A calibration method serves for calibrating a manufacturing device for additively producing a three-dimensional object by applying layer by layer and selectively solidifying a building material. The manufacturing device comprises at least two scanning units, each of which is capable of directing a beam to different target points in the working plane, which are located within a scanning region assigned to the respective scanning unit, wherein the scanning regions region of the at least two scanning units overlap in an overlap area. At least a first of the at least two scanning units is assigned a first monitoring unit whose monitoring region extends to a target point of the first scanning unit and its proximity, wherein a change of a position of the monitoring region is carried out as a function of a change of a position of the target point.

A method for determining additive manufacturing parameters for the manufacture of an additive manufacturing support (1) for a target part exhibiting an overhang comprises the steps of: (a) additive manufacture of a plurality of supports for each supporting an overhang (2) of a test part (3), each support (1) being associated with a collection of manufacturing parameters and a collection of geometric parameters pertaining to the overhang (2); (b) manufacturing the test part (3) and observing, for each support (1), a collection of mechanical parameters pertaining to the support (1); (c) determining the additive manufacturing parameters for the manufacture of the support (1) of the target part on the basis of the geometric parameters pertaining to the overhang of the target part and of the mechanical parameters pertaining to the support.

A method includes controlling an additive manufacturing system to fabricate a 3D structure using successive layers of material. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform having a first region, second region, and overlapping third region between the first and second regions; and multiple sources configured to build (e.g., deposit, bond, melt, solidify) the successive layers of material in the regions of the build platform. Controlling the additive manufacturing system includes controlling the additive manufacturing system to build first, second, and third portions of the 3D structure within the regions of the build platform. Each portion of the 3D structure includes (i) one or more test features that are common to the portions of the 3D structure and (ii) a substrate onto or into which the one or more common test features are formed.

A method includes controlling an additive manufacturing system to fabricate a 3D structure using successive layers of material. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform having a first region, second region, and overlapping third region between the first and second regions; and multiple sources configured to build (e.g., deposit, bond, melt, solidify) the successive layers of material in the regions of the build platform. Controlling the additive manufacturing system includes controlling the additive manufacturing system to build first, second, and third portions of the 3D structure within the regions of the build platform. Each portion of the 3D structure includes (i) one or more test features that are common to the portions of the 3D structure and (ii) a substrate onto or into which the one or more common test features are formed.

Systems and methods for using a non-stick conductive material to automate tool touch-off in an additive manufacturing process are provided. A substrate comprises a first conductive layer, an intermediate binder layer, and a second non-stick conductive layer. The non-stick conductive layer may comprise perfluoroalkoxy alkanes and carbon nanotubes. An electrical connection may be made between the first conductive layer and the second non-stick conductive layer. When used with an additive manufacturing device, when the nozzle of the device contacts the substrate, a circuit may close resulting in a detectable voltage drop. When the voltage drop is detected, a reference point for the additive manufacturing device may be set.

A method for producing a three-dimensional component by means of a laser melting process, in which the component is produced by consecutively solidifying individual layers made of building material by melting the building material, wherein said building material can be solidified by the action of radiation, wherein the melting area produced by a punctiform and/or linear energy input is detected by a sensor device and sensor values are derived therefrom in order to evaluate the component quality. The sensor values detected in order to evaluate the component quality are stored together with the coordinate values that locate the sensor values in the component and are displayed by means of a visualization unit in two- and/or multi-dimensional representation with respect to the detection location of the sensor values in the component.

A method and apparatus are provided for producing a multicomponent feedstock being delivered through a print head of a 3D printer. Multiple component lengths are produced from separate feedstocks and are aligned to form the multicomponent feedstock which is fed into the print head for extrusion. The method includes providing at least two sources of feedstock of different material, feeding a distal end of a first feedstock along a feed path, cutting the first feedstock at a pre-determined length to provide a length of first feedstock having a proximal end. The method includes feeding a distal end of a second feedstock along the feed path and aligning the distal end of the second feedstock with the proximal end of the length of the first feedstock. The second feedstock is cut at a pre-determined length to provide a length of the second feedstock serially aligned with the length of first feedstock, to form a length of multicomponent feedstock. The length of multicomponent feedstock is fed into the print head.

A method and apparatus are provided for producing a multicomponent feedstock being delivered through a print head of a 3D printer. Multiple component lengths are produced from separate feedstocks and are aligned to form the multicomponent feedstock which is fed into the print head for extrusion. The method includes providing at least two sources of feedstock of different material, feeding a distal end of a first feedstock along a feed path, cutting the first feedstock at a pre-determined length to provide a length of first feedstock having a proximal end. The method includes feeding a distal end of a second feedstock along the feed path and aligning the distal end of the second feedstock with the proximal end of the length of the first feedstock. The second feedstock is cut at a pre-determined length to provide a length of the second feedstock serially aligned with the length of first feedstock, to form a length of multicomponent feedstock. The length of multicomponent feedstock is fed into the print head.

A device may obtain measurement data concerning a three-dimensional (3D) printed object, where the 3D printed object has a plurality of physical elements that comprise a plurality of different physical attributes, and where the plurality of physical elements and the plurality of different physical attributes are designed to exhibit one or more printing capabilities of a 3D printer that printed the 3D printed object. The device may process the measurement data to determine one or more printing anomalies relating to one or more physical elements, of the plurality of physical elements, and one or more physical attributes of the plurality of different physical attributes. The device may generate a set of instructions to permit the 3D printer to be adjusted to address the one or more printing anomalies, and may cause an action to be performed based on generating the set of instructions.

A device may obtain measurement data concerning a three-dimensional (3D) printed object, where the 3D printed object has a plurality of physical elements that comprise a plurality of different physical attributes, and where the plurality of physical elements and the plurality of different physical attributes are designed to exhibit one or more printing capabilities of a 3D printer that printed the 3D printed object. The device may process the measurement data to determine one or more printing anomalies relating to one or more physical elements, of the plurality of physical elements, and one or more physical attributes of the plurality of different physical attributes. The device may generate a set of instructions to permit the 3D printer to be adjusted to address the one or more printing anomalies, and may cause an action to be performed based on generating the set of instructions.