Abstract: A powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) machine includes a build plate configured to function as a platform to support one or more parts built using the PBF AM machine. The build plate further includes a thermal history indicator positioned on the build plate, attached to the build plate, or physically integrated with the build plate such that the thermal history indicator experiences the same temperature as the build plate. The thermal history indicator is configured to display a durable visual indication of achievement of a temperature associated with a post-processing step performed after the one or more parts are built on the build platform.

Abstract: A recoater assembly for an additive manufacturing (AM) machine includes a recoater blade magazine, an optical transmitter associated with the recoater blade magazine, an optical sensor positioned to receive a light beam transmitted from the optical transmitter as the optical transmitter tracks the path of the primary recoater blade over the build powder bed, a controller configured to receive the failure signal transmitted from the optical sensor to the controller, a recoater blade disengagement mechanism, and a recoater blade compression mechanism positioned in the recoater blade magazine.

Abstract: A powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) machine includes a build plate configured to function as a platform to support one or more parts built using the PBF AM machine. The build plate further includes a thermal history indicator positioned on the build plate, attached to the build plate, or physically integrated with the build plate such that the thermal history indicator experiences the same temperature as the build plate. The thermal history indicator is configured to display a durable visual indication of achievement of a temperature associated with a post-processing step performed after the one or more parts are built on the build platform.

Abstract: A build powder characterization system for an additive manufacturing (AM) machine includes a build powder collection system, a build powder analyzer, and a controller. The build powder collection system configured to collect build powder during an AM machine build campaign. The build powder analyzer configured to receive from the build powder collection system the collected build powder, to analyze selected build powder properties, and to communicate to a controller data reflecting properties of the collected build powder. The controller is configured to process data, received from the build powder analyzer, reflecting properties of the collected build powder.

Abstract: A part intended for use with a threaded insert includes a main body manufactured from fully dense material and a plurality of localized, higher porosity, lower strength regions configured to accept a plurality of keys from the threaded insert. A method of inserting a threaded insert into a part includes the steps of providing a part with a main body manufactured from fully dense material and a plurality of localized, higher porosity, lower strength regions configured to accept a plurality of keys from the threaded insert; forming in the main body a threaded bore configured to accept the threaded insert in which a plurality of localized, higher porosity, lower strength regions surround a periphery of the threaded bore; forming a countersink in the threaded bore such that the countersink is adjacent to a top surface of the part; and inserting the threaded insert into the threaded bore to position the threaded part at or below the top surface of the part.

Abstract: A recoater assembly for an additive manufacturing (AM) machine includes a recoater blade magazine, an optical transmitter associated with the recoater blade magazine, an optical sensor positioned to receive a light beam transmitted from the optical transmitter as the optical transmitter tracks the path of the primary recoater blade over the build powder bed, a controller configured to receive the failure signal transmitted from the optical sensor to the controller, a recoater blade disengagement mechanism, and a recoater blade compression mechanism positioned in the recoater blade magazine.