A three-dimensional fabrication system includes a supply device that supplies a fabrication material to form a fabrication material layer, an application device that applies a binder to the fabrication material layer, and circuitry. The circuitry determines a fabrication control condition based on data of a shape of a three-dimensional object to be fabricated, to form the fabrication material layer having a biased distribution of a density of the fabrication material.

A three-dimensional fabrication system includes a supply device that supplies a fabrication material to form a fabrication material layer, an application device that applies a binder to the fabrication material layer, and circuitry. The circuitry determines a fabrication control condition based on data of a shape of a three-dimensional object to be fabricated, to form the fabrication material layer having a biased distribution of a density of the fabrication material.

The invention relates to an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising a process chamber for receiving a bath of material which can be solidified by exposure to electromagnetic radiation; a support for positioning the object in relation to the surface level of the bath of material; and a solidifying device for solidifying a selective layer-part of the material on the surface level by means of electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore optical control device is provided with a focus unit in an optical pathway of the electromagnetic radiation of the solidifying device, and arranged for controlling at least the focus of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the solidifying device on the surface level. According to the invention, the optical control device comprises a sensor element arranged for detecting a measure for the accuracy of the focus of the electromagnetic radiation and a focus correction lens element that is arranged to be movable. By moving said focus correction lens element, focus may be corrected, for example due to thermal behaviour of the optical system.

This disclosure describes an additive manufacturing method that includes monitoring a temperature of a portion of a build plane during an additive manufacturing operation using a temperature sensor as a heat source passes through the portion of the build plane; detecting a peak temperature associated with one or more passes of the heat source through the portion of the build plane; determining a threshold temperature by reducing the peak temperature by a predetermined amount; identifying a time interval during which the monitored temperature exceeds the threshold temperature; identifying, using the time interval, a change in manufacturing conditions likely to result in a manufacturing defect; and changing a process parameter of the heat source in response to the change in manufacturing conditions.

An electron beam source including a cathode, an anode, a means for deflecting an electron beam over a target surface and at least one vacuum pump, the electron beam source further including a contraction area arranged between the anode and the means for deflecting the electron beam where a hole in the contraction area is aligned with a hole in the anode with respect to the cathode, a first vacuum pump is arranged between the contraction area and the anode and a second vacuum pump is arranged above the anode, a gas inlet is provided between the contraction area and the means for deflecting the electron beam, wherein a first crossover of the electron beam is arranged between the cathode and the anode and a second crossover is arranged at or in close proximity to the contraction area.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a platform, a dispenser configured to deliver a plurality of successive layers of feed material onto the platform, at least one light source configured to generate a first light beam and a second light beam, a polygon mirror scanner, an actuator, and a galvo mirror scanner. The polygon mirror scanner is configured to receive the first light beam and reflect the first light beam towards the platform. Rotation of the first polygon mirror causes the light beam to move in a first direction along a path on a layer of feed material on the platform. The actuator is configured to cause the path to move along a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The galvo mirror scanner system is configured to receive the second light beam and reflect the second light beam toward the platform.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a platform, a dispenser configured to deliver a plurality of successive layers of feed material onto the platform, at least one light source configured to generate a first light beam and a second light beam, a polygon mirror scanner, an actuator, and a galvo mirror scanner. The polygon mirror scanner is configured to receive the first light beam and reflect the first light beam towards the platform. Rotation of the first polygon mirror causes the light beam to move in a first direction along a path on a layer of feed material on the platform. The actuator is configured to cause the path to move along a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The galvo mirror scanner system is configured to receive the second light beam and reflect the second light beam toward the platform.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a platform, a dispenser configured to deliver a plurality of successive layers of feed material onto the platform, at least one light source configured to generate a first light beam and a second light beam, a polygon mirror scanner, an actuator, and a galvo mirror scanner. The polygon mirror scanner is configured to receive the first light beam and reflect the first light beam towards the platform. Rotation of the first polygon mirror causes the light beam to move in a first direction along a path on a layer of feed material on the platform. The actuator is configured to cause the path to move along a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The galvo mirror scanner system is configured to receive the second light beam and reflect the second light beam toward the platform.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a powder layer forming portion, an energy beam source, and a contact detection sensor including a plate-like probe. The powder layer forming portion is configured to form a powder layer in a predetermined region. The energy beam source is configured to radiate an energy beam to the powder layer formed by the powder layer forming portion to fuse or sinter the powder layer so that a solidified layer is formed. Presence or absence of a projection portion on a surface of the solidified layer is detected by using the contact detection sensor.

Systems and methods for curing adhesives in a robotic assembly cell are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure comprises a chassis, a gearbox, coupled to the chassis, and a radiation head, coupled to the gearbox, the radiation head emitting radiation in a direction, wherein the radiation head is moveable with respect to the chassis.