FREE FORM DEPOSITION
An additive manufacture apparatus comprising a laser beam and wire supply system, wherein the laser beam and wire supply systems are movable with respect to a surface on which a component is to be built or a preceding weld bead, the laser beam and wire supply system being operable to create a plurality of weld beads and wherein at the end of forming one of said weld beads the weld supply system extends a length of wire and a nozzle forming the end of the wire supply system is simultaneously caused to retract away from the component being formed
1 . An additive manufacture apparatus comprising a laser beam and wire supply system, wherein the laser beam and wire supply systems are movable with respect to a surface on which a component is to be built or a preceding weld bead, the laser beam and wire supply system being operable to create a plurality of weld beads and wherein at the end of forming one of said weld beads the weld supply system is configured to extend a length of wire and a nozzle forming the end of the wire supply system is simultaneously caused to retract away from the component being formed.
2 . A method of operating an additive manufacturing apparatus as claimed in claim 1