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: A processing station (2) is provided for receiving a build unit (4) of an additive manufacturing system. The processing station (2) has a flow pathway (12) for build material. The flow pathway has a first end 14) connected to a valve arrangement (10) and a second end (16) configured to releasably connect with a build unit (4). The valve arrangement (10) is selectively movable between a first configuration, in which the second end (16) is in fluid communication with a vacuum pump (8) of the processing station, and a second configuration, in which the second end (16) is in fluid communication with a build material reservoir (6) of the processing station.

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: 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.