Abstract: A method of determining the condition of a metal powder for use in an additive manufacturing process, involving processing an image of the powder to measure a surface property of the powder, such as colour, texture or particle shape. The proportion of powder whose measured surface property falls outside a pre-determined range is determined and can be used to decide whether or not the powder is suitable for re-use. The proportion is determined by identifying individual particles in the image which are identified as statistical outliers amongst all of the particles shown in the image when considering a measured surface property. The relevant proportion may be determined statistically.

Abstract: A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a data sensing and/or logging means (56, 58, 60, 62, 64) adapted to monitor and/or log various parameters of the powder (14) and/or the pressurised gas (32) and further comprising a control unit (54) adapted record and log the sensor readings either continuously, or at intervals, the control unit (54) comprising a communications module adapted to relay sensor readings, or log files, to a remote monitoring station.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacture involves building a container 8 and a structure by fusing powder 12, 13, 14, such that the container contains the structure and unfused powder. The container 8 may be used in a method for predicting powder degradation in an additive manufacturing process. Containers containing different types of structure may be built to measure the effect of building different types of structures on powder degradation. A structure to be built may be characterised by classes of structural features it contains and information obtained used from building containers used to predict how building the structure will degrade powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupling system for an additive manufacturing process, comprising: a conduit for the transfer of material between a container and a further component of the additive manufacturing process; and one or more actuators for controlling operation of the conduit; wherein the conduit comprises first and second portions connected via an extendable intermediate portion; and wherein the one or more actuators are operable to act on at least a portion of the conduit to extend or retract the intermediate portion to control the length of the conduit.

Abstract: A docking arrangement (10) for coupling an outlet (16) of a container (12) to an inlet (18) for a component of an additive manufacturing process. The docking arrangement (10) includes a dock (11) configured to receive the container (12) and a gas supply (35) associated with the dock (11). A gas coupler (38a, 38b) is provided and is configured, in use, to couple the gas supply (35) with a gas inlet (32) associated with the container (12) when the container (12) is received within the dock (11).

Abstract: A Docking Arrangement for an Additive Manufacturing Process An operating handle (50) for controlling the operational state of a valve arrangement (26) associated with a container (12) to control dispensing of material from the container (12) to a component of an additive manufacturing process. The operating handle (50) includes a rotatable shaft 56 which is coupled to the valve arrangement (26) and is rotatable between a plurality of angular positions corresponding one or more operational states of the valve arrangement (26). A lever (52) is operatively coupled to the shaft (56) and is configured to cause rotation of the shaft (56) between the plurality of angular positions upon rotation of the lever (52). The handle (50) is also rotatable under the operation of an actuator (40) provided as part of a docking arrangement (10) associated with the component.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method of producing an article by additive manufacturing including the steps of predicting regions of stress in the article, identifying an optimal build orientation for the article and dispensing a first powder and/or a second powder to form the article. The first and second powders are of the same type of powder and have been recycled to different extents and the orientation of the build is optimised so that reduced quantities of the powder which has not been recycled or which has been recycled to a lesser extent is dispensed during the build.

Abstract: A locking mechanism (100) for coupling an outlet (16) of a container (12) to an inlet (18) for a component of an additive manufacturing process. The locking mechanism (100) includes one or more locking members (102a, 102b) which are moveable, in use, between at least a first position and a second position. One or more actuators (104a, 104b) are provided and are configured, in use, to control movement of the one or more locking members (102a, 102b) between the first and second positions. The one or more locking members (102a, 102b) are configured to engage an exterior surface of the outlet (16) of the container (12) when in the second position so as to couple the outlet (16) to the inlet (18) for the component of the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a data sensing and/or logging means (56, 58, 60, 62, 64) adapted to monitor and/or log various parameters of the powder (14) and/or the pressurised gas (32) and further comprising a control unit (54) adapted record and log the sensor readings either continuously, or at intervals, the control unit (54) comprising a communications module adapted to relay sensor readings, or log files, to a remote monitoring station.

Abstract: A fitting prevents the unintentional flow of flowable material out of a container through a valve. The valve comprises a housing, a flow control element rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and an actuator for moving the flow control element, wherein the fitting is adapted for insertion into the housing which in use locks the flow control element in a closed configuration by preventing rotation of the flow control element.

Abstract: Apparatus electronically interconnecting first electronic circuitry (72) in a hazardous environment with second electronic circuitry (74) whilst partitioning the second electronic circuitry from the hazardous environment includes a metallic body (42) defining a passage (56) which opens at one end into the hazardous environment. A PCB (58) extends across the passage and is encased within a layer of insulating material (66) on one side to form a gas tight barrier across the passage. The PCB has a first connector (78) connected with said first electronic circuity and at least one second connector (80) extending through the layer of insulating material and connected with said second electronic circuitry. The first and second connectors are electronically coupled so that the first electronic circuitry is electronically connected with the second electronic circuity through the PCB and insulating layer.

Abstract: A nickel-based alloy powder for additive manufacturing having in weight %:C:0.09 to 0.17, Ti:3.8 to 4.5, Zr:>0.06, W:1.8 to 2.6, and Al:3.0 to 3.8 is disclosed.

Abstract: A container (300) adapted to store a quantity of metal powder (101, 301), the container (300) comprising a container body having an opening and a sensing device (111, 121) for sensing the temperature of the powder (101, 301) and/or the humidity level inside the container (300), wherein a first reading received from the sensing device (111, 121) is compared to a second reading received from a second sensing device configured to sense the temperature and/or humidity level of an environment outside of the container, and based on the first reading and the second reading, a user is provided within an indication about whether the container can be opened.

Abstract: A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a data sensing and/or logging means (56, 58, 60, 62, 64) adapted to monitor and/or log various parameters of the powder (14) and/or the pressurised gas (32) and further comprising a control unit (54) adapted record and log the sensor readings either continuously, or at intervals, the control unit (54) comprising a communications module adapted to relay sensor readings, or log files, to a remote monitoring station.

Abstract: A fitting prevents the unintentional flow of flowable material out of a container through a valve. The valve comprises a housing, a flow control element rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and an actuator for moving the flow control element, wherein the fitting is adapted for insertion into the housing which in use locks the flow control element in a closed configuration by preventing rotation of the flow control element.