A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a plasticizing section, a stage, an ejection section having a first nozzle and a second nozzle, each of which communicates with the plasticizing section, a first ejection adjusting section, a second ejection adjusting section, a moving section that relatively moves the ejection section with respect to the stage, and a control unit. The control unit performs a switching process for switching from a first state in which the ejection of the plasticized material from the first nozzle is stopped and the plasticized material is ejected from the second nozzle to a second state in which the plasticized material is ejected from the first nozzle and the second nozzle by controlling the first ejection adjusting section and the second ejection adjusting section, and an ejection amount decreasing process for decreasing the ejection amount of the plasticized material from the second nozzle by controlling the screw or the second ejection adjusting section before switching from the first state to the second state.

Techniques for rapid powder removal in a 3-D printer are disclosed. In various embodiments, the 3-D printer has a build plate for supporting a build piece. The build plate includes first structures for supporting unfused powder on a top of the build plate when the first structures are in a closed configuration. The first structures can transition to an open configuration to expose paths for allowing the unfused powder to pass through the build plate, and a second structure for preventing the build piece from passing through the build plate when the first structures are in the open configuration. In various embodiments, the unfused powder can thereafter be replaced with cool powder to assist in forming a predictable microstructure that makes up the build piece.

Techniques for rapid powder removal in a 3-D printer are disclosed. In various embodiments, the 3-D printer has a build plate for supporting a build piece. The build plate includes first structures for supporting unfused powder on a top of the build plate when the first structures are in a closed configuration. The first structures can transition to an open configuration to expose paths for allowing the unfused powder to pass through the build plate, and a second structure for preventing the build piece from passing through the build plate when the first structures are in the open configuration. In various embodiments, the unfused powder can thereafter be replaced with cool powder to assist in forming a predictable microstructure that makes up the build piece.

A method of manufacturing an object comprises applying a layer of building material in powder form having a predetermined thickness onto a layer of the building material already previously applied which has been solidified in a region corresponding to a cross section of the object. A recoater is moved in a direction across the layer already previously applied, and the building material is solidified in a shape corresponding to a cross section of the object. Prior to the application of a layer, for a solidified region having a thickness in the layer applied before, the maximum of the product of the extension of this region in movement direction of the recoater and the thickness is determined and during the application of the layer, at least an additional powder amount proportional to the value of the maximum is additionally provided.

A method of manufacturing an object comprises applying a layer of building material in powder form having a predetermined thickness onto a layer of the building material already previously applied which has been solidified in a region corresponding to a cross section of the object. A recoater is moved in a direction across the layer already previously applied, and the building material is solidified in a shape corresponding to a cross section of the object. Prior to the application of a layer, for a solidified region having a thickness in the layer applied before, the maximum of the product of the extension of this region in movement direction of the recoater and the thickness is determined and during the application of the layer, at least an additional powder amount proportional to the value of the maximum is additionally provided.

A stirring device for a powder tank of an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The stirring device is configured to rotate within the powder tank about an axis of rotation, and comprises a base plate and a strut. The strut extends from the base plate and is arranged to extend into the powder tank forming an obtuse angle with the outer edge of the base plate

A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes an ejector and a coil wrapped at least partially around the ejector. The 3D printer also includes a power source configured to transmit voltage pulses to the coil. The 3D printer also includes a computing system configured to cause the power source to transmit the voltage pulses to the coil in intermittent bursts. The voltage pulses in each burst occur at a burst frequency from about 60 Hz to about 2000 Hz. The coil causes a drop of printing material to be jetted through a nozzle of the ejector in response to each voltage pulse. The drops generated in response to the voltage pulses in each burst land at substantially a same location in a horizontal plane.

A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes an ejector and a coil wrapped at least partially around the ejector. The 3D printer also includes a power source configured to transmit voltage pulses to the coil. The 3D printer also includes a computing system configured to cause the power source to transmit the voltage pulses to the coil in intermittent bursts. The voltage pulses in each burst occur at a burst frequency from about 60 Hz to about 2000 Hz. The coil causes a drop of printing material to be jetted through a nozzle of the ejector in response to each voltage pulse. The drops generated in response to the voltage pulses in each burst land at substantially a same location in a horizontal plane.

A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes an ejector and a coil wrapped at least partially around the ejector. The 3D printer also includes a power source configured to transmit voltage pulses to the coil. The 3D printer also includes a computing system configured to cause the power source to transmit the voltage pulses to the coil in intermittent bursts. The voltage pulses in each burst occur at a burst frequency from about 60 Hz to about 2000 Hz. The coil causes a drop of printing material to be jetted through a nozzle of the ejector in response to each voltage pulse. The drops generated in response to the voltage pulses in each burst land at substantially a same location in a horizontal plane.

A processing system is provided with: a processing apparatus that has a supply part which supplies materials from a storing part for storing the materials and that performs, on the basis of a build data, a processing process for forming the build object by using the materials supplied from the supply part; and an output apparatus that outputs information relating to an amount of the materials that is obtained on the basis of the build data and a stored amount of the materials stored by the storing part