An additive manufacturing system, in particular a 3D printer, including a bottom element. The bottom element includes at least one funnel and/or air outlet, wherein at least one sieve and/or grid element is arranged in the area of the funnel and a plate element is arranged opposite the sieve.

An additive manufacturing system, in particular a 3D printer, including a bottom element. The bottom element includes at least one funnel and/or air outlet, wherein at least one sieve and/or grid element is arranged in the area of the funnel and a plate element is arranged opposite the sieve.

Methods for removing an object from powder after forming the object in an additive manufacturing apparatus are provided. The method may include: positioning a cover over a build platform with the object being positioned within a powder; removing the build platform from the additive manufacturing apparatus with the cover positioned over the build platform; and thereafter, removing the powder from the build platform to expose the object.

Methods for removing an object from powder after forming the object in an additive manufacturing apparatus are provided. The method may include: positioning a cover over a build platform with the object being positioned within a powder; removing the build platform from the additive manufacturing apparatus with the cover positioned over the build platform; and thereafter, removing the powder from the build platform to expose the object.

Apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus (1) comprising: a build bed (201) having a build area (190), wherein successive layers of said three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed (201); a powder distribution sled (300) operable to distribute a layer of powder within the build area (190), the powder distribution sled (300) being driveable in a first direction along a first axis, across the build area (190), and driveable in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the first axis; and a print sled (350) operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area (190) to define the cross section of said object in said layer, the print sled (350) being driveable in the first direction along a second axis across the build area, and driveable in the second direction along the second axis; wherein the first axis is parallel to, or coaxial with, the second axis; wherein the print sled (350) comprises one or more droplet deposition heads (370) for depositing the fluid, a first radiation source assembly (L1), and a second radiation source assembly (L2); wherein the powder distribution sled (300) comprises a powder distribution device (320) for distributing the powder, a third radiation source assembly (L3) and a fourth radiation source assembly (L4); and wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth radiation source assemblies is operable to both preheat and sinter powder within the build area (190). A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder using such apparatus is also provided.

An engine component is configured with a component fluid passage and a receptacle. The component fluid passage extends within the engine component to the receptacle. The receptacle extends through the engine component between a receptacle first end and a receptacle second end. A fluid diverter is configured with a diverter fluid passage and a port. The fluid diverter extends between a diverter first end and a diverter second end. The diverter fluid passage extends partially into the fluid diverter from the diverter first end. The fluid diverter is mated with the receptacle. The diverter first end is disposed at the receptacle first end. The diverter plugs a portion of the receptacle at the diverter second end. The port fluidly couples the component fluid passage to the diverter fluid passage. Fluid is directed through the component fluid passage into the diverter fluid passage to remove debris from the engine component.

Multiple printer housings and powder bed carts may be coordinated to perform a variety of 3D printing operations. Printer housings may call for powder bed carts directly or through a control station. A requested powder bed cart may be dispatched from a stand-by area and may navigate to the requesting printer housing autonomously using its magnetic guide sensors to follow lines of magnetic tape on the floor. At the requesting printer housing, the powder bed cart may dock, move the powdered media trays and powder bed into position by elevating on its jack screws, and printing operations may commence. As the powder bed cart becomes depleted of powdered media, the powder bed cart may decouple from the printer housing and return to the stand-by area where the trays are refilled with powdered media, and its batteries are recharged.

A three-dimensional (3D) printer and method of additive manufacture are disclosed. The method includes building a three-dimensional (3D) object via a 3D printing process. After the 3D printing process, the 3D object is contained within a cake comprising the 3D object and partially fused excess build material. The method further includes vibrating the cake to loosen the excess build material. The frequency of the vibration is swept across a predetermined range of frequencies over a predetermined sweep interval.

A three-dimensional (3D) printer and method of additive manufacture are disclosed. The method includes building a three-dimensional (3D) object via a 3D printing process. After the 3D printing process, the 3D object is contained within a cake comprising the 3D object and partially fused excess build material. The method further includes vibrating the cake to loosen the excess build material. The frequency of the vibration is swept across a predetermined range of frequencies over a predetermined sweep interval.

A meshed shell and a sandblasting method are provided. The meshed shell includes a first end portion, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, a first annular portion, a second annular portion connected to the first annular portion, a first mesh portion between the first end portion and the first annular portion and a second mesh portion between the second end portion and the second annular portion. The weights of the first end portion and the second end portion are the same. A maximum inner diameter of the mesh of the first and second mesh portions is smaller than a penetration size of the component. Both of the sum of the weights of the first and second end portions and the sum of the weights of the first and second annular portions are greater than the sum of the weights of the first and second mesh portions.