Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing a three-dimensional object. The printing apparatus includes an operative surface and a plurality of supply hoppers configured for dispensing a powder. The powder is configured to be melted by an energy beam. The supply hoppers are configured to form a plurality of vertically-aligned powder beds adjacent to one another on the operative surface simultaneously. An energy source is configured to emit an energy beam onto each powder bed simultaneously to melt or fuse a topmost layer of the powder bed onto an underlying powder bed layer or substrate.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object. The apparatus includes an operative surface, an energy source for emitting at least one energy beam onto the operative surface and a powder dispensing mechanism for depositing powder onto the operative surface, the powder being adapted to be melted by the or each energy beam. The powder dispensing mechanism is configured to deposit multiple layers of powder onto the operative surface simultaneously.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing a three-dimensional object comprising an operative surface, at least one supply hopper for depositing layers of powder onto the operative surface and an energy source for emitting at least one energy beam onto the layers of powder. The supply hopper and energy source are configured such that when a topmost layer of powder is being deposited onto an underlying layer of powder on the operative surface, the direction travelled by the supply hopper when depositing the topmost layer is different to the direction travelled by the supply hopper when depositing the underlying layer, and at least one energy beam is emitted onto the topmost layer and at least one further energy beam is emitted onto the underlying layer, simultaneously, to melt, fuse or sinter the topmost and underlying layers.

Abstract: A method is for printing a certified part using a certified digital part file. The method has the following steps: a. Using a 3D printing apparatus and a certified digital part file to print a part according to a print process, the certified digital part file having geometry, parameters and a check data set, the check data set having criteria defining acceptable and non-acceptable levels of anomalies for successful printing of the certified part, b. During the print process, comparing print data generated by the apparatus with the check data set to indicate where a part of the printing process contains a non-acceptable anomaly. c. Where a non-acceptable anomaly is detected, using the apparatus to recover the print process by taking corrective action if possible to remove the anomaly or reduce the anomaly to an acceptable level or, where the print process is not recoverable, abandoning the print process.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing a three-dimensional object. The printing apparatus includes an operative surface and a plurality of supply hoppers configured for dispensing a powder. The powder is configured to be melted by an energy beam. The supply hoppers are configured to form a plurality of vertically-aligned powder beds adjacent to one another on the operative surface simultaneously. An energy source is configured to emit an energy beam onto each powder bed simultaneously to melt or fuse a topmost layer of the powder bed onto an underlying powder bed layer or substrate.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object having an operative surface; a plurality of supply hoppers for dispensing powder, the powder being adapted to be melted by an energy beam, wherein the supply hoppers are configured to form a plurality of vertically-aligned powder beds adjacent to one another on the operative surface simultaneously; and an energy source for emitting an energy beam onto each powder bed simultaneously to melt or fuse a topmost layer of the powder bed onto an underlying powder bed layer or substrate.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object. The apparatus includes a frame configured to rotate about an axis; an operative surface mounted to the frame; a powder dispenser mounted to the frame, the powder dispenser being configured to deposit at least one powder layer onto the operative surface; and an energy source mounted to the frame for emitting at least one energy beam onto the powder layer. Rotational movement of the frame causes the operative surface to exert a centripetal force on the powder layer for securing the powder layer on the operative surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a powder-containing canister, including: (a) using a powder dispenser to deposit layers of powder onto an operative surface; (b) emitting an energy beam onto the layers to melt the powder in the layers and form a partially-formed body of the canister having an internal cavity; (c) using the powder dispenser to deposit powder into the internal cavity; (d) using the powder dispenser to deposit further layers of powder onto the partially-formed body; and (e) emitting an energy beam onto the further layers to melt the powder in the further layers and form a complete body of the canister, thereby sealing the powder in the internal cavity.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing a three-dimensional object, including an operative surface; a printing head comprising a frame attached pivotally to at least one control arm, wherein the frame is rotatable about an axis disposed at a point of attachment between the frame and control arm; a plurality of powder dispensers connected at a plurality of positions along the frame, the powder dispensers being configured to deposit multiple layers of powder onto the operative surface simultaneously when the printing head travels relative to the operative surface; and an energy source for emitting at least one energy beam onto at least one layer of powder.

Abstract: A charged particle propagation apparatus has a generator including a vacuum chamber with a gun therein for discharging a charged particle beam through a beam exit. A higher pressure region adjoins the vacuum chamber at the beam exit and is maintainable at a pressure greater than a pressure of the vacuum chamber. A plasma interface located at the beam exit includes a plasma channel having at least three electrode plates disposed between its first end and its second end. A control system is adapted to apply a sequence of electrical currents to the electrode plates, which cause at least one plasma to move from the first end to the second end of the plasma channel, thereby pumping down the beam exit, and, in use, the charged particle beam is propagated from the vacuum chamber through the, or each, plasma into the higher pressure region.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object having an operative surface; a plurality of supply hoppers for dispensing powder, the powder being adapted to be melted by an energy beam, wherein the supply hoppers are configured to form a plurality of vertically-aligned powder beds adjacent to one another on the operative surface simultaneously; and an energy source for emitting an energy beam onto each powder bed simultaneously to melt or fuse a topmost layer of the powder bed onto an underlying powder bed layer or substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus is for forming powder, and includes an energy source for emitting at least one energy beam onto a workpiece, the energy beam being configured to melt the workpiece, at least in part, to form at least one pool of molten material on the workpiece. The apparatus is configured to exert a force on the workpiece causing at least a bead of molten material to be ejected from the pool and solidify to form a particle of powder.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object, comprising an operative surface, an energy source for emitting at least one energy beam onto the operative surface and at least one supply hopper for dispensing powder onto the operative surface, wherein the powder is adapted to be melted by the energy beam. The supply hopper is configured such that powder being dispensed by the supply hopper has an airborne density when travelling from the supply hopper to the operative surface, and wherein the density provides that the powder is not melted by the energy beam when the powder is travelling to the operative surface.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object comprising an operative surface, at least one supply hopper for depositing layers of powder onto the operative surface and an energy source for emitting at least one energy beam onto the layers of powder. The supply hopper and energy source are configured such that when a topmost layer of powder is being deposited onto an underlying layer of powder on the operative surface, the direction travelled by the supply hopper when depositing the topmost layer is different to the direction travelled by the supply hopper when depositing the underlying layer, and at least one energy beam is emitted onto the topmost layer and at least one further energy beam is emitted onto the underlying layer, simultaneously, to melt, fuse or sinter the topmost and underlying layers.

Abstract: A charged particle propagation apparatus has a generator including a vacuum chamber with a gun therein for discharging a charged particle beam through a beam exit. A higher pressure region adjoins the vacuum chamber at the beam exit and is maintainable at a pressure greater than a pressure of the vacuum chamber. A plasma interface located at the beam exit includes a plasma channel having at least three electrode plates disposed between its first end and its second end. A control system is adapted to apply a sequence of electrical currents to the electrode plates, which cause at least one plasma to move from the first end to the second end of the plasma channel, thereby pumping down the beam exit, and, in use, the charged particle beam is propagated from the vacuum chamber through the, or each, plasma into the higher pressure region.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object. The apparatus includes an operative surface, an energy source for emitting at least one energy beam onto the operative surface and a powder dispensing mechanism for depositing powder onto the operative surface, the powder being adapted to be melted by the or each energy beam. The powder dispensing mechanism is configured to deposit multiple layers of powder onto the operative surface simultaneously.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional component. The apparatus has an operative surface, an energy source for emitting an energy beam onto the operative surface, at least one supply tube for dispensing powder onto the operative surface and charging means for electrostatically charging the powder and operative surface. The powder is adapted to be melted by the energy beam and charge applied to the powder has an opposed polarity to charge applied to the operative surface.