Abstract: A powder bed fusion system includes a powder bed including a build surface and a vacuum system. The vacuum system includes a collection device positioned over the build surface. The collection device includes a body, a pathway defined in the body, wherein the pathway ends in a passageway opening, and a particle retainer connected to the body near the passageway opening. A method of forming a component includes forming a layer of unfused metal powder on a powder bed with a recoater, introducing gas to the powder bed and applying a vacuum with a collection device, fusing a portion of the layer of unfused metal powder on the powder bed with a heat source to form a component layer and generating contaminants, collecting the contaminants from the powder bed with the gas and the vacuum applied by the collection device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for gripping of a workpiece with a layer jamming structure having rigid datum structures. A system includes a layer jamming structure configurable in an inactivated conformable state, with a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. The rigid structures engage the layer jamming structure. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity to change a pressure therein to transform the layer jamming structure from the inactivated conformable state to an activated rigid state disposed around the workpiece. The rigid structures help conform the layer jamming structure to the workpiece during transformation to the activated rigid state and to present datum fixturing surfaces in the activated rigid state.

Abstract: A system and method for additive manufacturing are provided. The system includes a structure defining a chamber for manufacturing parts via additive manufacturing. A powder metal applicator is configured to deposit layers of powder metal material to build a part on a build platform. A laser source is configured to direct one or more laser beams onto each layer of powder metal material to fuse the powder metal material, wherein metal condensate is created by the laser beam(s) contacting the powder metal material. An element spaced apart from the layers of powder material has a temperature different than the chamber temperature, so that the element is configured to attract or repel the metal condensate by virtue of the temperature differential between the element and the chamber. The method includes using the element having the different temperature to attract or repel the metal condensate within the chamber.

Abstract: A post-build powder removal system includes a work bed, a platform wall having at least one powder evacuation port, and an evacuation port sealing system operable for selectively closing and opening the powder evacuation port. The platform wall cooperates with the work bed to define a powder chamber. The evacuation port sealing system includes an external sleeve slidingly fitted onto the exterior surface of the platform wall such that the external sleeve is slideable in a first direction closing the at least one powder evacuation port and slideable in an opposite second direction opening the at least one powder evacuation port.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for gripping of a workpiece with a layer jamming structure having rigid datum structures. A system includes a layer jamming structure configurable in an inactivated conformable state, with a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. The rigid structures engage the layer jamming structure. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity to change a pressure therein to transform the layer jamming structure from the inactivated conformable state to an activated rigid state disposed around the workpiece. The rigid structures help conform the layer jamming structure to the workpiece during transformation to the activated rigid state and to present datum fixturing surfaces in the activated rigid state.

Abstract: A powder bed fusion system includes a powder bed including a build surface and a vacuum system. The vacuum system includes a collection device positioned over the build surface. The collection device includes a body, a pathway defined in the body, wherein the pathway ends in a passageway opening, and a particle retainer connected to the body near the passageway opening. A method of forming a component includes forming a layer of unfused metal powder on a powder bed with a recoater, introducing gas to the powder bed and applying a vacuum with a collection device, fusing a portion of the layer of unfused metal powder on the powder bed with a heat source to form a component layer and generating contaminants, collecting the contaminants from the powder bed with the gas and the vacuum applied by the collection device.

Abstract: A post-build powder removal system includes a work bed, a platform wall having at least one powder evacuation port, and an evacuation port sealing system operable for selectively closing and opening the powder evacuation port. The platform wall cooperates with the work bed to define a powder chamber. The evacuation port sealing system includes an external sleeve slidingly fitted onto the exterior surface of the platform wall such that the external sleeve is slideable in a first direction closing the at least one powder evacuation port and slideable in an opposite second direction opening the at least one powder evacuation port.

Abstract: A system and method for additive manufacturing are provided. The system includes a structure defining a chamber for manufacturing parts via additive manufacturing. A powder metal applicator is configured to deposit layers of powder metal material to build a part on a build platform. A laser source is configured to direct one or more laser beams onto each layer of powder metal material to fuse the powder metal material, wherein metal condensate is created by the laser beam(s) contacting the powder metal material. An element spaced apart from the layers of powder material has a temperature different than the chamber temperature, so that the element is configured to attract or repel the metal condensate by virtue of the temperature differential between the element and the chamber. The method includes using the element having the different temperature to attract or repel the metal condensate within the chamber.

Abstract: A method to reduce a vehicle-hazard potential, the method including the steps of: detecting, via a sensor, one or more objects in a vehicle environment; determining whether these objects are of a specific type; and based on the specific type of the one or more objects, deterring the one or more objects from colliding with a vehicle.