Powder bed containment systems for use with rotating direct metal laser melting systems

A powder bed containment system for use with a rotating direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system, said powder bed containment system comprising:

• an annular build plate arranged to receive a weldable powder;
• a system of containment walls surrounding said annular build plate;
• and
• at least one actuator mechanically coupled to said system of containment walls, said at least one actuator configured to raise said system of containment walls axially relative to said annular build plate during manufacture of an object from the weldable powder.

A method of containing a powder bed on an annular build plate in a rotating direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system, said method comprising:

• receiving a first layer of weldable powder on an annular build surface of the annular build plate, the first layer of weldable powder selectively welded on the annular build surface by a laser scanner;
• raising an inner containment wall disposed about an outer wall of the annular build plate by an incremental distance;
• raising an inner containment wall disposed about an inner wall of the annular build plate by the incremental distance;
• and
• receiving a second layer of weldable powder on the annular build surface of the annular build plate.