Methods and systems for manipulating an additive build assembly

A rotator assembly for rotating a build assembly within an additive manufacturing unit, the build assembly being at least partially additively manufactured by processing a powder material along a build direction, said rotator assembly comprising:

• a frame comprising a first frame arm and a second frame arm;
• a carriage rotatably coupled to said first frame arm and said second frame arm, said carriage including at least one coupling feature for coupling said carriage to the build assembly;
• and
• a drive assembly operably coupled to said carriage for rotating said carriage about a rotational axis, wherein the rotational axis is generally perpendicular to the build direction.

A method of rotating a build assembly within a housing of an additive manufacturing unit, the additive manufacturing unit configured to additively form the build assembly by processing a powder material along a build direction, said method comprising:

• rotatably coupling a carriage to a frame of a rotator assembly, the frame including a first frame arm and a second frame arm;
• coupling the carriage to the build assembly;
• and
• rotating, by a drive assembly operably coupled to the carriage, the carriage and build assembly about a rotational axis, wherein the rotational axis is generally perpendicular to the build direction.