Abstract: A standard reference plate is configured for insertion into an additive manufacturing apparatus for calibrating an electron beam of the additive manufacturing apparatus. The standard reference plate includes a lower plate and an upper plate being essentially in parallel and attached spaced apart from each other, the upper plate including a plurality of holes. A predetermined hollow pattern is provided inside the holes, and a spacing between the holes and the size of the holes and a distance between the upper plate and the lower plate and a position of an x-ray sensor of the additive manufacturing apparatus with respect to the standard reference plate are arranged so that x-rays emanating from the lower plate, when the electron beam is passing through a hollow part of the hollow pattern, will not pass directly from the lower plate through any one of the holes to the x-ray sensor.

Abstract: A method for removing powder from a component or part produced by metal additive manufacturing systems based on powder beds. The method includes manufacturing a part by additive manufacturing, the part having at least one internal cavity with at least one external opening. The internal cavity is at least partly filled with powder, the powder in the internal cavity having grains agglomerated or connected to each other. The method further including: evacuating gas from the internal cavity; adding liquid electrolyte to the internal cavity, and using an electrochemical process for separating connected powder grains in the cavity.

Abstract: A method for removing powder from a component or part produced by metal additive manufacturing systems based on powder beds. The method includes manufacturing a part by additive manufacturing, the part having at least one internal cavity with at least one external opening. The internal cavity is at least partly filled with powder, the powder in the internal cavity having grains agglomerated or connected to each other. The method further including: evacuating gas from the internal cavity; adding liquid electrolyte to the internal cavity, and using an electrochemical process for separating connected powder grains in the cavity.

Abstract: A standard reference plate is configured for insertion into an additive manufacturing apparatus for calibrating an electron beam of the additive manufacturing apparatus. The standard reference plate includes a lower plate and an upper plate being essentially in parallel and attached spaced apart from each other, the upper plate including a plurality of holes. A predetermined hollow pattern is provided inside the holes, and a spacing between the holes and the size of the holes and a distance between the upper plate and the lower plate and a position of an x-ray sensor of the additive manufacturing apparatus with respect to the standard reference plate are arranged so that x-rays emanating from the lower plate, when the electron beam is passing through a hollow part of the hollow pattern, will not pass directly from the lower plate through any one of the holes to the x-ray sensor.

Abstract: An X-ray standard reference object for calibrating a scanning electron beam in an additive manufacturing apparatus by measuring X-ray signals generated by scanning the electron beam onto the reference object, the reference object comprises: a lower and an upper plate being essentially in parallel and attached spaced apart from each other, the upper plate comprises a plurality of holes, wherein a predetermined hollow pattern is provided inside the holes.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article is provided, comprising means for providing a predetermined amount of powder, a powder distributor, means for directing an energy beam over a first powder layer causing it fuse in selected locations according to a model, a camera for capturing at least one image of a shape of at least one portion of the predetermined amount of powder that has yet to be initially distributed, the at least one image being captured prior to distribution of an entirety of all portions of the predetermined amount of powder over the surface, and means for comparing at least one value of at least one parameter in the image detected with a corresponding reference parameter value, wherein the at least one parameter is associated with the shape of the powder that has yet to be initially distributed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article is provided, comprising means for providing a predetermined amount of powder, a powder distributor, means for directing an energy beam over a first powder layer causing it fuse in selected locations according to a model, a camera for capturing at least one image of a shape of at least one portion of the predetermined amount of powder that has yet to be initially distributed, the at least one image being captured prior to distribution of an entirety of all portions of the predetermined amount of powder over the surface, and means for comparing at least one value of at least one parameter in the image detected with a corresponding reference parameter value, wherein the at least one parameter is associated with the shape of the powder that has yet to be initially distributed.

Abstract: A method for forming a three-dimensional article, said method comprising the steps of: providing a predetermined amount of powder for forming a first powder layer on a start plate, distributing said predetermined amount of powder with a powder distributor for forming said first powder layer, directing an energy beam over said start plate causing said first powder layer to fuse in selected locations according to a model to form a first cross section of said three-dimensional article. At least one image of the powder to be distributed is captured with a camera at least one time during said distribution of said powder on said start plate for forming said first powder layer and at least one value of at least one parameter in said image detected with said camera is compared with a reference parameter value.

Abstract: An X-ray standard reference object for calibrating a scanning electron beam in an additive manufacturing apparatus by measuring X-ray signals generated by scanning the electron beam onto the reference object, the reference object comprises: a lower and an upper plate being essentially in parallel and attached spaced apart from each other, the upper plate comprises a plurality of holes, wherein a predetermined hollow pattern is provided inside the holes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for forming at a three-dimensional article through successively depositing individual layers of powder material that are fused together with at least one energy beam so as to form the article, said method comprising the steps of generating a model of said three-dimensional article; applying a first powder layer on a work table; directing said at least one energy beam from at least one energy beam source over said work table causing said first powder layer to fuse in first selected locations according to said model to form a first cross section of said three-dimensional article; introducing a predetermined pattern laterally separated from said first cross section for reducing thickness variations in a powder layer provided on top of said first cross section.

Abstract: A method for forming a three-dimensional article, said method comprising the steps of: providing a predetermined amount of powder for forming a first powder layer on a start plate, distributing said predetermined amount of powder with a powder distributor for forming said first powder layer, directing an energy beam over said start plate causing said first powder layer to fuse in selected locations according to a model to form a first cross section of said three-dimensional article. At least one image of the powder to be distributed is captured with a camera at least one time during said distribution of said powder on said start plate for forming said first powder layer and at least one value of at least one parameter in said image detected with said camera is compared with a reference parameter value.