A control system for a three-dimensional printer includes an energy component interface, an agent depositing component interface, and control logic. The control logic controls the operation of an energy component through the energy component interface and an agent depositing component through the agent depositing component, in forming an output object that is specified in a print job. Additionally, in some examples, the control logic can implement a plurality of modes. Each mode, when selected modulate one or more operational parameters of a least one of the energy component or agent depositing component.

A control system for a three-dimensional printer includes an energy component interface, an agent depositing component interface, and control logic. The control logic controls the operation of an energy component through the energy component interface and an agent depositing component through the agent depositing component, in forming an output object that is specified in a print job. Additionally, in some examples, the control logic can implement a plurality of modes. Each mode, when selected modulate one or more operational parameters of a least one of the energy component or agent depositing component.

A control system for a three-dimensional printer includes an energy component interface, an agent depositing component interface, and control logic. The control logic controls the operation of an energy component through the energy component interface and an agent depositing component through the agent depositing component, in forming an output object that is specified in a print job. Additionally, in some examples, the control logic can implement a plurality of modes. Each mode, when selected modulate one or more operational parameters of a least one of the energy component or agent depositing component.

A system and method for controlling an additive manufacturing system to form a multi-material component. Operating parameter values may be determined for the additive manufacturing system based on a first material and a second material used to form the multi-material component to ensure a requisite level of bonding between particles of a gradient between the first and second materials. Data or models for the first and second materials, along with observed data from a plurality of sample multi-material components formed from the first and second materials may be utilized to determine the operating parameter values. In some cases, the operating parameter values may be tuned to form a multi-material component having predetermined values for parameter objectives along the gradient of the multi-material component. The additive manufacturing system may be a selective laser melting system.

A system and method for controlling an additive manufacturing system to form a multi-material component. Operating parameter values may be determined for the additive manufacturing system based on a first material and a second material used to form the multi-material component to ensure a requisite level of bonding between particles of a gradient between the first and second materials. Data or models for the first and second materials, along with observed data from a plurality of sample multi-material components formed from the first and second materials may be utilized to determine the operating parameter values. In some cases, the operating parameter values may be tuned to form a multi-material component having predetermined values for parameter objectives along the gradient of the multi-material component. The additive manufacturing system may be a selective laser melting system.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, for hybrid additive manufacturing of parts. In one aspect, a method includes providing a workpiece and manufacturing multiple additive layers on a surface of the workpiece. Manufacturing each of the multiple additive layers includes forming one or more formed layers on a surface of the workpiece by depositing a quantity of powder material on a growth surface, the growth surface inclusive of at least one of a first surface of the workpiece and a second surface of a previously formed layer, and applying a first amount of energy to the quantity of powder material to fuse the particles of the powder material into a formed layer fused to the growth surface, where the formed layer includes a formed surface, and further applying a secondary process to a particular area of the formed surface of the one or more formed layers on the workpiece.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, for hybrid additive manufacturing of parts. In one aspect, a method includes providing a workpiece and manufacturing multiple additive layers on a surface of the workpiece. Manufacturing each of the multiple additive layers includes forming one or more formed layers on a surface of the workpiece by depositing a quantity of powder material on a growth surface, the growth surface inclusive of at least one of a first surface of the workpiece and a second surface of a previously formed layer, and applying a first amount of energy to the quantity of powder material to fuse the particles of the powder material into a formed layer fused to the growth surface, where the formed layer includes a formed surface, and further applying a secondary process to a particular area of the formed surface of the one or more formed layers on the workpiece.

A method for manufacturing an object, in particular an orthodontic appliance, by a 3D-printing device comprising a supply device for provision of a non-solidified material and means for illumination to solidify a layer of non-solidified material provided by the supply device at least zonally to fabricate the object, characterized by the following steps: a virtual model of the object to be printed is provided for the 3D-printing device, the supply device provides a layer of the non-solidified material, the means for illumination solidify the layer at least zonally, whereby the means for illumination comprises illumination pixels arranged in a grid, preferably with a dimension (between 10 μm and 80 μm, particularly preferred between 30 μm and 50 μm, wherein at least one dimension of the object represented by the virtual model is chosen to be aligned with the dimension of the illumination pixels.

Methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing are described. A method for additive manufacturing may include exposing a layer of material on a build surface to one or more projections of laser energy including at least one line laser having a substantially linear shape. The intensity of the line laser may be modulated so as to cause fusion of the layer of material according to a desired pattern as the one or more projections of laser energy are scanned across the build surface.

Methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing are described. A method for additive manufacturing may include exposing a layer of material on a build surface to one or more projections of laser energy including at least one line laser having a substantially linear shape. The intensity of the line laser may be modulated so as to cause fusion of the layer of material according to a desired pattern as the one or more projections of laser energy are scanned across the build surface.