A method for the additive manufacture of a component within a receiving unit using a powdery material wherein, in one step, the powdery material is introduced into the receiving unit via a feed unit. In a further step, an oscillation is applied to the powdery material introduced into the receiving unit. In a further step, the oscillation is applied over a period of time to the powdery material introduced into the receiving unit until a predetermined distribution of the powdery material within the receiving unit is achieved. In a further step, at least a part of the powdery material within the receiving unit is solidified after the predetermined distribution of the powdery material has been achieved. An apparatus for the additive manufacture of a component within a receiving unit using a powdery material is also described.

According to one example there is provided an apparatus for supplying build material to a three-dimensional printing system. The apparatus comprises a rotatable vane.

According to one example there is provided an apparatus for supplying build material to a three-dimensional printing system. The apparatus comprises a rotatable vane.

The present disclosure relates to a build material for 3D printing. The build material comprises polymeric particles comprising polypropylene and at least one elastomer. The polymeric particles comprise a surface-active coating.

The present disclosure relates to a build material for 3D printing. The build material comprises polymeric particles comprising polypropylene and at least one elastomer. The polymeric particles comprise a surface-active coating.

According to one aspect, there is provided apparatus for forming a layer of build material for three-dimensional printing. The apparatus comprises a spreader to spread a volume of build material to form a layer of build material on a build platform, wherein at least one end of the spreader is to remain a constant distance from a build material retaining wall in proximity to at least one edge of the build platform as the spreader is moved over the surface of the build platform, and further wherein at least a portion of the spreader is below the top of the retaining wall.

A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

In an embodiment a 3D printer for additive manufacturing of a multilayer component includes a work surface, at least two movable dispensers configured to coat the work surface with one of at least two different raw materials in each case, wherein at least a part of the respective raw material is addable to the component as a layer in a manufacturing step, and at least two movable recovering devices configured to selectively recover the respective raw material which is not consumed when a layer is added to the component and return the recovered raw material to a respective associated dispenser.

In an embodiment a 3D printer for additive manufacturing of a multilayer component includes a work surface, at least two movable dispensers configured to coat the work surface with one of at least two different raw materials in each case, wherein at least a part of the respective raw material is addable to the component as a layer in a manufacturing step, and at least two movable recovering devices configured to selectively recover the respective raw material which is not consumed when a layer is added to the component and return the recovered raw material to a respective associated dispenser.