A connecting device for receiving a cartridge container and for positioning at a connection point in an installation for producing three-dimensional components by successively solidifying layers of a powdered building material, having a housing, having a cartridge receiver which is provided at the housing and to which the cartridge container can be fastened, having a connection side on the housing opposite the cartridge receiver, which connection side has a passage for delivering powdered building material from the cartridge container or for feeding powdered building material into the cartridge container, having a closure member which is provided between the cartridge receiver and the connection side and by which the passage can be activated for opening and closing the passage.

A method of manufacturing a surgical implant includes simultaneously forming a first component and a second component of the surgical implant. Formation of the first and second components includes depositing a first quantity of material to a building platform and fusing the first quantity of material to form a first layer of the first and second components. The method of manufacturing also includes depositing a second quantity of material over the first layer of the first and second components and fusing the second quantity of material to form a second layer of the first and second components. The surgical implant is fully assembled upon the completion of the formation of the first and second components.

Systems, apparatus and methods of additively manufacturing objects are disclosed. Specifically, provided herein are methods of heating objects having a particle-based support at least partially surrounding the object during portions of stages of the heating. Additionally, systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support during heating, such that the object can continue heating to form a final part. Systems, apparatus, and methods for distributing the particle-based support to shore the objects through heating are disclosed. Systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support are also disclosed herein.

Systems, apparatus and methods of additively manufacturing objects are disclosed. Specifically, provided herein are methods of heating objects having a particle-based support at least partially surrounding the object during portions of stages of the heating. Additionally, systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support during heating, such that the object can continue heating to form a final part. Systems, apparatus, and methods for distributing the particle-based support to shore the objects through heating are disclosed. Systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support are also disclosed herein.

Systems, apparatus and methods of additively manufacturing objects are disclosed. Specifically, provided herein are methods of heating objects having a particle-based support at least partially surrounding the object during portions of stages of the heating. Additionally, systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support during heating, such that the object can continue heating to form a final part. Systems, apparatus, and methods for distributing the particle-based support to shore the objects through heating are disclosed. Systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support are also disclosed herein.

A removal apparatus for aiding in the removal of an additive manufacturing build plate from a support structure is provided. The removal apparatus may include a plurality of printed geometries disposed proximate one or more fasteners securing or anchoring the build plate to the support structure. The printed geometries may be printed concurrently with the additive manufacturing article. The apparatus may further include one or more expansion bolts sized for installation between a pair of printed geometries positioned apart from one another. The expansion bolts may include a small lead screw, a large lead screw and a coupling nut. In operation, rotation of the coupling nut in a first direction lengthens the expansion bolt to push the printed geometry outward thereby reducing the distortion in the build plate so that the fastener between the build plate and the support structure may be removed.

A removal apparatus for aiding in the removal of an additive manufacturing build plate from a support structure is provided. The removal apparatus may include a plurality of printed geometries disposed proximate one or more fasteners securing or anchoring the build plate to the support structure. The printed geometries may be printed concurrently with the additive manufacturing article. The apparatus may further include one or more expansion bolts sized for installation between a pair of printed geometries positioned apart from one another. The expansion bolts may include a small lead screw, a large lead screw and a coupling nut. In operation, rotation of the coupling nut in a first direction lengthens the expansion bolt to push the printed geometry outward thereby reducing the distortion in the build plate so that the fastener between the build plate and the support structure may be removed.

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning a 3D printed article, in particular a 3D printed heat exchanger. After 3D printing, an article may have internal passages formed from bonded powder and said passages may contain unbonded powder that needs to be removed before further use of/processing of the article. To remove this unbonded powder, the article is filled with a cleaning fluid and vibrated. The cleaning fluid is then pumped out of the article and past a sensor that generates a magnetic field. The sensor detects the presence of powder particles in the fluid by detecting a perturbation of the magnetic field caused by said particles. The fluid is then filtered and returned to a reservoir for use. The sensor may indicate the article is sufficiently clean when a detected concentration of particles in the fluid drops below a threshold.

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning a 3D printed article, in particular a 3D printed heat exchanger. After 3D printing, an article may have internal passages formed from bonded powder and said passages may contain unbonded powder that needs to be removed before further use of/processing of the article. To remove this unbonded powder, the article is filled with a cleaning fluid and vibrated. The cleaning fluid is then pumped out of the article and past a sensor that generates a magnetic field. The sensor detects the presence of powder particles in the fluid by detecting a perturbation of the magnetic field caused by said particles. The fluid is then filtered and returned to a reservoir for use. The sensor may indicate the article is sufficiently clean when a detected concentration of particles in the fluid drops below a threshold.

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning a 3D printed article, in particular a 3D printed heat exchanger. After 3D printing, an article may have internal passages formed from bonded powder and said passages may contain unbonded powder that needs to be removed before further use of/processing of the article. To remove this unbonded powder, the article is filled with a cleaning fluid and vibrated. The cleaning fluid is then pumped out of the article and past a sensor that generates a magnetic field. The sensor detects the presence of powder particles in the fluid by detecting a perturbation of the magnetic field caused by said particles. The fluid is then filtered and returned to a reservoir for use. The sensor may indicate the article is sufficiently clean when a detected concentration of particles in the fluid drops below a threshold.