Abstract: A method produces a workpiece including molybdenum, or tungsten, or chromium, or molybdenum alloy, or tungsten alloy, or chromium alloy by selective consolidation of successive layers of powder by an energy beam. The method includes performing the selective consolidation of the powder layer in a protective atmosphere including nitrogen.

Abstract: A device for measuring powder bed density (PBD) (powder density for a layer) in additive manufacturing (AM) during operation. The device comprises means for determining a mass of the powder and means for determining a volume of the powder during spreading, thereby allowing determination of the powder bed density (powder density for the layer). The means for determining a volume of the powder comprises a laser assembly adapted to move a laser across a powder layer surface in both left and right directions for scanning. The device further allows for the determination of the layer surface profile as well as static and dynamic powder characteristics of the processes involved in the AM operation.