| 摘要 |
An additive manufacturing method to manufacture a product 10 at least part of which is supported by a support 12 formed integrally with the product 10, wherein the support comprises a plurality of support beams 16 intersecting one another to form a lattice which is of irregular form. The lattice may be of random or pseudorandom nature, the interconnections of the beams may be such that the lattice has an open-cell foam-like form. The density of the lattice may be non-uniform and varied by changing the thickness or spacing of the beams. The support may include a mechanism to which a load may be applied for use in separation of the support from the product the mechanism may comprise a lever (20, figure 4a) or a body formed with a formation for engagement by a tool (22, figure 4b). The additive manufacturing technique is preferably a powder bed technique. Additive manufacturing methods wherein the contact area between each beam and the product is less than <1mm2 and wherein the support beams stop short of the product are also provided. |
