| 摘要 |
This invention concerns an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising a build chamber (20) for building an article, a module (50) for providing a focussed energy beam for consolidating layer-by-layer powder material in the build chamber (20) and a gas flow circuit for passing a flow of gas through the build chamber (20). First and second filter assemblies (501, 502) are arranged in parallel within the gas flow circuit. Each of the first and second filter assemblies (501, 502) have associated therewith a valve (520) actuatable to seal the gas circuit upstream from the filter assembly and a valve (560) actuatable to seal the gas flow circuit downstream of the filter assembly (501, 502). The arrangement allows the filter elements (540) of the first and second filter assemblies (501, 502) to be changed during operation of the apparatus by allowing a first filter element (540) within the first filter assembly (501) to be changed while a second filter element (540) in the second filter assembly (502) is in service and the second filter element (540) within the second filter assembly (502) to be changed while the first filter element (540) is in service. |
