General Electric Company
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BUILD THICKNESS CONTROL IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Abstract:

A method for forming a part layer by layer using an additive manufacturing apparatus. The additive manufacturing apparatus includes a resin support, a stage, a measuring system, and an actuator configured to change the relative position of the stage and the resin support. The method includes the steps of: performing an additive manufacturing cycle including the following steps: depositing an uncured layer of resin; moving the stage to a target location; curing the uncured layer of resin; and moving the stage away from the target location; repeating the additive manufacturing cycle; performing a measuring process wherein the measuring process includes the following steps: using the measuring system to take a measurement indicative of an actual position of a structure; comparing the actual position of the structure to an expected position of the structure to determine an error; and using the error to modify the target location.