Rotating direct metal laser melting systems and methods of operation

A direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system comprising:

• a rotatable base configured to rotate about a centerline;
• a build plate mounted on and supported by said rotatable base, said build plate comprising a build surface, said rotatable base configured to rotate said build plate;
• a first actuator assembly;
• a powder dispenser coupled to said first actuator assembly at a first location and configured to deposit a weldable powder on said build surface during rotation of said build plate;
• and
• a first laser scanner coupled to said first actuator assembly at a second location different than said first location, said first laser scanner supported by said first actuator assembly in a position relative to said build plate, such that at least a portion of said build surface is within a field of view of said first laser scanner, said first laser scanner configured to construct an object from the weldable powder deposited on said build surface during rotation of said build plate first actuator assembly configured to translate said first laser scanner parallel to the centerline during rotation of said build plate.

A method of manufacturing an object using a direct metal laser melting system, said method comprising:

• depositing, by at least a powder dispenser, a first layer of metal powder on a build surface of a rotating build plate;
• welding, by a laser scanner supported by an actuator assembly, the first layer of metal powder on the build surface of the rotating build plate;
• and
• translating said laser scanner on said actuator assembly such that said laser scanner is raised, during the depositing and welding, a predefined distance relative to the build surface,
• wherein said powder dispenser is coupled to said actuator assembly at a first location, and wherein said laser scanner is coupled to said actuator assembly at a second location different than said first location.