Abstract: A 3D printing system uses heat sources, such as lasers, for manufacturing parts in metal additive manufacturing, such as powder-bed fusion, on one or more movable build modules. The build modules may be moved (e.g., by a conveyor system) into and out of a lasing module. Parts may be manufactured on multiple build modules simultaneously and/or sequentially, in some cases while the build module(s) are moving relative to the heat sources. Sensor(s) are arranged to determine a position, orientation, and/or movement of the build modules and feedback from the sensor(s) may be used to control the heat sources to compensate for motion of the build modules.

Abstract: A metal additive manufacturing system includes a powder bed for powdered metal, a plurality of lasers to generate a plurality of laser beams, and a scanner to steer the plurality of laser beams onto selected portions of a surface of the powder bed. A method of metal additive manufacturing includes generating a plurality of laser beams and steering the plurality of laser beams, using a scanner, onto selected portions of a surface of a powder bed of powdered metal.

Abstract: A method of metal additive manufacturing includes generating a plurality of laser beams and directing the plurality of laser beams to selected portions of a surface of a powder bed of powdered metal. The method also includes monitoring the powder bed while performing the generating and directing, and adjusting at least one of the generating or directing based on the monitoring.