Abstract: A device for fabricating a three-dimensional part by selectively melting a powder bed, the device including a first tank for containing a first powder and provided with a first powder dispenser valve, a second tank for containing a second different powder and provided with a second powder dispenser valve, a first and a second monitoring device for monitoring the quantity of first powder delivered by the first valve and the quantity of second powder delivered by the second valve, a mixer chamber in communication with the first and second valves and including a third powder dispenser valve, and a mixer for mixing the powder particles in the chamber, a support for receiving the powder delivered by the third valve and on which the parts is to be fabricated, a powder spreader for spreading powder on the support, and a heater member for locally melting the powder spread on the support.

Abstract: A laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing system having a powder dispenser that provides powder layers on a build platform; a laser fusion system that fuses the powder layers, wherein spatter particles are produce on the powder layers; and a powder bed sweeping system that sweeps the spatter particles from the powder layers. The powder bed sweeping system includes a brush that has bristles that contact the spatter particles and sweeps the spatter particles from the powder layers.

Abstract: Layers of build and support material on an intermediate transfer surface are exposed to a solvent using a solvent application station to make the build material tacky, without affecting the support material. Then, the intermediate transfer surface moves past a transfuse station (the transfuse station is positioned to receive the layers after exposure to the solvent) and a platen moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface to contact the platen to one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build material and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers of build and support material on the platen.

Abstract: A method of making an article is disclosed. According to the method, an energy beam is directed to a build location on a substrate, and a first powder material is delivered to the build location on the substrate and melted with the energy beam. A second powder material is delivered to the build location on the substrate over the first material and melted with the energy beam. The direction of the energy beam and delivery and melting of the first and second powders is repeated at multiple build locations on the substrate to form a solid surface of the article of the second material. The solid surface comprising the second material is subjected to a finishing process.

Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.

Abstract: A shaping method for a three-dimensional shaped product, including the following steps: 1. Setting a traveling distance of the squeegee to be a short distance that does not reach a chamber wall section, 2. Establishing location of wall layers connecting both ends at the chamber wall sections in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the squeegee, within a traveling range based on the set traveling distance, or connecting to the ends on a powder feeder side at inner side of the chamber wall sections by a region to be sintered, from both sides of the region, 3. Forming powder layers by movement of the squeegee over the set traveling distance, 4. Forming sintered layers by irradiation with a beam on the formed powder layers, and forming wall layers by irradiation with a beam at the locations of the established wall layers, 5. Repeating steps 3 and 4.

Abstract: A laser irradiation device includes: a beam generation unit generating a laser beam; a scan mirror unit adjusting a direction of the laser beam transmitted from the beam generation unit; and a rotating mirror reflecting the laser beam of which the direction is adjusted by the scan mirror unit. The rotating mirror is provided to be rotatable so that the direction-adjusted laser beam is irradiated to an object to be processed while forming a linear laser beam on the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-assisted method for examining an input data set of a generative layer building device, comprising at least the following step: —comparing at least one parameter value in a computer-based model of an object that is to be produced using said generative layer building device, to a limiting parameter value which is an extreme value for the parameter able to be obtained in a method for producing the object, and particularly an extreme value for the parameter that can be obtained in a process-stable manner.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatuses for 3D printing post-processing. The methods and apparatuses provide a container for an additive manufacturing system, the container for receiving a build volume of fused and unfused build material. The container comprises a connector for connecting the container to a pressure source, and at least one air hole to allow passage of air into or out of the container. When the connector is connected to the pressure source, air flows through the container between the connector and the at least one air hole so as to remove unfused build material from the container and to help cool the volume of build material.

Abstract: A method of forming a build in a powder bed includes providing a first diode laser fiber array and a second diode laser fiber array, emitting a plurality of laser beams from selected fibers of the second diode laser fiber array onto the powder bed, corresponding to a pattern of a layer of the build, simultaneously melting powder in the powder bed corresponding to the pattern of the layer of the build, scanning a first diode laser fiber array along an outer boundary of the powder bed and emitting a plurality of laser beams from selected fibers of the first diode laser fiber array and simultaneously melting powder in the powder bed corresponding to the outer boundary of the layer of the build to contour the layer of the build. An apparatus for forming a build in a powder bed including a first diode laser fiber array and a second diode laser fiber array is also disclosed. The first diode laser fiber array configured to contour the layer of the build.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the layered manufacturing of a structural component from powder, comprising the following steps: establishing at least one parameter (t) of a depression (1) in a produced layer (2) of the structural component; smoothing out the depression (1) if the at least one parameter (t) exceeds a predetermined value; and filling the smoothed-out depression (1) with powder (13).

Abstract: A method of printing a 3D object includes feeding one or more preformed materials from a feed outlet into a build zone in which a hot spot is located and using the hot spot to selectively heat the one or more preformed materials to a viscous state. Object layers are formed by depositing portions of the preformed materials on a build surface, or on another object layer on the build surface, while effecting relative motion between the build surface and the feed outlet.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method may involve: Providing a first and a second material, the second material capable of reacting with the first material to form a reaction product; forming at least the first material into a first layer; subjecting at least a portion of the first layer to energy in the presence of the second material, the energy being sufficient to initiate a reaction between at least the first and second materials to form a portion of the article, the portion of the article comprising the reaction product; forming a second layer of at least the first material on the first layer; and subjecting at least a portion of the second layer to energy in the presence of the second material, the energy being sufficient to initiate a reaction between the first and second materials to form an additional portion of the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects is provided including a bonding liquid applier and a controller. The bonding liquid applier applies a bonding liquid to a powder layer to form a bonded layer. The controller controls the bonding liquid applier to repeatedly form an (n)th bonded layer by applying a predetermined amount of the bonding liquid per unit area, in multiple times, to a new bonding region in an (n)th powder layer, below which an (n?1)th bonded layer does not exist, and applying the predetermined amount of the bonding liquid per unit area, in a smaller number of times than the multiple times, to an existing bonding region in the (n)th powder layer, below which the (n?1)th bonded layer exists, while increasing a numeral (n) representing an integer of 1 and above in increment of 1, to laminate multiple bonded layers into a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing process includes applying a layer of a building material on a building support or an already applied and selectively solidified layer and selectively solidifying the applied layer by electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation. All positions in the layer that correspond to a cross-section of the object are scanned by electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation such that at these positions the powder is melted at least at its surface. At least one cross-section includes an inner region and a surface region. The step of applying a layer and the step of selectively solidifying the layer are repeated until all cross-sections of the object are solidified. At least a portion of the surface region is scanned at least twice before scanning of the inner region starts.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising: a process chamber for receiving on a build surface of a build plate a bath of powdered material which can be solidified; a support for positioning said build plate in relation to a surface level of said bath of powdered material; a solidifying device for solidifying a selective part of said material; and a homing device for moving said build surface, by said support, to a home position such that said object can be build on said build surface of said build plate, wherein said homing device comprises a homing member which can be displaced along said build surface of said build plate, wherein said homing device is designed for moving said build surface to said home position until a measured force for displacing said homing member is within a pre-determined range. Method for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an object by additive manufacturing is provided. The method includes lowering a build platform having a given layer of build material to powder provided on a window. The powder is irradiated to form a subsequent layer that corresponds to the given layer. The method then includes solidifying the subsequent layer, and raising the build platform and the subsequent layer away from the window. The steps are repeated until the desired object is formed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a direct-writing polyimide additive manufacturing (AM) material includes (1) conducting ultraviolet curing immediately after the photosensitive polyimide ink is subjected to direct-writing extrusion, to obtain a polyimide precursor formed member; and (2) heat-treating the polyimide precursor formed member obtained in step (1) to obtain the direct-writing polyimide AM material. The direct-writing polyimide AM material obtained by using the method of the present invention has excellent comprehensive properties.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for additive manufacturing pertaining to high efficiency, energy beam patterning and beam steering to effectively and efficiently utilize the source energy. In one embodiment recycling and reuse of unwanted light includes a source of multiple light patterns produced by one or more light valves, with at least one of the multiple light patterns being formed from rejected patterned light. An image relay is used to direct the multiple light patterns, and a beam routing system receives the multiple light patterns and respectively directs them toward defined areas on a powder bed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a heating portion, a nozzle, a member, and an ejection port switching portion. The heating portion configured to heat and fuse a thermoplastic resin. The nozzle configured to guide the fused thermoplastic resin to an ejection port. The member disposed to be slidable on a distal end surface of the nozzle and provided with plural openings. The ejection port switching portion configured to align one opening among the plural openings with a distal end of the nozzle.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a powder delivery system, an area scanning laser, a build chamber, and a controller. The powder delivery system provides a predetermined amount of powder material to the build chamber, and includes a material dispenser, a dispensing head, and a scraper. The scanning laser selectively sinters the powder material, and includes a mirror galvanometer for raster scanning. The build chamber has an annular configuration, and includes an inner annular wall that defines a central portion disposed inward of the build chamber. A portion of the delivery system and the laser are located in the central portion. The chamber continuously rotates under the head and under a sintering zone generated by the laser as the delivery system continuously dispenses the material. The laser continuously raster scans the material at the sintering zone in a raster pattern to sinter a layer of material directly to a preceding layer.

Abstract: Method and system for unpacking objects produced by means of additive manufacturing from a granular material in a job box. The objects are unpacked from a non-solidified granular material by means of the method once they are produced, starting from the arrangement of said objects and said granular material on a platform of the box. The platform includes holes to discharge the granular material, said holes being opened in a controlled manner for said discharge and for separating the objects from the granular material, the objects being unpacked. To perform the unpacking, a controlled inclination of the box in different directions is caused, with the holes of the platform being open, for shifting the granular material around and making the discharge thereof through said holes easier.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making articles (2) by three-dimensional printing. The methods include three-dimensional printing a build powder mixture which includes a first material powder and a second material powder to form a printed article and subsequently heating the printed article to a temperature at which a sufficient amount of the second material powder melts to enable it to infiltrate throughout the interstices between the first material powder particles so that the article (2) achieves a room temperature relative density of at least 85 percent of its theoretical density, the theoretical density being the density the article (2) would have if it contained no porosity. The first material powder has a melting temperature, melting temperature range, or dissociation temperature which is higher than the melting temperature or melting temperature range of the second material powder and the first material powder has no more than a limited amount of solubility in the second material powder.

Abstract: A powder bed-based laser melting (“PBLM”) system comprising a process chamber having a chamber floor forming a working plane, and a powder application unit arranged in a working position in the process chamber and above the chamber floor during ongoing operation. The powder application unit is movably attached to a support structure such that the powder application unit can be moved at least partially between the working position and a rest position. The chamber floor is easily accessible with at least one component of the powder application unit arranged immovably in the working position during operation. In a particular embodiment a rail-shaped linear drive and/or a guide of the powder application unit configured as guide rails is positioned further away from the chamber floor in the rest position, and/or between the rest position and the working position, than in the working position in the ongoing operation of the PBLM system.

Abstract: A method for constructing an abradable coating comprises: a slurry layer formation step S2 in which a slurry layer 31 is formed on the surface of a base material 30 using a slurry containing ceramic particles and a solvent; a calcination step S3 in which the slurry layer 31 formed on the surface of the base material 30 is sintered and a sintered layer 35 to be a portion of an abradable coating layer 22 is formed; and a slurry removal step S5 in which extraneous slurry is removed after the abradable coating layer 22 has been formed on the surface of the base material 30, a plurality of the sintered layers 35 having been laminated in the abradable coating layer 22 through a plurality of repeated cycles of the slurry layer formation step S2 and the calcination step S3.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to recycle 3D build material including a 3D printer having a build platform, a vibration generator to alternately apply a first vibration mode to the build platform to move build material on the build platform in a first direction, and to apply a second vibration mode to the build platform to move the build material in a second direction and an air handler to generate an airflow to remove the build material from the build platform.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional shaped product based on dispersion of powder by a squeegee and irradiation of the powder layer with a laser beam or electron beam, including the steps of installing a suction device that suctions fumes generated from the powder layer, in a state surrounding the entire periphery of a shaping table, and selecting a suction reference position at the shortest distance from the irradiation reference position currently moved and worked in a prescribed time range.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (2) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, with a process chamber (3) comprising at least a first and a second region (4, 5), wherein in the first region (4) build material (2) is applied and irradiated on a build plane (6), wherein a stream generating unit is provided that is configured to generate a stream of process gas (10) in the process chamber (3) separating the first region (4) from the second region (5).

Abstract: An integrated build and material supply system (12) for an additive manufacturing apparatus comprises a building compartment (24) adapted to accommodate an object (50) to be formed by means of additive manufacturing and a storage compartment (22) adapted to store a build material for forming said object. A volume of said building compartment and a volume of said storage compartment are variable in size, and said system is adapted to re-allocate at least a portion of a volume previously allocated to said storage compartment to said building compartment.

Abstract: A nozzle follower assembly is provided which is co-operable with a 3D printer. The nozzle follower assembly includes a surface portion modification apparatus. The follower assembly is co-operable with a 3D printer head nozzle assembly and is operable to cause the surface portion modification apparatus to modify at least a portion of a surface of a material most recently printed by the head nozzle assembly of the 3D printer. The surface portion modification apparatus may be used to smooth the surface of the material most recently printed by the head nozzle assembly of the 3D printer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a silicon carbide-containing body (100), characterized in that the process has the following process steps: a) providing a mixture (16) comprising a silicon source and a carbon source, the silicon source and the carbon source being present together in particles of a solid granular material; b) arranging a layer of the mixture (16) provided in process step a) on a carrier (12), the layer of the mixture (16) having a predefined thickness; and c) treating the mixture (16) arranged in process step b) over a locally limited area with a temperature within a range from ?1400° C. to ?2000° C. according to a predetermined three-dimensional pattern, the predetermined three-dimensional pattern being selected on the basis of the three-dimensional configuration of the body (100) to be produced. Such a process allows simple and inexpensive production even of complex structures from silicon carbide.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to additive manufacturing systems and methods on a large-scale format. One aspect involves a method for fabricating an object. The method includes (a) irradiating a layer of powder in a build area above a build platform to form a fused region; (b) providing a subsequent layer of powder over the build area; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until at least a portion of the object, a support structure, and a build envelope are formed; and (d) removing the object from the build envelope and the support structure. The support structure extends from an inner surface of the build envelope to a location proximate a location of the object to be built.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polyolefin resin powder has the steps of a) heat dissolving a polyolefin resin in an organic solvent having a solubility parameter less than or equal to the solubility parameter of the polyolefin resin to obtain a polyolefin resin solution; b) cooling the polyolefin resin solution to precipitate a solid, thereby obtaining a solid-liquid mixture; c) optionally adding an adjuvant to the solid-liquid mixture and mixing; and d) conducting solid-liquid separation and drying to obtain a polyolefin resin powder suitable for selective laser sintering. The difference between the solubility parameters of the organic solvent and of the polyolefin resin is within 0-20% of the solubility parameter of the polyolefin resin. The polyolefin resin powder obtained according to this method has good antioxidant property, good powder flowability, moderate size, smooth surface, suitable bulk density, and suitable dispersibility and particle size distribution.

Abstract: In an example, a print device comprises: a heat pump (102) to extract heat from a fluid source to produce cooled fluid and to transfer the heat from the fluid source to heat a print material (108), wherein the cooled fluid is used to cool a component (106) of the print device.

Abstract: Building is performed with a relatively small amount of material. Provided is a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. This method includes the steps of stacking a plurality of layers for forming an object; building a wall surrounding the object being formed; and supplying a material between the wall and the object being formed as a support material for supporting the object being formed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the direction of gas suctioning is carried out in a device (1) for producing a three-dimensional object (2) by selectively solidifying building material (13) layer by layer. The device (1) comprises an application device (12-14) for applying a layer of the building material (13) to a build area in a working plane (10), a solidifying device (20) for selectively solidifying the building material (13) in the applied layer, and at least two gas nozzles (40) which are arranged at the edge of the build area. The gas nozzles (40) are switchable into a function for suctioning gas from the device (1) and to a functionless state, and are switched depending on an operating state of the device (1).

Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of advanced manufacturing auxiliary equipment, and discloses an independently temperature-controlled high-temperature selective laser sintering frame structure, comprising a galvanometric laser scanning system, a powder feeding chamber, a forming chamber and a heat-insulating composite plate, and targeted optimization design is performed on the respective functional components.

Abstract: A production method for an impeller includes: an impeller molding body forming step of forming an impeller molding body in which a reinforcement portion which reinforces at least one of end portions of the impeller in which an inlet and an outlet of a flow path are formed and the impeller are integrated with each other, by an additive manufacturing method using a metal powder; and a removal step of removing the reinforcement portion from the impeller molding body.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a control unit configured for applying a first powder layer on a work table; directing a first energy causing said first powder layer to fuse in first selected locations to form a first cross section where said first energy beam is fusing a first region with parallel scan lines in a first direction and a second region with parallel scan lines in a second direction; fusing at least one of the scan lines in said first region in said first direction immediately before fusing at least one of said scan lines in said second region in said second direction; applying a second powder layer and directing the energy beam causing said second powder layer to fuse in second selected locations where the energy beam is fusing said first region with parallel scan lines in a third direction and said second region in a fourth direction.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a control unit configured for applying a first powder layer on a work table, directing a first energy beam from a first energy beam source over said work table causing said first powder layer to fuse in first selected locations according to a corresponding model to form a first cross section of said at least one three-dimensional article, where said first energy beam is fusing a first article with parallel scan lines in a first direction, fusing a second scan line in said first direction in said first layer in said first article within a predetermined time interval after fusing a first scan line in said first article, wherein at least one intermediate scan line is fused within said time interval at another predetermined position and where said first and second scan lines are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A lamination molding apparatus includes a table, powder holding walls, a table driving device, a bucket, and a cover. The powder holding walls surround the table and hold material powder together with the table. The table driving device includes a linear actuator for outputting linear motion and a guide for transmitting the linear motion to the table and moving the table in a vertical direction. The bucket is disposed under the table and stores the material powder falling from between the table and the powder holding walls. The cover surrounds the table driving device between the table and the bucket. At least one portion of the linear actuator and the guide surrounded by the cover or the bucket is arranged along the vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a roller that skims a layer of material deposited by an additive manufacturing (AM) system, a blade that scrapes material accumulated on the roller, a bath that collects material scraped by the blade, and an auger that transports material collected in the bath to a portion of the bath that extends beyond a length of the roller.

Abstract: A porous tool includes a mold body and an additively-manufactured film attached to a surface of the mold body. The film includes a porous layer and a nonporous support layer. The porous layer may include a surface having an array of surface pore openings, a network of interconnected passages in fluid communication with the surface pore openings, and one or more lateral edges that have an array of edge pore openings in fluid communication with the interconnected passages. Methods of forming a porous tool include depositing additive material on a build surface using a directed energy deposition system to form a film while simultaneously subtracting selected portions of the additive material from the film using laser ablation. Methods of forming a molded component include conforming a moldable material to a shape using a porous tool that includes a mold body and an additively-manufactured film, and evacuating outgas from the moldable material through a porous layer of the film.

Abstract: A microscale selective laser sintering (?-SLS) that improves the minimum feature-size resolution of metal additively manufactured parts by up to two orders of magnitude, while still maintaining the throughput of traditional additive manufacturing processes. The microscale selective laser sintering includes, in some embodiments, ultra-fast lasers, a micro-mirror based optical system, nanoscale powders, and a precision spreader mechanism. The micro-SLS system is capable of achieving build rates of at least 1 cm3/hr while achieving a feature-size resolution of approximately 1 ?m. In some embodiments, the exemplified systems and methods facilitate a direct write, microscale selective laser sintering ?-SLS system that is configured to write 3D metal structures having features sizes down to approximately 1 ?m scale on rigid or flexible substrates. The exemplified systems and methods may operate on a variety of material including, for example, polymers, dielectrics, semiconductors, and metals.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in manufacturing a component. The system may have a build chamber, a stage movable within the build chamber, and a recoater configured to deposit a layer of powdered material on top of the stage. The system may also have an energy source configured to direct a beam onto the layer of powdered material in a pattern corresponding to a shape of the component, and a brace fabricated before manufacturing of the component. The brace may be located adjacent a periphery of the component and extend from the stage toward the recoater.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a selective laser sintering method of manufacturing a tread molding element, said tread molding element including at least a fine lamella adapted to mold a shallow sipe in a tire tread, the fine lamella having a length (L2). The fine lamella is sintered in a plurality of portions (p2) at different layers (N), in each layer (N) the laser beam sinters the portion (p2) of the fine lamella in only one passage in the length (L2) of the fine lamella without round-trip passage of the laser beam, the direction (D1) of this passage being the same at the different layers (N) for building the different portions (p2) of the fine lamella. The thickness (w) of the fine lamella is smaller than 0.2 mm, and the height (h) of the fine lamella is smaller than or equal to 2 mm.

Abstract: An installation is provided for cleaning a plate used in an additive manufacturing process performed using a powder. The installation includes an entry lock, an exit lock, a dry cleaner, a wet cleaner, and a conveyor system. The entry lock is structured to accept into the installation a plate that is to be cleaned. The exit lock is structured to allow the plate to be extracted from the installation after cleaning. The dry cleaner is structured to clean the plate using vibrations and shocks in a first confinement enclosure. The wet cleaner is structured to clean the plate using at least one liquid in a second confinement enclosure. The conveyor system is structured to transport the plate between the dry cleaner, the wet cleaner, and the exit lock.

Abstract: An imaging device for an additive manufacturing system is provided. The additive manufacturing system includes a material. The imaging device includes a high resolution imaging bar including at least one detector array, and an imaging element positioned between the at least one detector array and the material. The high resolution imaging bar is displaced from the material along a first direction and extends along a second direction. The high resolution imaging bar is configured to generate an image of a build layer within the material.

Abstract: A method for producing a component by the successive solidification of individual layers of powdered, granular or liquid material by irradiation with laser radiation using a laser, each layer being divided into an inner region and an edge region with an edge region surface, and, for each layer, after irradiation with the laser, at least the edge region surface of the edge region of the layer being irradiated with an ultrashort pulse laser. An optical irradiation device produces a component by successive solidification of individual layers of powdered, granular or liquid material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for making three-dimensional objects from a bindable powder are shown and described. A dynamically erected and/or expanded retaining barrier is provided which is erected and/or expanded during an object building operation to retain dispensed powder.