Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the temperature of powders in a powder-based additive manufacturing system using spatial light modulation. Powder layer temperatures can be measured and selectively controlled using a radiation source comprising a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator applies a visible light radiation and/or IR radiation. In addition to controlling the pre-fused temperature of the powder in the image plane, the spatial light modulator can also apply the radiation to fuse the powder.

Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the temperature of powders in a powder-based additive manufacturing system using spatial light modulation. Powder layer temperatures can be measured and selectively controlled using a radiation source comprising a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator applies a visible light radiation and/or IR radiation. In addition to controlling the pre-fused temperature of the powder in the image plane, the spatial light modulator can also apply the radiation to fuse the powder.

The invention relates to a device for the additive manufacturing of workpieces under protective gas, which device is provided with a manufacturing chamber designed as a pressure chamber, said manufacturing chamber being fluidically connected to a pressure container via a gas extraction line, which is provided with a vacuum pump, and via a gas return line. After the manufacturing of a first workpiece, the protective gas present in the manufacturing chamber is evacuated, temporarily stored in the pressure container and, prior to the manufacturing of a second workpiece, is introduced into the manufacturing chamber.

The present invention relates to a method for the post-treatment of particles (51) carried along in a process gas (50) of a device (1) for the generative manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, wherein the particles (51) are conducted to a filter chamber (40). An oxidant (60) is added to the particles (50) and that an oxidation reaction of the particles (50) with the oxidant (60) is initiated.

The present invention relates to a method for the post-treatment of particles (51) carried along in a process gas (50) of a device (1) for the generative manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, wherein the particles (51) are conducted to a filter chamber (40). An oxidant (60) is added to the particles (50) and that an oxidation reaction of the particles (50) with the oxidant (60) is initiated.

The present invention relates to a method for the post-treatment of particles (51) carried along in a process gas (50) of a device (1) for the generative manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, wherein the particles (51) are conducted to a filter chamber (40). An oxidant (60) is added to the particles (50) and that an oxidation reaction of the particles (50) with the oxidant (60) is initiated.

A build unit for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include an energy beam system having one or more irradiation devices respectively configured to direct one or more energy beams onto a region of a powder bed, and an inertization system including an irradiation chamber defining an irradiation plenum, one or more supply manifolds, and a return manifold. The one or more supply manifolds may include a downflow manifold configured to provide a downward flow of a process gas through at least a portion of the irradiation plenum defined by the irradiation chamber, and/or a crossflow manifold configured to provide a lateral flow of the process gas through at least a portion of the irradiation plenum defined by the irradiation chamber. The return manifold may evacuate or otherwise remove process gas from the irradiation plenum defined by the irradiation chamber.

An example of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a build material transport path to transport a build material with air flow. The apparatus includes a humidifying element to receive the air flow and to add moisture to the air flow. The apparatus includes an inlet to introduce ambient air into the build material transport path to decrease moisture content in the air flow. The apparatus includes a valve to connect the humidifying element and the inlet to the build material transport path. The valve is to adjust an amount of ambient air introduced into the build material transport path. The apparatus includes a sensor to detect the moisture content in the air flow and to generate a signal to indicate the moisture content. The apparatus includes a processor to receive the signal to control the valve to maintain a moisture content in the air flow.

A powder application device (10) for use in a system (100) for producing a three-dimensional workpiece using a generative layering process comprises a spreading member (12). The spreading member (12) is movable across a surface of a carrier (116) for depositing a raw material powder for producing a workpiece by a generative layering method onto the surface of the carrier (116). Furthermore, the powder application device (10) comprises a powder entrainer (16) which is movable across a carrier plane (E) and which, in the region of a surface (20) facing the carrier plane (E), is provided with a surface profile (22). The surface profile (20) comprises an entraining element (24a, 24b, 24c) and a passage channel (26a, 26b, 26c). The entraining element (24a, 24b, 24c) and the passage channel (26a, 26b, 26c) are shaped and arranged in such a way that, with respect to the movement of the powder entrainer (16) across the carrier plane (E), powdery material deposited in front of the powder entrainer (16) on the carrier plane (E) is entrained by the entraining element (24a, 24b, 24c) during a movement of the powder entrainer (16) across the carrier plane (E) in a first direction of movement (R1), and is guided through the passage channel (26a, 26b, 26c) during a movement of the powder entrainer (16) across the carrier plane (E) in a second direction of movement (R2) opposite to the first direction of movement (R1).

A flow device for an additive manufacturing device (1) for the production of a three-dimensional object (2) by layer-wise selective solidification of a building material in a build area (10) comprises: a process chamber (3), a gas supply device for generating a gas stream in the additive manufacturing device (1), at least one gas inlet (32, 43, 132, 232) for introducing the gas stream into the process chamber (3) and at least one gas outlet (34, 45) for directing the gas stream out of the process chamber (3), and a gas supply line (30), which is provided outside the process chamber (3), in order to conduct gas to the at least one gas inlet (32, 43, 132, 232), the gas supply line (30) comprising at least a first line section (31, 41) which adjoins the gas inlet (32, 43, 132, 232) and which extends a length (L) along a first extension direction of the gas supply line (30), the first extension direction being substantially straight, and wherein the first line section (31, 41) extends a maximum value of a width (B) that extends transverse to the first extension direction and parallel to the build area (10), and wherein the length (L) of the first line section (31, 41) is at least as large as one half of the maximum value of the width (B) and wherein the first line section (31, 41) further comprises a first subsection (51) that is arranged at a distance from the gas inlet (32, 43, 132, 232) and which comprises at least a first flow conditioning unit (50, 150) in addition to a wall of the first line section (31, 41), the first flow conditioning unit being designed to substantially align the gas stream in the first extension direction.