Abstract: A method for producing objects by additive manufacturing including the steps of providing an apparatus for producing objects by additive manufacturing, assigning a production job to the apparatus, acquiring, during use of the apparatus to produce one of the objects, information pertaining to an operating condition of the apparatus determinative of an output performance of the apparatus, and controlling, based on the acquired information, at least one of current production of the object and allocation for future production of a further object. In embodiments, the acquired information pertains to at least one of a calibration status of the apparatus, a time to service of the apparatus, a time remaining to complete the current production of the object, and a quality measure.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method including the steps of receiving a bath of powdered material having a surface level defining an object working area, solidifying a selective layer-part of the bath of powdered material on the surface level, extracting powdered material originating from the bath of powdered material, and controlling at least one of an extraction rate of an extraction device for extracting powdered material originating from the bath of powdered material, and a separation rate of a separation device configured to filter and/or sieve powdered material originating from the bath of powdered material.

Abstract: System comprising an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, the apparatus comprising: a process chamber for receiving a bath of powdered material; a support for positioning the object in relation to a surface level of the bath of powdered material; a solidifying device arranged for solidifying a selective part of said powdered material; the system further comprising: a status acquisition device arranged for acquiring information related to a status of said apparatus, said information comprising at least one of a calibration status of said apparatus and an expected time to service of said apparatus; and a control unit that is arranged for receiving said acquired information related to said status of said apparatus and further is arranged for at least one of: scheduling a calibration stop and/or a calibration downtime taking into account said determined calibration status and scheduling a service stop and/or a service downtime taking into account said determined expected time

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising a process chamber for receiving a bath of material which can be solidified by exposure to electromagnetic radiation; a support for positioning the object in relation to the surface level of the bath of material; and a solidifying device for solidifying a selective layer-part of the material on the surface level by means of electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore optical control device is provided with a focus unit in an optical pathway of the electromagnetic radiation of the solidifying device, and arranged for controlling at least the focus of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the solidifying device on the surface level. According to the invention, the optical control device comprises a sensor element arranged for detecting a measure for the accuracy of the focus of the electromagnetic radiation and a focus correction lens element that is arranged to be movable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an object from a material by means of additive manufacturing using a plurality of solidifying devices for solidifying said material in stacked layers by means of electromagnetic radiation. Said method comprises the step of defining, by a data processing unit, at least two solidifying device allocations. In each of said solidifying device allocations said plurality of solidifying devices are allocated to respective parts of said layer such that said parts cover said layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing. The apparatus comprises a process chamber, as well as a support for positioning the object in relation to a surface level of a bath of material to be solidified. A solidifying device is arranged for emitting a beam of radiation on the surface level for solidifying a selective part of said material. The solidifying device comprises a focus member for adjusting a focus setting. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of controlling the solidifying device for making test patterns at different focus settings. A calibration system with a sensor unit is used for determining characteristics of test patterns, and a calibrated focus setting is determined based on the characteristics.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing including a process chamber for receiving a bath of material which can be solidified by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, a support for positioning the object in relation to the surface level of the bath of material, and a solidifying device for solidifying a selective layer-part of the material on the surface level by means of electromagnetic radiation. A method including providing, on or near the support, a calibration marker that faces the solidifying device, and providing a calibration system with an imaging unit that can be directed to the support.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising: a process chamber for receiving on a build surface of a build plate a bath of powdered material which can be solidified; a support for supporting on a supporting surface thereof said build plate in relation to a surface level of said bath of powdered material, wherein said build plate is removably connectable to said supporting surface; a solidifying device for solidifying a selective part of said material by emitting electromagnetic radiation; and a build plate takeover device comprising an actuating element for placing said build plate onto said supporting surface of said support for producing said object and removing said build plate from said supporting surface of said support. Method for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A system for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing including an apparatus, having a storage container for storing powdered material that can be solidified, and a process chamber fluidly connected to the storage container and arranged for receiving at least a part of the powdered material for forming a bath of material within the process chamber. Furthermore, a structure is provided for positioning the object in relation to the surface level of the bath of material. The apparatus also includes a solidifying device for solidifying a layer of the bath of material. A supply device is provided, having a supply container for storing a supply of powdered material that can be solidified, wherein the supply device is fluidly connected, or at least connectable, to the storage container, and wherein the apparatus is arranged for transferring powdered material between the supply container and the storage container.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising a frame unit and a process unit connected to said frame unit. The process unit comprises a process chamber for receiving a bath of powdered material which can be solidified, and a support for positioning the object in relation to a surface level of the bath of material. The apparatus further comprises a solidifying device connected to the frame unit for solidifying a selective part of the powdered material. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a plurality of build plate elements connected to the support.

Abstract: A system and method for layer-by-layer production of an object is provided. The system includes a construction shape having a carrying surface adapted for carrying a layer of build material, a plate having a holding surface adapted for holding an object in an object build area, a moveable reservoir having a plurality of containment surfaces defining a containment area adapted for containing a volume of build material within the moveable reservoir, and an exposure unit adapted for exposing at least a portion of the layer of build material in the object build area so that the portion of the layer of build material solidifies to form a solidified layer of the object.