Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for selectively sintering particulate material, the method comprising: providing a layer (6) of particulate material; providing an amount of a radiation absorbent material over a selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material; providing an amount of a material that comprises a plurality of elongate elements (16) over at least part of the selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material; and providing radiation (8) across the selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material so as to sinter a portion of the material of the layer (6) including causing the plurality of elongate elements (16) to become embedded in the sintered portion of material.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for selectively sintering particulate material, the method comprising: providing a layer (6) of particulate material; providing an amount of a radiation absorbent material over a selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material; providing an amount of a material that comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements (20) over at least part of the selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material; and providing radiation (8) across the selected surface portion of the layer of particulate material so as to sinter a portion of the material of the layer (6) including causing the plurality of electrically conductive elements (20) to become embedded in the sintered portion of material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an object (2) comprising providing a digital model (14) of the object (2) that is to be produced; using the digital model, identifying one or more parts (8) of the object (2) that satisfy certain criteria; for each identified part (8), adjusting, in the digital model (14), the thickness of that part (8) to satisfy further criteria, thereby producing an updated model; performing a first production process to produce the part or parts (4, 6) of the object (2) that do not satisfy the criteria, thereby producing an initial object (17); performing an Additive Manufacturing process to add, to the initial object (17), the one or more identified parts (8), thereby producing the object (2). The initial object (17) and identified parts (8) are made of the same material. The first production process is different to the Additive Manufacturing process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing and assessing at least part of an object (2), the methods comprise: performing, using Additive Manufacturing apparatus (8), an Additive Manufacturing process to produce a test specimen (30, 34, 38) and at least part of an object (2); performing, using micro-tomography apparatus (40), on the test specimen (30, 34, 38), a micro-tomography process to create a digital model (50) of the internal structure of the test specimen (30, 34, 38); determining whether or not the model (50) satisfies one or more criteria; and, if the model (50) satisfies the criteria, determining that the at least part of the object (2) produced by performing the Additive Manufacturing process is acceptable, or, if the model (50) does not satisfy the criteria, determining that the at least part of the object (2) produced by performing the Additive Manufacturing process is not acceptable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit (4) comprising a conduit wall defining a flow channel through which a fluid may flow and a plurality of further channels (24) through at least part of the conduit wall. Each further channel (24) comprises a first end (20) and a second end (22). The first ends (20) of the further channels (24) are spaced apart along a length of the conduit (4) and comprise openings in fluid communication with the flow channel of the conduit (4). The second ends (22) of the further channels (24) are located proximate to one another (e.g. substantially collocated) such that the distance between the second ends (22) of any two further channels (24) is smaller than the distance between the first ends (20) of those two further channels (24). Pressure sensors (26) may be coupled to the second ends (22) of the further channels, which may be closed.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for forming a metallic component by additive layer manufacturing are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for selectively sintering particulate material, the method comprising: providing a layer (6) of particulate material; providing an amount of a radiation absorbent material over a selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material; providing an amount of a material that comprises a plurality of elongate elements (16) over at least part of the selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material; and providing radiation (8) across the selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material so as to sinter a portion of the material of the layer (6) including causing the plurality of elongate elements (16) to become embedded in the sintered portion of material.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for selectively sintering particulate material, the method comprising: providing a layer (6) of particulate material; providing an amount of a radiation absorbent material over a selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material; providing an amount of a material that comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements (20) over at least part of the selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material; and providing radiation (8) across the selected surface portion of the layer of particulate material so as to sinter a portion of the material of the layer (6) including causing the plurality of electrically conductive elements (20) to become embedded in the sintered portion of material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit (4) comprising a conduit wall defining a flow channel through which a fluid may flow and a plurality of further channels (24) through at least part of the conduit wall. Each further channel (24) comprises a first end (20) and a second end (22). The first ends (20) of the further channels (24) are spaced apart along a length of the conduit (4) and comprise openings in fluid communication with the flow channel of the conduit (4). The second ends (22) of the further channels (24) are located proximate to one another (e.g. substantially collocated) such that the distance between the second ends (22) of any two further channels (24) is smaller than the distance between the first ends (20) of those two further channels (24). Pressure sensors (26) may be coupled to the second ends (22) of the further channels, which may be closed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for manufacturing an object (54). The method comprises: performing, by Additive Manufacturing apparatus (2), an Additive Manufacturing process to form an initial object (4), the initial object (4) comprising a first portion (42) and a second portion (40), wherein the first portion (42) and the second portion (40) are attached together such that at least part of the first portion (42) is inside at least part of the second portion (40) and such that there is a chamber (50) between the second portion (40) and the at least part of the first portion (42) that is inside the second portion (40), the chamber (50) having a chamber opening (52); establishing, within the chamber (50), via the chamber opening (52), a predetermined environment; and, thereafter, sealing the chamber opening (52) so as to maintain, within the chamber (50), the established environment, thereby producing the object (54).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an object (2) comprising providing a digital model (14) of the object (2) that is to be produced; using the digital model, identifying one or more parts (8) of the object (2) that satisfy certain criteria; for each identified part (8), adjusting, in the digital model (14), the thickness of that part (8) to satisfy further criteria, thereby producing an updated model; performing a first production process to produce the part or parts (4, 6) of the object (2) that do not satisfy the criteria, thereby producing an initial object (17); performing an Additive Manufacturing process to add, to the initial object (17), the one or more identified parts (8), thereby producing the object (2). The initial object (17) and identified parts (8) are made of the same material. The first production process is different to the Additive Manufacturing process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing and assessing at least part of an object (2), the methods comprise: performing, using Additive Manufacturing apparatus (8), an Additive Manufacturing process to produce a test specimen (30, 34, 38) and at least part of an object (2); performing, using micro-tomography apparatus (40), on the test specimen (30, 34, 38), a micro-tomography process to create a digital model (50) of the internal structure of the test specimen (30, 34, 38); determining whether or not the model (50) satisfies one or more criteria; and, if the model (50) satisfies the criteria, determining that the at least part of the object (2) produced by performing the Additive Manufacturing process is acceptable, or, if the model (50) does not satisfy the criteria, determining that the at least part of the object (2) produced by performing the Additive Manufacturing process is not acceptable.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for forming a metallic component by additive layer manufacturing are provided.