A fabrication of a build structure by an additive layer manufacturing machine is assessed and controlled. A first portion of a first material is selectively heated to form a first formed layer of the build structure having a first thickness. An image of a predefined region of the first formed layer is generated. The image depicts topographical characteristics within the predefined region of the first formed layer. A subsequent portion of the first or a second material is selectively heated to form a subsequent formed layer of the build structure attached to the first formed layer. The subsequent formed layer has a second thickness that correlates with the depicted topographical characteristics.

A fabrication of a build structure by an additive layer manufacturing machine is assessed and controlled. A first portion of a first material is selectively heated to form a first formed layer of the build structure having a first thickness. An image of a predefined region of the first formed layer is generated. The image depicts topographical characteristics within the predefined region of the first formed layer. A subsequent portion of the first or a second material is selectively heated to form a subsequent formed layer of the build structure attached to the first formed layer. The subsequent formed layer has a second thickness that correlates with the depicted topographical characteristics.

In the context of additive manufacturing processes wherein an object is built by layered accumulations of discrete instantaneous deposits of feedstock material at specific locations according to a three-dimensional digital data model, systems and methods are taught for operating multiple independently-moving depositing devices in a shared build space to build the object. In some embodiments, depositing components perform discrete material depositing actions according to sequential lists of deposit location instructions which are dynamically sortable, enabling a control methodology to alleviate collision risks among depositing components and to improve thermal conditions of a workpiece during construction. Further embodiments provide for dynamic apportionment of discrete deposition actions among the available depositing devices for load balancing and fault tolerance.

An expeditionary additive manufacturing (ExAM) system [10] for manufacturing metal parts [20] includes a mobile foundry system [12] configured to produce an alloy powder [14] from a feedstock [16], and an additive manufacturing system [18] configured to fabricate a part using the alloy powder [14]. The additive manufacturing system [18] includes a computer system [50] having parts data and machine learning programs in signal communication with a cloud service. The parts data [56] can include material specifications, drawings, process specifications, assembly instructions, and product verification requirements for the part [20]. An expeditionary additive manufacturing (ExAM) method for making metal parts [20] includes the steps of transporting the mobile foundry system [12] and the additive manufacturing system [18] to a desired location; making the alloy powder [14] at the location using the mobile foundry system; and building a part [20] at the location using the additive manufacturing system [18].

An expeditionary additive manufacturing (ExAM) system [10] for manufacturing metal parts [20] includes a mobile foundry system [12] configured to produce an alloy powder [14] from a feedstock [16], and an additive manufacturing system [18] configured to fabricate a part using the alloy powder [14]. The additive manufacturing system [18] includes a computer system [50] having parts data and machine learning programs in signal communication with a cloud service. The parts data [56] can include material specifications, drawings, process specifications, assembly instructions, and product verification requirements for the part [20]. An expeditionary additive manufacturing (ExAM) method for making metal parts [20] includes the steps of transporting the mobile foundry system [12] and the additive manufacturing system [18] to a desired location; making the alloy powder [14] at the location using the mobile foundry system; and building a part [20] at the location using the additive manufacturing system [18].

A build-plate with integrally-formed spinal implant constructs and a method used in forming spinal implant constructs on the build-plate and machining the spinal implant constructs formed on the build-plate to manufacture spinal implants is provided. The spinal implant constructs can be formed via additive manufacturing processes by adding material to an upper surface of the build-plate, and then the spinal implant constructs can be subjected to subtractive manufacturing processes to form the spinal implants.

Provided is a method for monitoring 3D printing equipped with a 3D printing slicer and a recursive loop structure. A 3D printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention sets up a slicing environment for 3D printing of a 3D model, generates a mechanical code by performing slicing according to the setup environment, monitors the status of the 3D printing according to the generated mechanical code, and, depending on the monitoring result, determines whether or not to re-perform the setup and subsequent steps. Accordingly, by semi- or fully automating the 3D printing engineering process, the time and effort for engineering performance involving human participation are reduced, and the human resource is concentrated on a more important area, such that the effects of enhancing the 3D printing output quality and assuring the quality can be expected.

A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

A three-dimensional shaped object manufacturing method for shaping a three-dimensional shaped object. The three-dimensional shaped object manufacturing method includes a first step of shaping a first partial shaped object corresponding to a first partial path and a second partial shaped object corresponding to a second partial path in accordance with shaping data including path data and discharge amount data; a second step of measuring a first gap indicating a gap between the first partial shaped object and the second partial shaped object; and a third step of executing an adjustment processing of adjusting, based on a difference between the first gap and a second gap determined based on the shaping data and corresponding to the first gap, a discharge amount in a third partial path which is one of the plurality of paths and along which the discharge unit moves after the first partial path and the second partial path.