A process chamber housing for an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising a process chamber with a bottom, a ceiling, and sidewalls jointly enclosing a volume of the process chamber, with a gas inlet in a front wall and a gas outlet in a rear wall of the sidewalls. The gas inlet and outlet are positioned at opposite sides of an opening in the bottom and face each other, which allows for an improved removal of smoke out of the process chamber if the gas inlet has a width w.sub.i, the opening has a width w.sub.s, and the gas outlet has a width w.sub.0, such that at least one of the relations (i) w.sub.i≥w.sub.s±4 cm and w.sub.o≥w.sub.s±4 cm; (ii) w.sub.i≥w.sub.s and/or w.sub.o≥w.sub.s; and (iii) w.sub.i≥w.sub.s+1 cm and/or w.sub.o≥w.sub.s+1 cm is satisfied.

A method for producing a three-dimensional object includes applying a build material layer by layer to a build platform, generating at least one beam for solidifying the build material, feeding the at least one beam to the build material 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 method further includes generating a secondary gas flow that is aligned onto and fed to the build platform using a feed device above the build platform, so that a section along which the secondary gas flows is created between the feed device and the process assistance device.

A method for producing a three-dimensional object includes applying a build material layer by layer to a build platform, generating at least one beam for solidifying the build material, feeding the at least one beam to the build material 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 method further includes generating a secondary gas flow that is aligned onto and fed to the build platform using a feed device above the build platform, so that a section along which the secondary gas flows is created between the feed device and the process assistance device.

Described is an additive manufacturing apparatus for additive manufacturing of three dimensional objects, said apparatus comprises a powder distribution unit movable across a build area for applying a layer of powder material thereon and a solidification device for selectively solidifying the applied powder layer at positions corresponding to a cross section of the object to be manufactured. Said powder distribution unit comprises at least a first and a second powder distributors essentially in parallel with each other and extending in a first direction, said first and second powder distributors are arranged to be adjustably spaced apart in a second direction transversely to said first direction which second direction is essentially in parallel with the direction of movement of said powder distribution unit over said build area.

Described is an additive manufacturing apparatus for additive manufacturing of three dimensional objects, said apparatus comprises a powder distribution unit movable across a build area for applying a layer of powder material thereon and a solidification device for selectively solidifying the applied powder layer at positions corresponding to a cross section of the object to be manufactured. Said powder distribution unit comprises at least a first and a second powder distributors essentially in parallel with each other and extending in a first direction, said first and second powder distributors are arranged to be adjustably spaced apart in a second direction transversely to said first direction which second direction is essentially in parallel with the direction of movement of said powder distribution unit over said build area.

The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional objects by means of an additive manufacturing process in which at least one manufacturing material is fed in a free-flowing state from at least one feed-in opening of at least one feed-in needle into a supporting material and then cured, the manufacturing material being introduced in multiple layers one after the other, wherein the feed-in needle comprises at least one tool by which at least one previous layer is machined when a current layer of the manufacturing material is introduced.

The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional objects by means of an additive manufacturing process in which at least one manufacturing material is fed in a free-flowing state from at least one feed-in opening of at least one feed-in needle into a supporting material and then cured, the manufacturing material being introduced in multiple layers one after the other, wherein the feed-in needle comprises at least one tool by which at least one previous layer is machined when a current layer of the manufacturing material is introduced.

An additive manufacturing machine is provided which can smooth out powdered material while preventing mechanical interference between a smoothing plate and a manufacturing box. The additive manufacturing machine has a support stage, a manufacturing box, and a powder feeder mechanism. The powder feeder mechanism feeds powdered material onto the support stage and smooths out the powdered material. The powder feeder mechanism has an arm portion, a guide mechanism, a connective portion, and a drive mechanism. The guide mechanism is secured to the manufacturing box and supports the arm portion such that it can move in a first direction. The connective portion is connected to the arm portion and transmits force to the arm portion only in the first direction. The drive mechanism is secured to a support member different from the manufacturing box and has a drive portion for moving the connective portion in the first direction.

An additive manufacturing machine is provided which can smooth out powdered material while preventing mechanical interference between a smoothing plate and a manufacturing box. The additive manufacturing machine has a support stage, a manufacturing box, and a powder feeder mechanism. The powder feeder mechanism feeds powdered material onto the support stage and smooths out the powdered material. The powder feeder mechanism has an arm portion, a guide mechanism, a connective portion, and a drive mechanism. The guide mechanism is secured to the manufacturing box and supports the arm portion such that it can move in a first direction. The connective portion is connected to the arm portion and transmits force to the arm portion only in the first direction. The drive mechanism is secured to a support member different from the manufacturing box and has a drive portion for moving the connective portion in the first direction.

The present disclosure provides a double-powder rapid switching type selective laser melting apparatus. The laser melting apparatus includes a building system, a powder recovery system, and a gas circulation system. A powder cylinder and a building cylinder are fixed to a lower end of a building chamber of the building system. A movable cylinder body is removably mounted at an upper end inside the powder cylinder and the building cylinder. After printing with one metal powder is completed, it is convenient and efficient to switch to another metal powder for printing. An air suction port of the gas circulation system is provided with two openings and the air suction port faces a building platform to suck smoke and dust generated during printing with different metal powders. The powder recovery system includes a top powder suction port and a bottom powder suction port for respectively recovering the different metal powders.