Methods and systems for fabricating a component by consolidating a first portion of a particulate include a louvered particulate containment wall positioned around the component and a second portion of the particulate. At least one louver is coupled to the particulate containment wall adjacent at least one opening in the particulate containment wall. The particulate containment wall is positionable between a first position in which the louver prevents the second portion of the particulate from flowing through the passage and a second position in which the second portion of the particulate is able to flow through the passage. The methods include switching the particulate containment wall from the first position to the second position and allowing the second portion of the particulate to flow out of the interior space through the at least one opening.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a build material volume transportation device is described. The build material volume transportation device includes a shuttle to transport a build material volume. The shuttle includes an opening therethrough to receive the build material volume. The build material volume transportation device also includes a build tray to raise the build volume into the opening in the shuttle. The build material volume transportation device further includes a latch assembly to releasably secure the build tray to the shuttle. A tip of the latch assembly extends to interface with the aperture to secure the build tray to the shuttle. The tip rotates independently of the piston.

A method and apparatus for depositing metals and metal-like substances in two and three dimensional form without a substrate in a safe, rapid and economical fashion using gas shielded arc welding equipment and programmable robotic motion. The method and apparatus includes the use and application of robotic controls, temperature and position feedback, single and multiple material feeds, and semi liquid deposition thereby creating near net shape parts particularly well suited to rapid prototyping and lower volume production

There is provided a three-dimensional shaping device that shapes a three-dimensional shaped object by laminating a layer. The three-dimensional shaping device includes: an ejection unit configured to eject a shaping material toward a table; a measurement unit configured to measure the shaping material at a measurement position separated from an ejection position of the ejection unit by a predetermined distance; a position changing unit configured to relatively move the ejection position and the measurement position with respect to the table; and a control unit. A movement range in which the measurement position is moved is wider than a shaping region where the shaping material is deposited on the table. The control unit is configured to perform a measurement of a measurement value by the measurement unit at least in a region where the movement range and the shaping region overlap each other, and control the ejection unit and the position changing unit to shape the three-dimensional shaped object in accordance with the measurement value.

This method describes techniques to create 3D parts by dispensing a liquid polymer or slurry in evenly delivered layers, which are exposed to light from a visual display screen before the print platform upon which it is being built is moved one-layer thickness away and the process is repeated. The process of dispensing the photosensitive material is via a pumped system through a metering device that discharges and levels the material. Multiple dispensing devices can be arranged in sequence to deliver different materials, either multiple photosensitive dispensing heads or alternative mechanisms such as robocasting, fused deposition modelling or inkjet in addition to a photosensitive deposition head.

This method describes techniques to create 3D parts by dispensing a liquid polymer or slurry in evenly delivered layers, which are exposed to light from a visual display screen before the print platform upon which it is being built is moved one-layer thickness away and the process is repeated. The process of dispensing the photosensitive material is via a pumped system through a metering device that discharges and levels the material. Multiple dispensing devices can be arranged in sequence to deliver different materials, either multiple photosensitive dispensing heads or alternative mechanisms such as robocasting, fused deposition modelling or inkjet in addition to a photosensitive deposition head.

A multi-material three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided. The provided apparatus includes two or more print stations. Each of the print stations includes a substrate, a transportation device, a dispersion device, a compaction device, a printing device, a fixing device, and a fluidized materials removal device. The apparatus also includes an assembly apparatus in communication with the two or more print stations via the transportation device. The apparatus also includes one or more transfer devices in communication with the assembly apparatus. The apparatus also includes a computing and controlling device configured to control the operations of the two or more print stations, the assembly apparatus and the one or more transfer devices.

A multi-material three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided. The provided apparatus includes two or more print stations. Each of the print stations includes a substrate, a transportation device, a dispersion device, a compaction device, a printing device, a fixing device, and a fluidized materials removal device. The apparatus also includes an assembly apparatus in communication with the two or more print stations via the transportation device. The apparatus also includes one or more transfer devices in communication with the assembly apparatus. The apparatus also includes a computing and controlling device configured to control the operations of the two or more print stations, the assembly apparatus and the one or more transfer devices.

An electron beam melting machine and a method of operation are provided which maintains constant energy absorption within a build layer by adjusting an incident energy level to compensate for energy not absorbed by the additive powder. This unabsorbed energy is detected in the form of electron emissions, which include secondary electrons, backscattered electrons, and/or electrons which are transmitted through the build platform.

A printer is described that comprises a print chamber and an electromagnet moveable within the print chamber. The electromagnet has an on state and an off state. The electromagnet is to collect magnetic powder within the print chamber when in the on state, and to deposit magnetic powder when in the off state.