IRRADIATION DEVICES WITH OPTICAL MODULATORS FOR ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS

Abstract: an irradiation device for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include a beam generation device configured to generate an energy beam, an optical modulator including a micromirror array disposed downstream from the beam generation device, and a focusing lens assembly disposed downstream from the optical modulator. the micromirror array may include a plurality of micromirror elements configured to reflect a corresponding plurality of beam segment of the energy beam along a beam path incident upon the focusing lens assembly. the focusing lens assembly may include one or more lenses configured to focus the plurality of beam segments such that for respective ones of a plurality of modulation groups including a subset of micromirror elements, a corresponding subset of beam segments are focused to at least partially overlap with one another at a combination zone corresponding to the respective modulation group.

Inventor(s): Joshua Tyler Mook, William Joseph Steele, Mary Kathryn Thompson, David Scott Simmermon, Michael Thomas Gansler

CPC Classification: B23K26/064 (SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM (making metal-coated products by extruding metal ; building up linings or coverings by casting ; casting by dipping ; manufacture of composite layers by sintering metal powder ; arrangements on machine tools for copying or controlling ; covering metals or covering materials with metals, not otherwise provided for ; burners ))

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