Abstract: A varying a composition of build material used for a three dimensional (3D) part formed by a 3D printer are disclosed. In a system provided, a number of vessels for build material are included, wherein each vessel includes a feeder coupled to a conveying system. The conveying system conveys and blends build material from the vessels. A controller is configured to adjust a composition of the build material by adjusting an amount of material added from each of the vessels by controlling the feeder on each of the vessels.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to a container. The container has a chamber for storing build material for a three-dimensional printing system. The container comprises an opening coaxial with the chamber for coupling to the three-dimensional printing system. The container is configured such that rotation of the chamber in a first direction conveys build material in the chamber to the three-dimensional printing system and rotation of the chamber in a second direction conveys the build material away from the three-dimensional printing system.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes a selective solidification module to selectively solidify portions of successive layers of a build material on a build platform. The 3D printer also includes a cartridge receiver to hold a removable material cartridge that accepts material from the 3D printer and makes material available to the 3D printer for printing of the 3D object.

Abstract: A supply station for dispensing build material from a build material container is provided. The supply station includes a stationary support structure supporting a cylindrical cage along an axis, wherein the cylindrical cage is configured to be rotated in a first angular direction to dispense build material from the build material container.

Abstract: A supply container includes a housing and a pocket on to the housing to receive a chip. The supply container also includes an alignment component on the housing to align the pocket with a chip access device.

Abstract: A 3D printer is disclosed herein. The 3D printer comprises a build material distributor to generate layers of a build material in a spreading direction along a spreading axis; a resonator mounted on the build material distributor to vibrate the build material distributor along the spreading axis at a frequency; and a controller. The controller is to control the resonator to vibrate the build material distributor at the frequency while controlling the build material distributor to spread a volume of build material over a platform to generate a layer of build material.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to different mixtures of build materials deliverable during a three dimensional (3D) print operation. In some examples, a 3D print apparatus may include a delivery hopper to deliver build material to a print zone of the 3D print apparatus and a plurality of build material hoppers to which the delivery hopper is connected for receipt of at least one of a corresponding plurality of build materials. A controller of the 3D print apparatus may direct that variable proportions of a first build material relative to a second build material are receivable by the delivery hopper from the plurality of build material hoppers during the 3D print operation, where different mixtures of the variable proportions of the first build material and the second build material are deliverable to the delivery hopper during the 3D print operation.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a powder metering device to move powder in a 3D printing system includes a rotor comprising a central hub and peripheral wheel to rotate about a shaft. Compartments are formed between the hub and the wheel by a plurality of fins that emanate from the hub at first fin ends and affix to the wheel at second fin ends. A top and bottom disk each have a planar surface to lie flush against and to seal, respectively, top and bottom perimeters of each compartment as the compartments rotate about the shaft between a powder receiving position and a powder dispensing position.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to a rotatable container for storing a material for a printing system. The container has a channel structure for conveying the material, the channel structure defining an opening of the container. The container also has a material-conveying member at least partially disposed within the channel structure, wherein the material-conveying member is mounted to prevent rotation relative to the channel structure. The material-conveying member and the channel structure are arranged to rotate together about a shared axis to convey the material through the channel structure.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a method of adding build material to a rotatable 3D printing build material container having an internal build material storage reservoir, the method comprising: providing a supply of build material to an input port of the container; rotating the container about its rotation axis at a first speed sufficient to cause build material within the container to be centrifugally forced against the outside of the internal storage reservoir.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to a base for a printing material container. The base has a channel structure defining an opening of the base, an axis of the channel structure defining an axial direction. The base also has a material-guiding structure, formed around the opening, having a helical lower surface that extends from the channel structure in the axial direction. An upper surface of the material-guiding structure is formed by a lower surface of the base and the helical lower surface meets the lower surface of the base at a curved side wall that extends radially from the channel structure to an annular portion of the base.

Abstract: In some examples, a method includes applying a negative pressure to a gas-filled volume through a vent. While a pressure in the volume decreases, the method draws a gas out through the vent and moves a liquid into the volume. The volume is filled with the liquid so that one side of the vent is covered with the liquid and the pressure in the volume increases up to a specified point.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to a rotatable container for storing a material for a printing system. The container has a channel structure for conveying the material, the channel structure defining an opening of the container. The container also has a material-conveying member at least partially disposed within the channel structure, wherein the material-conveying member is mounted to prevent rotation relative to the channel structure. The material-conveying member and the channel structure are arranged to rotate together about a shared axis to convey the material through the channel structure.

Abstract: A valve mechanism in a supply station for coupling to a build material container and a method for operating the valve mechanism are provided. The valve mechanism includes a valve body having a top opening, a bottom opening, and a front opening. A diverter valve in the valve body is operated by a valve actuator, wherein the diverter valve directs build material from the top opening to the bottom opening when the valve actuator is in a first position and directs build material from the top opening into a build material container through the front opening when the valve actuator is in a second position.

Abstract: A build device and a method of operating the build device are disclosed. In a method provided, a build material is directed to an intermediate vessel from a conveying line. The build material is separated from an air stream and dropped into the intermediate vessel. The intermediate vessel is emptied between a first build operation and a second build operation.

Abstract: A compliant seal in a valve mechanism in a supply station for coupling to a build material container and a method for sealing a build material container are provided. The compliant seal includes a seal ring including a contact surface configured to allow the build material container to rotate while maintaining a sealed channel between the valve mechanism and a build material container. A feature in a back surface of the seal ring opposite the contact surface mates to a corresponding feature on the valve mechanism to prevent the compliant seal from rotating with the build material container A guide ring mounted over an outer portion of the seal ring is configured to direct a build material container into contact with the contact surface as the build material container is inserted into the supply station.

Abstract: A container includes an elongate hollow main portion to store a printing material and includes an openable end and an opposite closed end. The opposite closed end is at least partially defined by an end wall and by a hollow handle portion. The hollow handle portion is in fluid communication with an interior of the main portion.

Abstract: A varying a composition of build material used for a three dimensional (3D) part formed by a 3D printer are disclosed. In a system provided, a number of vessels for build material are included, wherein each vessel includes a feeder coupled to a conveying system. The conveying system conveys and blends build material from the vessels. A controller is configured to adjust a composition of the build material by adjusting an amount of material added from each of the vessels by controlling the feeder on each of the vessels.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a supply station in a three-dimensional printer are provided. The system includes a control unit, including a processor to execute modules. An install module confirms parameters of a build material container after the build material container is secured into a supply station to determine if the parameters match expected parameters. The install module releases the build material container if the parameters do not match the expected parameters.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes a selective solidification module to selectively solidify portions of successive layers of a build material on a build platform. The 3D printer also includes a cartridge receiver to hold a removable material cartridge that accepts material from the 3D printer and makes material available to the 3D printer for printing of the 3D object.