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 (100) comprises: a connector (107) comprising an interface surface (116) and an adaptor to receive a nozzle structure (202) of an external aspiration system; and a retaining structure (128) to releasably hold the nozzle structure in an engagement position with the interface surface of the connector; wherein the retaining structure comprises one or more retaining elements (118-1, 118-2, 118-3) disposed in the connector to exert an attractive magnetic biasing force on the nozzle structure of the external aspiration system to releasably hold the nozzle structure in the engagement position with the interface surface of the connector.

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 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 cleaning structure (150) for use in an additive manufacturing system. The build material cleaning structure comprises: a tubular portion defining a channel to pneumatically transport a build material; a rotatable head portion located at least in part within the tubular portion and comprising a cleaning element (152) extending away from an open end of the tubular portion; and a rotor assembly located within the tubular portion and mechanically coupled to the rotatable head portion to generate a torque to drive the rotatable head portion in a rotary motion in response to an airflow in the channel; wherein the rotatable head portion is rotatable in a plane that is substantively orthogonal to the airflow in the channel.

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: Example implementations relate to a guard positionable in a 3D printing system to limit a passing of oversized particles of material to downstream of the guard. As an example, a guard comprises a portion aligned with an axis, the axis being parallel to a direction of travel of particles. The guard also comprises a guard member to direct particles away from the axis.

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: 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 container outlet structure (100) comprises: a connector (107) comprising an interface surface (116) and an adaptor to receive a nozzle structure (202) of an external aspiration system; and a retaining structure (128) to releasably hold the nozzle structure in an engagement position with the interface surface of the connector; wherein the retaining structure comprises one or more retaining elements (118-1, 118-2, 118-3) disposed in the connector to exert an attractive magnetic biasing force on the nozzle structure of the external aspiration system to releasably hold the nozzle structure in the engagement position with the interface surface of the connector.

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: Examples provide a build material management station (106). The station comprises: a processing unit which comprises a first conduit (150a, 150b, 152a, 152b) and at least one pump for pumping build material through the first conduit; and at least one external build material storage tank (110, 114a, 114b).