Patent attributes
A method is for additive layer manufacturing an article from a material which can be rendered solid locally by the application of a focused beam of laser radiation. The method includes providing at least two laser beams, providing a scanner for each laser beam for scanning each laser beam over an entire planar field, providing a support moveable step wise to support material within the field, scanning the laser beams simultaneously but separated over the field to render solid the desired portions of material contained in the field to perform a manufacturing cycle and stepping the support after each cycle. At least one scanner is tilted with respect to the common planar field, and the method further includes the step of tilting the focal plane of the laser beam from the said at least one scanner.
