An additive manufacturing system including a housing configured to contain a powder bed of material, and an array of laser emitters having a field of view. The array is configured to melt at least a portion of the powder bed within the field of view as the array translates relative to the powder bed. The system further includes a spatter collection device including a diffuser configured to discharge a stream of gas across the powder bed, and a collector configured to receive the stream of gas and contaminants entrained in the stream of gas. The collector is spaced from the diffuser such that a collection zone is defined therebetween, and the spatter collection device is configured to translate relative to the powder bed such that the collection zone overlaps with the field of view of the array.

An irradiation device for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include a beam generation device configured to generate an energy beam, an optical modulator including a micromirror array disposed downstream from the beam generation device, and a focusing lens assembly disposed downstream from the optical modulator. The micromirror array may include a plurality of micromirror elements configured to reflect a corresponding plurality of beam segment of the energy beam along a beam path incident upon the focusing lens assembly. The focusing lens assembly may include one or more lenses configured to focus the plurality of beam segments such that for respective ones of a plurality of modulation groups including a subset of micromirror elements, a corresponding subset of beam segments are focused to at least partially overlap with one another at a combination zone corresponding to the respective modulation group.

The invention relates to a facility (1) for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects from material powder, through layerwise consolidation of said material powder present on a process surface (42) in such places of the particular layer (40) that correspond, in accordance with geometrical data, to the object about to be manufactured, wherein the facility (1) comprises a process floor (46) surrounding the process surface and a powder feed device (10) to feed, provide and distribute the powder on the process surface (42), wherein the powder feed device (10) comprises: a conveying element (12) for feeding powder into the powder feed device (10), a reservoir (14), into which the at least one conveying element (12) feeds the powder, a process conveying element (16), which can act on powder in the reservoir (14), in order to provide this in dosed quantity on the process floor (46) adjacent to the process surface (42), a process pusher (18) for distributing the powder provided adjacent to the process surface (42) over the process surface (42), wherein the process conveying element (16) is designed, such that the powder adjacent to the process surface (42) can be provided in the form of a line.

The invention relates to a facility (1) for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects from material powder, through layerwise consolidation of said material powder present on a process surface (42) in such places of the particular layer (40) that correspond, in accordance with geometrical data, to the object about to be manufactured, wherein the facility (1) comprises a process floor (46) surrounding the process surface and a powder feed device (10) to feed, provide and distribute the powder on the process surface (42), wherein the powder feed device (10) comprises: a conveying element (12) for feeding powder into the powder feed device (10), a reservoir (14), into which the at least one conveying element (12) feeds the powder, a process conveying element (16), which can act on powder in the reservoir (14), in order to provide this in dosed quantity on the process floor (46) adjacent to the process surface (42), a process pusher (18) for distributing the powder provided adjacent to the process surface (42) over the process surface (42), wherein the process conveying element (16) is designed, such that the powder adjacent to the process surface (42) can be provided in the form of a line.

An element comprising a non-stick surface for substantially cleanly removing a product which is arranged against said non-stick surface. The element comprises a first layer of an pervious material, which is configured to allow a fluid to flow there through. An outer surface of said first layer provides the non-stick surface. The element comprises a second layer of an impervious material, which is configured to substantially block a flow of fluid there through. The second layer is arranged at a side of said first layer opposite to the outer surface. The element comprises ducts or chambers which are arranged in said first layer or in between said first and second layer. Said ducts or chambers are arranged in fluid connection with said pervious material and are configured for feeding a pressurized fluid to the pervious material. At least the first layer is formed using a three-dimensional printing tool.

A compactor is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may include a housing connectable to the additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may also include a compacting wheel, and at least one spring disposed in the housing and configured to exert an axial force on the compacting wheel. The compactor may further include a piston moveable to adjust a distance between the housing and the compacting wheel.

A thermal control apparatus including a body defining a centerline axis extended along a height and a circumferential direction extended relative to the centerline axis. The body forms a flow circuit therethrough, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening each in fluid communication with the flow circuit. The flow circuit is extended in parallel flow arrangement along the circumferential direction from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. A cavity is extended at least partially through the body along the centerline axis. A thermal control system includes the thermal control apparatus, a fluid flow device configured to provide a flow of heat transfer fluid to the apparatus through the inlet opening and to receive the flow of heat transfer fluid from the outlet opening of the apparatus, and a flow conduit providing fluid communication of the flow of heat transfer fluid between the fluid flow device and the apparatus.

A method for determining a set point for measurements from a temperature sensor of an apparatus for the layer-by-layer formation of a three-dimensional object from particulate material, and associated controllers. The method includes distributing a calibration layer of particulate material over a build bed surface; selectively applying absorption-modifying fluid to a reference area or a surrounding area thereof, on the build bed surface; (c) lowering the build bed surface to a calibration depth, (d) applying heat to the reference area using a moveable heat source while measuring the temperature increase of a sub-reference area over a duration of time and/or taking optical readings of an optical property of the sub-reference area over the duration of time; (e) determining the onset of fusion of the particulate material; and (f) applying the onset of fusion as the set point for subsequent temperature measurements.

A method for determining a set point for measurements from a temperature sensor of an apparatus for the layer-by-layer formation of a three-dimensional object from particulate material, and associated controllers. The method includes distributing a calibration layer of particulate material over a build bed surface; selectively applying absorption-modifying fluid to a reference area or a surrounding area thereof, on the build bed surface; (c) lowering the build bed surface to a calibration depth, (d) applying heat to the reference area using a moveable heat source while measuring the temperature increase of a sub-reference area over a duration of time and/or taking optical readings of an optical property of the sub-reference area over the duration of time; (e) determining the onset of fusion of the particulate material; and (f) applying the onset of fusion as the set point for subsequent temperature measurements.

A method for determining a set point for measurements from a temperature sensor of an apparatus for the layer-by-layer formation of a three-dimensional object from particulate material, and associated controllers. The method includes distributing a calibration layer of particulate material over a build bed surface; selectively applying absorption-modifying fluid to a reference area or a surrounding area thereof, on the build bed surface; (c) lowering the build bed surface to a calibration depth, (d) applying heat to the reference area using a moveable heat source while measuring the temperature increase of a sub-reference area over a duration of time and/or taking optical readings of an optical property of the sub-reference area over the duration of time; (e) determining the onset of fusion of the particulate material; and (f) applying the onset of fusion as the set point for subsequent temperature measurements.