We describe a process chamber, an apparatus, a modular system, a method, a safety device, a positioning system and a system for producing a three-dimensional workpiece and/or for use thereof when producing a three-dimensional workpiece. The process chamber for producing the three-dimensional workpiece via an additive layer construction method comprises: a material supply unit comprising a substantially ring-like shaped end portion at a first side of the process chamber, wherein the material supply unit is adapted to supply, via the end portion, material to a carrier on which the material is to be processed by the process chamber for producing the three-dimensional workpiece, and an opening at the first side of the process chamber for processing, by the process chamber, the material supplied on the carrier in order to produce the three-dimensional workpiece, wherein the substantially ring-like shaped end portion surrounds the opening.

System for the additive production of three-dimensional objects, comprising: —a device which is designed for the additive production of a three-dimensional object, wherein the device comprises a process chamber, within which additive construction processes for the additive production of three-dimensional objects can be carried out, —a powder module which can be docked to the process chamber of the at least one device, and which comprises a receiving chamber for receiving construction material that is to be solidified as part of an additive construction process or that is not solidified and/or a three-dimensional object that is to be additively produced or is additively produced as part of an additive construction process, —a cleaning module which can be docked to the process chamber of the at least one device and which comprises a cleaning device.

A method for operating a metal printing device has an enclosure in which the metal printing is carried out, the enclosure having an inlet and an outlet, and a fan also being provided, with which the atmosphere in the enclosure can be regenerated, a device also being provided in order to be able to extract particles in particular after a printing process is complete. In a first method step, process gas is extracted from the enclosure and conducted through a regeneration device in order to clean the atmosphere in the enclosure. In a second method step after the printing process is complete, excess particles are removed from the enclosure. A suction fan having a suction line connection is provided, wherein the mode can be switched over using a switchover device connected upstream of the suction fan.

A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.

Plant for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising at least one process station for an additive manufacturing process, wherein at least one functional component, preferably a lifting device for a powder module, of the process station is at least partially enclosed by a housing structure of the process station, wherein the process station is coupled or can be coupled with at least one powder module, wherein the housing structure comprises at least one opening for loading and/or unloading the at least one powder module into or from the process station, wherein a platform is provided that is arrangeable or arranged adjacent to the at least one opening, wherein the platform comprises at least one positioning unit with at least one positioning surface for positioning a module carrier which is adapted to carry the at least one powder module.

Building cylinders, for use in machines for the layer-by-layer production of 3D objects by sintering or melting powdered material by a high-energy beam, and having a main body and a piston part movable on an inner side of the main body along a cylindrical axis, are disclosed. The piston part has a base element for the growth of a 3D object, and a powder seal bearing against the inner side of the main body for sealing the powdered material. The piston part has a seal carrier on which the powder seal is mounted, and an insulator, e.g., a circumferential insulation ring, mounted on the seal carrier. The base element is mounted on the insulator and is arranged at a distance from the seal carrier and from the powder seal.

Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (13) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, comprising at least one module (2) moveable between at least two positions along a travel path, wherein a stream generating unit (6) is configured to create a stream of process gas (7) onto the module (2) at least partly along the travel path (5) of the module (2) between the first and the second position (3, 4).

Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (13) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, comprising at least one module (2) moveable between at least two positions along a travel path, wherein a stream generating unit (6) is configured to create a stream of process gas (7) onto the module (2) at least partly along the travel path (5) of the module (2) between the first and the second position (3, 4).

Apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus comprising: a work surface (170); a build bed (201) having a build area (190), the build area (190) being comprised within the work surface (170), wherein successive layers of said three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed (201); a first powder supply module (2) fixedly arranged on a first side of the work surface (170), outward from a first side of the build bed (201); a second powder supply module (3) fixedly arranged on a second side of the work surface (170), outward from a second side of the build bed (201); a first powder distribution sled (300) operable to distribute powder dosed to the work surface (170) from the first powder supply module (2) while moving in a first direction from the first side of the work surface (170) towards the second side of the work surface (170), and from the second powder supply module (3) while moving in a second direction from the second side of the work surface (170) towards the first side of the work surface (170), so as to form a layer of powder within the build area (190), the first powder distribution sled (300) being driveable along a first axis across the build area (190); and a print sled (350) operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area (170) to define the cross section of said object in said layer, the print sled (350) being driveable along a second axis across the build area (170); wherein the first powder distribution sled (300) comprises a first powder distribution device (320) for distributing the powder; wherein the print sled (350) comprises one or more droplet deposition heads (370) for depositing the fluid, a first radiation source assembly located on one side of the one or more droplet deposition heads (370), and a second radiation source assembly located on the other side of the one or more droplet deposition heads (370); and wherein the first powder distribution sled (300) further comprises a third radiation source assembly. Also provided a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, using apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention to form each layer of said object.

A build platform (100, 200, 300) for a printing station is described comprising a trolley (105, 205, 305, 405) and a print bucket (110, 210, 310, 410). The print bucket may be mounted on the trolley and may comprise coupling elements (115A, 115B, 215A, 215B, 315A, 315B, 415A, 415B), respectively engageable to receiving elements (120A, 120B, 220A, 220B, 320A, 320B, 420A, 420B) of the printing station (150, 250, 350, 450). The coupling elements may cause the print bucket to at least partially disengage from the trolley when the coupling elements engage with the receiving elements of the printing station.