A method for ascertaining the concentration of at least one material in a powder mixture used as starting material for the production of a component in an additive production method, comprising: providing the powder mixture having at least two different materials; guiding a high-energy beam generated by a radiation source over the surface of the powder mixture; detecting by a detection unit at least one brightness value of at least one subregion of the surface irradiated by the high-energy beam during the irradiation; ascertaining by an analysis unit the concentration of at least one material in the powder mixture depending on the detected at least one brightness value and at least one predetermined reference brightness value for a concentration and/or a concentration range of the material.

In an example implementation, a method of printing a multi-structured three-dimensional (3D) object includes forming a layer of sinterable material. The method includes processing a first portion of the sinterable material using a first set of processing parameters and processing a second portion of the sinterable material using a second set of processing parameters. The processed first and second portions form, respectively, parts of a first and second structure of a multi-structured 3D object.

A machine for additive manufacturing comprises a work top, a work area, a device for depositing a layer of powder onto the work area and a heat or energy source used to selectively consolidate a layer of powder, the device comprising a movable element for receiving powder moving relative to the work top and in the vicinity of the work area, a device for dispensing a bead of powder onto the movable element and a device for spreading the bead of powder. The movable element assuming the form of a translationally movable slide or the movable element rotationally moving around the work area, at least part of the upper surface of a movable element is located above the upper surface of the work top and/or at least part of the upper surface of a movable element is located below the upper surface of the work top.

A powder bed fusion additive manufacturing machine (10) comprises a working area (20) able to receive a superposition of different layers of powder, a device (30) for depositing a layer of powder onto the working area and a consolidation source (40) used to selectively consolidate each layer of powder deposited onto the working area, the device for depositing a layer of powder comprising a powder reservoir (32) able to be positioned above the working area, and a powder distribution opening being provided in the bottom part of the reservoir, the device for depositing a layer of powder comprising a vibrating device (68) able to subject the reservoir to vibrations, and the powder distribution opening of the reservoir being equipped with a sieve. The reservoir is mounted on a weighing sensor.

A powder bed fusion additive manufacturing machine (10) comprises a working area (20) able to receive a superposition of different layers of powder, a device (30) for depositing a layer of powder onto the working area and a consolidation source (40) used to selectively consolidate each layer of powder deposited onto the working area, the device for depositing a layer of powder comprising a powder reservoir (32) able to be positioned above the working area, and a powder distribution opening being provided in the bottom part of the reservoir, the device for depositing a layer of powder comprising a vibrating device (68) able to subject the reservoir to vibrations, and the powder distribution opening of the reservoir being equipped with a sieve. The reservoir is mounted on a weighing sensor.

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.

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 energy source to selectively fuse feed material in a layer on the platform, and an air knife assembly. The air knife assembly includes an inlet unit to deliver gas over the platform and an exhaust unit to receive gas from over the platform. The inlet unit includes a multi-chamber plenum, a gas inlet, and a gas distribution module. The multi-chamber plenum has a plurality of vertically stacked chambers that are fluidically connected, with a first chamber of the plurality of vertically stacked chambers positioned at a higher elevation than a collection chamber of the plurality of vertically stacked chambers.

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 energy source to selectively fuse feed material in a layer on the platform, and an air knife assembly. The air knife assembly includes an inlet unit to deliver gas over the platform and an exhaust unit to receive gas from over the platform. The inlet unit includes a multi-chamber plenum, a gas inlet, and a gas distribution module. The multi-chamber plenum has a plurality of vertically stacked chambers that are fluidically connected, with a first chamber of the plurality of vertically stacked chambers positioned at a higher elevation than a collection chamber of the plurality of vertically stacked chambers.

Apparatus and methods for removing impurities from a powder bed. Embodiments include a powder bed containing powder usable in an additive manufacturing process, a recoater arm that traverses the powder bed to distribute the powder, a collector element connected to the recoater arm, and an electrostatic generator electrically connected to impart an electrostatic charge on at least the collector element and cause the impurities in the powder to adhere to the collector element.