Abstract: In one example, an apparatus for supplying material to an additive manufacturing platform comprises a rotatable delivery module comprising a vane; and a plurality of distribution elements. In use, the rotatable delivery module is controllable to rotate the vane to a supply position to enable material to be supplied to an additive manufacturing platform from the vane. The vane and the plurality of distribution elements are arranged such that during the rotation: the vane provides a dose amount of material from a material supply module for supply to an additive manufacturing platform and at least one of the plurality of distribution elements distributes material within the material supply module so that the vane supplies a substantially uniform dose of material along the length of the vane to the additive manufacturing platform.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a storage unit, an auger screw, a housing enclosing the auger screw and at least one heater coupled to the housing. The auger screw receives a build material from the storage unit and delivers the build material to a build platform via movement of the auger screw. The build material is heated by the at least one heater as the build material is being moved by the auger screw.

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 material management apparatus for an additive manufacturing system comprises a build material supply system to supply build material to a building area for building an object by additive manufacturing. The build material supply system includes a first build material supply unit to supply build material from a first side of a building area and a second build material supply unit to supply build material from a second side of the building area, the second side opposing the first side. The material management apparatus also includes a controller to control the build material supply system to vary an amount of build material to be supplied via the first build material supply unit based on a detected difference between a first amount of material available for supply via the first build material supply unit and a second amount of material available for supply via the second build material supply unit.

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: According to one example there is provided an apparatus for supplying build material to a three-dimensional printing system. The apparatus comprises a rotatable vane.

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 storage unit, an auger screw, a housing enclosing the auger screw and at least one heater coupled to the housing. The auger screw receives a build material from the storage unit and delivers the build material to a build platform via movement of the auger screw. The build material is heated by the at least one heater as the build material is being moved by the auger screw.

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: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a storage unit, an auger screw, a housing enclosing the auger screw and at least one heater coupled to the housing. The augers screw receives a build material from the storage unit and delivers the build material to a build platform via movement of the auger screw. The build material is heated by the at least one heater as the build material is being moved by the auger screw.

Abstract: In one example, a rotatable delivery module is controlled to rotate in a first direction to a supply position to enable material to be supplied to an additive manufacturing platform. During such rotation to the supply position the rotatable delivery module contacts and collects respective portions of said material contained by the material supply module. An amount of material within the material supply module is determined based on a resistive force exerted on the rotatable delivery module as the rotatable delivery module collects said respective portions of material.

Abstract: Mechanisms to spread build material on a print bed are disclosed. In example apparatuses a conveyor, having an endless belt, is used. A build material reservoir deposits build material on the endless belt, in a build material receiving area of the conveyor. A build material preheater is used to preheat build material transported by the endless belt in a build material preheating area of the conveyor. The preheated build material is then deposited on the print bed.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus for supplying material to an additive manufacturing platform comprises a rotatable delivery module comprising a vane; and a plurality of distribution elements. In use, the rotatable delivery module is controllable to rotate the vane to a supply position to enable material to be supplied to an additive manufacturing platform from the vane. The vane and the plurality of distribution elements are arranged such that during the rotation: the vane provides a dose amount of material from a material supply module for supply to an additive manufacturing platform and at least one of the plurality of distribution elements distributes material within the material supply module so that the vane supplies a substantially uniform dose of material along the length of the vane to the additive manufacturing platform.

Abstract: A build platform (100, 200, 300) for a printing station is described comprising a trolley (105, 205, 305, 405) and a print bucket (110, 210, 310, 410). The print bucket may be mounted on the trolley and may comprise coupling elements (115A, 115B, 215A, 215B, 315A, 315B, 415A, 415B), respectively engageable to receiving elements (120A, 120B, 220A, 220B, 320A, 320B, 420A, 420B) of the printing station (150, 250, 350, 450). The coupling elements may cause the print bucket to at least partially disengage from the trolley when the coupling elements engage with the receiving elements of the printing station.

Abstract: A material management apparatus for an additive manufacturing system comprises a build material supply system to supply build material to a building area for building an object by additive manufacturing. The build material supply system includes a first build material supply unit to supply build material from a first side of a building area and a second build material supply unit to supply build material from a second side of the building area, the second side opposing the first side. The material management apparatus also includes a controller to control the build material supply system to vary an amount of build material to be supplied via the first build material supply unit based on a detected difference between a first amount of material available for supply via the first build material supply unit and a second amount of material available for supply via the second build material supply unit.

Abstract: A removable build module to connect to a host apparatus, may include a build platform to support an object-to-be-built, a drive unit to move the build platform, a memory to receive and store build parameters, and an interface circuit to communicate the build parameters to the host apparatus.

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.