This build material spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing, includes a movable spreader, a build material dispenser, and a controller to calibrate the amount of build material needed to form a layer. The controller controls the build material dispenser to dispense a predetermined amount of build material. The controller controls the movable spreader to spread the dispensed build material to form a layer. The controller determines an amount of build material remaining after spreading. The controller modifies, based on the determined amount of remaining build material, the predetermined amount of build material to be subsequently provided by the build material dispenser.

This build material spreading apparatus for additive manufacturing, includes a movable spreader, a build material dispenser, and a controller to calibrate the amount of build material needed to form a layer. The controller controls the build material dispenser to dispense a predetermined amount of build material. The controller controls the movable spreader to spread the dispensed build material to form a layer. The controller determines an amount of build material remaining after spreading. The controller modifies, based on the determined amount of remaining build material, the predetermined amount of build material to be subsequently provided by the build material dispenser.

A build material dispensing device may include a material spreader to spread an amount of build material along a build platform, and at least one hopper for dispensing the build material. The at least one hopper dispenses a plurality of doses of the build material in front of the progression of the material spreader as the material spreader is moved over the build platform.

A build material dispensing device may include a material spreader to spread an amount of build material along a build platform, and at least one hopper for dispensing the build material. The at least one hopper dispenses a plurality of doses of the build material in front of the progression of the material spreader as the material spreader is moved over the build platform.

Mechanisms to spread build material on a print bed are disclosed. In example apparatuses a conveyor, having an endless belt, is used. A build material reservoir deposits build material on the endless belt, in a build material receiving area of the conveyor. A build material preheater is used to preheat build material transported by the endless belt in a build material preheating area of the conveyor. The preheated build material is then deposited on the print bed.

Certain examples relate to a build material management system to transport build material from a collection to source to one of a plurality of storage tanks. The storage tank is determined by a controller that compares color of the build material measured by a color sensor with predetermined values. The controller routes the build material to the storage tank.

In one example, an apparatus for supplying material to an additive manufacturing platform comprises a rotatable delivery module comprising a vane; and a plurality of distribution elements. In use, the rotatable delivery module is controllable to rotate the vane to a supply position to enable material to be supplied to an additive manufacturing platform from the vane. The vane and the plurality of distribution elements are arranged such that during the rotation: the vane provides a dose amount of material from a material supply module for supply to an additive manufacturing platform and at least one of the plurality of distribution elements distributes material within the material supply module so that the vane supplies a substantially uniform dose of material along the length of the vane to the additive manufacturing platform.

A jetted binder printing system includes a carrier substrate configured to travel along a longitudinal direction thereof, an adjustable binder printer configured to deliver an adjustable binder to the carrier substrate, a dispensing module located downstream from the adjustable binder printer on the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate, the dispensing module including at least one powder container, the dispensing module being configured to dispense powder onto the carrier substrate, and a primary binder printer located downstream from the compaction module along the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate. The primary binder printer includes a print head configured to print a primary binder on the dispensed powder according to a desired pattern. The primary binder is printed on a surface of the powder that is opposite a surface on which the adjustable binder is printed. The primary binder is printed to match the pattern of the adjustable binder.

A jetted binder printing system includes a carrier substrate configured to travel along a longitudinal direction thereof, an adjustable binder printer configured to deliver an adjustable binder to the carrier substrate, a dispensing module located downstream from the adjustable binder printer on the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate, the dispensing module including at least one powder container, the dispensing module being configured to dispense powder onto the carrier substrate, and a primary binder printer located downstream from the compaction module along the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate. The primary binder printer includes a print head configured to print a primary binder on the dispensed powder according to a desired pattern. The primary binder is printed on a surface of the powder that is opposite a surface on which the adjustable binder is printed. The primary binder is printed to match the pattern of the adjustable binder.

A recoating unit for equipping and/or retrofitting a device for producing a three-dimensional object by means of selectively solidifying, layer by layer, of a building material in powder form. The recoating unit is configured, depending on its movement in the first direction or in its opposite direction, to receive building material in that chamber that is the trailing chamber in the respective direction of movement and to spread the building material received in the respective trailing chamber to a uniform layer by means of the respective trailing recoating element.