Abstract: In one example, an apparatus for supplying material to an additive manufacturing platform comprises a rotatable delivery module comprising a vane; and a plurality of distribution elements. In use, the rotatable delivery module is controllable to rotate the vane to a supply position to enable material to be supplied to an additive manufacturing platform from the vane. The vane and the plurality of distribution elements are arranged such that during the rotation: the vane provides a dose amount of material from a material supply module for supply to an additive manufacturing platform and at least one of the plurality of distribution elements distributes material within the material supply module so that the vane supplies a substantially uniform dose of material along the length of the vane to the additive manufacturing platform.

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 3D printing apparatus is disclosed herein. The 3D printing apparatus comprises a build compartment defining a build chamber within which a 3D object is to be generated; and a non-powered platform, moveable within the build chamber, comprising a platform drive interface to engage with an external drive mechanism to cause the platform to move. The 3D printing apparatus further comprises a powder compartment located laterally adjacent to the build compartment, within which build material is to be stored for use in the generation of the 3D object. The 3D printing apparatus also comprises a locking interface to couple the 3D printing apparatus with an external hosting device.

Abstract: According to one example there is provided an apparatus for supplying build material to a three-dimensional printing system. The apparatus comprises a rotatable vane.

Abstract: A 3D printing system build material supply unit includes a tray with an opening that defines a spreading plane in which a recoater spreads build material. A double vane is rotatably mounted inside the tray with the rotation axis extending along the tray below the spreading plane and with each vane having convex front and rear sides. A controller controls rotation of the double vane such as to supply a dose of build material with the front side of one vane to the spreading plane by rotating the double vane into a trimming position in which the front side of the one vane approaches the spreading plane such that the dose of build material is enclosed between the front side of the vane and the spreading plane. Excess build material to be trimmed by the recoater accumulates on the other vane rear side and is lowered into the tray.

Abstract: In one example, an article for distributing powder includes a plate having holes therein through which a powder may pass from a first side of the plate to a second side of the plate opposite the first side and multiple ramps each intersecting the plate at one or multiple holes and sloping away from the first side of the plate in a first direction at an angle less than 90°.

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: According to one example there is provided a build material supply unit for additive manufacturing systems. The build material supply unit may comprise a sloping support surface for the build material, which has no hard edges, a mesh above the sloping support surface, and a vibrator to vibrate the mesh and cause the descent of build material.

Abstract: Examples of recoater carriages in an additive manufacturing system are described. In one case, a recoater carriage assembly has an elongate powder build material spreader, such as a roller, to spread powder build material in use. The recoater carriage assembly has a recoater carriage to support the spreader. The spreader is to engage and to disengage from the recoater carriage by movement of the spreader non-concentrically to a longitudinal axis of the spreader.

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: This build material spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing, includes a movable spreader, a build material dispenser, and a controller to calibrate the amount of build material needed to form a layer. The controller controls the build material dispenser to dispense a predetermined amount of build material. The controller controls the movable spreader to spread the dispensed build material to form a layer. The controller determines an amount of build material remaining after spreading. The controller modifies, based on the determined amount of remaining build material, the predetermined amount of build material to be subsequently provided by the build material dispenser.

Abstract: Example implementations provide an additive manufacturing system for manufacturing a 3D object from a build material; the system comprising a build chamber having a build platform for supporting a build material bed; the build chamber having a number of walls, at least one wall of the plurality of walls bearing, or being associated with, two or more thermal elements, responsive to respective control signals, to influence the temperature of the build chamber; the two or more thermal elements being disposed in a direction of an axis of movement of the build platform.

Abstract: In one example, a rotatable delivery module is controlled to rotate in a first direction to a supply position to enable material to be supplied to an additive manufacturing platform. During such rotation to the supply position the rotatable delivery module contacts and collects respective portions of said material contained by the material supply module. An amount of material within the material supply module is determined based on a resistive force exerted on the rotatable delivery module as the rotatable delivery module collects said respective portions of material.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus for supplying material to an additive manufacturing platform comprises a rotatable delivery module comprising a vane; and a plurality of distribution elements. In use, the rotatable delivery module is controllable to rotate the vane to a supply position to enable material to be supplied to an additive manufacturing platform from the vane. The vane and the plurality of distribution elements are arranged such that during the rotation: the vane provides a dose amount of material from a material supply module for supply to an additive manufacturing platform and at least one of the plurality of distribution elements distributes material within the material supply module so that the vane supplies a substantially uniform dose of material along the length of the vane to the additive manufacturing platform.

Abstract: In one example, an article for distributing powder includes a plate having holes therein through which a powder may pass from a first side of the plate to a second side of the plate opposite the first side and multiple ramps each intersecting the plate at one or multiple holes and sloping away from the first side of the plate in a first direction at an angle less than 90°.

Abstract: Printing stations to receive build units are disclosed. The printing stations may comprise a first wall comprising two fixed receiving ports to engage with two fixed mounting elements of the build units, respectively, and a second wall comprising a third fixed receiving port to engage with a third fixed mounting element of the build units, and a calibration receiving port to be coupled to a fourth fixed mounting element when the build unit is inserted into the printing station.

Abstract: In one example, a build material preparation subsystem. The subsystem includes a trough to house build material deliverable to a build bed and usable to form a layer of an object fabricated by additive manufacturing. An agitating tray is slidably disposed in the trough. A linear actuator is disposed adjacent an outside wall of the trough. A drive arm has a first end portion fixedly coupled to the agitating tray and a second end portion coupled to the linear actuator. The drive arm passes over a wall of the trough.

Abstract: Examples of recoater carriages in an additive manufacturing system are described. In one case, a recoater carriage assembly has an elongate powder build material spreader, such as a roller, to spread powder build material in use. The recoater carriage assembly has a recoater carriage to support the spreader. The spreader is to engage and to disengage from the recoater carriage by movement of the spreader non-concentrically to a longitudinal axis of the spreader.

Abstract: According to one example there is provided an apparatus for supplying build material to a three-dimensional printing system. The apparatus comprises a rotatable vane.

Abstract: According to one example there is provided an apparatus for supplying build material to a three-dimensional printing system. The apparatus comprises a rotatable vane.