A process and apparatus of producing a product having a wrought structure. The process comprises the step of: applying heat and a compressive load simultaneously to an application area of a cold spray deposition preform to transform the comprising consolidated particle structure into a wrought structure, the compressive load being applied laterally to the application area. The application of compressive load and heat to the application area raises the temperature of the material of the preform in the application area to between the recrystallisation temperature and the melting point of the material.

A process and apparatus of producing a product having a wrought structure. The process comprises the step of: applying heat and a compressive load simultaneously to an application area of a cold spray deposition preform to transform the comprising consolidated particle structure into a wrought structure, the compressive load being applied laterally to the application area. The application of compressive load and heat to the application area raises the temperature of the material of the preform in the application area to between the recrystallisation temperature and the melting point of the material.

A multi-material three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided. The provided apparatus includes two or more print stations. Each of the print stations includes a substrate, a transportation device, a dispersion device, a compaction device, a printing device, a fixing device, and a fluidized materials removal device. The apparatus also includes an assembly apparatus in communication with the two or more print stations via the transportation device. The apparatus also includes one or more transfer devices in communication with the assembly apparatus. The apparatus also includes a computing and controlling device configured to control the operations of the two or more print stations, the assembly apparatus and the one or more transfer devices.

A spreading system for an additive manufacturing machine. The system has a roller rotatable about a rotary axis and having an exterior cylindrical surface to spread build material. A sensor senses material attached to the exterior cylindrical surface of the roller. A cleaning member abuts the exterior cylindrical surface of the roller and removes attached material therefrom. A controller rotates the roller whilst in abutment with the cleaning member in response to the sensor sensing material attached to the exterior cylindrical surface of the roller.

A spreading system for an additive manufacturing machine. The system has a roller rotatable about a rotary axis and having an exterior cylindrical surface to spread build material. A sensor senses material attached to the exterior cylindrical surface of the roller. A cleaning member abuts the exterior cylindrical surface of the roller and removes attached material therefrom. A controller rotates the roller whilst in abutment with the cleaning member in response to the sensor sensing material attached to the exterior cylindrical surface of the roller.

An apparatus and method for fabricating a three-dimensional object from a representation of the object stored in memory. The apparatus includes a build platform having a build gap defined therein. A base plate is initially supported along a lower surface of the build platform such that an edge of the base plate extends along and closes off the build gap. A powder delivery assembly is configured to supply powder to the build gap. At least one directed energy source is configured to apply directed energy to at least a portion of the build gap to form a layer of the three-dimensional structure. An advancement assembly configured to selectively engage with the base plate and/or the three-dimensional structure to hold the base plate and the three-dimensional structure in a fixed position during forming of a layer and to advance the base plate and the three-dimensional structure once the layer is formed.

The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7). The build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) and the carrier (7) are adapted to be connected to one another in a stationary manner during the vertical movement of the irradiation unit (17) so that the vertical movement takes place relative to the carrier (7) and relative to the build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b).

The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7). The build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) and the carrier (7) are adapted to be connected to one another in a stationary manner during the vertical movement of the irradiation unit (17) so that the vertical movement takes place relative to the carrier (7) and relative to the build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b).

Described is an additive manufacturing apparatus for additive manufacturing of three dimensional objects, said apparatus comprises a powder distribution unit movable across a build area for applying a layer of powder material thereon and a solidification device for selectively solidifying the applied powder layer at positions corresponding to a cross section of the object to be manufactured. Said powder distribution unit comprises at least a first and a second powder distributors essentially in parallel with each other and extending in a first direction, said first and second powder distributors are arranged to be adjustably spaced apart in a second direction transversely to said first direction which second direction is essentially in parallel with the direction of movement of said powder distribution unit over said build area.

Described is an additive manufacturing apparatus for additive manufacturing of three dimensional objects, said apparatus comprises a powder distribution unit movable across a build area for applying a layer of powder material thereon and a solidification device for selectively solidifying the applied powder layer at positions corresponding to a cross section of the object to be manufactured. Said powder distribution unit comprises at least a first and a second powder distributors essentially in parallel with each other and extending in a first direction, said first and second powder distributors are arranged to be adjustably spaced apart in a second direction transversely to said first direction which second direction is essentially in parallel with the direction of movement of said powder distribution unit over said build area.