Abstract: A method includes receiving torque data of a powder recoater operatively connected to an additive manufacturing system. The torque data includes torque data of the recoater when the recoater traverses a build area. The method also includes determining a quality of one or more of an additive manufacturing process and/or product based on the torque data.

Abstract: A method of making an article is disclosed involving determining a plurality of patterns of discrete sections for a plurality of layers of fusible material. According to the method, the patterns are determined having section boundaries that avoid alignment with section boundaries of other layer patterns among the plurality of patterns according to criteria specified for the article. Layers of fusible material are repeatedly fused with an energy beam applied in a scanning pattern to each of the discrete sections sequentially for each of the plurality of patterns in the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A support structure for an additive manufacturing system includes a support body with a support body material and an interface disposed on the support body with an interface material. The interface material has a ductile-to-brittle transition temperature that is higher than the ductile-to-brittle temperature of the support body material for selectively fracturing the interface material to separate an additively manufactured article from the support body.

Abstract: A method includes placing an additively manufactured article having one or more internal channels in a non-reactive liquid to remove remainder powder from within the one or more internal channels, wherein the non-reactive liquid is a gas at room temperature and/or pressure. Placing the additively manufactured article in the non-reactive liquid includes can include placing the additively manufactured article in liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A method includes receiving torque data of a powder recoater operatively connected to an additive manufacturing system. The torque data includes torque data of the recoater when the recoater traverses a build area. Receiving torque data includes receiving force data from a plurality of load cells, each load cell operatively associated with a blade segment of a recoater blade assembly. The method also includes determining a quality of one or more of an additive manufacturing process and/or product based on the torque data.

Abstract: A method of producing a heat exchanger includes designing the heat exchanger to include a wall with a target thickness. A model is created relating process parameters to geometry of a single track melt pool and relating the single track melt pool geometry to a heat exchanger wall thickness. At least one variable process parameter is defined. The model, heat exchanger wall target thickness, and variable process parameters are used to identify a set of process parameters to produce the heat exchanger wall target thickness. The melt pool geometry is predicted based on the model and process parameters. The heat exchanger wall target thickness is predicted based on the melt pool geometry. The process parameters that will produce the heat exchanger wall target thickness are identified. The additive manufacturing process is controlled based upon the identified set of process parameters to create the heat exchanger wall target thickness.

Abstract: A method includes issuing a state change fluid into an internal passage of an additively manufactured article and causing the state change fluid to change from a first state having a first viscosity to a second state that is either solid or has a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity within the internal passage. The method can also include causing the state change fluid to change back from the second state to the first state and flushing the state change fluid from the internal passage to remove residual powder from the additively manufactured article.

Abstract: A method includes placing an additively manufactured article having one or more internal channels in a non-reactive liquid to remove remainder powder from within the one or more internal channels, wherein the non-reactive liquid is a gas at room temperature and/or pressure. Placing the additively manufactured article in the non-reactive liquid includes can include placing the additively manufactured article in liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A method for forming a part includes: forming a first portion of the part at a first level; forming a second portion of the part at a second level; wherein forming the first and second portions includes exposing the first and second levels to a sintering process and portions of the first and second levels to an electron beam; causing a magnetorheological (MR) fluid to move into a passage inside the first and second portions; exposing the first and second portions to a magnetic field causing motion of particles in the MR fluid to move and break up sintered material in the passage; and removing some or all of the sintered material in the passage.

Abstract: A support structure for an additive manufacturing system includes a support body with a support body material and an interface disposed on the support body with an interface material. The interface material has a ductile-to-brittle transition temperature that is higher than the ductile-to-brittle temperature of the support body material for selectively fracturing the interface material to separate an additively manufactured article from the support body.

Abstract: A method for making an article is disclosed. According to the method, a digital model of the article is inputted into an additive manufacturing apparatus. The additive manufacturing apparatus applies energy from an energy source to a metal powder to fuse the metal powder particles and form fused metal at a first density in at least a portion of the article corresponding to the digital model. The fused metal is heated with application of an electric field and applying pressure to increase the density of the fused metal to a second density greater than the first density.

Abstract: A method of making a heat exchanger is disclosed that includes identifying a space for a heat exchanger fluid flow path. A carbon template is formed in the shape of the flow path space, with void space in the shape of a fluid guide that forms the flow path space. A ceramic or a ceramic precursor fluid composition is deposited to the template void space, and a solid ceramic is formed from the fluid composition. The template is removed by oxidizing the carbon.

Abstract: A method for making an article is described that includes generating a digital model of the article that comprises an internal cavity. The digital model is inputted into an additive manufacturing apparatus or system comprising an energy source. The additive manufacturing apparatus applies energy from the energy source to successively applied incremental quantities of a metal powder, which fuses the powder to form incremental portions of the metal powder according to the digital model to form the article with the internal cavity. Abrasive magnetic particles are disposed in the internal cavity, and a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic particles in the internal cavity. Repeated relative movement is imparted between the magnetic field and the article to hone a fused metal powder surface of the internal cavity.

Abstract: A method of producing a heat exchanger includes designing the heat exchanger to include a wall with a target thickness. A model is created relating process parameters to geometry of a single track melt pool and relating the single track melt pool geometry to a heat exchanger wall thickness. At least one variable process parameter is defined. The model, heat exchanger wall target thickness, and variable process parameters are used to identify a set of process parameters to produce the heat exchanger wall target thickness. The melt pool geometry is predicted based on the model and process parameters. The heat exchanger wall target thickness is predicted based on the melt pool geometry. The process parameters that will produce the heat exchanger wall target thickness are identified. The additive manufacturing process is controlled based upon the identified set of process parameters to create the heat exchanger wall target thickness.

Abstract: A method of making a part including a solid portion with an internal passage includes building the part using an additive manufacturing process that builds the part on a layer-by-layer basis. The solid portion of the part is formed. A solid core is formed within at least a portion of the internal passage. Forming the solid core includes forming an attachment feature and forming a shearing feature. Material that is not fused, either semi-sintered or un-sintered, is positioned between the solid portion and the solid core. A force selected from the group consisting of a tensile, compressive, vibratory, and torsional force is applied to the solid core at the attachment feature. The material is then shorn with the shearing feature.

Abstract: A method of making an article is disclosed involving determining a plurality of patterns of discrete sections for a plurality of layers of fusible material. According to the method, the patterns are determined having section boundaries that avoid alignment with section boundaries of other layer patterns among the plurality of patterns according to criteria specified for the article.

Abstract: A method of making a part including a solid portion with an internal passage includes building the part using an additive manufacturing process that builds the part on a layer-by-layer basis. The solid portion of the part is formed. Forming the solid portion includes fusing the solid portion. A solid core is formed within at least a portion of the internal passage. Forming the solid core includes fusing the solid core and forming an attachment feature on the solid core. Material that is not fused, either semi-sintered or un-sintered, is positioned between the solid portion and the solid core. At least a tensile, compressive, vibratory, or torsional force is applied to the solid core at the attachment feature. The solid core is then removed from the part.

Abstract: A method for forming a part includes: forming a first portion of the part at a first level; forming a second portion of the part at a second level; wherein forming the first and second portions includes exposing the first and second levels to a sintering process and portions of the first and second levels to an electron beam; causing a magnetorheological (MR) fluid to move into a passage inside the first and second portions; exposing the first and second portions to a magnetic field causing motion of particles in the MR fluid to move and break up sintered material in the passage; and removing some or all of the sintered material in the passage.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, includes, among other things, at least partially filling a vessel with an abrasive fluid, pressurizing the abrasive fluid, and vibrating a component within the vessel. Further, the method includes gradually adjusting a rate material is removed from the component.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, includes, among other things, at least partially filling a vessel with an abrasive fluid, pressurizing the abrasive fluid, and vibrating a component within the vessel. Further, the method includes gradually adjusting a rate material is removed from the component.