Abstract: A method of calibrating movement of a platform is described, the method comprising: in a calibration run, causing movement of the platform; detecting a plurality of positions of the platform during the movement; deriving a movement pattern from the plurality of positions; and determining an adjustment of the movement of the platform based on the movement pattern.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a storage unit, an auger screw, a housing enclosing the auger screw and at least one heater coupled to the housing. The auger screw receives a build material from the storage unit and delivers the build material to a build platform via movement of the auger screw. The build material is heated by the at least one heater as the build material is being moved by the auger screw.

Abstract: A material management apparatus for an additive manufacturing system comprises a build material supply system to supply build material to a building area for building an object by additive manufacturing. The build material supply system includes a first build material supply unit to supply build material from a first side of a building area and a second build material supply unit to supply build material from a second side of the building area, the second side opposing the first side. The material management apparatus also includes a controller to control the build material supply system to vary an amount of build material to be supplied via the first build material supply unit based on a detected difference between a first amount of material available for supply via the first build material supply unit and a second amount of material available for supply via the second build material supply unit.

Abstract: A 3D printing system comprising: a selective solidification module to: form a printed article by processing a build material; and form a printed container encompassing the printed article and a portion of unused build material about the printed article, the printed container defining a first port and a second port fluidly connected to the first port. The 3D printing system further comprises a connector to couple to the first port or second port of the printed container; and a pump fluidly connected to the connector to cause a fluid to flow through the printed container from the first port to the second port such that the printed article is cooled by the fluid flow.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes an interface. The interface is to detect a connection to a 3D printer and a connection to a powder supply/post-processing component. The interface may be in communication with a processor. The processor may also be in communication with a timer. The timer is to begin tracking a cooling time when the interface is disconnected from the 3D printer and the processor is to transmit the cooling time to the powder supply/post-processing component when the interface detects the connection to the powder supply/post-processing component.

Abstract: There is disclosed a build material supply unit, comprising: a supply chamber body enclosing a supply volume to contain a build material for additive manufacture; an electromagnetic distance sensor to determine a length parameter relating to a length of a beam pathway extending from an emitter of the sensor to a surface level of build material in the supply volume; and a reflector to reflect the beam pathway between the emitter and the surface level of build material; wherein the reflector is spaced apart from the emitter.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a storage unit, an auger screw, a housing enclosing the auger screw and at least one heater coupled to the housing. The auger screw receives a build material from the storage unit and delivers the build material to a build platform via movement of the auger screw. The build material is heated by the at least one heater as the build material is being moved by the auger screw.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a storage unit, an auger screw, a housing enclosing the auger screw and at least one heater coupled to the housing. The augers screw receives a build material from the storage unit and delivers the build material to a build platform via movement of the auger screw. The build material is heated by the at least one heater as the build material is being moved by the auger screw.

Abstract: A material management apparatus for an additive manufacturing system comprises a build material supply system to supply build material to a building area for building an object by additive manufacturing. The build material supply system includes a first build material supply unit to supply build material from a first side of a building area and a second build material supply unit to supply build material from a second side of the building area, the second side opposing the first side. The material management apparatus also includes a controller to control the build material supply system to vary an amount of build material to be supplied via the first build material supply unit based on a detected difference between a first amount of material available for supply via the first build material supply unit and a second amount of material available for supply via the second build material supply unit.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes an interface. The interface is to detect a connection to a 3D printer and a connection to a powder supply/post-processing component. The interface may be in communication with a processor. The processor may also be in communication with a timer. The timer is to begin tracking a cooling time when the interface is disconnected from the 3D printer and the processor is to transmit the cooling time to the powder supply/post-processing component when the interface detects the connection to the powder supply/post-processing component.

Abstract: Certain examples described herein relate to a removable unit of an additive manufacturing system. The removable unit is connectable to a base unit. When connected and operational, the base unit supplies a first voltage to the removable unit via a first power coupling. The removable unit has a power supply unit that converts the first voltage to a second voltage. The second voltage may power a number of low voltage components. The removable unit also has a power multiplexer. When the first voltage is unavailable the removable unit switches the power multiplexer to use a second voltage that is supplied from the base unit via a second power coupling.

Abstract: Certain examples described herein relate to build units that are physically connectable to at least one host apparatus of an additive manufacturing system. A build unit comprises at least one controllable device useable in an object building operation. In certain examples, the at least one device is controllable according to first control instructions originating from the at least one host apparatus when the build unit is physically connected to the at least one host apparatus. In certain examples, the at least one device is also controllable according to second control instructions generated independently of the at least one host apparatus when the build unit is not physically connected to the at least one host apparatus.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a management system to control a 3D printing system that includes at least one 3D printer, at least one build unit in which 3D objects can be generated by the 3D printer, and at least one material processing unit in which processing operations can be performed on the build unit. The management system comprises a processor to obtain status data from at least some of the elements of the 3D printing system, to obtain data relating to a print job to be printed, to determine, from the obtained data, a schedule of operations to be performed by elements of the 3D printing system and to generate control data to allow enforcement of the determined schedule.

Abstract: An example control module for a three-dimensional (3D) printing system is described having multiple input interfaces, multiple output interfaces and a power supply interface. The power supply interface provides power to at least one of the control module and any devices connected to the control module via the output interfaces. The control module is configured to receive instructions from a central control unit via at least one of the input interfaces and command a range of electromechanical devices via at least one of the output interfaces.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a management system to control a 3D printing system that includes at least one 3D printer, at least one build unit in which 3D objects can be generated by the 3D printer, and at least one material processing unit in which processing operations can be performed on the build unit. The management system comprises a processor to obtain status data from at least some of the elements of the 3D printing system, to obtain data relating to a print job to be printed, to determine, from the obtained data, a schedule of operations to be performed by elements of the 3D printing system and to generate control data to allow enforcement of the determined schedule.

Abstract: Management system to control a 3D printing system that includes at least one 3D printer, at least one build unit in which 3D objects can be generated by the 3D printer, and at least one material processing unit in which processing operations can be performed on the build unit. The management system comprises a processor to obtain status data from at least some of the elements of the 3D printing system, to obtain data relating to a print job to be printed, to determine, from the obtained data, a schedule of operations to be performed by elements of the 3D printing system and to generate control data to allow enforcement of the determined schedule.

Abstract: A 3D printing system comprising: a selective solidification module to: form a printed article by processing a build material; and form a printed container encompassing the printed article and a portion of unused build material about the printed article, the printed container defining a first port and a second port fluidly connected to the first port. The 3D printing system further comprises a connector to couple to the first port or second port of the printed container; and a pump fluidly connected to the connector to cause a fluid to flow through the printed container from the first port to the second port such that the printed article is cooled by the fluid flow.

Abstract: Management system to control a 3D printing system that includes at least one 3D printer, at least one build unit in which 3D objects can be generated by the 3D printer, and at least one material processing unit in which processing operations can be performed on the build unit. The management system comprises a processor to obtain status data from at least some of the elements of the 3D printing system, to obtain data relating to a print job to be printed, to determine, from the obtained data, a schedule of operations to be performed by elements of the 3D printing system and to generate control data to allow enforcement of the determined schedule.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a storage unit, an auger screw, a housing enclosing the auger screw and at least one heater coupled to the housing. The augers screw receives a build material from the storage unit and delivers the build material to a build platform via movement of the auger screw. The build material is heated by the at least one heater as the build material is being moved by the auger screw.

Abstract: Certain examples described herein relate to a removable unit of an additive manufacturing system. The removable unit is connectable to a base unit. When connected and operational, the base unit supplies a first voltage to the removable unit via a first power coupling. The removable unit has a power supply unit that converts the first voltage to a second voltage. The second voltage may power a number of low voltage components. The removable unit also has a power multiplexer. When the first voltage is unavailable the removable unit switches the power multiplexer to use a second voltage that is supplied from the base unit via a second power coupling.