Powder bed fusion additive printer architecture for annular geometries

Abstract

A powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing system includes an annular build plate including an inner radius wall and an outer radius wall, wherein the inner radius wall and the outer radius wall define a build area on the annular build plate between the inner radius wall and the outer radius wall. A build piston is configured to rotate around a drive shaft in a continuous circular motion and to translate up and down with respect to the annular build plate, wherein the annular build plate is configured to be positioned on the build piston and to move in concert with the build piston. A build powder delivery mechanism is configured to deliver build powder to the build area to form a build powder bed when the PBF additive manufacturing system is in operation. A recoater is configured to provide even distribution of the build powder in the build powder bed when the PBF additive manufacturing system is in operation. An optical array is positioned over the build area on the build plate, wherein the optical array is configured to project energy onto the build powder bed to form a melt pool in the build powder bed when the PBF additive manufacturing system is in operation. An integrated X-ray CT system is positioned operationally downstream from the optical array such that the integrated X-ray CT system is configured to inspect a part formed on the build plate when the PBF additive manufacturing system is in operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.