A three-dimensional (“3D”) printing system for printing on a substrate, the printing system including a powder distribution device dispensing powder on the substrate and including a blade-shaped end, the blade-shaped end disposed at a height above the substrate; a powder uniformization device located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the substrate; one or more sensors disposed upstream from the powder uniformization device and configured to determine one or more parameters of a thickness of the dispensed powder at one or more locations; and a control apparatus configured to determine whether the one or more parameters of the thickness is above a predetermined threshold value, and if the one or more parameters is determined to be above the predetermined threshold value, to adjust the powder distribution device.

A three-dimensional (“3D”) printing system for printing on a substrate, the printing system including a powder distribution device dispensing powder on the substrate and including a blade-shaped end, the blade-shaped end disposed at a height above the substrate; a powder uniformization device located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the substrate; one or more sensors disposed upstream from the powder uniformization device and configured to determine one or more parameters of a thickness of the dispensed powder at one or more locations; and a control apparatus configured to determine whether the one or more parameters of the thickness is above a predetermined threshold value, and if the one or more parameters is determined to be above the predetermined threshold value, to adjust the powder distribution device.

A three-dimensional (“3D”) printing system for printing on a substrate, the printing system including a plurality of powder feeders, the plurality of powder feeders dispensing a powder on the substrate in a first direction and in a second direction; and a powder uniformization device located adjacent to the plurality of powder feeders, the powder uniformization device rotatable along the substrate in directions opposing the first direction and the second direction.

A three-dimensional (“3D”) printing system for printing on a substrate, the printing system including a plurality of powder feeders, the plurality of powder feeders dispensing a powder on the substrate in a first direction and in a second direction; and a powder uniformization device located adjacent to the plurality of powder feeders, the powder uniformization device rotatable along the substrate in directions opposing the first direction and the second direction.

A print engine of an additive manufacturing system includes a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge containing powder. A laser engine is positioned to direct a one or two dimensional patterned laser beam into the removable cartridge. In some embodiments powder is produced at least in part with a magnetohydrodynamic system.

A print engine of an additive manufacturing system includes a print station configured to hold a removable cartridge containing powder. A laser engine is positioned to direct a one or two dimensional patterned laser beam into the removable cartridge. In some embodiments powder is produced at least in part with a magnetohydrodynamic system.

In a three-dimensional printing method example, a liquid functional agent is selectively applied. The liquid functional agent includes an alloying agent. A metallic build material is applied. The liquid functional agent is selectively applied before the metallic build material, after the metallic build material, or both before and after the metallic build material. The liquid functional agent patterns the metallic build material to form a composite layer. At least some of the metallic build material is exposed to energy to melt the at least some of the metallic build material to form a layer. Upon contact or after energy exposure, the alloying agent and the build material alter a composition of the composite layer.

The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) having a discrete supply hopper (340) and a recoater (20). The discrete supply hopper (340) is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater (20) in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (20). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.

The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) having a discrete supply hopper (340) and a recoater (20). The discrete supply hopper (340) is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater (20) in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (20). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.

The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) having a discrete supply hopper (340) and a recoater (20). The discrete supply hopper (340) is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater (20) in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (20). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.