EXCHANGEABLE BEAM ENTRY WINDOW FOR AM SYSTEM
Methods and apparatuses for replaceable beam entry windows in additive manufacturing systems are disclosed.
1 . An apparatus for additive manufacturing, comprising:
a build chamber having an enclosure, the enclosure having an opening;
a module configured to fit within the opening, the module including a beam window, the beam window having a characteristic;
an energy source that generates an energy beam;
an optical element configured to direct the energy beam through the beam window; and
a controller, coupled to the energy source, wherein the controller controls the energy source based at least in part on the characteristic of the beam window.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a memory, coupled to the controller, wherein the memory stores the characteristic associated with the module.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the characteristic includes an optical caustic.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the characteristic includes a beam propagation ratio.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy source is a laser energy source.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further coupled to the module, and wherein the controller is configured to identify the module and select the characteristic from a memory based on an identification of the module.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the module engages with the opening such that the beam window is located at a consistent distance from the optical element.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a gas supply system configured to supply a positively pressured gas around the optical element.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a removable separator configured to be positioned between the optical element and the opening.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a seal arranged between the module and the opening, the seal configured to maintain an environment in the build chamber.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a forced loading mechanism configured to positively engage and locate the module.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the module includes a plurality of beam windows, and the optical element is further configured to direct a plurality of energy beams such that each energy beam of the plurality of energy beams is directed through a separate beam window in the plurality of beam windows.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of beam windows is separately removable.
14 . A method of additive manufacturing, comprising:
enclosing a build chamber with an enclosure, the enclosure having an opening;
placing a module within the opening, the module including a beam window, the beam window having a characteristic;
generating an energy beam;
directing the energy beam through the beam window with an optical element; and
controlling the energy beam based at least in part on the characteristic of the beam window.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising storing the characteristic of the beam window in a memory.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the characteristic includes an optical caustic.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the characteristic includes a beam propagation ratio.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the energy beam is a laser.
19 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
identifying the module; and
selecting the characteristic based on an identification of the module.
20 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
locating the beam window at a consistent distance from the optical element.
21 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
supplying a positively pressured gas around the optical element.
22 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
positioning a removable separator between the optical element and the opening.
23 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
sealing the module in the opening to maintain an environment in the build chamber.
24 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
positively engaging the module within the opening.
25 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
installing a plurality of beam windows into the module; and
directing a plurality of energy beams with the optical element, such that each energy beam of the plurality of energy beams is directed through a separate beam window in the plurality of beam windows.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein each beam window of the plurality of beam windows is separately removable.