Additive manufacturing process

A method of forming a build platform for a powder bed fusion additive manufacturing process, the method comprising:

• providing a bed of fusible powder on a worktable within a build chamber;
• directing a high-energy beam in a first control pattern to irradiate the bed of fusible powder and to form a first layer of the build platform, the high-energy beam being operated at a first energy level to form the first layer of the build platform;
• and
• forming subsequent initial layers of the build platform, each subsequent layer being formed by:
• lowering the worktable a predetermined distance;
• distributing a layer of the fusible powder on the worktable;
• and
• directing the high-energy beam to irradiate the distributed layer of the fusible powder in a second control pattern to form one of the subsequent initial layers of the build platform,
• wherein the high-energy beam is operated at a second energy level that is increased from the first energy level for successive layers of the subsequent initial layers.