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INVENTORS: Lewis; Gary K. , Los Alamos, NM Milewski; John O. , Santa Fe, NM Cremers; David A. , Los Alamos, NM Nemec; Ronald B. , White Rock, NM Barbe; Michael R. , White Rock, NM
ASSIGNEES: The Regents of the University of California, Oakland, CA
U.S. CLASS: 219/121.63
ABSTRACT: Method and apparatus for forming articles from materials in particulate form in which the materials are melted by a laser beam and deposited at points along a tool path to form an article of the desired shape and dimensions. Preferably the tool path and other parameters of the deposition process are established using computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques. A controller comprised of a digital computer directs movement of a deposition zone along the tool path and provides control signals to adjust apparatus functions, such as the speed at which a deposition head which delivers the laser beam and powder to the deposition zone moves along the tool path. XX
