus into a coordinated control system. This integration allows simultaneous or sequential adjustment of both position and orientation, achieving versatile surface processing without duplicating control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the energy beam is used to irradiate multiple surfaces of the build object, then the processing completeness improves, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing completenessVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous useful action by coordinating position adjustment and attitude change to enable uninterrupted energy beam irradiation across multiple surfaces. The build object is repositioned and reoriented during processing without stopping the energy beam operation, ensuring complete surface treatment while minimizing idle time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The solution enables efficient and precise processing of build objects by ensuring accurate energy beam irradiation and attitude adjustments, thereby improving the surface quality and structural integrity of the build objects.

Implementation Method 1

an energy beam irradiation apparatus that irradiates at least a part of a surface of the object with the energy beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy beam irradiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

irradiating a first surface of a member with a build energy beam to form a melt pool at the first surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS20250050450A1Processing apparatus, processing method, build apparatus, build method, computer program and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 NIKON CORP

AI summary

A processing apparatus is a processing apparatus that performs a process for irradiating an object with an energy beam, the processing apparatus is provided with: an energy beam irradiation apparatus that irradiates at least a part of a surface of the object with the energy beam; and a position change apparatus that changes an irradiation position of the energy beam at the surface of the object, the processing apparatus controls the irradiation position of the energy beam by using a shape information relating to a shape of the object.