Abstract: Provided are a system, method and computer program product for generating three dimensional models for use by an additive manufacturing or 3D printing system, in which object model data defining one or more objects to be built by a three-dimensional printing apparatus is input and used to generate a three dimensional model for a protective structure to surround the one or more objects. A user is provided with selectable configuration options for the protective structure. The method includes presenting, via a user interface, selectable configuration options for a protective structure to be built around the one or more objects by the three-dimensional printing apparatus. In response to user selection of one or more configuration options via the user interface, a three dimensional model for the protective structure is automatically generated.

Abstract: An example method to determine an excess of build material in 3D printing includes providing an amount of build material, spreading the amount of build material to form a layer of build material on a build platform and to leave any excess build material on an excess zone having visible marks thereon and analyzing the marks on the excess zone to determine an excess of build material at the excess zone.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which print instructions for a 3D print job are received which including a plurality of layers to be printed on a layer-by-layer basis to form a 3D object. The print instructions are executed using at least one nozzle whilst performing a nozzle test in a plurality of layers of the 3D print job. The nozzle test results for each layer of the plurality of layers is compared to stored nozzle data. A current nozzle health status is determined based upon the comparison. A corrective action is triggered if the health status is non-compliant with a pre-determined threshold. An apparatus and a machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions executable by a processor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of printing an envelope for encapsulating at least one 3D printed object, the envelope allowing for removal of the at least one 3D printed object from an additive manufacturing system, the method comprising: monitoring a printing queue for one or more print jobs; determining a size of at least one dimension of the envelope based on the size of the one or more queued print jobs; commencing printing of the one or more queued print jobs and the envelope; and varying the size of the at least one dimension in response to changes in one or more print jobs in the printing queue.

Abstract: An example method to determine an excess of build material in 3D printing includes providing an amount of build material, spreading the amount of build material to form a layer of build material on a build platform and to leave any excess build material on an excess zone having visible marks thereon and analyzing the marks on the excess zone to determine an excess of build material at the excess zone.

Abstract: A method comprises determining an amount of print materials consumed in at least part of a build job comprising a plurality of objects, and distributing the amount of print materials consumed on an object by object basis to the plurality of objects forming the build job.

Abstract: According to one example there is provided a build material supply system for a 3D printing system. The system comprises a feed tray for containing build material, a plate for removing build material from the feed tray and forming a pile of build material adjacent a spreader of the 3D printing system, and a sensor module to detect build material on the plate.

Abstract: A method of controlling a heating sub-system in an additive manufacturing system. The method comprising receiving thermal imaging information from a temperature sensing subsystem, receiving additive manufacturing media concentration information from an additive manufacturing media concentration information database, on the basis of the received thermal imaging information and additive manufacturing media concentration information, for each pixel area in the plurality of pixel areas, determining the temperature for each additive manufacturing media agent in the plurality of additive manufacturing media agents which is present in the respective pixel area, and on the basis of the determined temperatures for each pixel area and additive manufacturing media agent, controlling the power to a heating subsystem employed in the given additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A controller for an additive manufacturing system comprises a processor to: receive data associated with a 3D printing job to generate at least one 3D object using one or more materials; determine, based on the received data, at least one operational parameter to be used by the additive manufacturing system in completing the 3D printing job; calculate, based on the received data, a value of at least one geometric parameter associated with the 3D printing job; and for at least one of the one or more materials, determine, based on the determined at least one operational parameter and the calculated value of the at least one geometric parameter, an amount of the at least one material to be used by the additive manufacturing system to complete the 3D printing job.

Abstract: A control system for controlling actuators comprises a central processor, a plurality of actuators, and a plurality of servo systems for controlling the respective actuators. Each servo system is operable, independently of the central processor, to control a controlled parameter (Y) in accordance with a reference value (R). The servo systems and the central processor communicate via a non-deterministic communications system. The central processor and the servo systems provide, to the central processor via the non-deterministic communications system, offset signals representing offsets (R?Y) measured by the servo systems between reference R and actual Y values of the controlled parameter. The central processor compares the offsets (R?Y) measured by the respective servo systems one with another.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer uses a target located on one side of media to position an image on the other side of the media. The printer backlights the media and uses a sensor that locates the target through the backlit media.

Abstract: A method of controlling a heating sub-system in an additive manufacturing system. The method comprising receiving thermal imaging information from a temperature sensing subsystem, receiving additive manufacturing media concentration information from an additive manufacturing media concentration information database, on the basis of the received thermal imaging information and additive manufacturing media concentration information, for each pixel area in the plurality of pixel areas, determining the temperature for each additive manufacturing media agent in the plurality of additive manufacturing media agents which is present in the respective pixel area, and on the basis of the determined temperatures for each pixel area and additive manufacturing media agent, controlling the power to a heating subsystem employed in the given additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A heater may be to heat build material during a three-dimensional print job. A sensor may be to measure a temperature distribution of the build material. A processor may be to obtain first temperature data representing a first temperature distribution of build material associated with normal functioning of the heater. The processor may be to obtain second temperature data representing a second temperature distribution of the build material to be measured by the temperature sensor during the three-dimensional print job. The processor may be to compare the first temperature distribution to the second temperature distribution. The processor may be to determine whether the heater is malfunctioning based on the comparison.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer uses a target located on one side of media to position an image on the other side of the media. The printer backlights the media and uses a sensor that locates the target through the backlit media.

Abstract: The heating of a surface is controlled by: monitoring the temperature of a plurality of zones of the surface to output at least one temperature reading of each of the plurality of zones. The temperature readings are modulated in response to a pattern arranged across a portion of the plurality of zones. The energy delivered to each of the plurality of zones is controlled based on the modulated temperature readings to maintain a substantially homogeneous temperature distribution across the surface.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer uses a target located on one side of media to position an image on the other side of the media. The printer backlights the media and uses a sensor that locates the target through the backlit media.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer uses a target located on one side of media to position an image on the other side of the media. The printer backlights the media and uses a sensor that locates the target through the backlit media.

Abstract: A control system for controlling actuators comprises a central processor, a plurality of actuators, and a plurality of servo systems for controlling the respective actuators. Each servo system is operable, independently of the central processor, to control a controlled parameter (Y) in accordance with a reference value (R). The servo systems and the central processor communicate via a non-deterministic communications system. The central processor and the servo systems provide, to the central processor via the non-deterministic communications system, offset signals representing offsets (R?Y) measured by the servo systems between reference R and actual Y values of the controlled parameter. The central processor compares the offsets (R?Y) measured by the respective servo systems one with another.

Abstract: According to one example, there is provided a system for compensating for changes in printhead-to-printhead spacing in a printing system having multiple printheads mountable on a printhead support. The system includes a measurement system to determine a change in printhead-to-printhead spacing between different ones of mounted printheads, and a processor to determine compensation to be applied to the printing system to compensate for the determined change in printhead-to-printhead spacing.

Abstract: Print masks for multiple pass print modes are described herein. In at least some examples herein, the print mask includes mask matrices. The mask matrices define a single nozzle actuation pattern. The nozzle actuation pattern is irregular. In at least some examples herein, techniques for printing of an image on a substrate are described. During printing the image on the substrate a print mask is applied such that, for each pass, the inkjet nozzles in the print head are actuated according to the single nozzle actuation pattern.