Abstract: A method of calibrating movement of a platform is described, the method comprising: in a calibration run, causing movement of the platform; detecting a plurality of positions of the platform during the movement; deriving a movement pattern from the plurality of positions; and determining an adjustment of the movement of the platform based on the movement pattern.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a build platform and a cap. The build platform has an opening on a top surface to fill a build material storage unit. The cap is inserted into the opening to seal the opening. A top surface of the cap and the top surface of the build platform have a uniform thermal conductivity when the cap is inserted into the opening.

Abstract: A 3D printing apparatus is disclosed herein. The 3D printing apparatus comprises a non-powered compartment defining a chamber to contain build material, and a passive latching element connected to a lateral wall of the compartment to be engaged with a complementary latching element of a platform. A drive mechanism of a 3D printing device is engageable with the platform to apply an upward vertical force to the platform to move the platform upwardly. The complementary latching elements are to: passively latch the platform and the compartment together at a latched position such that upward movement of the platform causes upward movement of the compartment until the compartment is restrained at a sealing position; and to passively unlatch the platform from the compartment, upon further upward movement of the platform.

Abstract: A 3D printing apparatus is disclosed herein. The 3D printing apparatus comprises a build compartment defining a build chamber within which a 3D object is to be generated; and a non-powered platform, moveable within the build chamber, comprising a platform drive interface to engage with an external drive mechanism to cause the platform to move. The 3D printing apparatus further comprises a powder compartment located laterally adjacent to the build compartment, within which build material is to be stored for use in the generation of the 3D object. The 3D printing apparatus also comprises a locking interface to couple the 3D printing apparatus with an external hosting device.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a build platform and a cap. The build platform has an opening on a top surface to fill a build material storage unit. The cap is inserted into the opening to seal the opening. A top surface of the cap and the top surface of the build platform have a uniform thermal conductivity when the cap is inserted into the opening.

Abstract: There is disclosed a build material supply unit, comprising: a supply chamber body enclosing a supply volume to contain a build material for additive manufacture; an electromagnetic distance sensor to determine a length parameter relating to a length of a beam pathway extending from an emitter of the sensor to a surface level of build material in the supply volume; and a reflector to reflect the beam pathway between the emitter and the surface level of build material; wherein the reflector is spaced apart from the emitter.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a build platform and a cap. The build platform has an opening on a top surface to fill a build material storage unit. The cap is inserted into the opening to seal the opening. A top surface of the cap and the top surface of the build platform have a uniform thermal conductivity when the cap is inserted into the opening.

Abstract: According to one example there is provided a method of delivering build material from a build material store to a supply module. The method comprises moving, using a rotatable vane, a portion of build material from the supply module to the top of the supply module, and spreading the moved portion of build material across the support platform.

Abstract: Example implementations provide an additive manufacturing system for manufacturing a 3D object from a build material; the system comprising a build chamber having a build platform for supporting a build material bed; the build chamber having a number of walls, at least one wall of the plurality of walls bearing, or being associated with, two or more thermal elements, responsive to respective control signals, to influence the temperature of the build chamber; the two or more thermal elements being disposed in a direction of an axis of movement of the build platform.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a build platform and a cap. The build platform has an opening on a top surface to fill a build material storage unit. The cap is inserted into the opening to seal the opening. A top surface of the cap and the top surface of the build platform have a uniform thermal conductivity when the cap is inserted into the opening.

Abstract: According to one example there is provided a method of delivering build material from a build material store to a supply module. The method comprises moving, using a rotatable vane, a portion of build material from the supply module to the top of the supply module, and spreading the moved portion of build material across the support platform.

Abstract: A method of delivering build material from a build material store (404) to a supply module (102). The method comprises moving, using a rotatable vane (116), a portion of build material from the supply module (102) to the top of the supply module (102), and spreading the moved portion of build material across the support platform (104).

Abstract: Methods and devices for setting a printing distance in a 3D printing system are disclosed. In one example the method comprises forming a layer of build material below a printing plane and relatively displacing the formed layer of build material with respect to the printing plane until the distance between the formed layer of build material and the printing plane is a desired printing distance.

Abstract: According to one example, there is provided an accessory for a three-dimensional (3D) printer. The accessory comprises an upper structure to connect to a 3D printer build unit, the build unit defining a build chamber and having a movable support platform, the upper structure defining a build chamber smaller than the build chamber of the build unit, the upper structure being connectable to the build unit such that the accessory build chamber becomes the usable build chamber of the build unit, and an accessory support platform movable within the accessory build chamber, the accessory support platform having a base portion extending below the accessory build chamber to connect to the build unit support platform, such that movement of the build unit support platform causes corresponding movement of the accessory support platform.

Abstract: A method of calibrating movement of a platform is described, the method comprising: in a calibration run, causing movement of the platform; detecting a plurality of positions of the platform during the movement; deriving a movement pattern from the plurality of positions; and determining an adjustment of the movement of the platform based on the movement pattern.

Abstract: There is disclosed a build material supply unit, comprising: a supply chamber body enclosing a supply volume to contain a build material for additive manufacture; an electromagnetic distance sensor to determine a length parameter relating to a length of a beam pathway extending from an emitter of the sensor to a surface level of build material in the supply volume; and a reflector to reflect the beam pathway between the emitter and the surface level of build material; wherein the reflector is spaced apart from the emitter.

Abstract: A method of delivering build material from a build material store (404) to a supply module (102). The method comprises moving, using a rotatable vane (116), a portion of build material from the supply module (102) to the top of the supply module (102), and spreading the moved portion of build material across the support platform (104).