Abstract: An apparatus for formation of three-dimensional objects and having an infrared radiation deflector. The radiation deflector includes opposing first and second elongate side walls; at least one end support connecting the side walls; an upper opening and a lower opening arranged to pass lamp radiation to an exterior of the radiation deflector; and a mounting point provided at the/each end support for mounting an infrared lamp. The side walls include first and second elongate mirrors extending parallel to a lamp axis and along a lower internal portion of the respective side walls. The lamp axis extends along and between the first and second mirrors, each of which has a concave surface with respect to the lamp axis. The first mirror is an upward deflecting mirror and is arranged for redirecting at least a portion of direct lamp radiation through the upper opening.

Abstract: An infrared radiation deflector (100) for an elongate infrared lamp (110), the radiation deflector (100) comprising opposing first and second elongate side walls (130_1, 130_2); at least one end support (170) connecting the ends of the side walls (130_1, 130_2); an upper opening (140) and a lower opening (150) arranged to pass lamp radiation to an exterior of the radiation deflector (100); and a mounting point (172) provided at the/each end support (170) for mounting the infrared lamp (110) and defining between them a lamp axis location (114); wherein the first and second elongate side walls (130_1, 130_2) comprise a first elongate mirror (130_1) and a second elongate mirror (130_2) extending parallel to the lamp axis location (114) and along at least a lower internal portion of the respective first and second side walls (130_1, 130_2); wherein the lamp axis location (114) extends along and between the first mirror (130_1) and the second mirror (130_2), the first and second mirror (130_1, 130_2) each having a

Abstract: An apparatus for the layer-by-layer formation of three-dimensional objects, the apparatus comprising a gas extraction system and an enclosed working space from which gas is to be extracted, wherein the working space is enclosed by side walls, a ceiling and a working surface, and comprises a working space inlet for allowing gas to enter into the working space, a working space outlet for allowing gas to exit the working space, and a build bed surface in which a layer of the object is formed; wherein the gas extraction system comprises: a primary conduit comprising at least a first primary inlet, at least a first interfacing inlet, and a primary outlet; and at least a first secondary conduit comprising a respective first secondary inlet and a respective first secondary outlet, the first secondary inlet being in fluidic communication with the working space for extracting gas from the working space, and the first secondary outlet being in fluidic communication with the first interfacing inlet; wherein the or each

Abstract: A structure for delivering a flow of gas across a window or aperture of an imaging or measurement device within an apparatus for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects by layer-by-layer consolidation of particulate matter, the structure comprising: a hollow body having an upper aperture for mounting in correspondence with the window/aperture of said device, a gas flow intake region below the upper aperture, and a lower aperture; wherein the gas flow intake region is provided on opposing sides of the hollow body when viewed in cross-section along a longitudinal axis that runs from the upper aperture to the lower aperture, and comprises one or more channels configured to allow, in use, a flow of intake gas to enter the hollow body from the opposing sides of the hollow body with a flow component that predominantly lies in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper aperture, and to come into confluence within the hollow body; and wherein the hollow body is symmetrically shaped about the longitudinal axis so

Abstract: An infrared radiation deflector (100) for an elongate infrared lamp (110), the radiation deflector (100) comprising opposing first and second elongate side walls (130_1, 130_2); at least one end support (170) connecting the ends of the side walls (130_1, 130_2); an upper opening (140) and a lower opening (150) arranged to pass lamp radiation to an exterior of the radiation deflector (100); and a mounting point (172) provided at the/each end support (170) for mounting the infrared lamp (110) and defining between them a lamp axis location (114); wherein the first and second elongate side walls (130_1, 130_2) comprise a first elongate mirror (130_1) and a second elongate mirror (130_2) extending parallel to the lamp axis location (114) and along at least a lower internal portion of the respective first and second side walls (130_1, 130_2); wherein the lamp axis location (114) extends along and between the first mirror (130_1) and the second mirror (130_2), the first and second mirror (130_1, 130_2) each having a

Abstract: An infrared lamp assembly for an apparatus for the formation of three-dimensional objects by consolidation of particulate material, the assembly comprising: an elongate infrared lamp extending along a lamp axis, an elongate shield extending parallel to and along one side of the axis of the lamp, and a support structure holding at least one of the ends of the lamp and of the shield, wherein the elongate shield at least partially bounds the space to one side of the lamp, and wherein the assembly provides a lower opening below the lamp and an upper opening above the lamp, such that, in use, radiation generated by the lamp is able to radiate through the openings and away from the lamp in directions not bounded by the shield.