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 system for compacting layers of metal powder, including: a layer of metal powder at a first voltage; and a conductive object above the layer of metal powder, the conductive object at a second voltage, wherein a voltage differential between the layer of metal powder and the conductive object is sufficient to attract particles from the layer of metal powder to the conductive object, change the voltage on the particles, and redeposit the particles in the layer of metal powder.

In some examples, an additive manufacturing process may be operated by a method that includes depositing a plurality of preliminary layers of build material over a build surface and applying thermal energy governed by closed-loop control to heat the preliminary layers. The method includes analyzing a temperature distribution across a layer of the preliminary layers to map the locations of any hot spots relative to the build surface. The method includes selecting a spray pattern to apply a cooling agent to the mapped locations.

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.

An apparatus for producing an object by additive manufacturing layer by layer in a layer sequence. The apparatus includes a process chamber for receiving a bath of powdered material, a support for positioning the object in relation to a surface level of the bath of powdered material, a solidifying device for solidifying a selective layer-part of the powdered material, and a control unit for adjusting for individual layers in the layer sequence, a setting of at least one process parameter, during the manufacture of the object. A method, performed by the apparatus, including the step of adjusting, by the control unit, for individual layers in the layer sequence, the setting of at least one process parameter, during the manufacture of the object.

A device for fabricating a three-dimensional part by selectively melting a powder bed, the device including a first tank for containing a first powder and provided with a first powder dispenser valve, a second tank for containing a second different powder and provided with a second powder dispenser valve, a first and a second monitoring device for monitoring the quantity of first powder delivered by the first valve and the quantity of second powder delivered by the second valve, a mixer chamber in communication with the first and second valves and including a third powder dispenser valve, and a mixer for mixing the powder particles in the chamber, a support for receiving the powder delivered by the third valve and on which the parts is to be fabricated, a powder spreader for spreading powder on the support, and a heater member for locally melting the powder spread on the support.

The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to spreader positioning techniques for consistent and rapid layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through binder jetting. For example, an additive manufacturing system may include a roller and a print carriage. In a layer-by-layer fabrication process, the roller may move in advance of the print carriage over a dimension of a volume to spread a respective layer of powder onto which the print carriage delivers a binder. Controlling the position of the roller may facilitate achieving consistent layer characteristics which, in turn, may facilitate fabrication of high quality parts.

The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to spreader positioning techniques for consistent and rapid layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through binder jetting. For example, an additive manufacturing system may include a roller and a print carriage. In a layer-by-layer fabrication process, the roller may move in advance of the print carriage over a dimension of a volume to spread a respective layer of powder onto which the print carriage delivers a binder. Controlling the position of the roller may facilitate achieving consistent layer characteristics which, in turn, may facilitate fabrication of high quality parts.

In one example, a memory having instructions thereon that when executed cause a 3D printing system to repeatedly form each of multiple successive layers of powdered build material on a platform and apply a functional agent to build material in each layer, create a pressure difference across a thickness of build material on the platform, and increase the pressure difference over an extent of build material on the platform as the build material on the platform gets thicker.