The present invention relates to an additive manufacturing system for powdery starting material which comprises electron beam guns as irradiation units. The system comprises an improved shielding against ionizing radiation, in particular x-rays. By use of the additive manufacturing system according to the invention a compact an lightweight shielding of the construction area is achieved.

A three-dimensional printing system includes a build platform comprising a build surface. The printing system also includes an enclosure system having a side portion extending entirely around the build surface, a top plate portion that abuts the side portion, and a bottom portion. The side portion, the top plate portion and the bottom portion form an enclosed space surrounding the build surface. The top plate portion is moveable so as to adjust a volume of the enclosed space. A 3D printer printhead is disposed adjacent to the enclosure system for depositing a print material onto the build surface. The printing system also includes a heating system for heating the enclosed space.

A three-dimensional printing system includes a build platform comprising a build surface. The printing system also includes an enclosure system having a side portion extending entirely around the build surface, a top plate portion that abuts the side portion, and a bottom portion. The side portion, the top plate portion and the bottom portion form an enclosed space surrounding the build surface. The top plate portion is moveable so as to adjust a volume of the enclosed space. A 3D printer printhead is disposed adjacent to the enclosure system for depositing a print material onto the build surface. The printing system also includes a heating system for heating the enclosed space.

A z-lift and leveling assembly for leveling a platen in a heated chamber of a 3D printer includes first, second, third, and fourth z-actuators in a rectangular configuration. Each z-actuator includes a linear drive configured to supply motion in the z-direction and a mounting bracket secured to the linear drive and configured to move with the linear drive in the z-direction. The assembly includes a set of four pin couplings each associated with one of the first, second, third and fourth z-actuators. Each pin coupling includes a pivot block secured to the mounting bracket with a first pivot pin forming a first pin joint between the mounting bracket and the pivot block, where the pivot block is configured to move relative to the mounting bracket about a first pivot axis of the first pivot pin. The pivot block is secured to the platen or an arm of the platen with a second pivot pin forming a second pin joint such that the pivot block and the platen move relative to each other about a second pivot axis. As the mounting bracket is moved, the pivot block moves relative to the mounting bracket about the first pivot axis and the pivot block moves relative to the platen about the second pivot axis such that a z-position of the platen can be manipulated to and maintained in a substantially level configuration in the z-direction though the independent manipulation of the first, second, third and fourth z-actuators and wherein the substantially level configuration can be maintained when the platen is incremented in the z-direction during printing of a part.

Methods are provided that include depositing a nickel-base superalloy powder including gamma nickel solid solution and gamma prime (Ni.sub.3Al) solid solution phases onto a seed crystal having a predetermined primary orientation, fully melting the powder and a portion of the seed crystal at a superliquidus temperature to form an initial layer having the predetermined primary orientation, heat treating the layer at subsolvus temperatures to precipitate gamma prime solid solution phase particles, depositing additional powder over the layer, melting the deposited powder and a portion of the initial layer at a superliquidus temperature to form a successive layer having the predetermined primary orientation, heat treating the layer at a subsolvus temperature to precipitate gamma prime solid solution phase particles, and repeating depositing additional powder, melting the additional powder and the portion of the successive layer at the superliquidus temperature, and heat treating the successive layer at a subsolvus temperature.

A three-dimensional printer device includes a supplying apparatus, a formation table, a recycling trough, a distribution apparatus, a power collection cover, and a control unit. The supplying apparatus is provided to contain the powder material. The formation table has a horizontal surface, and one side of the horizontal surface is disposed adjacent to the supplying apparatus. The recycling trough has an opening, the opening is disposed at the other side of the horizontal surface opposite to the supplying apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a roller; the roller is movable across the horizontal surface between the supplying apparatus and the recycling trough, so that the powder material inside the supplying apparatus can be distributed onto the horizontal surface. The powder collection cover covers the roller. The control unit is electrically connected to the distribution apparatus and controls the roller to move between the supplying apparatus and the recycling trough.

An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. Improved structure formation, part creation and manipulation, use of multiple additive manufacturing systems, and high throughput manufacturing methods suitable for automated or semi-automated factories are also disclosed.

Aspects of the disclosure include apparatuses and systems for rotatably engaging an additive manufacturing build plate. An apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure can include: a height adjustable platform; a rotatable member coupled to the height adjustable platform; an alignment member coupled to a first end of the rotatable member; and first and second coupling members each extending from the first radial end of the alignment member wherein the first and second coupling members are oriented substantially parallel to the rotatable member.

A light-based measurement system is capable of directing a light beam to a cooperative target used in conjunction with a cable robot to accurately control the position of the end effector within a large volume working environment defined by a single coordinate system. By measuring the end effector while the device is in operation, the cable robot control system can be adjusted in real time to correct for errors that are introduced through the design of the robot itself providing accuracy in the tens or hundreds of micron range. A coordination processor runs control software that communicates with both the laser tracker and the cable robot. An action plan file is loaded by the software that defines the coordinate system of the working volume, the locations where actions need to be performed by the cable robot, and the actions to be taken.

A light-based measurement system is capable of directing a light beam to a cooperative target used in conjunction with a cable robot to accurately control the position of the end effector within a large volume working environment defined by a single coordinate system. By measuring the end effector while the device is in operation, the cable robot control system can be adjusted in real time to correct for errors that are introduced through the design of the robot itself providing accuracy in the tens or hundreds of micron range. A coordination processor runs control software that communicates with both the laser tracker and the cable robot. An action plan file is loaded by the software that defines the coordinate system of the working volume, the locations where actions need to be performed by the cable robot, and the actions to be taken.