Abstract: An infrared radiation deflector (100) for an elongate infrared lamp (110), the radiation deflector (100) comprising opposing first and second elongate side walls (130_1, 130_2); at least one end support (170) connecting the ends of the side walls (130_1, 130_2); an upper opening (140) and a lower opening (150) arranged to pass lamp radiation to an exterior of the radiation deflector (100); and a mounting point (172) provided at the/each end support (170) for mounting the infrared lamp (110) and defining between them a lamp axis location (114); wherein the first and second elongate side walls (130_1, 130_2) comprise a first elongate mirror (130_1) and a second elongate mirror (130_2) extending parallel to the lamp axis location (114) and along at least a lower internal portion of the respective first and second side walls (130_1, 130_2); wherein the lamp axis location (114) extends along and between the first mirror (130_1) and the second mirror (130_2), the first and second mirror (130_1, 130_2) each having a

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from particulate material, the apparatus comprising: a work space (100) bounded by a first side wall (100A) on a first side of the work space, and a second side wall (100B) on a second side of the work space, the first side wall opposing the second side wall; a build bed (170) having a build bed surface (160), the build bed surface being comprised in the floor of the work space and having a first edge (160?) on the first side of the work space, towards the first side wall, and a second edge (160?) on the second side of the work space, towards the second side wall; a first gas inlet (101A) at or near the first side wall; a second gas inlet (101B) at or near the second side wall; a first gas outlet (102A) above the floor (100C) of the work space, the position of the first gas outlet being coincident with the first edge of the build bed surface, or between the first edge of the build bed surface and the first gas inlet; and a second gas outlet (102B)

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus (1) comprising: a build bed (201) having a build area (190), wherein successive layers of said three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed (201); a powder distribution sled (300) operable to distribute a layer of powder within the build area (190), the powder distribution sled (300) being driveable in a first direction along a first axis, across the build area (190), and driveable in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the first axis; and a print sled (350) operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area (190) to define the cross section of said object in said layer, the print sled (350) being driveable in the first direction along a second axis across the build area, and driveable in the second direction along the second axis; wherein the first axis is parallel to, or coaxial with, the second axis; wherein the print sled (350) comprises one or more drop

Abstract: An infrared lamp assembly for an apparatus for the formation of three-dimensional objects by consolidation of particulate material, the assembly comprising: an elongate infrared lamp extending along a lamp axis, an elongate shield extending parallel to and along one side of the axis of the lamp, and a support structure holding at least one of the ends of the lamp and of the shield, wherein the elongate shield at least partially bounds the space to one side of the lamp, and wherein the assembly provides a lower opening below the lamp and an upper opening above the lamp, such that, in use, radiation generated by the lamp is able to radiate through the openings and away from the lamp in directions not bounded by the shield.

Abstract: A stirring device for a powder tank of an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The stirring device is configured to rotate within the powder tank about an axis of rotation, and comprises a base plate and a strut.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus (1) comprising: a build bed (201) having a build area (190), wherein successive layers of said three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed (201); a powder distribution sled (300) operable to distribute a layer of powder within the build area (190), the powder distribution sled (300) being driveable in a first direction along a first axis, across the build area (190), and driveable in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the first axis; and a print sled (350) operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area (190) to define the cross section of said object in said layer, the print sled (350) being driveable in the first direction along a second axis across the build area, and driveable in the second direction along the second axis; wherein the first axis is parallel to, or coaxial with, the second axis; wherein the print sled (350) comprises one or more drop

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus comprising: a work surface (170); a build bed (201) having a build area (190), the build area (190) being comprised within the work surface (170), wherein successive layers of said three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed (201); a first powder supply module (2) fixedly arranged on a first side of the work surface (170), outward from a first side of the build bed (201); a second powder supply module (3) fixedly arranged on a second side of the work surface (170), outward from a second side of the build bed (201); a first powder distribution sled (300) operable to distribute powder dosed to the work surface (170) from the first powder supply module (2) while moving in a first direction from the first side of the work surface (170) towards the second side of the work surface (170), and from the second powder supply module (3) while moving in a second direction from the second side of the work surface (170) towards

Abstract: A powder dosing system for an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from powder, the powder dosing system comprising: a rotating agitator arranged to agitate a supply of delivered powder by rotating through an agitation volume; a recirculation edge adjacent the agitation volume, arranged to allow excess agitated powder to freely flow over the recirculation edge and out of the dosing system; and a dosing blade arranged to dose a dosed volume of powder to a work surface comprising a build bed surface; wherein the dosing blade is arranged to sweep through a swept volume, which is located, in a vertical sense, above the agitation volume and overlaps, in a vertical sense, the agitation volume, such that the dosing blade doses agitated powder to the work surface.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects is disclosed, utilising an independently operable printing sled (350) for sintering fusible powder and an independently operable powder distribution sled (300) for depositing a layer of fusible powder on the sintered layer. Since the printing sled and the powder distribution sled are independently operable, the time between sintering and deposition can be altered, dependent on the printing conditions and materials, resulting in an enhanced bond between the layers of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A powder recirculation system for an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object (500) from powder is provided. The powder recirculation system comprises: a delivery path coupled to an outlet of a powder tank (410), the powder tank configured to store the powder; a powder repository (115) coupled to an outlet of the delivery path, the delivery path comprising a delivery mechanism for delivering the powder from the powder tank to the powder repository; a powder recirculation path coupled to an outlet (102) of the powder repository, wherein the powder recirculation path is configured to return first excess powder from the powder repository to the delivery path at a location (103, 104) upstream of the outlet of the powder tank.

Abstract: An agitator for an apparatus for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects. The agitator comprises at least one blade coupled to a shaft, and extending outwardly from the shaft. Cavities are defined between the at least one blade and the shaft, such that movement of the agitator within a powder repository keeps the powder in a fluidised state and prevents the powder from agglomerating.

Abstract: A printer head for a thermal printer for building a three-dimensional model by sequential deposition of a plurality of cross-sectional layers, the thermal print head being movable relative to a material bed over a deposited layer. A protective sheet might be disposed between the thermal print head and deposited layer in a thermal printer according to the invention. Temperature control of the material bed to prevent warping of the model is provided by an independently heatable cover in contact with the surface of the material bed. The thermal print head further comprises a cooling element.