nLIGHT, Inc.
Systems for and methods of temperature control in additive manufacturing

Abstract:

An apparatus for temperature control in additive manufacturing may include: an optical beam source configured to generate one or more optical beams; a homogenizer configured to flatten an irradiance profile of the generated one or more optical beams; and/or an optical system configured to form the generated one or more optical beams so as to match a portion of a shape of a powder bed. The apparatus may include optical beam sources configured to generate two or more optical beams; and/or an optical system configured to form the generated two or more optical beams to match the portion of the shape of the powder bed. The apparatus, using the formed one or more optical beams with the flattened irradiance profile or using the formed two or more optical beams, may be configured to pre-heat the powder bed prior to fusing and/or to post-heat the fused powder bed.