Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to the aligning of a melting beam source in an additive manufacturing (AM) system. Methods of the disclosure may include forming a first test article and a second test article of different shapes on a build plate. The method further includes measuring a vertical scale, vertical alignment, horizontal scale, and an alignment of the melting beam source using the first and second test articles. The method includes determining whether one of the vertical scale, the vertical alignment, the horizontal scale, or the horizontal alignment of the melting beam source is not within a corresponding tolerance of a target specification. If at least one of the vertical scale, the vertical alignment, the horizontal scale, or the horizontal alignment is within the corresponding tolerance, the method includes adjusting the melting beam source of the AM system to align the melting beam source to yield the target specification.

Abstract: A metal powder additive manufacturing system and method are disclosed that use increased trace amounts of oxygen to improve physical attributes of an object. The system may include: a processing chamber; a metal powder bed within the processing chamber; a melting element configured to sequentially melt layers of metal powder on the metal powder bed to generate an object; and a control system configured to control a flow of a gas mixture within the processing chamber from a source of inert gas and a source of an oxygen containing material, the gas mixture including the inert gas and oxygen from the oxygen containing material. The method may result in an object having a surface porosity of no greater than approximately 0.1%, and an effective density of greater than approximately 99.9%.

Abstract: A metal powder additive manufacturing system and method are disclosed that use increased trace amounts of oxygen to improve physical attributes of an object. The system may include: a processing chamber; a metal powder bed within the processing chamber; a melting element configured to sequentially melt layers of metal powder on the metal powder bed to generate an object; and a control system configured to control a flow of a gas mixture within the processing chamber from a source of inert gas and a source of an oxygen containing material, the gas mixture including the inert gas and oxygen from the oxygen containing material.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing systems are disclosed. The systems may include a base, and a retaining plate coupled to the base. The retaining plate may include a seat formed in an exposed surface of the retaining plate, and a plurality of pads extending laterally into the seat. The additive manufacturing systems may also include a build plate positioned within the seat and contacting the plurality of pads of the retaining plate. The build plate may include a build surface in substantial planar alignment with the exposed surface of the retaining plate. Additionally, the additive manufacturing systems may include a plurality of build plate retention components positioned in the seat of the retaining plate. Each of the plurality of build plate retention components may be utilized to retain the build plate within the seat of the retaining plate.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a build plate for additive manufacturing, along with a related system. The build plate may include: a first build surface having at least one recess therein; and at least one block configured to matingly engage with, and disengage with, the at least one recess, the block including a second build surface.

Abstract: Particle detection systems are disclosed. The particle detection system may include a conduit configured to receive particles removed from a component, and at least one sensor positioned adjacent the conduit. The at least one sensor may be configured to detect a particle characteristic for the particles in the conduit removed from the component. The particle detection system may also include a particle analysis system in communication with the at least one sensor. The particle analysis system may be configured to analyze the particle characteristic for the particles in the conduit to determine if the component is substantially free of particles.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a build plate for additive manufacturing, along with a related system. The build plate may include: a first build surface having at least one recess therein; and at least one block configured to matingly engage with, and disengage with, the at least one recess, the block including a second build surface.

Abstract: Particle detection systems are disclosed. The particle detection system may include a conduit configured to receive particles removed from a component, and at least one sensor positioned adjacent the conduit. The at least one sensor may be configured to detect a particle characteristic for the particles in the conduit removed from the component. The particle detection system may also include a particle analysis system in communication with the at least one sensor. The particle analysis system may be configured to analyze the particle characteristic for the particles in the conduit to determine if the component is substantially free of particles.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing systems are disclosed. The systems may include a base, and a retaining plate coupled to the base. The retaining plate may include a seat formed in an exposed surface of the retaining plate, and a plurality of pads extending laterally into the seat. The additive manufacturing systems may also include a build plate positioned within the seat and contacting the plurality of pads of the retaining plate. The build plate may include a build surface in substantial planar alignment with the exposed surface of the retaining plate. Additionally, the additive manufacturing systems may include a plurality of build plate retention components positioned in the seat of the retaining plate. Each of the plurality of build plate retention components may be utilized to retain the build plate within the seat of the retaining plate.

Abstract: A metal powder additive manufacturing system and method are disclosed that use increased trace amounts of oxygen to improve physical attributes of an object. The system may include: a processing chamber; a metal powder bed within the processing chamber; a melting element configured to sequentially melt layers of metal powder on the metal powder bed to generate an object; and a control system configured to control a flow of a gas mixture within the processing chamber from a source of inert gas and a source of an oxygen containing material, the gas mixture including the inert gas and oxygen from the oxygen containing material.

Abstract: A metal powder additive manufacturing system and method are disclosed that use increased trace amounts of oxygen to improve physical attributes of an object. The system may include: a processing chamber; a metal powder bed within the processing chamber; a melting element configured to sequentially melt layers of metal powder on the metal powder bed to generate an object; and a control system configured to control a flow of a gas mixture within the processing chamber from a source of inert gas and a source of an oxygen containing material, the gas mixture including the inert gas and oxygen from the oxygen containing material. The method may result in an object having a surface porosity of no greater than approximately 0.1%, and an effective density of greater than approximately 99.9%.