The present invention provides a method for altering the bead profile for using 3D printing to improve the shear strength of a so manufactured product by altering the bead height of adjacent beads or in adjacent layers such that either the height or the centers of the beads between adjacent layers are altered. This is achieved by either height reduction or by flow rates to alter the height or positioning of the beads by altering the bead profiles the shear strength between adjacent layers in the X-Y plane is improved. The present invention is equally applicable to increasing shear strength in the Y-Z plane or the X-Z plane as desired.

A method for forming a component includes estimating a dosing plan for powder of a powder bed fusion (PBF) system needed to form the component. The dosing plan includes powder dosing requirements needed per layer to form the component. The method includes providing the dosing plan to a controller of the PBF system. Further, the method includes regulating the powder being supplied to a build chamber of the PBF system from a supply chamber of the PBF system based on the dosing plan. In addition, the method includes additively manufacturing the component via the PBF system using the powder.

A dosing feeder for a powder-fusing apparatus that includes a powder inlet that is configured to receive powder from a discharge opening of a powder bunker, a powder outlet that is configured to release powder to a recoater reservoir of the powder fusion apparatus, and a powder support that is located in between the powder inlet and the powder outlet and that is configured to convey powder from the powder inlet to the powder outlet. The dosing feeder enables dosing of the powder transferred from the powder bunker to the recoater reservoir with high precision if the powder support is coupled to an ultrasonic transmitter and/or to a vibrational drive.

A powder feeding device includes: a hopper including a discharge port for discharging powder; and a conveyance device configured to move a conveyance surface disposed below the discharge port in a first direction and invert the conveyance surface in a front end portion. The hopper includes a front wall portion positioned on a downstream side of the discharge port in the first direction. A predetermined gap is formed between a lower end of the front wall portion and the conveyance surface. In the powder feeding device, powder deposited on the conveyance surface is conveyed in the first direction by the conveyance device with a thickness corresponding to the gap and dropped from the front end portion.

A powder feeding device includes: a hopper including a discharge port for discharging powder; and a conveyance device configured to move a conveyance surface disposed below the discharge port in a first direction and invert the conveyance surface in a front end portion. The hopper includes a front wall portion positioned on a downstream side of the discharge port in the first direction. A predetermined gap is formed between a lower end of the front wall portion and the conveyance surface. In the powder feeding device, powder deposited on the conveyance surface is conveyed in the first direction by the conveyance device with a thickness corresponding to the gap and dropped from the front end portion.

A powder feeding device includes: a hopper including a discharge port for discharging powder; and a conveyance device configured to move a conveyance surface disposed below the discharge port in a first direction and invert the conveyance surface in a front end portion. The hopper includes a front wall portion positioned on a downstream side of the discharge port in the first direction. A predetermined gap is formed between a lower end of the front wall portion and the conveyance surface. In the powder feeding device, powder deposited on the conveyance surface is conveyed in the first direction by the conveyance device with a thickness corresponding to the gap and dropped from the front end portion.

A three-dimensional shaped article production method includes a first step of dividing a gap region that is a gap region sandwiched by multiple partial paths and includes one or multiple concave shapes at an outer circumference based on first data having path data representing a path in which an ejection section moves while ejecting a shaping material by multiple partial paths, and having ejection control data including at least either of ejection amount information representing an ejection amount of the shaping material in each of the partial paths and moving speed information representing a moving speed of the ejection section in each of the partial paths, a second step of generating second data from the first data by changing at least either of the path data and the ejection control data so as to fill up the divided gap region with the shaping material, and a third step of shaping the three-dimensional shaped article by controlling the ejection section according to the second data.

A three-dimensional shaped article production method includes a first step of dividing a gap region that is a gap region sandwiched by multiple partial paths and includes one or multiple concave shapes at an outer circumference based on first data having path data representing a path in which an ejection section moves while ejecting a shaping material by multiple partial paths, and having ejection control data including at least either of ejection amount information representing an ejection amount of the shaping material in each of the partial paths and moving speed information representing a moving speed of the ejection section in each of the partial paths, a second step of generating second data from the first data by changing at least either of the path data and the ejection control data so as to fill up the divided gap region with the shaping material, and a third step of shaping the three-dimensional shaped article by controlling the ejection section according to the second data.

An additive-manufacturing apparatus (100) comprises a support (102) and a powder-material source (106). The additive-manufacturing apparatus (100) further comprises a powder-supply arm (108), which comprises a hollow body (122), having an interior volume (124) that is in communication with the powder-material source (106), a powder-deposition opening (126) in the hollow body (122), and a powder-distribution blade (128), coupled to the hollow body (122) and extending along the powder-deposition opening (126). The additive-manufacturing apparatus (100) also comprises an energy source (110), an energy-supply arm (112), and energy emitters (114), coupled to the energy-supply arm (112). The additive-manufacturing apparatus (100) further comprises a rotary drive (116), configured to rotate the powder-supply arm (108) and the energy-supply arm (112) about a vertical axis A1, passing through the support (102), and intersecting a powder-supply-arm central axis A2 and an energy-supply-arm central axis A3.

A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a plasticizing unit configured to plasticize a material to generate a shaping material; a nozzle; a discharge adjusting unit configured to adjust a discharge amount of the shaping material from the nozzle; a stage on which the shaping material discharged from the nozzle is stacked; and a control unit configured to control the discharge adjusting unit. The discharge adjustment unit includes a discharge adjustment mechanism configured to function to adjust the discharge amount, a photosensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and a motor configured to drive the discharge adjustment mechanism. The control unit adjusts the discharge amount by detecting an initial position of the discharge adjustment mechanism based on a detection result of the photosensor, and sliding or rotating the discharge adjustment mechanism from the initial position by controlling the motor.