Additive manufacturing apparatuses, components of additive manufacturing apparatuses, and methods of using such manufacturing apparatuses and components are disclosed. An additive manufacturing apparatus may include a recoat head for distributing build material in a build area, a print head for depositing material in the build area, one or more actuators for moving the recoat head and the print head relative to the build area, and a cleaning station for cleaning the print head.

Build receptacles for additive manufacturing apparatuses are disclosed. The build receptacle may comprise a housing comprising a sidewall at least partially enclosing a build chamber. A build platform may be positioned within the build chamber. A position of the build platform may be slidably adjustable within the build chamber in a vertical direction from a lower position to one of a plurality of upper positions and from the one of the plurality of upper positions to the lower position. The build receptacle may further comprise a plurality of heating elements disposed around the build chamber.

Build receptacles for additive manufacturing apparatuses are disclosed. The build receptacle may comprise a housing comprising a sidewall at least partially enclosing a build chamber. A build platform may be positioned within the build chamber. A position of the build platform may be slidably adjustable within the build chamber in a vertical direction from a lower position to one of a plurality of upper positions and from the one of the plurality of upper positions to the lower position. The build receptacle may further comprise a plurality of heating elements disposed around the build chamber.

Additive manufacturing apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, an additive manufacturing apparatus may comprise a support chassis including a print bay, a build bay, and a material supply bay. Each bay may comprise an upper compartment and a lower compartment. A working surface may separate each of the print bay, the build bay, and the material supply bay into the upper compartment and the lower compartment, wherein: the build bay may be disposed between the print bay and the material supply bay. The lower compartment of the build bay comprises bulkheads sealing the lower compartment of the build bay from the lower compartment of the print bay and the lower compartment of the material supply bay.

An actuator assembly for distributing build material and depositing binder material in an additive manufacturing apparatus may comprise an upper support and a lower support spaced vertically spaced from one another. A recoat head actuator may be coupled to a recoat head and one of the upper support and the lower support. The recoat head actuator may include a recoat motion axis. The recoat head actuator effects bi-directional movement of the recoat head on the recoat motion axis. A print head actuator may be coupled to a print head and the other of the upper support and the lower support. The print head actuator may include a print motion axis. The print head actuator effects bi-directional movement of the print head on the print motion axis. The recoat motion axis and the print motion axis are parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction.

An actuator assembly for distributing build material and depositing binder material in an additive manufacturing apparatus may comprise an upper support and a lower support spaced vertically spaced from one another. A recoat head actuator may be coupled to a recoat head and one of the upper support and the lower support. The recoat head actuator may include a recoat motion axis. The recoat head actuator effects bi-directional movement of the recoat head on the recoat motion axis. A print head actuator may be coupled to a print head and the other of the upper support and the lower support. The print head actuator may include a print motion axis. The print head actuator effects bi-directional movement of the print head on the print motion axis. The recoat motion axis and the print motion axis are parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction.

An additive material manufacturing (AMM) system is provided to deposit powder to a build. The AMM system includes a powder supply, and a delivery mechanism. The powder supply receives a first electrical charge having first polarity. The delivery mechanism receives a second electrical charge having second polarity opposite first polarity. The build receives a third electrical charge having the first polarity. The third electrical charge of the build is greater than the second electrical charge of the delivery mechanism. The delivery mechanism receives the electrically charged powder where it is retained thereto based on electrostatic attraction generated between the first polarity of the electrically charged powder and the second polarity of the delivery mechanism. The electrocharged powder is from the delivery mechanism to the build based on electrostatic attraction generated between the first polarity of the electrically charged powder and the second polarity of the build.

A layering device for preparation of layers being formed in additive manufacture, each layer formed by printing a mold wall to define a mold space and filling the mold space with a paste to form the layer. The layering device comprises a roller to press the mold wall from above to form a mold layer surface in a plane, a paste applicator and a blade to spread the paste to fill the mold space. The blade is aligned into the plane to smooth the paste flush with the mold layer surface.

A layering device for preparation of layers being formed in additive manufacture, each layer formed by printing a mold wall to define a mold space and filling the mold space with a paste to form the layer. The layering device comprises a roller to press the mold wall from above to form a mold layer surface in a plane, a paste applicator and a blade to spread the paste to fill the mold space. The blade is aligned into the plane to smooth the paste flush with the mold layer surface.

A layering device for preparation of layers being formed in additive manufacture, each layer formed by printing a mold wall to define a mold space and filling the mold space with a paste to form the layer. The layering device comprises a roller to press the mold wall from above to form a mold layer surface in a plane, a paste applicator and a blade to spread the paste to fill the mold space. The blade is aligned into the plane to smooth the paste flush with the mold layer surface.