Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasound probe having a coupling element for engaging the surface of an object to be inspected, in which the ultrasound probe and a calibration artefact are provided on a positioning apparatus having at least one axis about which the relative orientation of the ultrasound probe and calibration artefact can be changed, the method including, in any suitable order: i) for a plurality of different relative orientations between the ultrasound probe and the calibration artefact about the at least one axis, measuring the signal received by the ultrasound probe; and ii) from the measurements, determining at least one calibration parameter which is indicative of at least one axis of optimum signal of the ultrasound probe, and recording the at least one calibration parameter for subsequent use.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus and corresponding method for building an object by layerwise consolidation of material, where the apparatus includes a build enclosure containing a build support for supporting the object during the build, a material source for providing material to selected locations for consolidation, a radiation device for generating and directing radiation to consolidate the material at the selected locations and an acoustic sensing system. The acoustic sensing system may be arranged to detect acoustic signals generated in the build enclosure by consolidation of the material with the radiation. The acoustic sensing system may be a passive acoustic sensing system arranged to detect acoustic signals generated in the build enclosure that are indicative of at least one condition of the building process and/or the object.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus and corresponding method for building an object by layerwise consolidation of material, where the apparatus includes a build enclosure containing a build support for supporting the object during the build, a material source for providing material to selected locations for consolidation, a radiation device for generating and directing radiation to consolidate the material at the selected locations and an acoustic sensing system. The acoustic sensing system may be arranged to detect acoustic signals generated in the build enclosure by consolidation of the material with the radiation. The acoustic sensing system may be a passive acoustic sensing system arranged to detect acoustic signals generated in the build enclosure that are indicative of at least one condition of the building process and/or the object.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus and corresponding method for building an object by layerwise consolidation of material wherein the apparatus includes a build enclosure containing a build support for supporting the object during the build, a material source for providing material to selected locations for consolidation, a radiation device for generating and directing radiation to consolidate the material at the selected locations and an acoustic sensing system. The acoustic sensing system may be arranged to detect acoustic signals generated in the build enclosure by consolidation of the material with the radiation. The acoustic sensing system may be a passive acoustic sensing system arranged to detect acoustic signals generated in the build enclosure that are indicative of at least one condition of the building process and/or the object.

Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus in which selected areas of a powder bed are solidified in a layer-by-layer manner to form a workpiece, the powder bed fusion apparatus including a build chamber for maintaining an inert atmosphere or (partial) vacuum, a build sleeve located within the build chamber, a build platform for supporting the powder bed movable in the build sleeve, a powder applicator for forming powder layers of the powder bed and a radiation device for generating and steering a radiation beam across a surface of the powder bed to solidify areas of each layer, wherein the build sleeve is mounted in the build chamber to be tiltable to cause displacement of powder from the build sleeve through an opening in the build sleeve.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus and corresponding method for building an object by layerwise consolidation of material wherein the apparatus includes a build enclosure containing a build support for supporting the object during the build, a material source for providing material to selected locations for consolidation, a radiation device for generating and directing radiation to consolidate the material at the selected locations and an acoustic sensing system. The acoustic sensing system may be arranged to detect acoustic signals generated in the build enclosure by consolidation of the material with the radiation. The acoustic sensing system may be a passive acoustic sensing system arranged to detect acoustic signals generated in the build enclosure that are indicative of at least one condition of the building process and/or the object.

Abstract: An acoustic device for inspection of an object. The device includes an ultrasonic source including a snap-through buckling actuator. The device may be used for non-destructive testing of objects. The device may be carried by a platform, such as a coordinate measuring machine, to allow inspection of objects or it may be embedded within an object for life cycle monitoring purposes.