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.

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.

Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring a powder layer in additive manufacturing are disclosed. A method of monitoring a powder layer includes receiving image data corresponding the powder layer supported by a powder bed within a build chamber from imaging devices, determining leading and trailing regions of interest located adjacent to a leading end and a trailing end of the moving powder distributor, respectively, the leading and trailing regions of interest moving according to movement of the moving powder distributor, selecting at least one point located in the leading region of interest from the image data, determining first characteristics of the point, when the point is located within the trailing region of interest, determining second characteristics of the point, and comparing the first characteristics to the second characteristics.

A molten metal print deposition device includes a reservoir in fluid communication with a deposition head for controlled deposition of a molten metal print medium defined by molten feedstock, and a capillary structure adapted to maintain the molten feedstock from the melt reservoir in a fluidic state for directing and depositing the feedstock onto a substrate. A print medium is defined by an alloy heated to a fluid state in a temperature range defined by but above a liquidus and solidus. A thermal source and control circuit maintain the molten feedstock at a temperature above the liquidus of the print medium during deposition.

A molten metal print deposition device includes a reservoir in fluid communication with a deposition head for controlled deposition of a molten metal print medium defined by molten feedstock, and a capillary structure adapted to maintain the molten feedstock from the melt reservoir in a fluidic state for directing and depositing the feedstock onto a substrate. A print medium is defined by an alloy heated to a fluid state in a temperature range defined by but above a liquidus and solidus. A thermal source and control circuit maintain the molten feedstock at a temperature above the liquidus of the print medium during deposition.

Methods and apparatus for two-dimensional and three-dimensional scanning path visualization are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a parameter determiner to determine at least one of a laser beam parameter setting or an electron beam parameter setting, a melt pool geometry determiner to identify melt pool dimensions using the parameter setting, the melt pool geometry determiner to vary the parameter setting to obtain multiple melt pool dimensions, and a visualization path generator to generate a three-dimensional view of a scanning path for an additive manufacturing process using the identified melt pool dimensions. The visualization path generator adjusts the laser beam parameters based on the generated three-dimensional view.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a laser and a detection system. The laser emits a laser beam to heat a powder bed to form a melt pool, and the melt pool emits light proportional to a temperature of the melt pool. The detection system includes a spectral disperser and one of a) two or more on-axis sensors or b) a line scanner. The two or more on-axis sensors or the line scanner are/is located along an axis of the emitted light, the detection system receives the emitted light from the melt pool, and an intensity of the emitted light detected by the a) two or more on-axis sensors or the b) line scanner is compared with a blackbody spectral map at a particular wavelength of the emitted light to determine a temperature of the melt pool.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a laser and a detection system. The laser emits a laser beam to heat a powder bed to form a melt pool, and the melt pool emits light proportional to a temperature of the melt pool. The detection system includes a spectral disperser and one of a) two or more on-axis sensors or b) a line scanner. The two or more on-axis sensors or the line scanner are/is located along an axis of the emitted light, the detection system receives the emitted light from the melt pool, and an intensity of the emitted light detected by the a) two or more on-axis sensors or the b) line scanner is compared with a blackbody spectral map at a particular wavelength of the emitted light to determine a temperature of the melt pool.

A High Energy Beam Processing (HEBP) system provides feedback signal monitoring and feedback control for the improvement of process repeatability and three-dimensional (3D) printed part quality. Signals reflecting process parameters and the quality of the fabricated parts are analyzed by monitoring feedback signals from artifact sources with a process controller which adjusts process parameters. In this manner, fabricated parts are produced more accurately and consistently from powder feedstock by compensating for process variation in response to feedback signals.

A High Energy Beam Processing (HEBP) system provides feedback signal monitoring and feedback control for the improvement of process repeatability and three-dimensional (3D) printed part quality. Signals reflecting process parameters and the quality of the fabricated parts are analyzed by monitoring feedback signals from artifact sources with a process controller which adjusts process parameters. In this manner, fabricated parts are produced more accurately and consistently from powder feedstock by compensating for process variation in response to feedback signals.