In an example implementation, a build material hopper for a 3D printing system includes a container housing, a top for receiving build material, and a bottom. The build material hopper also includes a fluidizing drain assembled in the bottom of the container housing to aerate build material within the drain to facilitate passing build material through the drain.

Examples of the present disclosure relate to a container for a three-dimensional printing system. The container has a chamber for storing a build material. The container has a base mounted within an open end of the chamber, the base having a channel structure and having at least one material-conveying structure. The chamber has an inner surface having helical raised portions to convey build material between the chamber and the at least one material-conveying structure during rotation. The at least one material-conveying structure has a radially aligned opening to receive build material conveyed by the helical raised portions in a direction perpendicular to an axis of rotation and is configured to transport the build material towards an opening of the channel structure.

An additive manufacturing build material container comprises a reservoir to hold build material and a build material outlet structure.

An additive manufacturing build material container comprises a reservoir to hold build material and a build material outlet structure.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a dispensing system positionable over a platen to deliver a powder, an actuator to move the dispensing system along a scan axis, and an energy source to fuse a portion of the powder. The dispensing system has a hopper to hold the powder and a dispenser. The dispenser includes a channel extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end of the channel of the dispenser is configured to receive the powder from the powder source. A powder conveyor is positioned within the channel to move the powder from the proximal end along a length of the channel, and a plurality of apertures are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the channel. The dispenser is configured such that flow of powder through each aperture is independently controllable.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a dispensing system positionable over a platen to deliver a powder, an actuator to move the dispensing system along a scan axis, and an energy source to fuse a portion of the powder. The dispensing system has a hopper to hold the powder and a dispenser. The dispenser includes a channel extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end of the channel of the dispenser is configured to receive the powder from the powder source. A powder conveyor is positioned within the channel to move the powder from the proximal end along a length of the channel, and a plurality of apertures are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the channel. The dispenser is configured such that flow of powder through each aperture is independently controllable.

A coating device arrangement 1 for a 3D printer is disclosed, comprising a coating device 3 having a container 17 defining an inner cavity for receiving particulate construction material which leads to an opening for outputting the particulate construction material, and a stroking member 15a, by which a stroking surface is formed which is directed downward, and which is configured to stroke over construction material output from the opening using the stroking surface to thereby level and/or compress the output particulate material. The coating device arrangement 1 further comprises a setting device 13 which is configured to variably set an inclination angle of the stroking surface 15a.

A coating device arrangement 1 for a 3D printer is disclosed, comprising a coating device 3 having a container 17 defining an inner cavity for receiving particulate construction material which leads to an opening for outputting the particulate construction material, and a stroking member 15a, by which a stroking surface is formed which is directed downward, and which is configured to stroke over construction material output from the opening using the stroking surface to thereby level and/or compress the output particulate material. The coating device arrangement 1 further comprises a setting device 13 which is configured to variably set an inclination angle of the stroking surface 15a.

Disclosed is a coater assembly 1 for a 3D printer, comprising a coater 3 having a container 5 which defines an inner cavity for receiving particulate construction material which opens into a container opening 7 for outputting the particulate construction material from the container 5, and an output region 9 which defines a coater output opening 11 for outputting the particulate construction material from the coater 3 onto a construction field. The container 5 is movable relative to the coater output opening 11 so that by moving the container 5 relative to the coater output opening a discharge of particulate construction material from the inner cavity through the container opening 7 and the coater output opening 11 onto the construction field is variable.

A process of microcellular foaming an article includes the steps of opening a valve to convey a polyolefin material from a hopper to a mold; activating a pressurized device to increase pressure of the mold to a predetermined pressure by heating at a predetermined temperature; supplying SCF to the mold to effuse through the polyolefin material via a pipe, thereby generating SCF effused polyolefin material; after releasing the predetermined pressure, foaming the SCF effused polyolefin material in the mold in a ratio of 1 to 1; cooling the mold; opening the mold; and removing a finished foamed article out of the mold.