초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for selectively depositing a layer of material from a gas phase to produce a part comprising a plurality of deposited layers. The apparatus includes a computer controlling a directed energy beam, such as a laser, to direct the laser energy into a chamber substantially containi

A method and apparatus for selectively depositing a layer of material from a gas phase to produce a part comprising a plurality of deposited layers. The apparatus includes a computer controlling a directed energy beam, such as a laser, to direct the laser energy into a chamber substantially containing the gas phase to preferably produce photodecomposition or thermal decomposition of the gas phase and selectively deposit material within the boundaries of the desired cross-sectional regions of the part. For each cross section, the aim of the laser beam is scanned over a target area and the beam is switched on to deposit material within the boundaries of the cross-section. Each subsequent layer is joined to the immediately preceding layer to produce a part comprising a plurality of joined layers. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a gas phase is condensed on a surface and a laser beam is used to selectively evaporate, transform, activate or decompose material in each layer. A subsequent layer is condensed and the evaporation, transformation, activation or decomposition step is repeated to produce a part comprising a plurality of joined layers. The apparatus of the present invention preferably comprises a computer controlled laser generating and scanning system aiming at least one laser beam into a chamber comprising at least one gas phase and controlling the aim and selectively depositing or evaporating material to produce a part.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of producing a part comprising the steps of: positioning a first gas phase proximate a target area; scanning the aim of at least one directed energy beam relative to said target area and selectively depositing material from said first gas phase in a first layer on said target area; position

A method of producing a part comprising the steps of: positioning a first gas phase proximate a target area; scanning the aim of at least one directed energy beam relative to said target area and selectively depositing material from said first gas phase in a first layer on said target area; positioning a second gas phase proximate said target area; scanning the aim of at least one directed energy beam relative to said target area and selectively depositing material from said second gas phase in a second layer on said target area, including the substeps of joining said first and second layers during the scanning and depositing of the second layer; and positioning successive gas phases over said target area and scanning the aim of at least one directed energy beam over said target area and selectively depositing material to produce successive layers joined to a previously deposited layer and producing a part comprising a plurality of joined layers.