Disclosed is a filter system for an additive manufacturing device for purifying a process gas of the additive manufacturing device wherein, in order to purify a volume of process gas during operation, the filter system has at least one permanent filter. The permanent filter is configured so as to be thermally stable in a manner such that during operation, the permanent filter is stable at a temperature of more than 110° C. Further disclosed is an additive manufacturing device as well as an additive manufacturing process.

Disclosed is a filter system for an additive manufacturing device for purifying a process gas of the additive manufacturing device wherein, in order to purify a volume of process gas during operation, the filter system has at least one permanent filter. The permanent filter is configured so as to be thermally stable in a manner such that during operation, the permanent filter is stable at a temperature of more than 110° C. Further disclosed is an additive manufacturing device as well as an additive manufacturing process.

Three-dimensional object bridge between virtual and physical worlds. A method, system, apparatus and/or computer-usable medium includes steps of selecting a three-dimensional item in a first state for subsequent rendering into a second state and rendering the three-dimensional item in the second state via the three-dimensional rendering apparatus. An additional step of locating a three-dimensional rendering apparatus for rendering the three-dimensional item in a second state can be included. The three-dimensional rendering apparatus can be configured as a kiosk (manned or unmanned), Internet-enabled vending machine, and the like. The first state can comprise a virtual state and the second state can comprise a physical state. Likewise, the first state can comprise a physical state and the second state can comprise a virtual state. Additionally, the three-dimensional item/object can be mapped in the first state for rendering in the second state.

An apparatus and a method for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing involve a multiple-chamber design achieving a high efficiency and throughput. The multiple-chamber design features concurrent printing of one or more print jobs inside one or more build chambers, side removals of printed objects from build chambers allowing quick exchanges of powdered materials, and capabilities of elevated process temperature controls of build chambers and post processing heat treatments of printed objects. The multiple-chamber design also includes a height-adjustable optical assembly in combination with a fixed build platform method suitable for large and heavy printed objects. A side removal mechanism of the build chambers of the apparatus improves handling and efficiency for printing large and heavy objects. Use of a wide range of sensors in the apparatus and by the method allows various feedback to improve quality, manufacturing throughput, and energy efficiency.

An apparatus and a method for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing involve a multiple-chamber design achieving a high efficiency and throughput. The multiple-chamber design features concurrent printing of one or more print jobs inside one or more build chambers, side removals of printed objects from build chambers allowing quick exchanges of powdered materials, and capabilities of elevated process temperature controls of build chambers and post processing heat treatments of printed objects. The multiple-chamber design also includes a height-adjustable optical assembly in combination with a fixed build platform method suitable for large and heavy printed objects. A side removal mechanism of the build chambers of the apparatus improves handling and efficiency for printing large and heavy objects. Use of a wide range of sensors in the apparatus and by the method allows various feedback to improve quality, manufacturing throughput, and energy efficiency.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, an additive manufacturing build unit is described. The additive manufacturing build unit includes a vibrating bed on which a volume of build material is to be disposed. The bed is to vibrate to remove excess build material. A non-vibrating frame of the build unit supports the vibrating bed. The build unit also includes a bed-frame interface to: couple the vibrating bed to the non-vibrating bed frame, and isolate vibrations to the vibrating bed. A flexible seal of the build unit is disposed between the vibrating bed and non-vibrating frame. The flexible seal prevents build material from contaminating an additive manufacturing system in which the additive manufacturing build unit is disposed and allows relative motion between the vibrating bed and the non-vibrating frame.

Provided are advanced automated fabrication methods and systems which utilize laser fabrication. Also provided are methods for an automated roboticized factory. The disclosed invention utilizes a number of modules to result in automatic fabrication, which provides advantages over manual fabrication of the prior art. Embodiments of the disclosed invention may include a material management module, a build module, an automation module, and a control module. Embodiments of the invention may employ artificial intelligence with machine learning such that the fabrication system becomes even more efficient and accurate over time.

An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. Improved structure formation, part creation and manipulation, use of multiple additive manufacturing systems, and high throughput manufacturing methods suitable for automated or semi-automated factories are also disclosed.

An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. Improved structure formation, part creation and manipulation, use of multiple additive manufacturing systems, and high throughput manufacturing methods suitable for automated or semi-automated factories are also disclosed.

A method for producing a three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying a build material applied layer by layer includes, in at least one process chamber, applying the build material layer by layer to a build platform, generating at least one beam for solidifying the build material using a radiation source, feeding the at least one beam to the build material in the build platform using at least one beam guiding element, and generating a primary gas flow along the build platform using a process assistance device. The process assistance device includes a centre module and at least one outer module aligned with the centre module, so that a section over which primary gas flows is formed between the centre module and the at least one outer module. The centre module and/or the at least one outer module are triggered so as to be movable along the build platform.