Abstract: Build plate assemblies and their methods of use for an additive manufacturing system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a build plate assembly may include a build plate with a build surface and one or more recesses formed in the build plate. One or more inserts may be inserted into the corresponding one or more recesses of the build plate such that a portion of the one or more inserts are accessible through one or more corresponding openings formed in the build surface associated with the recesses.

Abstract: Optics assemblies and their methods of use in additive manufacturing systems are described. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing system may include a build surface, a plurality of laser energy sources configured to produce a plurality of laser spots on the build surface, and an optics assembly configured to independently control a size of each of the plurality of laser spots and a spacing between the plurality of laser spots on the build surface. The optics assembly may include a plurality of lens arrays, where the plurality of lens arrays is configured to adjust a size of each of the plurality of laser spots on the build surface, and at least one lens. The at least one lens may also be configured to adjust a spacing between the plurality of laser spots on the build surface.

Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to additive manufacturing systems and related methods. An additive manufacturing system may include two or more laser energy sources and associated optical fibers. An optics assembly may be constructed and arranged to form a rectangular laser energy pixel associated with each laser energy source. Each pixel may have a substantially uniform power density, and the pixels may be arranged to form a linear array of laser energy pixels on a build surface with no spacing between the pixels. Exposure of a portion of a layer of material on the build surface to the linear array of laser energy pixels may melt the portion of the layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing are described. A method for additive manufacturing may include exposing a layer of material on a build surface to one or more projections of laser energy including at least one line laser having a substantially linear shape. The intensity of the line laser may be modulated so as to cause fusion of the layer of material according to a desired pattern as the one or more projections of laser energy are scanned across the build surface.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to recoater systems for use with additive manufacturing systems. A recoater assembly may be adjustable along multiple degrees of freedom relative to a build surface, which may allow for adjustment of a spacing between the recoater assembly and the build surface and/or an orientation of the recoater assembly relative to an orientation of the build surface. In some embodiments, the recoater assembly may be supported by four support columns extending above the build surface, and attachments between the recoater assembly and the support columns may be independently adjustable to adjust the recoater relative to the build surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods involved in additive manufacturing are disclosed. Calibrating one or more optical cameras of an additive manufacturing system includes controlling one or more laser energy sources to form a design on a surface. The design is a two-dimensional array of elements, at least two elements of the array differing in shape and/or orientation from each other. The method also includes obtaining one or more images of the design based on using the one or more cameras, and analyzing the one or more images by implementing one or more algorithms to determine or update parameters for each of the one or more cameras. The parameters of each of the one or more cameras include extrinsic parameters relating a printer coordinate system of the one or more laser energy sources and an image coordinate system of the camera, intrinsic parameters controlling image distortion resulting from lens properties, or both.

Abstract: A system may include a build plate aligned with a build plate plane and at least one build plate actuator operatively coupled to the build plate and configured to change a pose of the build plate plane. The build plate may be configured to receive a layer of material. One or more distance sensors may be configured to obtain build plate distance information including a relative distance between a reference frame of an optics assembly and the build plate and/or the build surface of the layer of material. At least one processor may be configured to receive the build plate and/or build surface distance information from the one or more distance sensors, and command the at least one build plate actuator to adjust the pose of the build plate plane based at least partly on the build plate and/or build surface distance information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additive manufacturing are generally described. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing system may include an optical sensing system. The optical sensing system may include a housing with an inlet to a chamber configured to receive a laser energy beam emitted from a laser energy source, an optics module, an optical interferometer, and a photosensitive sensor array. In some embodiments, the optical sensing system may include a gas inlet configured to direct a flow of gas from a gas source into the chamber such that a pressure within the chamber is greater than a pressure in an environment surrounding the chamber, thereby pushing contaminants away from the chamber. In some embodiments, the optical sensing system may include one or more transparent debris barriers disposed along an optical path of the laser energy beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supporting a plurality of cables of an additive manufacturing system. A cable carrier having first and second ends may be configured to support the plurality of cables within a channel of the cable carrier. The cable carrier may be pivotably supported via a first and second coupling engageable with the first and second ends, respectively. The first and second couplings may be attached to first and second components of an additive manufacturing system, respectively. The couplings may be configured to permit rotation of the first and second ends of the cable carrier in response to movement of the second end and/or the second component in a direction transverse to a plane in which the cable carrier lies.

Abstract: System and method for dispensing powder material for an additive manufacturing system. A preload container can be configured to hold a predetermined amount of powder material, and move the powder material from a powder supply to a powder recoater. The preload container may be configured to hold an amount of powder suitable for forming multiple powder layers on a build surface and may be configured to rapidly deliver the powder material to a powder recoater, e.g., in less than 10 seconds. The powder material in the preload container and/or the powder supply may be maintained in an isolated environment, e.g., during transfer of powder material from the powder supply to the preload container. A seal may have a movable portion configured to interface between the powder supply and a recoater hopper.

Abstract: System and method for dispensing powder material for an additive manufacturing system. A hopper can include a spline configured for rotation to dispense powder material from an exit opening of the hopper. A shield can be provided for one or both ends of the spline to help control powder movement at an interface with the spline, e.g., so powder that passes the interface is trapped in a space. An auger can be provided in a hopper and configured for moving powder in the hopper in two opposed directions in response to rotation of the auger in a single direction. A common drive can be used to move both an auger and spline. One or more load cells can be provided to determine a mass of powder delivered to and/or dispensed from the hopper.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a component to and/or removing a component from a printer enclosure of an additive manufacturing system. A chamber may be configured to removably receive and hold a component such as a build volume having a build surface on which a manufactured part is to be formed. One or more portions of the chamber may interact with the component to define a sealed internal space that may be isolated from an external environment and/or purged with inert gas. The chamber and component may be moved independent of a printer enclosure while the sealed internal space is isolated, and the chamber and printer enclosure may sealingly engage for transfer of the component from the chamber into and/or out of the printer enclosure.

Abstract: A mounting system for a build plate of an additive manufacturing system includes a build plate, a build plate support structure, and at least one clamp assembly. The build plate has a build surface and a coupling surface opposite the build surface. The build plate support structure is in supportive contact with the coupling surface of the build plate, and the build plate support structure supports the build plate during an additive manufacturing process. Each clamp assembly has a coupling member extending between the build plate support structure and the build plate, and each coupling member engages with the coupling surface of the build plate. Each clamp assembly resiliently biases the build plate towards the build plate support structure when the coupling member is engaged with the build plate.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are generally related to recoater assemblies for additive manufacturing systems. In some embodiments, a recoater blade may include a plurality of flexible portions that are configured to deflect relative to one another when moved over and past a defect on a build surface. In other embodiments, a recoater assembly may include compliant attachments that exhibit compliances that increase in an outward direction relative to a central portion of a body of the recoater assembly. In still other embodiments, a pair of scoops may be disposed on opposing end portions of a recoater blade and/or recoater assembly to help guide and collect excess powder dispensed onto a build surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods involved in additive manufacturing are disclosed. One or more optical fibers optically couple one or more laser energy sources and an optics assembly. One or more photosensitive detectors are arranged along a length of the one or more optical fibers between an output of the one or more laser energy sources and an input of the optics assembly. Each photosensitive detector among the one or more photosensitive detectors is in a contact-less arrangement with one or more of the two or more optical fibers. Each photosensitive detector among the one or more photosensitive detectors detects fiber fuse-generated propagation of plasma through the one or more optical fibers. The system also includes one or more processors arranged to receive signals from the one or more photosensitive detectors and to control operation of the one or more laser energy sources based at least in part on the signals.

Abstract: Fiber optic laser energy paths including photonic lanterns for use in additive manufacturing systems are disclosed. According to some embodiments, a plurality of photonic lanterns are configured to combine laser energy from a plurality of laser energy sources. According to other embodiments, a first plurality of photonic lanterns may combine laser energy from a plurality of laser energy sources and a second plurality of photonic lanterns may furcate the combined laser energy and direct the furcated laser energy to form a plurality of laser energy pixels on a build surface. Laser energy paths including photonic lanterns my provide enhanced control and redundancy within an additive manufacturing system. The disclosure may apply to laser paths for all types of additive manufacturing systems. Some disclosed embodiments are directed to powder bed fusion additive manufacturing systems including a plurality of laser power sources.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring light emitted from a build surface as well as other sources during an additive manufacturing process are disclosed. Systems and methods for monitoring laser energy directed towards a build surface during an additive manufacturing process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to additive manufacturing systems. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing system includes a fixed build plate, and a build volume extends above the fixed build plate. A boundary of the build volume may be defined by a powder containing shroud that is vertically displaceable relative to the fixed build plate. A powder deposition system is configured to deposit a powder layer along an upper surface of the build volume and the powder deposition is vertically displaceable relative to the fixed build plate. An optics assembly configured to direct laser energy from one or more laser energy sources towards the build volume, and exposure of the powder layer to the laser energy melts at least a portion of the powder layer. In some embodiments, the build plate may be supported by support columns configured to maintain the build plate in a level orientation throughout a build process.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to additive manufacturing systems. In some embodiments, an additive manufacturing system may include a plurality of laser energy sources, an optics assembly configured to direct laser energy onto a build surface, and an optical fiber connector positioned between the plurality of laser energy sources and the optics assembly. A first plurality of optical fibers may extend between the plurality of laser energy sources and the optical fiber connector, and a second plurality of optical fibers may extend between the optical fiber connector and the optics assembly. Each optical fiber of the first plurality of optical fibers may be coupled to a corresponding optical fiber of the second plurality of optical fibers within the optical fiber connector.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to recoater systems for use with additive manufacturing systems. A recoater assembly may be adjustable along multiple degrees of freedom relative to a build surface, which may allow for adjustment of a spacing between the recoater assembly and the build surface and/or an orientation of the recoater assembly relative to an orientation of the build surface. In some embodiments, the recoater assembly may be supported by four support columns extending above the build surface, and attachments between the recoater assembly and the support columns may be independently adjustable to adjust the recoater relative to the build surface.