A structure for delivering a flow of gas across a window or aperture of an imaging or measurement device within an apparatus for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects by layer-by-layer consolidation of particulate matter, the structure comprising: a hollow body having an upper aperture for mounting in correspondence with the window/aperture of said device, a gas flow intake region below the upper aperture, and a lower aperture; wherein the gas flow intake region is provided on opposing sides of the hollow body when viewed in cross-section along a longitudinal axis that runs from the upper aperture to the lower aperture, and comprises one or more channels configured to allow, in use, a flow of intake gas to enter the hollow body from the opposing sides of the hollow body with a flow component that predominantly lies in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper aperture, and to come into confluence within the hollow body; and wherein the hollow body is symmetrically shaped about the longitudinal axis so as to redirect the confluent flow of intake gas to form a substantially axial flow of gas along the longitudinal axis, and a backflow of gas near the internal wall of the hollow body, wherein the upper aperture is substantially shielded from the backflow by the intake flow, and wherein the velocity of the backflow is relatively low in comparison to the velocity of the intake flow. Also provided is an apparatus for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects by layer-by-layer consolidation of particulate matter, incorporating such a structure, and a method of delivering a flow of gas using such a structure.

An inlet manifold is for use in a laser powder bed fusion system having a build platform for carrying a powder bed and a pump or blower for supplying a gas flow in a direction relative to a surface of the build platform. The inlet manifold is made of a gas flow guide structure having a gas flow inlet to receive the gas flow and being comprised of a plurality of stacked gas flow guides, each being defined by top and bottom guide plates oriented downwards at an angle A relative to the direction of the gas flow for guiding the gas flow downwards towards a gas flow outlet. At least some of the top and the bottom guide plates have upwardly curved ends at the gas flow outlet to redirect the gas flow to be substantially parallel to the surface of the build platform.

An inlet manifold is for use in a laser powder bed fusion system having a build platform for carrying a powder bed and a pump or blower for supplying a gas flow in a direction relative to a surface of the build platform. The inlet manifold is made of a gas flow guide structure having a gas flow inlet to receive the gas flow and being comprised of a plurality of stacked gas flow guides, each being defined by top and bottom guide plates oriented downwards at an angle A relative to the direction of the gas flow for guiding the gas flow downwards towards a gas flow outlet. At least some of the top and the bottom guide plates have upwardly curved ends at the gas flow outlet to redirect the gas flow to be substantially parallel to the surface of the build platform.

Disclosed is a switching system for a facility for 3D printing by spraying at least a first powder, including a body defining: at least one first upstream gas conduit configured to receive a gas; at least one first upstream powder conduit configured to receive the first powder; at least one first downstream discharge conduit for discharging the first powder; and a downstream work conduit configured in order to supply a nozzle designed for depositing at least the first powder. The system further includes a distributor that is movable with respect to the body, preferably in rotation about an axis, between a rest position, in which the first upstream powder conduit is fluidly connected, via the distributor, to the first downstream discharge conduit, and at least a first supply position, in which the first upstream powder conduit is fluidly connected, via the distributor, to the downstream work conduit.

Disclosed is a switching system for a facility for 3D printing by spraying at least a first powder, including a body defining: at least one first upstream gas conduit configured to receive a gas; at least one first upstream powder conduit configured to receive the first powder; at least one first downstream discharge conduit for discharging the first powder; and a downstream work conduit configured in order to supply a nozzle designed for depositing at least the first powder. The system further includes a distributor that is movable with respect to the body, preferably in rotation about an axis, between a rest position, in which the first upstream powder conduit is fluidly connected, via the distributor, to the first downstream discharge conduit, and at least a first supply position, in which the first upstream powder conduit is fluidly connected, via the distributor, to the downstream work conduit.

An additive manufacturing machine (910) includes a build platform (908) extending within a horizontal plane (H) and a gantry (930) positioned above the build platform (908) and defining a build area (932). A build unit (920) includes a powder dispenser (906) for discharging a layer of additive powder (902) and an energy source (922) for selectively directing energy toward the layer of additive powder (902) to fuse portions of the layer of additive powder (902). The gantry (930) movably supports the build unit (920) within the build area and a powder supply system (900) is positioned below the gantry (930) and extends between a powder supply source (940) and the powder dispenser (906).

A suction device for sucking a process gas from a process chamber and to an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional component by selectively solidifying a building material, applied layer by layer, by means of a beam acting on the building material, having an suction tube which at one end has an outlet opening at an end face, to which an suction line can be connected, having an intake opening which extends in the longitudinal direction of the suction tube and is slot shaped, wherein there is provided at the outlet opening of the suction tube a connection port which can be inserted into a connection interface on or in the process chamber, and at the opposite end of the suction tube there is provided a holding element which is releasably held by a holding device associated with an opening of the process chamber.

A suction device for sucking a process gas from a process chamber and to an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional component by selectively solidifying a building material, applied layer by layer, by means of a beam acting on the building material, having an suction tube which at one end has an outlet opening at an end face, to which an suction line can be connected, having an intake opening which extends in the longitudinal direction of the suction tube and is slot shaped, wherein there is provided at the outlet opening of the suction tube a connection port which can be inserted into a connection interface on or in the process chamber, and at the opposite end of the suction tube there is provided a holding element which is releasably held by a holding device associated with an opening of the process chamber.

An additive manufacturing system including a housing configured to contain a powder bed of material, and an array of laser emitters having a field of view. The array is configured to melt at least a portion of the powder bed within the field of view as the array translates relative to the powder bed. The system further includes a spatter collection device including a diffuser configured to discharge a stream of gas across the powder bed, and a collector configured to receive the stream of gas and contaminants entrained in the stream of gas. The collector is spaced from the diffuser such that a collection zone is defined therebetween, and the spatter collection device is configured to translate relative to the powder bed such that the collection zone overlaps with the field of view of the array.

An additive manufacturing system including a housing configured to contain a powder bed of material, and an array of laser emitters having a field of view. The array is configured to melt at least a portion of the powder bed within the field of view as the array translates relative to the powder bed. The system further includes a spatter collection device including a diffuser configured to discharge a stream of gas across the powder bed, and a collector configured to receive the stream of gas and contaminants entrained in the stream of gas. The collector is spaced from the diffuser such that a collection zone is defined therebetween, and the spatter collection device is configured to translate relative to the powder bed such that the collection zone overlaps with the field of view of the array.