Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source (4), which apparatus (1) comprises an optical unit (10) with at least one optical surface (9) arranged in a process chamber (6) of the apparatus (1), wherein the apparatus (1) comprises at least one determination device (12) with at least one light source (13) and at least one determination unit (14) adapted to determine at least one radiation parameter of radiation (15) emitted from the light source (13) and reflected at the optical surface (9) of the optical unit (10), wherein the determination device (12) is adapted to determine at least one condition information of the optical unit (10) based on the determined radiation parameter.

Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source (4), which apparatus (1) comprises an optical unit (10) with at least one optical surface (9) arranged in a process chamber (6) of the apparatus (1), wherein the apparatus (1) comprises at least one determination device (12) with at least one light source (13) and at least one determination unit (14) adapted to determine at least one radiation parameter of radiation (15) emitted from the light source (13) and reflected at the optical surface (9) of the optical unit (10), wherein the determination device (12) is adapted to determine at least one condition information of the optical unit (10) based on the determined radiation parameter.

A method for producing a metal shaped article having a porous structure includes a mold formation step of forming a mold having a plurality of columnar structures extending from a substrate by performing a resin material supply step of supplying a liquid containing a resin material to a plurality of places of the substrate at intervals in two directions crossing each other, and a curing step of curing the liquid, a sintering target material supply step of supplying a sintering target material to the mold, a removal step of removing the substrate, a degreasing step of degreasing the columnar structures, and a sintering step of sintering the sintering target material.

A method for producing a metal shaped article having a porous structure includes a mold formation step of forming a mold having a plurality of columnar structures extending from a substrate by performing a resin material supply step of supplying a liquid containing a resin material to a plurality of places of the substrate at intervals in two directions crossing each other, and a curing step of curing the liquid, a sintering target material supply step of supplying a sintering target material to the mold, a removal step of removing the substrate, a degreasing step of degreasing the columnar structures, and a sintering step of sintering the sintering target material.

A method of heating a tool assembly includes the step of joining a first piece of the tool assembly with a second piece of the tool assembly via a first joint portion and a second joint portion. The method further includes the step of inserting a fastener through the first joint portion and the second joint portion of the tool assembly. The method further includes the step of applying heat to the tool assembly, wherein upon heating, interlock surfaces of the first joint portion and the second joint portion tighten against each other.

A method of heating a tool assembly includes the step of joining a first piece of the tool assembly with a second piece of the tool assembly via a first joint portion and a second joint portion. The method further includes the step of inserting a fastener through the first joint portion and the second joint portion of the tool assembly. The method further includes the step of applying heat to the tool assembly, wherein upon heating, interlock surfaces of the first joint portion and the second joint portion tighten against each other.

Methods for growing spinal implants in situ using a surgical additive-manufacturing system. In one aspect, the method includes positioning a dispenser at least partially within an interbody space, between a first patient vertebra and a second patient vertebra. The method includes maneuvering the dispensing component within the space to deposit printing material forming an interbody implant part, positioning the dispensing component adjacent the vertebrae, and maneuvering the dispenser adjacent the vertebrae to deposit printing material on an exterior surface of each vertebrae and in contact with the interbody implant part forming an extrabody implant part connected to the interbody implant part and vertebrae, yielding the spinal implant grown in situ connecting the first vertebra to the second vertebra. The extrabody part can be printed around anchors affixed to the vertebrae, and the anchors may be printed in the process.

A 3D screen-printing apparatus for producing a shaped article includes: a printing table; a printing screen with a printing mask having a layer geometry for producing the shaped article layer by layer; an application unit to apply a printing material to the printing screen and to work it into the printing masks to produce a shaped-article layer; and a first positioning unit configured to increase the distance between the printing table and the printing screen by way of a first relative movement after the production of each shaped-article layer. The printing screen has printing masks, and the 3D screen-printing apparatus has a second positioning unit configured to perform a second relative movement between the printing table and the printing screen so different printing masks of the one printing screen can be positioned one after the other at a shaped-article position where an individual shaped article is to be built.

A method for the layer-by-layer additive manufacturing of a composite material having the selective irradiation of a base material to produce a first, dense material phase and to produce a second, porous material phase, wherein the production of the first material phase and the production of the second material phase take place alternately. A correspondingly produced composite material and to a component has the composite material.

A method of producing a custom dental anchor application appliance may be provided. The appliance may be for mounting one or more anchors to teeth of a patient. The appliance may be for use in orthodontic aligner treatment. The method may include forming a dental appliance. The forming may be done using a three-dimensional printing approach. The appliance may include a body. The body may include at least one anchor-locating area. The anchor-locating area may be shaped to conform to a mounting area on a surface of a tooth. The appliance may include a receiving structure. The receiving structure may be configured to removably support a dental anchor. The dental anchor may be of a predefined configuration in a fixed position and orientation relative to the body.