In an embodiment a 3D printer for additive manufacturing of a multilayer component includes a work surface, at least two movable dispensers configured to coat the work surface with one of at least two different raw materials in each case, wherein at least a part of the respective raw material is addable to the component as a layer in a manufacturing step, and at least two movable recovering devices configured to selectively recover the respective raw material which is not consumed when a layer is added to the component and return the recovered raw material to a respective associated 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.

A wax layer may be applied to a print bed to promote adhesion and release of a printed part during additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing methods may comprise: depositing a wax layer comprising one or more waxes upon a print bed of an additive manufacturing apparatus, and forming a printed part upon the print bed through layer-by-layer deposition of a printing material. The printed parts may be released from the print bed once printing is complete, but without damaging the print bed.

In one example, a system for loading a build material powder supply receptacle for a 3D printer includes a reconditioner having a container and a heater to burn unwanted residue from used build material powder in the container, to form reconditioned build material powder, a conveyor operatively connected to the reconditioner to convey used build material powder to the container, and a dispenser operatively connected to the reconditioner to dispense reconditioned build material powder from the container into the supply receptacle.

In one example, a system for loading a build material powder supply receptacle for a 3D printer includes a reconditioner having a container and a heater to burn unwanted residue from used build material powder in the container, to form reconditioned build material powder, a conveyor operatively connected to the reconditioner to convey used build material powder to the container, and a dispenser operatively connected to the reconditioner to dispense reconditioned build material powder from the container into the supply receptacle.

The invention relates to a device (1) for the production, in particular the production and metering, of a powder mixture for an additive manufacturing process. The powder mixture for the additive manufacturing process comprises a first powder arranged in a first container (2), and at least one further, in particular a second, powder arranged in at least one further, in particular a second, container (2′). An inlet of a first means of powder transport and/or metering (4) is arranged at the outlet (6) of the first container (2), and an inlet of a further, in particular a second, means of powder transport and/or metering (4′), is arranged at the outlet (6′) of the further, in particular the second, container (2′). The first powder can be supplied by means of the first means of transport and/or metering (4) and the further, in particular the second, powder can be supplied by means of the further, in particular the second, means of transport and/or metering (4′), in each case in a controlled manner, in particular in a controllable and/or regulatable manner, to at least one mixing container (5), preferably comprising at least one screen (10). The outlet (7) of the first means of transport and/or metering (4) and the outlet (7′) of the further, in particular the second, means of transport and/or metering (4′) are arranged in or above the mixing container (5) above each other, or next to each other, preferably above each other, or next to each other, and in each case above the screen (10).

A three-dimensional (3D) printing method and apparatus are disclosed for freeform fabrication of metal articles. 3D printed articles are formed from a build material comprising metal powder(s), polymer(s), and solvent(s). A coagulation agent, such as a nebulized non-solvent, is disposed onto/about the build material during 3D printing to cause at least partial solidification of the build material to form a green body structure. Multiple build materials can be mixed at a variable ratio to achieve a composition gradient through the green body structure. The 3D printed green body structure can be heated to remove some or all of the polymer, solvent, and/or for debinding. The debinded green body structure can be sintered at a specific sintering temperature or over a temperature gradient, for a period of time, in accordance with the sintering properties of the particular metal powder in the debinded green body structure, to form a finished metal part.

A method for operating a printer can include placing a first print material into a supply reservoir of the printer. The method also includes placing a second print material into the supply reservoir to combine with the first print material to form a diluted print material. The method also includes causing the diluted print material to exit the supply reservoir. Another method for operating a printer includes adding a first print material having a first melting point to a supply reservoir at a first rate. The method also includes adding a second print material having a second melting point to a supply reservoir at a second rate. The method for operating a printer also includes allowing the first print material and the second print material to combine to form a diluted print material. A printing system is also disclosed.

A plasmonic hierarchical structure according to an embodiment includes a nanogap formed between metal nanoparticles. The nanogap has a width of 1 nm to 100 nm. The metal nanoparticles comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd). The plasmonic hierarchical structure further includes silica (SiO.sub.2) nanoparticles or CdSe quantum dots. A method for producing a plasmonic hierarchical structure according to an embodiment includes: injecting a metal nanoparticle solution into a micropipette; releasing the metal nanoparticle solution by bringing the micropipette into contact with a substrate; and forming a meniscus of the released metal nanoparticle solution, thereby producing a plasmonic hierarchical structure.