Abstract: A powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) machine includes a build plate configured to function as a platform to support one or more parts built using the PBF AM machine. The build plate further includes a thermal history indicator positioned on the build plate, attached to the build plate, or physically integrated with the build plate such that the thermal history indicator experiences the same temperature as the build plate. The thermal history indicator is configured to display a durable visual indication of achievement of a temperature associated with a post-processing step performed after the one or more parts are built on the build platform.

Abstract: A powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) machine includes a build plate configured to function as a platform to support one or more parts built using the PBF AM machine. The build plate further includes a thermal history indicator positioned on the build plate, attached to the build plate, or physically integrated with the build plate such that the thermal history indicator experiences the same temperature as the build plate. The thermal history indicator is configured to display a durable visual indication of achievement of a temperature associated with a post-processing step performed after the one or more parts are built on the build platform.

Abstract: A build powder characterization system for an additive manufacturing (AM) machine includes a build powder collection system, a build powder analyzer, and a controller. The build powder collection system configured to collect build powder during an AM machine build campaign. The build powder analyzer configured to receive from the build powder collection system the collected build powder, to analyze selected build powder properties, and to communicate to a controller data reflecting properties of the collected build powder. The controller is configured to process data, received from the build powder analyzer, reflecting properties of the collected build powder.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing a component includes at least one articulating arm, at least one plasma gun disposed at an end of a first articulating arm of the at least one articulating arm, at least one shot peen nozzle maintained in a fixed positioned relative to the plasma gun, and a controller controllably coupled to the articulating arm such that output signals from the controller control motions of the articulating arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing a component includes at least one articulating arm, at least one plasma gun disposed at an end of a first articulating arm of the at least one articulating arm, at least one shot peen nozzle maintained in a fixed positioned relative to the plasma gun, and a controller controllably coupled to the articulating arm such that output signals from the controller control motions of the articulating arm.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an additive manufacturing build process includes first and second phases. The first phase includes depositing a powder layer onto a powder bed. A topographical profile of the powder bed is captured with a profilometer. An image of the powder bed is captured with a camera. The image and topographical profile are combined to create a data set that is transferred to a machine learning algorithm. A set of training data is generated and includes a set of deviations from a nominal model. The second phase includes depositing a powder layer onto the powder bed. An image of the powder bed is captured and compared to the set of training data. Deviations from the nominal model of the first powder bed are determined. Any deviations that are greater than a numerical threshold are labelled and identified as a defect which includes its type and severity.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing a component includes at least one articulating arm, at least one plasma gun disposed at an end of a first articulating arm of the at least one articulating arm, at least one shot peen nozzle maintained in a fixed positioned relative to the plasma gun, and a controller controllably coupled to the articulating arm such that output signals from the controller control motions of the articulating arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing a component includes at least one articulating arm having a shot peening apparatus and at least one laser source. A plurality of laser redirectors are configured to redirect a laser originating from the laser source. Each laser redirector in the plurality of laser redirectors is mounted to a first rail and a second rail. A controller is controllably coupled to the articulating arm and each of the rails such that output signals from the controller control a position of the articulating arm, and a position of each laser redirector in the plurality of laser redirectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing a component includes at least one articulating arm, at least one plasma gun disposed at an end of a first articulating arm of the at least one articulating arm, at least one shot peen nozzle maintained in a fixed positioned relative to the plasma gun, and a controller controllably coupled to the articulating arm such that output signals from the controller control motions of the articulating arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing a component includes at least one articulating arm having a shot peening apparatus and at least one laser source. A plurality of laser redirectors are configured to redirect a laser originating from the laser source. Each laser redirector in the plurality of laser redirectors is mounted to a first rail and a second rail. A controller is controllably coupled to the articulating arm and each of the rails such that output signals from the controller control a position of the articulating arm, and a position of each laser redirector in the plurality of laser redirectors.