Abstract: A blast nozzle for a depowdering apparatus includes an abrasive material inlet fluidly connected to an abrasive material outlet and a fluid inlet fluidly connected to a fluid outlet, where the fluid outlet at least partially surrounds the abrasive material outlet. The fluid outlet is angled with respect to the abrasive material outlet and configured to emit a fluid stream directed to a focal point, the focal point being laterally spaced apart from the blast nozzle in a fluid flow direction.

Abstract: A depowdering apparatus for depowdering a cake comprising a build part includes a depowdering chamber, a blast nozzle, and a build elevator. The depowdering chamber includes a bottom surface and a build inlet extending through the bottom surface, where the build inlet includes an inlet axis that is substantially vertically oriented. The blast nozzle is positioned within the depowdering chamber and oriented to direct a fluid stream toward the inlet axis. The blast nozzle is laterally spaced from the inlet axis and operable to revolve about the inlet axis on a travel path encircling the inlet axis. The build elevator is arranged below the build inlet in a vertical direction and is operable to raise the cake comprising the build part through the build inlet and into the depowdering chamber along the inlet axis as the blast nozzle is revolved about the inlet axis on the travel path.

Abstract: A depowdering apparatus for depowdering a cake comprising a build part includes a depowdering chamber, a blast nozzle, and a build elevator. The depowdering chamber includes a bottom surface and a build inlet extending through the bottom surface, where the build inlet includes an inlet axis that is substantially vertically oriented. The blast nozzle is positioned within the depowdering chamber and oriented to direct a fluid stream toward the inlet axis. The blast nozzle is laterally spaced from the inlet axis and operable to revolve about the inlet axis on a travel path encircling the inlet axis. The build elevator is arranged below the build inlet in a vertical direction and is operable to raise the cake comprising the build part through the build inlet and into the depowdering chamber along the inlet axis as the blast nozzle is revolved about the inlet axis on the travel path.

Abstract: Provided is a seal (19) for sealing against powder between a cylinder (14) of a build tank (5) and a build table (9) arranged in the cylinder of an additive manufacturing apparatus (1) for forming a three-dimensional article layer by layer from a powder. The seal (19) has an endless ring portion (21) for extending along a circumference of an inner surface (20) of the cylinder (14) and abutting against the inner surface (20).

Abstract: A cost effective and reliable automatic balancer for high speed applications reduces the impact of unbalanced rotary tools and other devices. The automatic balancer provides a housing within which is defined a race. The race is accessible through a lid which removably covers one side of the race, allowing access to this cavity. A curved section of the race has a radius somewhat greater than that of a spherical compensating mass. The osculation region, where the compensating mass and curved section of the race meet, is carefully sized so that the surface area of contact is sufficient to prevent undue wear on the race, yet not so extensive at to result in excessive frictional contact between the compensating mass and the race. A lubricating fluid, filling at least a portion of the race, passes the compensating mass easily, due to the relative sizes of the compensating mass, the cross-sectional area of the race and the size of the osculation.