Abstract:
A method of aligning at least one laser beam of an additive manufacturing arrangement. The method includes measuring a surface of the calibration plate at a plurality of measurement points using the coordinate measuring machine. The method further includes generating a correction field based on the plurality of measurement points using the coordinate measuring machine. The method further includes writing at least one fiducial mark on the surface of the calibration plate using the at least one laser beam. The method further includes generating calibration data for the surface of the calibration plate using the calibration system. The method also includes aligning the laser beam within the additive manufacturing system based on the calibration data and the correction field using the computing device by comparing a position of the fiducial mark from the calibration data with the correction field to determine a corrected position of the laser beam.
Abstract:
A powder spreader is presented. The powder spreader includes a base element having at least a first side and a spreading element including a sheet having a curved portion protruding from the at least first side of the base element, where the curved portion of the sheet is substantially free of a discontinuity. An additive manufacturing apparatus including the powder spreader is also presented.
Abstract:
An additive manufacturing system includes a build platform, at least one first consolidation device, and at least one second consolidation device. The at least one first consolidation device is configured to direct at least one first energy beam to a first face of a component. The first face has a first orientation. The at least one second consolidation device is configured to simultaneously direct at least one second energy beam toward a second face of the component as the first consolidation device directs the at least one first energy beam toward the first face. The second face has a second orientation different from the first orientation.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a component is provided. The method includes depositing particles onto a build platform. The method also includes distributing the particles to form a build layer. The method further includes operating a consolidation device to consolidate a first plurality of particles along a scan path to form a component. The component includes a top surface spaced apart from the build platform and an outer surface. The outer surface extends between the build platform and the top surface, and at least a portion of the outer surface faces a substantially particle-free region of the build platform.
Abstract:
A powder spreader is presented. The powder spreader includes a base element having at least a first side and a spreading element including a sheet having a curved portion protruding from the at least first side of the base element, where the curved portion of the sheet is substantially free of a discontinuity. An additive manufacturing apparatus including the powder spreader is also presented.
Abstract:
A method for repairing a structure in an additive manufacturing system is provided. The method includes detecting a defect in a structure formed using an additive manufacturing process, the structure including a first surface that faces a powder containing region and a second surface that faces a substantially powder free region, generating a supplemental scan path that covers at least a portion of the structure based on a location of the detected defect, and controlling a consolidation device, based on the supplemental scan path, to remedy the defect.
Abstract:
An imaging system includes a sight tube extending along a longitudinal axis of the imaging system and configured to extend through an access port. The sight tube includes a wall extending about the longitudinal axis and defining a cavity. The imaging system also includes a plurality of cooling channels extending through the sight tube. The plurality of cooling channels are configured to direct cooling fluid through the sight tube for cooling the imaging system. The plurality of cooling channels are formed in the sight tube such that at least one cooling channel of the plurality of cooling channels extends in a direction oblique to the longitudinal axis.
Abstract:
A method that includes additively manufacturing with an additive manufacturing (AM) system a sub-component that has a locator element. Using a control system of the AM system for positioning a first location of the locator element. Selectively placing a portion of another sub-component adjacent to the locator element, based on the positioning. Then attaching the second sub-component to the first sub-component in a region, wherein the region is based on the positioning knowledge from the control system so as to make a component. A component that comprises a first sub-component that has an AM locator element; and a second sub-component attached to the first sub-component, wherein the locator element is attached to the second sub-component within the same additive manufacturing build chamber as the first sub-component.