Abstract: An additive manufacturing system can include at least one laser source and a speckle reduction system that receives light from the at least one laser source. The speckle reduction system provides laser light to an optical homogenizer that increases uniformity of laser light and can provide the light to an area patterning system.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system having multiple components includes a high power laser to form a laser beam. A beam dump with a fluid chamber having at least one laser transparent window into which the laser beam is directed is provided. A heat exchanger is connected to the fluid chamber, with the heat exchanger acting to provide useful energy to at least one of the multiple components of the additive manufacturing system. An absorbing fluid can be circulated through both the fluid chamber and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A cartridge for a manufacturing system includes a sealable chamber having a bed and a laser transparent window. A powder hopper can be positioned within the sealable chamber. A powder spreader is positioned within the sealable chamber for distributing powder from the powder hopper onto the bed.

Abstract: A print engine of an additive manufacturing system includes a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge. A laser engine including a frame can be positioned to hold at least one removable field replaceable unit that includes at least some laser optics or patterning optics. An optical alignment system can be attached to at least one of the print station or the laser engine to align the field replaceable unit with respect to the removable cartridge.