Energy source for additive manufacture

Abstract

An energy source for an additive manufacturing arrangement comprises a workpiece and a powder delivery device. The energy source is characterised in that it comprises a plurality of discrete energy sources. The plurality of discrete energy sources may be coordinated in use to deliver energy simultaneously to a plurality of regions of the workpiece in a matrix form.

1 . An energy source for an additive manufacturing arrangement, the additive manufacturing arrangement comprising a workpiece and a powder delivery device, the energy source characterised in that it comprises a plurality of discrete energy sources. 
     
     
         2 . The energy source of  claim 1 , in which the plurality of discrete energy sources can be coordinated in use to deliver energy simultaneously to a plurality of regions of the workpiece in a matrix form. 
     
     
         3 . The energy source of  claim 2 , in which the intensity of the discrete energy sources can be individually controlled to deliver energy at different rates to different regions. 
     
     
         4 . The energy source of  claim 1 , in which the intensity of the discrete energy sources can be varied with time. 
     
     
         5 . The energy source of  claim 1 , in which the intensity profile at the interaction zone can be varied across the area of the beam. 
     
     
         6 . The energy source of  claim 1 , in which the plurality of discrete energy sources can deliver energy at different wavelengths from one another. 
     
     
         7 . The energy source of  claim 1 , in which the discrete energy sources can deliver energy in separate time-limited pulses. 
     
     
         8 . The energy source of  claim 1 , further comprising an element interposed between the discrete energy sources and the workpiece, the element configured to impart a periodic variation in the energy delivered to the workpiece.