A fabrication apparatus includes a forming device, an application device, an acquisition device, and circuitry. The forming device forms a layer containing powder. The application device applies a fabrication liquid to the layer formed by the forming device. The acquisition device acquires surface information of a surface of the layer. The circuitry controls at least one of the forming device or the application device to change at least one of an operation of the forming device or an operation of the application device based on the surface information acquired by the acquisition device.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the formation of three-dimensional objects. A method for forming a three-dimensional object may comprise alternately and sequentially applying a stream comprising a binding substance to an area of a layer of powder material in a powder bed, and generating at least one perimeter of the three-dimensional object in the area. The stream may be applied in accordance with a model design of the three-dimensional object. The at least one perimeter may generated in accordance with the model design.

Disclosed herein is a system and a method for controlling laser energy deposition in order to normalize post-sintering temperatures is presented. Sensors provide feedback for in-situ control of laser power to reduce the influence the pre-sintering thermal profile has on the post-sintering temperatures. By actively controlling the laser during its scanning, the post-sintering temperatures can be more accurately controlled, resulting in mechanical and geometric improvements in part quality.

Production methods for producing a fibre-reinforced metal component having a metal matrix which is penetrated by a plurality of reinforcing fibres are provided. One method includes depositing in layers reinforcing fibres in fibre layers, depositing in layers and liquefying a metal modelling material in matrix material layers, and consolidating in layers the metal modelling material in adjacently deposited matrix material layers to form the metal matrix of the fibre-reinforced metal component. Here, the metal component is formed integrally from alternately deposited matrix material layers and fibre layers. An alternative method includes introducing an open three-dimensional fibrewoven fabric consisting of reinforcing fibres into a casting mould, pouring a liquid metal modelling material into the casting mould and consolidating the metal modelling material to form the metal matrix of the fibre-reinforced metal component. Here, the metal component is formed integrally from the consolidated metal modelling material and the reinforcing fibres.

An intake manifold for an additive manufacturing system includes a body defining a flow channel therein. The body includes an inlet end defining an inlet configured to intake gas and/or particles from a build area of the additive manufacturing system, and an outlet end defining an outlet that is fluidly connected to the inlet through the flow channel. The outlet is configured to be in fluid communication with an uptake manifold of the additive manufacturing system. The intake manifold also includes at least one mount extending from the outlet end of the body that is configured to rotatably mount the body to the uptake manifold.

A method (V) for producing a three-dimensional object (2) by applying and selectively solidifying a powdery construction material (13) layer by layer includes the steps: a) applying (Z) a layer of the construction material (13) onto a construction field in a working plane (10) by means of a recoating device (14) moving in a moving direction (B) over the working plane, b) selectively solidifying (Y) the applied layer of the construction material (13) at positions, which correspond to a cross-section of the object (2) to be produced, and c) repeating (X) the steps a) and b) until the object is completed.

The construction material is stored during step a) in a recoating unit (40a-e) arranged at the recoating device (14) within a space between two recoating elements (42a, 42b) mutually spaced apart from each other in the moving direction of the recoating device. At least one recoating element (42b) arranged rearward with respect to the moving direction (B) of the recoating device (14) includes a roller (43a, 43b), by means of which the construction material is applied to the working plane.

A method (V) for producing a three-dimensional object (2) by applying and selectively solidifying a powdery construction material (13) layer by layer includes the steps: a) applying (Z) a layer of the construction material (13) onto a construction field in a working plane (10) by means of a recoating device (14) moving in a moving direction (B) over the working plane, b) selectively solidifying (Y) the applied layer of the construction material (13) at positions, which correspond to a cross-section of the object (2) to be produced, and c) repeating (X) the steps a) and b) until the object is completed.

The construction material is stored during step a) in a recoating unit (40a-e) arranged at the recoating device (14) within a space between two recoating elements (42a, 42b) mutually spaced apart from each other in the moving direction of the recoating device. At least one recoating element (42b) arranged rearward with respect to the moving direction (B) of the recoating device (14) includes a roller (43a, 43b), by means of which the construction material is applied to the working plane.

In a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, diffusion of fumes generated around the modeling stage accompanying irradiation with an energy beam can be efficiently prevented. Three-dimensional modeling is performed by repeating scanning a modeling material arranged on a modeling stage with laser light to form a solidified layer. A cover is provided that locally surrounds an irradiation portion on the modeling material arranged on the modeling stage irradiated with the laser light, and suppresses diffusion of the fumes caused by irradiation with the laser light. In the cover, a stream of gas containing the fumes is regulated so as to cause the fumes to flow toward an upward portion inside the cover apart from the irradiated portion irradiated with the laser light.

According to one embodiment, a material feeding device includes a feeding unit. The feeding unit includes an electrode unit electrically chargeable by application of voltage thereto and an insulating unit covering the electrode unit, the electrode unit being configured to attract and separate a material to and from a surface of the insulating unit by control of a charged state of the electrode unit.

An apparatus may, in an example, include a build platform to receive a dose of build material and a build material spreader to spread the dose of build material over a length of the build platform wherein lateral portions of the build material spreader have a diameter smaller than a medial portion of the build material spreader.