The invention relates to an arrangement for the layer-by-layer formation of mouldings from a particulate material, comprising at least one process unit which can be guided to and installed in the arrangement, preferably automatically, and which comprises a printing unit and a coating system with a dynamic filling system; or/and a receiving device for a building container; a preferably automatic feeder for the building container; and an adjustment device for offline preparation of the process unit.

The invention relates to an arrangement for the layer-by-layer formation of mouldings from a particulate material, comprising at least one process unit which can be guided to and installed in the arrangement, preferably automatically, and which comprises a printing unit and a coating system with a dynamic filling system; or/and a receiving device for a building container; a preferably automatic feeder for the building container; and an adjustment device for offline preparation of the process unit.

A layer forming apparatus includes a loading unit including a stage onto which powder is supplied, a rotator that flattens the powder on the stage to form a powder layer, and circuitry. The circuitry causes the rotator to move in a first direction parallel to a surface of the stage and rotate while contacting the powder on the stage to form the powder layer. Further, the circuitry causes the rotator to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction and rotate while contacting surplus powder not on the stage.

A layer forming apparatus includes a loading unit including a stage onto which powder is supplied, a rotator that flattens the powder on the stage to form a powder layer, and circuitry. The circuitry causes the rotator to move in a first direction parallel to a surface of the stage and rotate while contacting the powder on the stage to form the powder layer. Further, the circuitry causes the rotator to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction and rotate while contacting surplus powder not on the stage.

A three-dimensional fabrication system includes a supply device that supplies a fabrication material to form a fabrication material layer, an application device that applies a binder to the fabrication material layer, and circuitry. The circuitry determines a fabrication control condition based on data of a shape of a three-dimensional object to be fabricated, to form the fabrication material layer having a biased distribution of a density of the fabrication material.

A three-dimensional fabrication system includes a supply device that supplies a fabrication material to form a fabrication material layer, an application device that applies a binder to the fabrication material layer, and circuitry. The circuitry determines a fabrication control condition based on data of a shape of a three-dimensional object to be fabricated, to form the fabrication material layer having a biased distribution of a density of the fabrication material.

A filament spool dry box includes a shell, a dehumidifier and a sleeve component. The shell includes a hanging structure configured to allow a bracket to be disposed in for hanging the shell. The dehumidifier is disposed inside the shell. The sleeve component is rotatably disposed inside the shell and configured to allow a filament to be disposed on. A central axis of the hanging structure is offset from and above a central axis of the sleeve component. The filament spool dry box can isolate the filament from an external environment outside the shell and remove moisture from an internal environment inside the shell by the dehumidifier. Therefore, the filament spool dry box can prevent the filament inside the shell from absorbing moisture. Furthermore, the filament spool dry box can replace disposable spools in the prior art and be energy saving and environmental protecting.

A filament spool dry box includes a shell, a dehumidifier and a sleeve component. The shell includes a hanging structure configured to allow a bracket to be disposed in for hanging the shell. The dehumidifier is disposed inside the shell. The sleeve component is rotatably disposed inside the shell and configured to allow a filament to be disposed on. A central axis of the hanging structure is offset from and above a central axis of the sleeve component. The filament spool dry box can isolate the filament from an external environment outside the shell and remove moisture from an internal environment inside the shell by the dehumidifier. Therefore, the filament spool dry box can prevent the filament inside the shell from absorbing moisture. Furthermore, the filament spool dry box can replace disposable spools in the prior art and be energy saving and environmental protecting.

A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus has a plurality of thermally insulative members that float in a volume of heat transfer lubricating fluid in which a X-Y translation mechanism moves to position a platform opposite an ejector. The apparatus also includes a housing having an internal volume in which the platform and X-Y translation mechanism are located. The heat transfer lubricating fluid can be a molten salt, such as a molten fluoride, chloride, or nitrate molten salt. The thermally insulative members can be spheres made of zirconium oxide or zirconium dioxide. The thermally insulative layer formed by the members floating in the fluid protects the X-Y mechanism while the housing helps keep the surface temperature of the object being formed on the platform in an optimal range for bonding of melted metal drops ejected from the ejector to a surface of a metal object being formed on the platform.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a platform, a dispenser configured to deliver a plurality of successive layers of feed material onto the platform, at least one light source configured to generate a first light beam and a second light beam, a polygon mirror scanner, an actuator, and a galvo mirror scanner. The polygon mirror scanner is configured to receive the first light beam and reflect the first light beam towards the platform. Rotation of the first polygon mirror causes the light beam to move in a first direction along a path on a layer of feed material on the platform. The actuator is configured to cause the path to move along a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The galvo mirror scanner system is configured to receive the second light beam and reflect the second light beam toward the platform.