Cover assemblies for machines are disclosed, as well as machines and methods for producing three-dimensional components by selectively solidifying a material by a beam acting on the material, including a build cylinder cover that sealingly closes an opening of the build cylinder for changing of the build cylinder, and including a process chamber cover associated with the build cylinder cover, which are detachably connected to one another via an interface, wherein the build cylinder cover and the process chamber cover are formed as a single handling unit for changing the build cylinder.

Methods for removing an object from powder after forming the object in an additive manufacturing apparatus are provided. The method may include: positioning a cover over a build platform with the object being positioned within a powder; removing the build platform from the additive manufacturing apparatus with the cover positioned over the build platform; and thereafter, removing the powder from the build platform to expose the object.

A modular system for performing additive manufacturing of an object includes at least two additive manufacturing devices, each having a housing with two slots on lateral sides to accommodate a manufacturing tray; a printer head and axis system; and a movement mechanism. A control module is operatively coupled to each of the at least two additive manufacturing devices. The control module is configured to control the at least two additive manufacturing devices to arrange the manufacturing tray in a first of the at least two additive manufacturing devices; print a part of the object on the manufacturing tray arranged in the first additive manufacturing device; move the manufacturing tray having the partially manufactured object to a second of the at least two additive manufacturing devices; and print a remaining part of the object on the manufacturing tray to complete the additive manufacturing of the object.

A laser-solid-forming manufacturing device includes a laser emitter, a magnetic field generator, and a forming platform. The laser emitter emits a laser beam which acts on a feedstock to form a molten pool. The magnetic field generator includes a spiral copper coil, a first electrode and a second electrode. The spiral copper coil is formed by spirally winding a copper tube. The first and second electrodes are arranged at respective ends of the copper tube and are used for loading a voltage to generate a magnetic field in the spiral copper coil. At any time, the spiral copper coil sleeves an action point of the laser beam and the feedstock. A corresponding laser-solid-forming manufacturing method is also presented.

A compactor is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may include a housing connectable to the additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may also include a compacting wheel, and at least one spring disposed in the housing and configured to exert an axial force on the compacting wheel. The compactor may further include a piston moveable to adjust a distance between the housing and the compacting wheel.

A compactor is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may include a housing connectable to the additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may also include a compacting wheel, and at least one spring disposed in the housing and configured to exert an axial force on the compacting wheel. The compactor may further include a piston moveable to adjust a distance between the housing and the compacting wheel.

A Z-Stage assembly for an additive manufacturing machine includes a Z-frame adapted to support a build table within an additive manufacturing machine, a first support element adapted to support the Z-frame, the first support element adapted to control the position of the Z-frame along an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis, a second support element adapted to support the Z-frame, the second support element adapted to control the position of the Z-frame along only the z-axis, and a third support element adapted to support the Z-frame, the third support element adapted to control the position of the Z-frame along the y-axis and the z-axis, wherein, each of the first, second and third support elements are adapted to selectively and independently move the Z-frame along the z-axis and to independently allow pivotal motion of the Z-frame relative to the first, second and third support elements.

A Z-Stage assembly for an additive manufacturing machine includes a Z-frame adapted to support a build table within an additive manufacturing machine, a first support element adapted to support the Z-frame, the first support element adapted to control the position of the Z-frame along an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis, a second support element adapted to support the Z-frame, the second support element adapted to control the position of the Z-frame along only the z-axis, and a third support element adapted to support the Z-frame, the third support element adapted to control the position of the Z-frame along the y-axis and the z-axis, wherein, each of the first, second and third support elements are adapted to selectively and independently move the Z-frame along the z-axis and to independently allow pivotal motion of the Z-frame relative to the first, second and third support elements.

A thermal control apparatus including a body defining a centerline axis extended along a height and a circumferential direction extended relative to the centerline axis. The body forms a flow circuit therethrough, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening each in fluid communication with the flow circuit. The flow circuit is extended in parallel flow arrangement along the circumferential direction from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. A cavity is extended at least partially through the body along the centerline axis. A thermal control system includes the thermal control apparatus, a fluid flow device configured to provide a flow of heat transfer fluid to the apparatus through the inlet opening and to receive the flow of heat transfer fluid from the outlet opening of the apparatus, and a flow conduit providing fluid communication of the flow of heat transfer fluid between the fluid flow device and the apparatus.

A build unit for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include an energy beam system having one or more irradiation devices respectively configured to direct one or more energy beams onto a region of a powder bed, and an inertization system including an irradiation chamber defining an irradiation plenum, one or more supply manifolds, and a return manifold. The one or more supply manifolds may include a downflow manifold configured to provide a downward flow of a process gas through at least a portion of the irradiation plenum defined by the irradiation chamber, and/or a crossflow manifold configured to provide a lateral flow of the process gas through at least a portion of the irradiation plenum defined by the irradiation chamber. The return manifold may evacuate or otherwise remove process gas from the irradiation plenum defined by the irradiation chamber. While irradiating the region of the powder bed, the process gas may flow through the one or more supply manifolds, into the irradiation plenum, and from the irradiation plenum into the return manifold.