Abstract: Certain examples relate to a build material management system to transport build material from a collection to source to one of a plurality of storage tanks. The storage tank is determined by a controller that compares color of the build material measured by a color sensor with predetermined values. The controller routes the build material to the storage tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a decake apparatus. The decake apparatus has a chamber with a base to support a build cake. The build cake includes a build object and non-solidified build material. The apparatus includes a distributor from which to force a fluidisation medium into a lower portion of a build cake supported on the base to fluidise non-solidified build material around the build object so that the build object sinks through the fluidised non-solidified build material towards the base. The also includes a material outlet through which non-solidified build material can be removed from the chamber.

Abstract: Examples relate to a 3D printing system comprising a connection to a 3D printing chamber; an energy source to apply energy to a 3D build material and an energy source chamber separate from the 3D printing chamber. The energy source chamber contains the energy source. The 3D printing system comprises an air valve system, the air valve system comprising a first valve element selectively connecting the energy source chamber and the connection to the 3D printing chamber and a second valve element selectively connecting an external air input and the connection to the 3D printing chamber. The 3D printing system also comprises a first sensor measuring a temperature representative of a temperature in the 3D printing chamber and an air valve controller connected to the air valve system to regulate the temperature in the 3D printing chamber in function of data provided by the sensor.

Abstract: A system (2) is provided with a temperature controlled chamber (4) having a wall (6) extending about a space (8) to receive a three-dimensional printed job. A plurality of temperature control elements (10,12) are mounted to the wall, wherein each of the temperature control elements is operable separately from each other of the temperature control elements. A controller (14) operates the plurality of temperature control elements, each of which is selectively operable by the controller in dependence upon parameters of a three-dimensional printed job to be temperature controlled within the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating pressure in a three-dimensional printer comprises a controller and a connector. The controller is configured to receive a value of a measured pressure within the three-dimensional printer. The connector is connectable between a gas outlet of the printer and an inlet of an external gas extraction system. The controller is configured to compare the received value of measured pressure with a predetermined value. If the received value differs from the predetermined value, the controller is configured to permit ambient air to flow into the external extraction system.

Abstract: A spreading system for an additive manufacturing machine. The system has a roller rotatable about a rotary axis and having an exterior cylindrical surface to spread build material. A sensor senses material attached to the exterior cylindrical surface of the roller. A cleaning member abuts the exterior cylindrical surface of the roller and removes attached material therefrom. A controller rotates the roller whilst in abutment with the cleaning member in response to the sensor sensing material attached to the exterior cylindrical surface of the roller.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system having a sensor module. The sensor module including a distance sensor to provide an indication of a position of a top surface of a volume of build material. The system includes a processor to determine whether the volume of build material should be reformed based on the indication.

Abstract: Apparatus is described comprising a chamber (101), which further comprises an interior (130), a sensor (102), a fluid dispenser (103) and a controller (104). A 3D printed object can be disposed in the chamber (101). The sensor (102) is arranged to weigh the chamber (101) or the whole contents of the chamber (101). The fluid dispenser (103) is arranged to dispense fluid into the interior (130) of the chamber (101) and the controller (104) can determine the weight of the 3D printed object and control the fluid dispenser (103). A system and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions executable by a processor.

Abstract: A 3D printer comprises a printing machine to accommodate a build unit in a print position and a conveyor to move the build unit into the print position and out of the print position. The conveyor is to move the build unit vertically downward into the print position and to move the build unit vertically downward out of the print position. The 3D printer is to move a build platform of the built unit vertically downward relative to the a frame of the build unit as successive layers of build material are formed on the build platform and are selectively processed while the build unit is in the print position.

Abstract: Certain examples relate to a storage tank loading system for loading powdered build material to a storage tank and generating a quality indicator. In these examples, the quality indicator may be generated by comparing a measured color with at least one predetermined threshold value, in these examples, the color of powdered build material is determined by a color sensor.

Abstract: Examples relate to a 3D printing system comprising a connection to a 3D printing chamber; an energy source to apply energy to a 3D build material and an energy source chamber separate from the 3D printing chamber. The energy source chamber contains the energy source. The 3D printing system comprises an air valve system, the air valve system comprising a first valve element selectively connecting the energy source chamber and the connection to the 3D printing chamber and a second valve element selectively connecting an external air input and the connection to the 3D printing chamber. The 3D printing system also comprises a first sensor measuring a temperature representative of a temperature in the 3D printing chamber and an air valve controller connected to the air valve system to regulate the temperature in the 3D printing chamber in function of data provided by the sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus is described comprising a hermetically sealable treatment chamber, a pump and a disperser. The treatment chamber comprises an interior into which an article to be treated can be disposed. The pump is in fluidic communication with the interior of the treatment chamber to form a closed loop about which a dispersed treatment agent can circulate. The disperser is disposed within the closed loop and is arranged to disperse a treatment agent into the interior of the treatment chamber.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a controller to obtain a desired quality level for an object to be printed based on an input. The controller is also to determine a ratio of a first build material and a second build material based on the desired quality level. The first build material is a higher quality build material than the second build material. The controller is further to prepare a mix of build material of the determined ratio to be used during generation of the object.