An actuator assembly for distributing build material and depositing binder material in an additive manufacturing apparatus may comprise an upper support and a lower support spaced vertically spaced from one another. A recoat head actuator may be coupled to a recoat head and one of the upper support and the lower support. The recoat head actuator may include a recoat motion axis. The recoat head actuator effects bi-directional movement of the recoat head on the recoat motion axis. A print head actuator may be coupled to a print head and the other of the upper support and the lower support. The print head actuator may include a print motion axis. The print head actuator effects bi-directional movement of the print head on the print motion axis. The recoat motion axis and the print motion axis are parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction.

A layering device for preparation of layers being formed in additive manufacture, each layer formed by printing a mold wall to define a mold space and filling the mold space with a paste to form the layer. The layering device comprises a roller to press the mold wall from above to form a mold layer surface in a plane, a paste applicator and a blade to spread the paste to fill the mold space. The blade is aligned into the plane to smooth the paste flush with the mold layer surface.

A layering device for preparation of layers being formed in additive manufacture, each layer formed by printing a mold wall to define a mold space and filling the mold space with a paste to form the layer. The layering device comprises a roller to press the mold wall from above to form a mold layer surface in a plane, a paste applicator and a blade to spread the paste to fill the mold space. The blade is aligned into the plane to smooth the paste flush with the mold layer surface.

The apparatus for additively manufacturing includes a chamber, a work table, a base plate, an imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a control apparatus. The imaging apparatus images a first region including an entire build region on the work table to obtain a first image which the image processing apparatus analyzes to obtain position information of the base plate in the build region. The control apparatus calculates coordinates of a detection target point as first calculated coordinates from the position information. The imaging apparatus images a second region being a part of the first region and including the first calculated coordinates to obtain a second image which the image processing apparatus analyzes to obtain position information of the detection target point in the build region. The control apparatus calculates coordinates of the detection target point as second calculated coordinates from the position information of the detection target point.

The apparatus for additively manufacturing includes a chamber, a work table, a base plate, an imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a control apparatus. The imaging apparatus images a first region including an entire build region on the work table to obtain a first image which the image processing apparatus analyzes to obtain position information of the base plate in the build region. The control apparatus calculates coordinates of a detection target point as first calculated coordinates from the position information. The imaging apparatus images a second region being a part of the first region and including the first calculated coordinates to obtain a second image which the image processing apparatus analyzes to obtain position information of the detection target point in the build region. The control apparatus calculates coordinates of the detection target point as second calculated coordinates from the position information of the detection target point.

A system and a method for the rapid manufacturing of objects by direct metal deposition are disclosed. The system and method include an oscillating nozzle suspended by a gantry system or a robotic arm over a workpiece build. In some embodiments, the workpiece build is supported by a rotary stage, while in other embodiments the workpiece build is stationary. In embodiments including a rotary stage, the oscillating nozzle oscillates back and forth along the X-axis, and/or rotates clockwise and counter-clockwise about the Y-axis, as the rotary stage rotates about the Z-axis, resulting in a sinusoidal toolpath. In embodiments lacking a rotary stage, the oscillating nozzle is continuously rotated about the Z-axis by the gantry system or the robot arm. The sinusoidal toolpath results in a sinusoidal deposition track, which is particularly useful for building walled structures having rotational symmetry, including conical structures.

A system and a method for the rapid manufacturing of objects by direct metal deposition are disclosed. The system and method include an oscillating nozzle suspended by a gantry system or a robotic arm over a workpiece build. In some embodiments, the workpiece build is supported by a rotary stage, while in other embodiments the workpiece build is stationary. In embodiments including a rotary stage, the oscillating nozzle oscillates back and forth along the X-axis, and/or rotates clockwise and counter-clockwise about the Y-axis, as the rotary stage rotates about the Z-axis, resulting in a sinusoidal toolpath. In embodiments lacking a rotary stage, the oscillating nozzle is continuously rotated about the Z-axis by the gantry system or the robot arm. The sinusoidal toolpath results in a sinusoidal deposition track, which is particularly useful for building walled structures having rotational symmetry, including conical structures.

In one example, a system for loading build material into a portable build unit having a platform on which objects are printed and a build material supply container next to the platform. The system includes a build material dispenser, a conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser, and a controller operatively connected to the dispenser and the conveyor. The controller is programmed to, with the build unit and the dispenser in a fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material into the supply container, cause the conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, and, while the conveyor moves the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material on to the platform.

In one example, a system for loading build material into a portable build unit having a platform on which objects are printed and a build material supply container next to the platform. The system includes a build material dispenser, a conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser, and a controller operatively connected to the dispenser and the conveyor. The controller is programmed to, with the build unit and the dispenser in a fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material into the supply container, cause the conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, and, while the conveyor moves the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material on to the platform.

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.