Abstract: Apparatus to produce a three-dimensional object and methods of producing a three-dimensional object are described. In some examples, a first fluid comprising a colorant and a second fluid comprising an absorber to absorb electromagnetic radiation are applied on a layer of particulate material. Application of the second fluid to the layer of particulate material is in dependence on an ability of the first fluid to absorb the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: According to one aspect there is provided an apparatus for generating a three-dimensional object. The apparatus may include a first agent distributor to selectively deliver a coalescing agent onto portions of a layer of build material, a second agent distributor to selectively deliver a coalescence modifier agent onto portions of the layer of build material, and a controller to control the first and second distributors to selectively deliver each of the agent and the coalescence modifier onto the layer of build material in respective patterns derived from data representing a slice of a three-dimensional object to be generated, in which when energy is applied to the layer of build material, the build material coalesces and solidifies to form a slice of the three-dimensional object in accordance the patterns and the three-dimensional object has mechanical object properties that are related to the patterns.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus for generating a three-dimensional object includes an energy source to apply energy to a layer of build material to cause a first portion of the layer to coalesce and solidify, an agent distributor to selectively deliver a cooling agent onto a second portion of the layer, and a controller to control the energy source to apply energy to the layer to cause the first portion to coalesce and solidify in a first pattern and to control the agent distributor to selectively deliver the cooling agent onto the second portion of the layer in a second pattern independent of the first pattern.

Abstract: Examples include apparatuses, processes, and methods for generating three-dimensional objects. An example apparatus comprises build material distributor and a controller. Examples distribute a particular build layer in a build area of the apparatus over a previous build layer. Examples determine a build layer temperature corresponding to the particular build layer. Examples analyze build layer coverage for the particular build layer based at least in part on a build layer temperature of the previous build layer and the build layer temperature of the particular build layer. Examples selectively recoat the particular build layer with additional build material based at least in part on the build layer coverage for the particular build layer.

Abstract: According to examples, a build module may include a housing, a build material chamber, and a build chamber. The build material chamber may be positioned beneath the build chamber in the housing and may include a moveable support member, in which a build material distributor is to supply successive layers of build material onto the moveable support member from the build material chamber. The build module may be removably insertable into a build receiver of an additive manufacturing system to allow the additive manufacturing system to solidify a portion of the successive layers received onto the moveable support member during the solidification process of the build material. The moveable support member may separate the build material chamber from the build chamber to block build material from the above the build material chamber from being received into the build material chamber during a solidification process of the build material.

Abstract: A 3D printer is controlled to apply a print agent at a plurality of predetermined locations in a build chamber of the 3D printer, and energy is applied to heat the build chamber. A thermal image of the build chamber is received. Based on the thermal image, an error in application of the print agent in the build chamber is determined.

Abstract: Examples include apparatuses, processes, and methods for generating three-dimensional objects. An example apparatus comprises build material distributor and a controller. Examples distribute a particular build layer in a build area of the apparatus over a previous build layer. Examples determine a build layer temperature corresponding to the particular build layer. Examples analyze build layer coverage for the particular build layer based at least in part on a build layer temperature of the previous build layer and the build layer temperature of the particular build layer. Examples selectively recoat the particular build layer with additional build material based at least in part on the build layer coverage for the particular build layer.

Abstract: According to examples, a build module may include a housing, a build material chamber, and a build chamber. The build material chamber may be positioned beneath the build chamber in the housing and may include a moveable support member, in which a build material distributor is to supply successive layers of build material onto the moveable support member from the build material chamber. The build module may be removably insertable into a build receiver of an additive manufacturing system to allow the additive manufacturing system to solidify a portion of the successive layers received onto the moveable support member during the solidification process of the build material. The moveable support member may separate the build material chamber from the build chamber to block build material from the above the build material chamber from being received into the build material chamber during a solidification process of the build material.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and devices for build temperature control. In some examples, a method comprises applying a temperature controllable top cover over a top of the build volume. The method may further comprise controlling the temperature controllable top cover to maintain a temperature substantially equal to a build temperature for a predetermined period of time. The method may further comprise applying a thermally conductive bottom cover to a bottom of the build volume.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to process capability procedures for additive manufacturing machines. One example implementation receives and prints two objects with corresponding process values for a set of process parameters within two build regions of the build volume. Measurements are made of each object comprising print parameters and a dataset comprising data representing the process values associated with the print parameters and data representing the second process values associated with the second print parameters is generated.

Abstract: A controller-implemented method of controlling a three dimensional (3D) printing process, comprises presenting printing options (20) of the 3D printing process at a user interface (16); accepting settings (22) from the user interface (16) based on the presented printing options (20); determining a printing instruction (24) based on the settings (22), the printing instruction (24) to be used to manufacture a three-dimensional (3D) object; and determining a post-processing instruction (26) based on the settings (22), the post-processing instruction (26) to be used in post-processing the 3D object.

Abstract: According to an example, a computing apparatus may include a processing device and a machine readable storage medium on which is stored instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to access, from a sensing device, information pertaining to formation of a part of a 3D object in a layer of build materials upon which fusing agent droplets have been or are to be selectively deposited. The instructions may also cause the processing device to predict, based upon the accessed information, a quality of the part and output an indication of the predicted quality of the part.

Abstract: Apparatus, computer readable medium, or method to determine a layer volume change in a processed layer of powder, and distribute an additional amount of powder in a subsequent layer based on the determined layer volume change.

Abstract: There is disclosed additive manufacturing apparatus (10), (22), (34) comprising: a heater (18), (36) to direct radiant heat onto an irradiation region (20) of a build platform (12), at least part of the heater (18), (36) being moveable to cause the irradiation region (20) to traverse over the build platform (12); a coating module (14) moveable relative the heater (18), (36) to traverse the build platform (12) to apply a build material onto the build platform (12); and a print module (16) moveable relative the heater (18), (36) to traverse the build platform (12) to selectively eject a print agent onto the build material.

Abstract: Apparatus, computer readable medium, or method to determine a layer volume change in a processed layer of powder, and distribute an additional amount of powder in a subsequent layer based on the determined layer volume change.

Abstract: Nozzle data relating to a nozzle of an agent distributor to be used to deliver agent may be received, and data representing a three-dimensional object may be modified to cause the three-dimensional object to be shifted such that the nozzle is not to be used to generate the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: In an example of a three-dimensional (3D) printing method, a build material (consisting of an inorganic particle and a polymer attached thereto) is applied. The polymer is a continuous coating having a thickness from about 3 nm to about 1500 nm, or nano-beads having an average diameter from about 3 nm to about 1500 nm. The build material is heated to a temperature from about 5° C. to about 50° C. below the polymer's melting point. A coalescent dispersion (including a coalescent agent and inorganic nanoparticles) is selectively applied on a portion of the build material, and the applied build material and coalescent dispersion are exposed to electromagnetic radiation. The coalescent dispersion absorbs the electromagnetic radiation and heats up the portion of the build material in contact therewith to fuse the portion of the build material in contact with the coalescent dispersion and to form a layer of a 3D object.

Abstract: Examples of methods for part packing with diffusion auras are described herein. In some examples, a first diffusion aura for a first portion of a part is determined. In some examples, a second diffusion aura for a second portion of the part is determined. In some examples, the part is packed based on the first diffusion aura and the second diffusion aura.

Abstract: In one example, a non-transitory processor readable medium with instructions thereon that when executed cause an additive manufacturing machine to inhibit build material in an overlying layer of build material from fusing with a first slice formed in an underlying layer of build material.

Abstract: In one example, a control process for additive manufacturing includes: forming an extent of unfused build material on a support; applying a coolant to unfused build material within the extent of unfused build material in a pattern of spots; capturing a thermal image of the extent of unfused build material with a thermal imaging device; mapping a pixel location in the thermal image to a physical location for each of multiple spots in the pattern; and based on the mapping, establishing a transform between pixels on the thermal imaging device and physical locations on the support.