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).

An apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects is provided including a bonding liquid applier and a controller. The bonding liquid applier applies a bonding liquid to a powder layer to form a bonded layer. The controller controls the bonding liquid applier to repeatedly form an (n)th bonded layer by applying a predetermined amount of the bonding liquid per unit area, in multiple times, to a new bonding region in an (n)th powder layer, below which an (n−1)th bonded layer does not exist, and applying the predetermined amount of the bonding liquid per unit area, in a smaller number of times than the multiple times, to an existing bonding region in the (n)th powder layer, below which the (n−1)th bonded layer exists, while increasing a numeral (n) representing an integer of 1 and above in increment of 1, to laminate multiple bonded layers into a three-dimensional object.

Methods and apparatuses for distributing slice area of objects more uniformly to optimize the build process of additive manufacturing techniques are disclosed. For example, a slice area distribution of a 3D design is calculated. Further, it is determined if the calculated slice area distribution and/or other aspects of the 3D design meets a criteria based on one or more quality metrics. If the calculated slice area distribution and/or other aspects of the 3D design do not meet the criteria, the 3D design is adjusted. The determination and adjustment may be performed iteratively until the calculated slice area distribution and/or other aspects of the 3D meet the criteria.

Mold lock is remediated by performing a layer-by-layer, two-dimensional analysis to identify unconstrained removal paths for any support structure or material within each two-dimensional layer, and then ensuring that aligned draw paths are present for all adjacent layers, all as more specifically described herein. Where locking conditions are identified, a sequence of modification rules are then applied, such as by breaking support structures into multiple, independently removable pieces. By addressing mold lock as a series of interrelated two-dimensional geometric problems, and reserving three-dimensional remediation strategies for more challenging, complex mold lock conditions, substantial advantages can accrue in terms of computational speed and efficiency.

A method for providing control commands for producing a number of three-dimensional objects by an additive layer-wise building device. The method can include a step of providing a computer-based model of the number of objects that geometrically describes the objects, a step of modifying the computer-based model such that for the geometric description of the number of objects a location is defined as a common origin of coordinates, and a step of generating control commands for a set of control commands for controlling the production of the number of objects by the additive layer-wise building device on the basis of the modified computer-based model.

An apparatus (1) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by successive, selective layer-by-layer exposure and thus solidification of construction material layers of a construction material (3) that can be solidified by means of an energy beam, comprising at least one temperature control device (11), which is provided for at least partial temperature control of a construction material layer formed in a construction plane, wherein the temperature control device (11) comprises at least one temperature control element (12), which is provided for generating an, especially electromagnetic, temperature control beam, wherein the at least one temperature control element (12) is formed as or comprises a temperature control diode.

The invention relates to an apparatus for remelting material powder in layers to form a shaped body in a process chamber. The apparatus has a carrier for the layer build-up and an irradiation device for irradiating the powder in accordance with cross-sectional regions of the shaped body associated with the shaped body layers to be produced. A powder layer levelling and smoothing device having a smoothing slide for homogenising an amount of material powder on the carrier is provided, as well as an extraction device having a suction nozzle for extracting process smoke. The suction nozzle is movable in motor-driven fashion in the process chamber. Said suction nozzle is coupled to the smoothing slide for joint movement and is operable in suction mode during the joint movement, the irradiation device being active for irradiating the powder.

An additive manufacturing device utilizing an electron beam and laser integrated scanning comprises: a vacuum generating chamber (1); a worktable means having a forming region at least provided in the vacuum generating chamber (1); a powder supply means configured to supply a powder to the forming region; an electron-beam emission focusing and scanning means (6) and an laser-beam emission focusing and scanning means (7) configured in such a manner that a scanning range of the electron-beam emission focusing and scanning means (6) and a scanning range of the laser-beam emission focusing and scanning means (7) cover at least a part of the forming region; and a controller configured to control the electron-beam emission focusing and scanning means (6) and the laser-beam emission focusing and scanning means (7) to perform a powder integrated-scanning and forming treatment on the forming region.

There is disclosed an ink composition for three dimensional (3D) printing. The ink composition comprises: a liquid dispersion of tungsten carbide (WC) particles and cobalt (Co) particles, and, a carrier vehicle for the dispersion of tungsten carbide particles and the dispersion of cobalt particles. The ink composition is of a viscosity usable with ink jet print heads for 3D printing.

According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided method and system of using a roller-based deposition process to place two or more powders at some level of precision to build a multi-material, functionally-graded part. Instead of formulating a liquid ink by dispersing the powder feedstocks (metal or ceramic) in some binder-solvent mixture, there is detailed the use of two different types of fluid deposited in a digital manner on the roller surface. The two different types of fluids create a “wetted pixel” that can then capture a specific powder type with an affinity only to that fluid. Alternatives such as electrostatics, electrophotography, and the like are also provided to be used exclusively or with fluids to create an affine pixel to a particular powder type.