Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes an interface. The interface is to detect a connection to a 3D printer and a connection to a powder supply/post-processing component. The interface may be in communication with a processor. The processor may also be in communication with a timer. The timer is to begin tracking a cooling time when the interface is disconnected from the 3D printer and the processor is to transmit the cooling time to the powder supply/post-processing component when the interface detects the connection to the powder supply/post-processing component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a print operation on a 3D printer (110) are described herein. A 3D printing apparatus comprising a 3D printer (110) is arranged to perform a print operation using build material from a build unit (120) unless a value that identifies a first build material stored in the build unit in a first register, which is set according to an initial build powder fill operation of the build unit (120) by a powder management station, is different from a value in a second register, which is set according to the initial build powder fill operation, or modified in response to, or following, a subsequent opening of the build unit (120).

Abstract: In some examples, a controller is to receive a measurement of an electrical property of an oscillation control system from a sensor, determine, based on the measurement of the electrical property, a frequency of oscillation of a structure vibrated by the oscillation control system in the system, the vibration of the structure to cause passage of a portion of a material through the structure, and estimate a level of a remaining portion of the material at the structure based on the determined frequency of oscillation of the structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a powder build material handling system for a three-dimensional printer. The system comprises a delivery system. The delivery system is to carry powder build material in a flow of gas from a powder build material supply. The delivery system is to filter the flow of gas to separate the powder build material from the flow of gas. The delivery system is to direct the filtered flow of gas to the powder build material supply to form a closed system.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes an interface. The interface is to detect a connection to a 3D printer and a connection to a powder supply/post-processing component. The interface may be in communication with a processor. The processor may also be in communication with a timer. The timer is to begin tracking a cooling time when the interface is disconnected from the 3D printer and the processor is to transmit the cooling time to the powder supply/post-processing component when the interface detects the connection to the powder supply/post-processing component.

Abstract: Examples of temperature measurement calibration in an additive manufacturing system are described. In one case, a method of calibrating a non-contact temperature measurement device involves applying energy from a radiation source of the additive manufacturing system to heat a reference element. The reference element is thermally coupled to a temperature sensor. A temperature reading from the temperature sensor is compared with data from the non-contact temperature measurement device to calibrate the device.

Abstract: It is disclosed a system and a carriage for a 3D printing system comprising: an actuator to move the carriage; a position detection mechanism; a collision detection mechanism; and a controller.

Abstract: An example control module for a three-dimensional (3D) printing system is described having multiple input interfaces, multiple output interfaces and a power supply interface. The power supply interface provides power to at least one of the control module and any devices connected to the control module via the output interfaces. The control module is configured to receive instructions from a central control unit via at least one of the input interfaces and command a range of electromechanical devices via at least one of the output interfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a print operation on a 3D printer (110) are described herein. A 3D printing apparatus comprising a 3D printer (110) is arranged to perform a print operation using build material from a build unit (120) unless a value that identifies a first build material stored in the build unit in a first register, which is set according to an initial build powder fill operation of the build unit (120) by a powder management station, is different from a value in a second register, which is set according to the initial build powder fill operation, or modified in response to, or following, a subsequent opening of the build unit (120).

Abstract: Disclosed is a powder build material handling system for a three-dimensional printer. The system comprises a delivery system. The delivery system is to carry powder build material in a flow of gas from a powder build material supply. The delivery system is to filter the flow of gas to separate the powder build material from the flow of gas. The delivery system is to direct the filtered flow of gas to the powder build material supply to form a closed system.

Abstract: A method, control circuit and printing system to control data communications with a plurality of integrated circuits. The method comprises receiving a control signal indicating that a first integrated circuit in the plurality of integrated circuits has been connected to an interface; pausing data communication between a processor and a second integrated circuit in the plurality of circuits over a data bus; and sending an enable signal to transition a switch from an open state to a closed state to connect a power supply to the interface while data communication with the plurality of integrated circuits over the data bus is paused.

Abstract: Examples of temperature measurement calibration in an additive manufacturing system are described. In one case, a method of calibrating a non-contact temperature measurement device involves applying energy from a radiation source of the additive manufacturing system to heat a reference element. The reference element is thermally coupled to a temperature sensor. A temperature reading from the temperature sensor is compared with data from the non-contact temperature measurement device to calibrate the device.

Abstract: A build material container (100) may comprise a container body (102) enclosing a volume to contain a build material (104) for three-dimensional printing. In an example, the container body comprises a sidewall. A compressible wall element (108) may be disposed in the sidewall, wherein compression of the compressible portion wall element reduces the volume of the container. An opening (112) to introduce the build material into the container body may be disposed in an upper region of the sidewall.

Abstract: A power control unit 16 controls the power consumed by a system 10 having a plurality of electrical power consumption states including an active state and at least one power saving state. The system comprises a plurality of subsystems 12 each having a plurality of subsystem power states including an active state and at least one power saving state. The electrical power consumption states of the system correspond to respective different configurations of subsystem power states of the subsystems and the power control unit is arranged for signal interface with the subsystems and a power supply unit 14 of the system for controlling the subsystem power states of each of the subsystems and the power supplied to each of the subsystems by the power supply unit dependent on the required power consumption state of the system.

Abstract: A position encoder signal control system is disclosed. A position encoder input line receives a position encoder signal and a diagnostic input line receives a position encoder diagnostic signal. An output line is couplable to a position encoder output channel and a controller selectively connects one of the position encoder input line and the diagnostic input line to the output line.

Abstract: A system comprises a first component operable in a plurality of modes coupled to a second component via an isolation circuit. The isolation circuit comprises a first diode coupled between a power supply of the first component and an output of the isolation circuit. The output of the isolation circuit is coupled to the second component. The isolation circuit also comprises a first transistor the base of which is coupled to an output of the first component and one of the collector and emitter of which is coupled to the output of the isolation circuit. In a low power mode of the first component, parasitic supply from the output of the isolation circuit is blocked from the power supply of the first component and from the output of the first component by the first transistor and the first diode.

Abstract: A power control unit 16 controls the power consumed by a system 10 having a plurality of electrical power consumption states including an active state and at least one power saving state. The system comprises a plurality of subsystems 12 each having a plurality of subsystem power states including an active state and at least one power saving state. The electrical power consumption states of the system correspond to respective different configurations of subsystem power states of the subsystems and the power control unit is arranged for signal interface with the subsystems and a power supply unit 14 of the system for controlling the subsystem power states of each of the subsystems and the power supplied to each of the subsystems by the power supply unit dependent on the required power consumption state of the system.

Abstract: A system comprises a first component operable in a plurality of modes coupled to a second component via an isolation circuit. The isolation circuit comprises a first diode coupled between a power supply of the first component and an output of the isolation circuit. The output of the isolation circuit is coupled to the second component. The isolation circuit also comprises a first transistor the base of which is coupled to an output of the first component and one of the collector and emitter of which is coupled to the output of the isolation circuit. In a low power mode of the first component, parasitic supply from the output of the isolation circuit is blocked from the power supply of the first component and from the output of the first component by the first transistor and the first diode.

Abstract: A position encoder signal control system is disclosed. A position encoder input line receives a position encoder signal and a diagnostic input line receives a position encoder diagnostic signal. An output line is couplable to a position encoder output channel and a controller selectively connects one of the position encoder input line and the diagnostic input line to the output line.