Examples of a gas inlet structure (1130) and a deformable structure (1120) to store build material (1126) are described. The gas inlet structure may be coupled to the deformable structure. The deformable structure may also have an outlet (1121) that is connectable to an element (1122) of an aspiration system of a three-dimensional printing system, to allow build material to be supplied from the deformable structure on application of a vacuum by the aspiration system. While the vacuum is applied to the outlet, a valve of the gas inlet structure may be selectively actuated to allow gas flow into the deformable structure.

Examples of a gas inlet structure (1130) and a deformable structure (1120) to store build material (1126) are described. The gas inlet structure may be coupled to the deformable structure. The deformable structure may also have an outlet (1121) that is connectable to an element (1122) of an aspiration system of a three-dimensional printing system, to allow build material to be supplied from the deformable structure on application of a vacuum by the aspiration system. While the vacuum is applied to the outlet, a valve of the gas inlet structure may be selectively actuated to allow gas flow into the deformable structure.

An example non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to retrieve a plurality of parts to be three-dimensionally (3D) printed and an output rate indicative of a rate at which previous 3D printed parts have been output, select a packing parameter that results in a packing time corresponding to the output rate, and compute a part packing of the plurality of parts for a print bed according to the packing parameter.

An example non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to retrieve a plurality of parts to be three-dimensionally (3D) printed and an output rate indicative of a rate at which previous 3D printed parts have been output, select a packing parameter that results in a packing time corresponding to the output rate, and compute a part packing of the plurality of parts for a print bed according to the packing parameter.

An image processing device includes a control section that causes a display section to display a first screen, and a reception section, the first screen includes an operation screen operated by a user, and the operation screen includes i. a first individual selection screen as an individual selection screen for the user to individually select a first formation candidate which is a formation candidate to be formed on a first forming surface of a three-dimensional object, ii. a second individual selection screen as the individual selection screen for the user to individually select a second formation candidate which is the formation candidate to be formed on a second forming surface different from the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object, and iii. a combination selection screen for the user to select a combination of the formation candidate including the first formation candidate and the second formation candidate.

An image processing device includes a control section that causes a display section to display a first screen, and a reception section, the first screen includes an operation screen operated by a user, and the operation screen includes i. a first individual selection screen as an individual selection screen for the user to individually select a first formation candidate which is a formation candidate to be formed on a first forming surface of a three-dimensional object, ii. a second individual selection screen as the individual selection screen for the user to individually select a second formation candidate which is the formation candidate to be formed on a second forming surface different from the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object, and iii. a combination selection screen for the user to select a combination of the formation candidate including the first formation candidate and the second formation candidate.

A transport unit for transporting an additively manufactured three-dimensional component including a transfer interface which can be closed in a substantially gastight manner for the three-dimensional component and/or a container containing the three-dimensional component and/or a platform carrying the three-dimensional component, which transfer interface is configured and disposed so that it cooperates with an output interface of an additive manufacturing machine which has manufactured the three-dimensional component within the framework of a component transfer as intended and when a connection is made as intended between the transfer interface and output interface a substantially gastight connection can be produced, and a storage chamber for storing the component and/or the container and/or the platform in a substantially gastight sealed state towards the outside.

A processing station (2) is provided for receiving a build unit (4) of an additive manufacturing system. The processing station (2) has a flow pathway (12) for build material. The flow pathway has a first end 14) connected to a valve arrangement (10) and a second end (16) configured to releasably connect with a build unit (4). The valve arrangement (10) is selectively movable between a first configuration, in which the second end (16) is in fluid communication with a vacuum pump (8) of the processing station, and a second configuration, in which the second end (16) is in fluid communication with a build material reservoir (6) of the processing station.

The invention relates to a system for the layered manufacture of a three-dimensional product starting from a powder, in particular a metal powder. More specifically, the invention relates to a system in which selective laser melting is applied to manufacture a product. Here, successive powder layers are covered by an energy beam, such as a laser beam, in order to melt the powder in this layer in whole or in part and subsequently to solidify or sinter it and to create successive layers of the product in this way.

A three-dimensional printing system includes an array of platen sections, a plurality of compressive sheets, a chassis, a plurality of actuators, a powder dispenser, and an energy beam source. The array of platen sections individually have a top surface and a plurality of vertical side surfaces intersecting the top surface. The plurality of platen sections are positioned with adjacent pairs of platen sections having a pair of the vertical side surfaces in facing relation with each other and defining a vertical gap therebetween. Thus they define a plurality of vertical gaps over the array of platen sections. The plurality of compressible sheets fill the plurality of vertical gaps. The chassis supports the array of platen sections. The plurality of actuators is for individually and vertically positioning the platen sections.