Replies to post #3829 on Arcam AB fka AMAVF

[Dunwoody Joe]

I'm not worried about Arcam's patent position. Here is just a taste of the most recently awarded patents.

Seems like the company knows how to build a moat.



METHOD FOR IMPROVED MATERIAL PROPERTIES IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

U Ljungblad, U Ackelid… - US Patent …, 2016 - freepatentsonline.com

26 days ago - Abstract: A method for forming at a three dimensional article through successively depositing individual layers of powder material that are fused together with at
least one energy beam so as to form the article, the method comprising the steps of: ...


ENHANCED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

U Ackelid - US Patent 20,160,052,079, 2016 - freepatentsonline.com

28 days ago - Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for operating an additive manufacturing apparatus in which a three-dimensional article is
formed. Said method comprising the steps of: providing a vacuum chamber having at least ...


ENHANCED ELECTRON BEAM GENERATION

M Fager - US Patent 20,160,052,056, 2016 - freepatentsonline.com

28 days ago - Abstract: A method for forming a three dimensional article through successively depositing individual layers of powder material that are fused together with an
electron beam from an electron beam sources so as to form the article. Providing a model ...


ENERGY BEAM POSITION VERIFICATION

A Snis - US Patent 20,160,054,115, 2016 - freepatentsonline.com

32 days ago - Abstract: A method for verifying a position of an energy beam spot, said method comprising the steps of: providing a calibrated energy beam having a first focus in a
at least two positions at a work table, detecting said at least two positions of said energy ...


ENERGY BEAM DEFLECTION SPEED VERIFICATION

A Snis - US Patent 20,160,054,347, 2016 - freepatentsonline.com

32 days ago - Abstract: A method for verifying a deflection speed of an energy beam spot, the method comprising the steps of: providing a predetermined pattern on a work table with the
energy beam spot while deflecting the energy beam spot with a first deflection speed, ...


ENERGY BEAM SIZE VERIFICATION

A Snis - US Patent 20,160,054,121, 2016 - freepatentsonline.com

32 days ago - Abstract: A method for verifying a size of an energy beam spot, said method comprising the steps of providing a first beam spot having a predetermined size and power
at a first position on a work piece, varying a focus and/or astigmatism lens setting for said ...


ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING METHOD AND APPARATUS

U Ljungblad, M Wildheim - US Patent 20,150,283,610, 2015 - freepatentsonline.com

169 days ago - Abstract: A method for forming a three-dimensional article, said method comprising the steps of: providing a predetermined amount of powder for forming a first powder layer on a start plate, distributing said predetermined amount of powder with a ...


METHOD FOR FUSING A WORKPIECE

J Backlund, T Lock - US Patent 20,150,283,613, 2015 - freepatentsonline.com

169 days ago - Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for welding a workpiece comprising the steps of: making a first weld at a first position on said
workpiece with a high energy beam, deflecting the high energy beam with at least one ...


METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

U Ljungblad - US Patent 20,150,306,819, 2015 - freepatentsonline.com

171 days ago - Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of applied powder. Said method comprising
the steps of: providing at least one powder hopper comprising powder to be used for ...

[Tom Joad]

Moats. Arcam's patent moat is extensive enough for their powder bed, electron beam technology that I doubt there's a threat on any front. In addition, they have or have pending FAA and FDA or FDA type approval for parts made from their machines. FAA approval requires very specific descriptions of process, so much so that what variability exists in Arcam's processes is a bit of a problem. It's not like casting a part, they're looking at what's going on during the entire build. We're there, the process has been accepted by GE and more. That's the other moat.

I don't know what their original patent was, I'm guessing it's the obvious thing, along the lines of electron beams that melt metal particles to build 3d structures. Say that idea can be freely used. Look at all of the research and work that's needed to even tweak the processes for a new patent that produces competitive metallurgy. We're looking at small changes that can bring a better process to the kind of control they have already. That is not easy and requires lots of expensive experiments and another extensive round of metallurgical research. I'm comfortable with the idea that nothing can challenge what they have to offer in aerospace or orthopedics for at least 5 years.

Don't see why one can't have more than one electron gun but for the added cost I doubt it's justified unless you're building much larger parts or there's an additional level of control that an extra gun provides. Cathode ray tubes for television had 1 or 3 guns depending on the technology and the precision was good enough for the image you got at the time whether using 1 or 3. I have confidence that their engineers are on top of this.

[mauser96]

I have read Arcam's early patents They seem quite tight.

I have heard (lost source) that Arcam early patents were like those of the Wright brothers. The patent looked workable, the actual Wright aircraft flew, but subtle misdirections in the patent meant that if you built one following patent directions it would not fly. We know this because for a TV series that is exactly what they did and the meticulously crafted reproduction would not leave the ground.
In both cases later patents filled in the details, giving reproducible results along with a later patent date.

I lack the technical level to determine if this is really true about Arcam.
But it was true about the Wright brothers.

Arcam has lots of patents.
In any case trade secrets may be better protection. No doubt Arcam knows a lot more about EBM than was known 17 years ago.

The real problems are getting EBM industrialized, a system that does not require highly skilled labor and lots of tinkering. And getting engineers to think 180 degrees opposite, about adding rather than subtracting material when they are designing.

Competition might make for quicker adoption of EBM - just as Tesla thinks having other BEV makers will reduce resistance to electrification of the vehicle fleet and thus help Tesla sales