Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a build chamber, an overflow chamber adjacent to the build chamber, a motorized build plate, a powder coater including a vibration generator, a lateral movement mechanism coupled to the powder coater, and a controller. The controller is configured to perform a process to remove accumulated powder from surfaces of the powder coater according to the steps: (1) operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the powder coater over a location outside of the build chamber; (2) operate the vibration generator to shake the accumulated powder into the location outside of the build chamber. The location outside of the build chamber can be defined by the overflow chamber.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a build chamber, an overflow chamber adjacent to the build chamber, a motorized build plate, a powder coater including a vibration generator, a lateral movement mechanism coupled to the powder coater, and a controller. The controller is configured to perform a process to remove accumulated powder from surfaces of the powder coater according to the steps: (1) operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the powder coater over a location outside of the build chamber; (2) operate the vibration generator to shake the accumulated powder into the location outside of the build chamber. The location outside of the build chamber can be defined by the overflow chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for layered manufacture of a three-dimensional product includes a build chamber having a window, a build platform within the build chamber, a calibration device that is physically separated from the build chamber, an optical system including a beam source and a scanning apparatus, and a mobile base. The mobile base is configured to position the scanning apparatus at two spaced part positions including a (1) production position and a (2) calibration position. At the production position the scanning apparatus is configured to receive an energy beam from the beam source and to reflect and scan the energy beam through the window and to a build surface over the build platform to create a layer of the three-dimensional product. At the calibration position the scanning apparatus is configured to reflect the energy beam to the calibration device but not through the window.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a build chamber, an overflow chamber adjacent to the build chamber, a motorized build plate, a powder coater including a vibration generator, a lateral movement mechanism coupled to the powder coater, and a controller. The controller is configured to perform a process to remove accumulated powder from surfaces of the powder coater according to the steps: (1) operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the powder coater over a location outside of the build chamber; (2) operate the vibration generator to shake the accumulated powder into the location outside of the build chamber. The location outside of the build chamber can be defined by the overflow chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for layered manufacture of a three-dimensional product, in particular for application of an additive manufacturing technique such as selective laser melting. This apparatus has a build chamber in which said product is constructed and an optical system that extends outside of the build chamber. The optical system has at least a beam source to generate an energy beam and contains corresponding scanning means to move this beam. Here, a control unit is provided that controls the scanning means to move the beam so that it strikes a selected position. The wall of the build chamber features a closed window that is transparent for the beam so that it passes through the window and enters the build chamber.