3D printing methods for workpiece supports, support structures, and workpieces having supports are disclosed. In an embodiment, a printing method of a workpiece support includes the following steps. (1) Configuring a first printing scheme by a printing software installed in a printing apparatus and configuring a workpiece support model according to the first printing scheme. (2) Printing a workpiece support skeleton according to the first printing scheme and the workpiece support model by the printing apparatus and obtaining the workpiece support by filling the workpiece support skeleton. Optionally, step (2) includes controlling a second nozzle to eject a ceramic wire according to the first printing scheme and the support model and controlling a first nozzle to eject a linear material according to the support model to fill the workpiece support skeleton.

The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7). The build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) and the carrier (7) are adapted to be connected to one another in a stationary manner during the vertical movement of the irradiation unit (17) so that the vertical movement takes place relative to the carrier (7) and relative to the build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b).

Mold lock is remediated by performing a layer-by-layer, two-dimensional analysis to identify unconstrained removal paths for any support structure or material within each two-dimensional layer, and then ensuring that aligned draw paths are present for all adjacent layers, all as more specifically described herein. Where locking conditions are identified, a sequence of modification rules are then applied, such as by breaking support structures into multiple, independently removable pieces. By addressing mold lock as a series of interrelated two-dimensional geometric problems, and reserving three-dimensional remediation strategies for more challenging, complex mold lock conditions, substantial advantages can accrue in terms of computational speed and efficiency.

Embodiments relate to apparatus for manufacturing a carbon block filter and a method for manufacturing a carbon block filter. The apparatus for manufacturing a carbon block filter according to an embodiment may include a mold having an inner space, a heater coupled to the mold to heat the mold, a material injection unit injecting a material to the mold heated by the heater, a material pressing unit pressing the material, and a filter separation unit separating a thermally treated filter from the mold heated by the heater.

An improved tool for use with a potter's wheel is provided, and the tool configured to attach to the spinning potter's wheel and hold a workpiece in the center thereof. The tool comprises an upper plate and a lower plate that are rotatable with respect to each other. A holding arm can extend through an arm slot in the upper plate to engage a spiral ridge of the lower plate. Relative rotation between the upper plate and the lower plate causes the holding arm to move inward or outward in a radial direction to engage a workpiece. The lower plate comprises fish-shaped apertures to engage fasteners on the potter's wheel in a manner to reduce chatter and improve the longevity of the tool.

A retaining wall block having a false joint and a system of retaining wall blocks. The retaining wall block includes a body having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can have a depth divided by the width greater than two inches. The false joint can have an interior angle of less than ten degrees. The system includes a plurality of retaining wall blocks and a first course of retaining wall blocks engaged with a second course of retaining wall blocks below. Each block in the system comprising a front face having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can extend a predetermined depth of a third surface.

Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (13) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, comprising at least one module (2) moveable between at least two positions along a travel path, wherein a stream generating unit (6) is configured to create a stream of process gas (7) onto the module (2) at least partly along the travel path (5) of the module (2) between the first and the second position (3, 4).

A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a shaping table; a layer forming unit configured to form a powder layer on the shaping table; a head configured to eject a liquid containing a binder from a nozzle to a shaping region; and a control unit configured to control movement of the head with respect to the shaping table and driving of the head by applying a voltage. The control unit executes a first flushing operation when an area of the shaping region is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and executes a second flushing operation when the area of the shaping region is less than the threshold value.

Provided is a three-dimensional laminating and shaping apparatus 100 including a column unit 200 that is configured to output an electron beam EB and deflect the electron beam EB toward the front surface of a powder layer 32, an insulating portion that electrically insulates a three-dimensional structure 36 from a ground potential member, an ammeter 73 that is configured to measure the current value indicative of the current flowing into the ground after passing through the three-dimensional structure 36, a melting judging unit 410 that is configured to detect that the powder layer 32 is melted based on the current value measured by the ammeter 73 and generate a melting signal, and a deflection controller 420 that is configured to receive the melting signal to determine the condition for the irradiation with the electron beam.

Device for production of three-dimensional components, namely a laser melting device or laser sintering device, in which a component is produced by successive solidifying of individual layers made from solidifiable construction material, by radiation, through melting of the construction material, wherein the dimensions and/or temperature of the melt area generated by a point-shaped or line-shaped energy input can be captured by a sensor device of a process monitoring system, and sensor values for evaluation of a component quality can by deduced therefrom, wherein the radiation created by the melt area and used for the generation of the sensor values passes through the scanner used for the melt energy input, and guided to the sensor device of the process monitoring system, wherein an optical focus tracking device is arranged in the radiation path used for generation of the sensor values between the scanner and the sensor device.