An additive manufacturing apparatus is provided. The additive manufacturing apparatus may include a stabilizing system; a build platform on the stabilizing system; and a build unit positioned over the build platform, wherein the build unit comprises a powder dispenser and a recoater blade. Methods are also provided for making an object from powder.

A powder-based additive manufacturing installation (10) comprises a powder layering device (14) that can be displaced along a path linking a start zone (A) and an end zone (B). The layering device (14) comprises powder deposition means (18) for depositing powder in a powder deposition zone (D) situated between the start zone (A) and the end zone (B). The installation comprises a cleaning device (40) situated on the path of the layering device (14). The cleaning device (40) comprises a blowing device (42) configured to blow a gas flow onto at least one surface of the powder deposition means (18).

The invention relates to a device (100) for the additive manufacture of three-dimensional workpieces, in particular a 3D metal printer, comprising a print head (1) and a device (40) for generating an inert atmosphere (22) within the print head (1) by means of a gas (55), in particular inert gas, wherein the print head (1) comprises a housing (3), a device (28) for feeding a metal (14), a piston (5), a reservoir (7) with an outlet opening (10) and an actuator device (12) for displacing the piston (5), wherein the reservoir (7) has a melt region (20) and a displacement body chamber (21) for a liquid phase (8) of the metal (14), wherein the melt region (20) adjoins the inert atmosphere (22) and is connected to the displacement body chamber (21) such that, as a result of the displacement of the piston (5), the liquid phase (8) of the metal (14) can be caused to pass through the outlet opening (10). The invention is distinguished by the fact that the device (40) for generating the inert atmosphere (22) is arranged outside the print head (1), wherein said device comprises an accumulator (41), at least one means (42, 43) for pressure control, and a gas line (50, 51, 52). The invention furthermore relates to methods for operating the device (100).

An electron beam source including a cathode, an anode, a means for deflecting an electron beam over a target surface and at least one vacuum pump, the electron beam source further including a contraction area arranged between the anode and the means for deflecting the electron beam where a hole in the contraction area is aligned with a hole in the anode with respect to the cathode, a first vacuum pump is arranged between the contraction area and the anode and a second vacuum pump is arranged above the anode, a gas inlet is provided between the contraction area and the means for deflecting the electron beam, wherein a first crossover of the electron beam is arranged between the cathode and the anode and a second crossover is arranged at or in close proximity to the contraction area.

A device for separating particles contained in a gas stream for selective additive manufacturing and a selective additive manufacturing apparatus are disclosed. The device comprises at least one dry-type aeraulic separator comprising a separating turbine, a speed of rotation of which is variable. The dry-type aeraulic separator selects the particles contained in the gas stream according to a particle size depending on the speed of rotation of the separating turbine. The device also comprises a device for extracting the particles. The dry-type aeraulic separator and the extraction device are in fluidic communication such that a gas stream exiting the dry-type aeraulic separator circulates through the extraction device and such that the gas stream exiting the extraction device circulates through the dry-type aeraulic separator. The device also comprises a device for circulating the gas stream between the dry-type aeraulic separator and the extraction device.

A device for separating particles contained in a gas stream for selective additive manufacturing and a selective additive manufacturing apparatus are disclosed. The device comprises at least one dry-type aeraulic separator comprising a separating turbine, a speed of rotation of which is variable. The dry-type aeraulic separator selects the particles contained in the gas stream according to a particle size depending on the speed of rotation of the separating turbine. The device also comprises a device for extracting the particles. The dry-type aeraulic separator and the extraction device are in fluidic communication such that a gas stream exiting the dry-type aeraulic separator circulates through the extraction device and such that the gas stream exiting the extraction device circulates through the dry-type aeraulic separator. The device also comprises a device for circulating the gas stream between the dry-type aeraulic separator and the extraction device.

According to one example, there is provided a method of cleaning a filter in a filter housing. The filter has a dirty side at which a dirty airflow is received, and a clean side through which a cleaned airflow flows. The method comprises generating a cleaning airflow at the dirty side of the filter, the cleaning airflow having a predetermined volume and pressure, and generating an extraction airflow to extract from the filter housing the same volume and pressure of air from the filter housing as that generated in the filter housing by the cleaning airflow.

According to one example, there is provided a method of cleaning a filter in a filter housing. The filter has a dirty side at which a dirty airflow is received, and a clean side through which a cleaned airflow flows. The method comprises generating a cleaning airflow at the dirty side of the filter, the cleaning airflow having a predetermined volume and pressure, and generating an extraction airflow to extract from the filter housing the same volume and pressure of air from the filter housing as that generated in the filter housing by the cleaning airflow.

A fluid flow apparatus configured to provide a flow of fluid with particular flow profiles to a process chamber of an additive manufacturing apparatus is provided. The fluid flow apparatus includes a plurality of openings forming a first flow region, a second flow region, a third flow region, and a fourth flow region in adjacent arrangement along an axis in the process chamber between the build platform and the laser window. A controller is configured to execute instructions that perform operations that include flowing, via the second flow region, the flow of fluid along a second distance along the axis at a second velocity range between approximately 1.0 meters per second (m/s) and 6.0 m/s, and flowing, via the fourth flow region, another flow of fluid along a fourth distance along the axis at a fourth velocity range between approximately 0.1 m/s and 4.5 m/s.

A fluid flow apparatus configured to provide a flow of fluid with particular flow profiles to a process chamber of an additive manufacturing apparatus is provided. The fluid flow apparatus includes a plurality of openings forming a first flow region, a second flow region, a third flow region, and a fourth flow region in adjacent arrangement along an axis in the process chamber between the build platform and the laser window. A controller is configured to execute instructions that perform operations that include flowing, via the second flow region, the flow of fluid along a second distance along the axis at a second velocity range between approximately 1.0 meters per second (m/s) and 6.0 m/s, and flowing, via the fourth flow region, another flow of fluid along a fourth distance along the axis at a fourth velocity range between approximately 0.1 m/s and 4.5 m/s.