General Electric Company
AUTOMATED BEAM SCAN CALIBRATION, ALIGNMENT, AND ADJUSTMENT

Abstract:

A method of calibrating a beam scan field of an additive manufacturing machine in which a radiant energy beam is used to selectively melt material to form a workpiece, the method including: using a radiant energy source, directing a beam using a steering mechanism so as to create a calibration build job on a substrate, the calibration build job including at least one measurement artifact created by the beam; using a calibrated camera, collecting an image of the calibration build job; generating a set of measurements of the calibration build job from the image; comparing the measurements to a standard; in response to the measurements deviating from the standard by more than a predetermined acceptable tolerance, adjusting the steering mechanism; wherein the steps of directing, collecting, generating, comparing, and adjusting are carried out in response to automated commands from an electronic controller.