General Electric Company
METHOD TO CONTROL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING BUILDS USING LASER ANGLE OF INCIDENCE

Abstract:

The present disclosure generally relates to methods of additive manufacturing with control of the energy beam incidence angle that allows for aligning the laser beam angle to directly oppose the building direction of an angled wall. The method includes building an object in an additive manufacturing powder bed where the object includes a surface that is defined by a build vector projecting outward relative to the build plate center at an angle .PHI. relative to normal of the build plate such that 90.degree.>.PHI.>0.degree. and the directed energy beam forms an angle .theta..sub.L2 relative to normal of the build plate such that 270.degree.>.theta..sub.L2>180.degree., wherein .theta..sub.L2-.PHI.=180.degree..+-..DELTA., and .DELTA.<45.degree.. The present methods provide finished objects having overhanging regions with more consistent surface finish and resistance to mechanical strain or stress.