A method for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed, which parts correspond to successive cross sections of the three-dimensional article, the method comprising the steps of: providing a model of the at least one three-dimensional article; applying a first powder layer on a work table; directing a first energy beam from a first energy beam source over the work table causing the first powder layer to fuse in first selected locations according to corresponding models to form a first cross section of the three-dimensional article, where the first energy beam is fusing at least a first region of a first cross section with parallel scan lines in a first direction; varying a distance between two adjacent scan lines, which are used for fusing the powder layer, as a function of a mean length of the two adjacent scan lines.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, apparatuses, systems and software that comprise rotating a partially formed 3D object during the formation of a requested 3D object. The requested 3D object may comprise a cavity, an intrusion, or a protrusion. The rotation may be along an axis other than a vertical axis.

A method for creating a metallurgic component comprises creating a thin-walled container corresponding to a shape of the metallurgic component from a metal. If powder metal is not already in the container (depending on a method of creating the container), the thin-walled container is filled with powder metal. A quick-can device is fixed to the thin-walled container, and the powder metal is consolidated inside the thin-walled container (e.g., in a hot isostatic press). During consolidation, pressure within the thin-walled container is monitored and a desired pressure differential between an inside of the thin-walled container and an outside of the thin-walled container is maintained by the quick-can device.

In an example of a method for three-dimensional (3D) printing, build material layers are patterned to form an intermediate structure. During patterning, a binding agent is selectively applied to define a patterned intermediate part. Also during patterning, i) the binding agent and a separate agent including a gas precursor are, or ii) a combined agent including a binder and the gas precursor is, selectively applied to define a build material support structure adjacent to at least a portion of the patterned intermediate part. The intermediate structure is heated to a temperature that activates the gas precursor to create gas pockets in the build material support structure.

In an example of a method for three-dimensional (3D) printing, build material layers are patterned to form an intermediate structure. During patterning, a binding agent is selectively applied to define a patterned intermediate part. Also during patterning, i) the binding agent and a separate agent including a gas precursor are, or ii) a combined agent including a binder and the gas precursor is, selectively applied to define a build material support structure adjacent to at least a portion of the patterned intermediate part. The intermediate structure is heated to a temperature that activates the gas precursor to create gas pockets in the build material support structure.

Three-dimensional manufacturing method and apparatus which easily adjust individually a heating amount per unit area for each of solidified and unsolidified regions is provided. Light source and scanning unit heat with a laser beam a layer formed by a layer forming unit. In a layer forming step, a controlling unit causes the layer forming unit to form a layer of material powder. In a laser heating step, the controlling unit controls the light source and the scanning unit to alternately heat with the laser beam the solidified region obtained by fusing and solidifying the layer and the unsolidified region adjacent to the solidified region, thereby integrally fusing and solidifying the solidified region and the unsolidified region.

Three-dimensional manufacturing method and apparatus which easily adjust individually a heating amount per unit area for each of solidified and unsolidified regions is provided. Light source and scanning unit heat with a laser beam a layer formed by a layer forming unit. In a layer forming step, a controlling unit causes the layer forming unit to form a layer of material powder. In a laser heating step, the controlling unit controls the light source and the scanning unit to alternately heat with the laser beam the solidified region obtained by fusing and solidifying the layer and the unsolidified region adjacent to the solidified region, thereby integrally fusing and solidifying the solidified region and the unsolidified region.

In a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, diffusion of fumes generated around the modeling stage accompanying irradiation with an energy beam can be efficiently prevented. Three-dimensional modeling is performed by repeating scanning a modeling material arranged on a modeling stage with laser light to form a solidified layer. A cover is provided that locally surrounds an irradiation portion on the modeling material arranged on the modeling stage irradiated with the laser light, and suppresses diffusion of the fumes caused by irradiation with the laser light. In the cover, a stream of gas containing the fumes is regulated so as to cause the fumes to flow toward an upward portion inside the cover apart from the irradiated portion irradiated with the laser light.

A three-dimensional manufacturing apparatus and a three-dimensional manufacturing method easily adjust a heating quantity per unit area individually for a solidified region and a non-solidified region of a powder material. A layer formation unit forms a layer of a powder material. Light sources and heat scanning units heat the layer by laser beams. The laser beam heats a solidified region in which the powder material has been fused and solidified. The laser beam heats the non-solidified region of the powder material, which is adjacent to the solidified region. The controlling section controls the light sources and the heat scanning units so as to move the laser beams along a boundary between the solidified region and the non-solidified region, and to fuse and solidify a manufacturing region of the layer.

A three-dimensional manufacturing apparatus and a three-dimensional manufacturing method easily adjust a heating quantity per unit area individually for a solidified region and a non-solidified region of a powder material. A layer formation unit forms a layer of a powder material. Light sources and heat scanning units heat the layer by laser beams. The laser beam heats a solidified region in which the powder material has been fused and solidified. The laser beam heats the non-solidified region of the powder material, which is adjacent to the solidified region. The controlling section controls the light sources and the heat scanning units so as to move the laser beams along a boundary between the solidified region and the non-solidified region, and to fuse and solidify a manufacturing region of the layer.