nLIGHT, Inc.
Use of variable beam parameters to control a melt pool

Abstract:

A method for forming an article includes: forming a melt pool; exposing the melt pool to an optical beam having at least one beam characteristic; forming a keyhole cavity in the melt pool, the keyhole cavity having at least one keyhole cavity property; and modifying the at least one beam characteristic in response to a change in the keyhole cavity property.