Gas flow characterization in additive manufacturing

1. A method of characterizing gas flow within a housing of a machine, comprising:

positioning one or more gas flow sensors in the housing wherein the one or more gas flow sensors are integral with a build plate;

introducing a gas flow into the housing;

using the one or more gas flow sensors to generate two or more gas flow measurements at spaced-apart locations within the housing; and

recording the two or more measurements to create a gas flow map.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising raising the build plate to an uppermost position.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising reusing the build plate for multiple measurements.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the gas flow map is stored as a matrix, table, or electronic data file.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the housing is an empty condition prior to generating the two or more gas flow measurements.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising purging air out of the machine prior to generating the two or more gas flow measurements.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the gas flow to reach steady state condition prior to generating the two or more gas flow measurements.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising taking corrective action based on the two or more gas flow measurements.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the corrective action comprises adjusting the machine or a process parameter.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the corrective action comprises maintenance or repair of the machine.

11. A method of characterizing gas flow within a housing, comprising:

positioning one or more gas flow sensors in the housing;

using the one or more gas flow sensors to generate two or more gas flow measurements at spaced-apart locations within the housing;

recording the two or more measurements to create a gas flow map; and

using the one or more gas flow sensors to characterize the gas flow at regular intervals.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein characterizing the gas flow at regular intervals comprises producing a gas flow map at regular intervals.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the gas flow map is stored as a matrix, table, or electronic data file.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the housing is an empty condition prior to generating the two or more gas flow measurements.

15. A method of characterizing gas flow within a housing of a machine, comprising:

positioning one or more gas flow sensors in the housing;

using the one or more gas flow sensors to generate two or more gas flow measurements at spaced-apart locations within the housing;

recording the two or more measurements to create a gas flow map; and

using the two or more gas flow measurements to calibrate the machine.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising taking corrective action based on the two or more gas flow measurements.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the corrective action comprises adjusting the machine or a process parameter.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the corrective action comprises maintenance or repair of the machine.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein adjusting the process parameter comprises modifying a gas flow rate.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the gas flow map is stored as a matrix, table, or electronic data file.