Method of joining additively manufactured components

A method for making a component, comprising the steps of:

• producing at least one software build geometry representing two or more sub-components, each of the sub-components having joint surfaces configured for mutual engagement, wherein producing the at least one software build geometry comprises:
• analyzing a component software model representing the component to determine one or more joint surfaces along which the component software model will be divided and rejoined, wherein the analysis includes at least one of:
• determining an orientation of a secondary curing operation based on a direction from which radiant energy will be delivered to the joint surfaces;
• or
• determining a penetration distance within the sub-components of a radiant energy of the secondary curing operation and determining a positioning of the joint surfaces so as to be within the penetration distance of the radiant energy of the secondary curing operation;
• producing each sub-components using an additive manufacturing process in which a resin, which is radiant-energy-curable, is partially cured using a selective application of radiant energy, following the at least one software build geometry, wherein the joint surfaces of each sub-component include partially-cured resin which is cured to a lesser degree than the remainder of the respective sub-component, so as to leave the joint surfaces in a condition suitable for bonding;
• assembling the sub-components with their respective joint surfaces in mutual contact;
• and
• carrying out the secondary curing operation using an application of radiant energy to bond the sub-components at the joint surfaces, thereby forming the component.