Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, including a process chamber for receiving on a build surface of a build plate a bath of powdered material which can be solidified, a support for positioning the build plate in relation to a surface level of the bath of material, a solidifying device for solidifying a selective part of the material; and a build plate preparation means for preparation of the build surface of the build plate such that the object can be build on the build surface of the build plate. Method of producing an object by means of additive manufacturing on a build surface of a build plate using such an apparatus.

According to one example, there is provided apparatus for restraining objects during a powder and object separation process. The apparatus comprises a base plate comprising a set of spatially arranged apertures, a set of rods, each rod slidable within a corresponding aperture of the base plate. The base plate is to connect with a chamber to contain a volume of powder and objects to be separated and the apparatus is configured such that, when the apparatus is connected to a chamber containing a volume of powder and 3D objects the set of rods are positionable in, or are slideable into, a position extending vertically away from the chamber, and as powder is removed from under each rod, the rods are to slide through the apertures.

An accessory device used in combination with a solid-state additive manufacturing system is described. In some configurations, the accessory device can be used in combination with an additive manufacturing system, such as a solid-state additive manufacturing system, to enable printing of large-scale and complex objects, where the objects are much larger than those printed with existing solid-state manufacturing systems. The disclosed accessory device used in conjunction with the a solid-state additive manufacturing system is capable of manufacturing non-hollow (solid), partially-hollow or completely-hollow objects via different methods.

An accessory device used in combination with a solid-state additive manufacturing system is described. In some configurations, the accessory device can be used in combination with an additive manufacturing system, such as a solid-state additive manufacturing system, to enable printing of large-scale and complex objects, where the objects are much larger than those printed with existing solid-state manufacturing systems. The disclosed accessory device used in conjunction with the a solid-state additive manufacturing system is capable of manufacturing non-hollow (solid), partially-hollow or completely-hollow objects via different methods.

An apparatus for forming 3D objects from metallic powder, includes a delivery mechanism adapted to emit a flow of metallic powder at sufficiently high velocity to enable it to form a solid mass on a substrate; and a positioning mechanism adapted to set or adjust the distance and/or angle between the delivery mechanism and the substrate as powder builds up on the substrate. A control system is adapted to receive measured geometry data representing the state of the object as it builds and to control adjustment of the positioning means in response to that data for accurate formation of the object.

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 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.

An AM apparatus for an AM process is provided. The AM apparatus includes a build chamber with a build plate to support one or more parts built with a powder, during a build operation. The AM apparatus further includes a laser assembly operable to deliver a melting laser beam, to melt and fuse the powder used to build the one or more parts. The AM apparatus further includes a part detachment assembly, separate from the laser assembly and operable for a cutting operation. The part detachment assembly includes one or more laser beam delivery apparatuses, each operable to deliver a cutting laser beam, and a part holder apparatus. During the cutting operation, the part holder apparatus holds the one or more parts, and each of the laser beam delivery apparatus(es) delivers the cutting laser beam, to detach the one or more parts from the build plate within the AM apparatus.

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.

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.