Powder Bed Fusion Detector Shielding Against Heat and Powder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional three-dimensional powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (PBF-AM) apparatuses face issues with powder material and evaporated substances adhering to detection units, leading to inaccurate detection due to temperature increases from thermal radiation.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a shielding member that can be opened and closed to cover the detection unit, along with an electron shield that elevates to prevent powder scattering and evaporated substances from adhering, while also shielding radiant heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a detection unit is provided to observe the build surface, then detection capability is improved, but powder material and evaporated substances adhere to the detection unit, degrading detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidadhesion of powder material and evaporated substances
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A shielding member is introduced as an intermediary component between the build surface and the detection unit. This shielding member blocks the direct path of powder material and evaporated substances toward the detection unit, preventing adhesion while allowing the detection unit to continue observing the build surface. The shielding member acts as a protective barrier that resolves the conflict between detection capability and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the detection unit is exposed to thermal radiation from the build surface, then detection operation can be performed, but the detection unit increases in temperature, degrading detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection unit temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding member serves as a thermal barrier between the build surface and the detection unit. It blocks thermal radiation from directly heating the detection unit, maintaining the detection unit at a stable, lower temperature that preserves detection accuracy. The shielding member mediates the thermal environment, allowing detection operations to continue without excessive temperature rise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the shielding member is always closed to protect the detection unit, then protection from powder adhesion and thermal radiation is improved, but detection operation cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from powder adhesion and thermal radiationVSAvoiddetection operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding member is designed with movable components that allow it to transition between closed and open states. When closed, it provides protection from powder adhesion and thermal radiation. When opened, it allows detection operations to be performed. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt its protective function based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding member operates in periodic cycles, alternating between closed and open states. During manufacturing operations, it remains closed to provide protection. During detection operations, it opens to allow observation. This periodic action ensures that protection is provided when needed while enabling detection capability when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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

Prevents powder material and evaporated substances from adhering to detection units, maintaining accurate detection by keeping the detection unit at a safe temperature.

Implementation Method 1

a heating mechanism composed of an electron beam or a laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron beam heating: Electron Beam

Implementation Method 2

a heating mechanism composed of an electron beam or a laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 3

The detection unit detects backscattered electrons generated when the powder material is irradiated with the primary ray

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBackscattered electron detection: Electron Beam

Implementation Method 4

the conventional three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus has a problem that the detection unit increases in temperature due to thermal radiation generated at the time of manufacturing the product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation shielding: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4691670A1Three dimensional powder bed fusion additive manufacturing apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 JEOL LTD
  • EP4691670A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4691670A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4691670A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A three-dimensional powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (PBF-AM) apparatus (10, 10B) includes a build plate (22), a powder supply device (16), an irradiation device (14), a detection unit (40, 80), and a shielding member (30, 91). The powder supply device (16) supplies a powder material (32) to the build plate (22) to form a powder layer. The irradiation device (14) irradiates the powder layer with a primary ray (15). The detection unit (40, 80) detects backscattered electrons (61) generated when the powder material (32) is irradiated with the primary ray (15). The shielding member (30, 91) openably and closably covers a detection surface of the detection unit (40, 80).