Patent application EP18178619A (EP), filed 2018-06-19
Publication number: EP3418054A1
Title: POWER METER SYSTEMS FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING MACHINES
Abstract: A contained radiation power metering system (100) for measuring power of a radiation source of an additive manufacturing machine includes a base (101) configured to fit within the additive manufacturing machine, a radiation sensor (103) connected to the base (101) and configured to receive radiation from the radiation source and output a radiation power signal, and a wireless module (107) disposed on the base (101) configured to receive the radiation power signal and transmit the radiation power signal from the system (100) to a separate wireless receiver.
IPC codes: B29C  64/   268            A I
B33Y  30/    00            A I
B33Y  50/    02            A I
H04W   4/    38            A I
B22F   3/   105            A I
G01J   1/    02            A I
G01J   1/    42            A I
Claims: number: 1
text: A contained radiation power metering system for measuring power of a radiation source of an additive manufacturing machine, comprising:
number: 2
text: The system of claim 1, further comprising an input adapter operatively connected to the radiation sensor to receive the radiation power signal for converting the radiation power signal from a first format to second format operable with the wireless module.
number: 3
text: The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a battery disposed on the base and in electrical communication with the wireless module and/or the radiation sensor.
number: 4
text: The system of claim 3, wherein the base is a cartridge plate and is configured to removably fit onto a build plate mount in the additive manufacturing machine.
number: 5
text: The system of claim 4, wherein the radiation sensor is mounted to the base on a post and is positioned relative to the base for focal length and centering position of the radiation source.
number: 6
text: The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a cooling system operatively connected to the radiation sensor to cool the radiation sensor.
number: 7
text: The system of claim 6, wherein the cooling system includes a coolant tank mounted to the base.
number: 8
text: The system of claim 7, wherein the cooling system includes a pump configured to pump coolant to the radiation sensor.
number: 9
text: The system of claim 8, wherein the radiation sensor is fluidly connected to the coolant tank via one or more coolant lines.
number: 10
text: The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more coolant lines includes a pump line and a return line.
number: 11
text: The system of claim 10, wherein the radiation sensor includes a housing with an internal volume configured to receive coolant.
number: 12
text: The system of any preceding claim, wherein the base is configured to fit between a build plate and a powder bed of an additive manufacturing system and is configured to bolt to the additive manufacturing machine.
number: 13
text: The system of any preceding claim, wherein the radiation sensor is laser power sensor.
number: 14
text: A method for measuring the power of a radiation source of an additive manufacturing machine, comprising:
number: 15
text: The method of claim 14, wherein the additive manufacturing machine is a powder bed fusion machine.
Office action: search_report, dated 2018-12-26
Rejection reasons: novelty_epc_54
Prior art cited: ref_id: EP3210713A1
ref_type: patent
severity: background
ref_id: DE102015007790A1
ref_type: patent
severity: background
ref_id: DE102015007790
ref_type: patent
severity: background
ref_id: EP3210713
ref_type: patent
severity: novelty_destroying
Final disposition: pending (2018-12-26)