Abstract: A build material management system for a 3D printing system is described in which a non-fused purged build material port is to output purged non-fused build material from a build material transportation system. An emptying of substantially all non-fused build material from at least a portion of the build material transportation system to the non-fused purged build material port in response to a received purge signal is controlled by processing circuitry of the build material management system.

Abstract: A build material container outlet structure, and a build material nozzle structure is described. The build material container outlet structure comprises a connector to releasably connect to a nozzle structure of an external aspiration system. The outlet structure comprises an aspiration channel to aspire build material from a build material container to the nozzle structure of the external aspiration system. The outlet structure comprises a protrusion protruding from an inner wall of the aspiration channel, to extend into an end portion of a tube of the nozzle structure that is inserted into the aspiration channel and retain a valve element of the nozzle structure in an open configuration.

Abstract: A build material management system for an additive manufacturing system is described in which a recovered build material tank (208) and a mixing tank (212) are provided. The recovered build material tank (208) comprises an outlet and a first build material filter (218b) for separating a gas flow from a build material flow. The mixing tank (212) comprises a second build material filter (218c). The mixing tank (212) is connected to the recovered build material tank (208) via a RBMT-to-mixer conduit (286). A controller (295) is provided to couple the second build material filter (218c) to a reduced pressure interface to transport build material from the outlet of the recovered build material tank into the mixing tank (212) via the second build material filter (218b). The controller (295) controls coupling of the first build material filter (218b) to the reduced pressure interface to transport build material from a build material source into the recovered build material tank (208).

Abstract: There is provided a 3D printing build material container (31) comprising a reinforcement structure (34), a collapsible reservoir (33) to hold build material, a build material outlet structure (313), at least one first inlet structure (314, 316), and a second inlet structure (315). The reinforcement structure encloses an airtight space and the reservoir is disposed within the reinforcement structure. The build material outlet (313) structure is to allow build material to exit the reservoir. The at least one first inlet structure (314, 316) is to allow recycled build material to enter the reservoir and to selectively allow a gas to enter the reservoir. The second inlet structure (315) is to selectively allow a gas to enter a space between the reservoir and the reinforcement structure.

Abstract: A build material container outlet structure, and a build material nozzle structure is described. The build material container outlet structure comprises a connector to releasably connect to a nozzle structure of an external aspiration system. The outlet structure comprises an aspiration channel to aspire build material from a build material container to the nozzle structure of the external aspiration system. The outlet structure comprises a protrusion protruding from an inner wall of the aspiration channel, to extend into an end portion of a tube of the nozzle structure that is inserted into the aspiration channel and retain a valve element of the nozzle structure in an open configuration.

Abstract: A 3D printing build material container outlet structure is described. The outlet structure comprises a valve element having an open configuration to enable a tube, when inserted in the outlet structure, to aspirate build material from the container; and a closed configuration to inhibit build material from exiting the container. The valve element changes from the closed configuration to the open configuration by at least one of: the tube being inserted in the outlet structure; and a vacuum force being applied to the outlet structure when the tube has been inserted in the outlet structure.

Abstract: A container (140) for receiving a manufactured object (160) from a 3D printer is disclosed. A method for cooling and unpacking 3D printed objects using that container. (140) is also disclosed. The container has a wall forming the sides of the container, a top extending to the sides of the container, a connector (142) for connection to a vacuum source and a guillotine member (150). The lower portion of the container has support members to slidably receive the guillotine member (150) to form a base of the container. The guillotine member is selectively configurable between an apertured configuration having a plurality of through holes (152) to allow passage of air and/or build material, and a closed configuration in which the through holes are closed so as to prevent build material from falling out of the container.

Abstract: There is provided a 3D printing build material container (31) comprising a reinforcement structure (34), a collapsible reservoir (33) to hold build material, a build material outlet structure (313), at least one first inlet structure (314, 316), and a second inlet structure (315). The reinforcement structure encloses an airtight space and the reservoir is disposed within the reinforcement structure. The build material outlet (313) structure is to allow build material to exit the reservoir. The at least one first inlet structure (314, 316) is to allow recycled build material to enter the reservoir and to selectively allow a gas to enter the reservoir. The second inlet structure (315) is to selectively allow a gas to enter a space between the reservoir and the reinforcement structure.

Abstract: A build material nozzle structure (202) comprises: an interface surface (208) to interface with a build material container outlet structure (100); and a retaining structure (210) to releasably hold the build material container outlet structure in an engagement position with the interface surface of the build material nozzle structure; wherein the retaining structure comprises one or more retaining elements (210-1, 210-2, 210-3) disposed in the build material nozzle structure to exert an attractive magnetic biasing force on the build material outlet structure to releasably hold the build material container outlet structure in the engagement position with the interface surface of the build material nozzle structure.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for unpacking objects built using build material in an additive manufacturing process, the apparatus comprising: an unpacking compartment; a collection hose to operate within the unpacking compartment to recover by suction non-fused build material from around built objects; and a recovered build material tank coupled to the collection hose to receive non-fused build material recovered by the collection hose; the apparatus to provision recovered non-fused build material from the recovered build material tank for an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A 3D printing build material container outlet structure is described. The outlet structure comprises a valve element having an open configuration to enable a tube, when inserted in the outlet structure, to aspirate build material from the container; and a closed configuration to inhibit build material from exiting the container. The valve element changes from the closed configuration to the open configuration by at least one of: the tube being inserted in the outlet structure; and a vacuum force being applied to the outlet structure when the tube has been inserted in the outlet structure.

Abstract: There is provided a 3D printing build material container. The container comprises a reservoir, a build material outlet structure, and an outer structure disposed around the reservoir. The reservoir is to hold build material. The build material outlet structure is to allow build material to exit the reservoir. The outer structure forms an external surface of the container and includes a recessed portion in the external surface. The recessed portion supports the outlet structure.

Abstract: A build material management system for an additive manufacturing system is described in which a recovered build material tank (208) and a mixing tank (212) are provided. The recovered build material tank (208) comprises an outlet and a first build material filter (218b) for separating a gas flow from a build material flow. The mixing tank (212) comprises a second build material filter (218c). The mixing tank (212) is connected to the recovered build material tank (208) via a RBMT-to-mixer conduit (286). A controller (295) is provided to couple the second build material filter (218c) to a reduced pressure interface to transport build material from the outlet of the recovered build material tank into the mixing tank (212) via the second build material filter (218b). The controller (295) controls coupling of the first build material filter (218b) to the reduced pressure interface to transport build material from a build material source into the recovered build material tank (208).

Abstract: A build material management system for a 3D printing system is described in which a non-fused purged build material port is to output purged non-fused build material from a build material transportation system. An emptying of substantially all non-fused build material from at least a portion of the build material transportation system to the non-fused purged build material port in response to a received purge signal is controlled by processing circuitry of the build material management system.

Abstract: A container (140) for receiving a manufactured object (160) from a 3D printer is disclosed. A method for cooling and unpacking 3D printed objects using that container. (140) is also disclosed. The container has a wall forming the sides of the container, a top extending to the sides of the container, a connector (142) for connection to a vacuum source and a guillotine member (150). The lower portion of the container has support members to slidably receive the guillotine member (150) to form a base of the container. The guillotine member is selectively configurable between an apertured configuration having a plurality of through holes (152) to allow passage of air and/or build material, and a closed configuration in which the through holes are closed so as to prevent build material from falling out of the container.

Abstract: A build material container for use in 3D printing includes a reservoir to hold build material and a build material outlet structure. The container also includes a throughput structure to allow air to enter into the reservoir through the throughput opening, wherein said throughput opening provides access to build material in and out of the reservoir.