General Electric Company
Scanfield alignment of multiple optical systems

Abstract:

A method for calibrating beam scan fields for an additive manufacturing process in which two or more radiant energy beams are used to selectively melt material to form a workpiece. The method includes: directing the two or more radiant energy beams using individual beam steering mechanisms to create a calibration build pattern on a substrate, the calibration build pattern including at least one measurement artifact created by each of the two or more radiant energy beams; measuring the position of the measurement artifacts; comparing the position of the measurement artifacts to a standard to identify an alignment error; and adjusting at least one of the beam steering mechanisms to compensate for the alignment error.