Splatter shield systems and methods for additive manufacturing

Abstract

A splatter shield system for an additive manufacturing machine includes one or more splatter shields configured to cover at least a portion of a build area during energy application such that the at least one splatter shield is positioned between an energy source of an additive manufacturing machine and the build area during energy application. The one or more splatter shields are transparent to an energy source (e.g., a laser) of the additive manufacturing system such that energy application occurs through the splatter shield.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 placing a splatter shield over a build area of an additive manufacturing machine between an energy source and the build area during energy application, wherein the splatter shield is transparent to the energy source and is positioned to prevent splatter from energy application.   
     
     
         2 . The method, of  claim 1 , further comprising providing uniformly flowing inert gas between the splatter shield and the build area. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising cleaning the splatter shield during recoating of the build area. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising controlling a gap size between build area and the splatter shield. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the gap size is controlled to minimize overall inert gas flow, and/or to direct inert gas flow at an interface of a laser beam and powder bed, and/or to flush out particles and/or condensate towards exhaust vents.