Abstract: A print media support assembly includes a print platen structure having a number of through holes for applying a vacuum from a bottom side to a surface of the print platen structure, and a number of sinkholes in the surface of the print platen structure, each sinkhole associated with at least one through hole for distributing a vacuum, applied via the through holes, across the surface of the print platen structure; the print platen structure supporting a print medium in a print zone; and at least one vacuum belt running across the surface of the print platen structure in a direction of print media advance, the belt overlapping with only part of the surface of the print platen structure to form at least one belt area and at least one non-belt area on the print platen structure; wherein at least one of the density and the size of the through holes and the distribution, the area and the shape of a footprint of the sinkholes is different between the belt area and the non-belt area.

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: 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: 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: Examples described herein include devices and methods for adjusting a suction force for a media holddown, comprising detecting an advancement of a media (114) relative to a media holddown surface along a media advancement direction (X), wherein the holddown surface has a plurality of suction zones arranged along the media advancement direction, and adjusting a suction force in the respective suction zones in accordance with the advancement of the media relative to the media holddown surface.

Abstract: An example printing apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise a platen (10) on which print media may advance and which may comprise a hole (20) that is open towards a print media advance surface and in fluid communication with a vacuum source (40) and with a pressure sensor (50). In implementations of the apparatus a control unit (60) may detect the presence of print media at the hole (20) if the pressure sensor (50) measures an air pressure below a predetermined threshold.

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: In an example, a device connector may comprise a male connector plate, comprising a first connector to communicatively engage with a second, complementary connector disposed on a female connector plate, a guide post for insertion into a complementary guide slot on the female connector plate, and a dust cover actuation post to engage with a dust cover actuation tab on the female connector plate. A dust cover disposed on the female connector plate may uncover the second connector upon the engagement of the dust cover actuation post with the dust cover actuation tab, such that the first connector may communicatively engage with the second connector.

Abstract: Described is a print zone assembly comprising a print platen device including at least a section of a print platen, hiving a first dimension and a second dimension, the second dimension being perpendicular to the first dimension, wherein the print platen device has a higher rigidity in the direction of the second dimension and a lower rigidity in the direction of the first dimension; and a platen support structure supporting the print platen device at a number of references, establishing a multi-point contact, wherein the print platen device conforms to the references for providing a flat platen surface.

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: 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 storage module of a 3D printing system is disclosed, such module comprising a plurality of transducers located at different sensing positions within the storage module being the plurality of transducers connected to a processor; wherein a combined signal of the plurality of temperature transducers is determined and the processor is to correlate the combined signal to an amount of build material inside the storage module

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: 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: An example printing apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise a platen (10) on which print media may advance and which may comprise a hole (20) that is open towards a print media advance surface and in fluid communication with a vacuum source (40) and with a pressure sensor (50). In implementations of the apparatus a control unit (60) may detect the presence of print media at the hole (20) if the pressure sensor (50) measures an air pressure below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In an example, a device connector may comprise a male connector plate, comprising a first connector to communicatively engage with a second, complementary connector disposed on a female connector plate, a guide post for insertion into a complementary guide slot on the female connector plate, and a dust cover actuation post to engage with a dust cover actuation tab on the female connector plate. A dust cover disposed on the female connector plate may uncover the second connector upon the engagement of the dust cover actuation post with the dust cover actuation tab, such that the first connector may communicatively engage with the second connector.

Abstract: Examples described herein include devices and methods for adjusting a suction force for a media holddown, comprising detecting an advancement of a media (114) relative to a media holddown surface along a media advancement direction (X), wherein the holddown surface has a plurality of suction zones arranged along the media advancement direction, and adjusting a suction force in the respective suction zones in accordance with the advancement of the media relative to the media holddown surface.

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: 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: Described is a print zone assembly comprising a print platen device including at least a section of a print platen, hiving a first dimension and a second dimension, the second dimension being perpendicular to the first dimension, wherein the print platen device has a higher rigidity in the direction of the second dimension and a lower rigidity in the direction of the first dimension; and a platen support structure supporting the print platen device at a number of references, establishing a multi-point contact, wherein the print platen device conforms to the references for providing a flat platen surface.