A coating device arrangement 1 for a 3D printer is described, comprising a coating device 3 having a container 17 defining an inner cavity for receiving particulate construction material, which leads to an opening for outputting the particulate construction material onto a construction field, as well as a closing device 31 configured to selectively close the opening for outputting the particulate construction material.

A coating device arrangement 1 for a 3D printer is described, comprising a coating device 3 having a container 17 defining an inner cavity for receiving particulate construction material, which leads to an opening for outputting the particulate construction material onto a construction field, as well as a closing device 31 configured to selectively close the opening for outputting the particulate construction material.

A 3D screen-printing apparatus for producing a shaped article includes: a printing table; a printing screen with a printing mask having a layer geometry for producing the shaped article layer by layer; an application unit to apply a printing material to the printing screen and to work it into the printing masks to produce a shaped-article layer; and a first positioning unit configured to increase the distance between the printing table and the printing screen by way of a first relative movement after the production of each shaped-article layer. The printing screen has printing masks, and the 3D screen-printing apparatus has a second positioning unit configured to perform a second relative movement between the printing table and the printing screen so different printing masks of the one printing screen can be positioned one after the other at a shaped-article position where an individual shaped article is to be built.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a platform, a dispenser configured to deliver a plurality of successive layers of feed material onto the platform, at least one light source configured to generate a first light beam and a second light beam, a polygon mirror scanner, an actuator, and a galvo mirror scanner. The polygon mirror scanner is configured to receive the first light beam and reflect the first light beam towards the platform. Rotation of the first polygon mirror causes the light beam to move in a first direction along a path on a layer of feed material on the platform. The actuator is configured to cause the path to move along a second direction at a non-zero angle relative to the first direction. The galvo mirror scanner system is configured to receive the second light beam and reflect the second light beam toward the platform.

An additive manufacturing system and method for improving the certainty of removing or etching excess substrate from a stack of printed substrate slices to arrive at a 3D object. The approach includes printing a pseudo image as a shell layer around a desired object slice with less polymer (e.g., thermoplastic) material than the 3D object solid layer slice. This slows the etching process when this pseudo image is reached. The pseudo image may be printed to surround the object polymer image on a printed substrate sheet as a shell that provides notice during the excess substrate removal/cleaning process that the desired polymer image is nearby and extra care must be taken to avoid removal of the desired polymer image. The pseudo image may have a 3D patterned surface that can be recognized by a person doing the sandblasting or recognized automatically by an automated 3D object finisher.

An additive manufacturing system and method for improving the certainty of removing or etching excess substrate from a stack of printed substrate slices to arrive at a 3D object. The approach includes printing a pseudo image as a shell layer around a desired object slice with less polymer (e.g., thermoplastic) material than the 3D object solid layer slice. This slows the etching process when this pseudo image is reached. The pseudo image may be printed to surround the object polymer image on a printed substrate sheet as a shell that provides notice during the excess substrate removal/cleaning process that the desired polymer image is nearby and extra care must be taken to avoid removal of the desired polymer image. The pseudo image may have a 3D patterned surface that can be recognized by a person doing the sandblasting or recognized automatically by an automated 3D object finisher.

A device includes a carriage movable relative to a build pad along a bi-directional travel path and supporting at least a radiation source and an applicator to selectively apply a plurality of fluid agents, including first fluid agents to affect a first material property. A timing and order of operation of the radiation source and the applicator, with the carriage, is to maintain first and second portions of a 3D object under formation within at least one selectable temperature range despite a first total volume of the first fluid agents for application onto the first portion of the 3D object being substantially greater than a second total volume of second fluid agents for application onto the second portion of the 3D object.

A device includes a carriage movable relative to a build pad along a bi-directional travel path and supporting at least a radiation source and an applicator to selectively apply a plurality of fluid agents, including first fluid agents to affect a first material property. A timing and order of operation of the radiation source and the applicator, with the carriage, is to maintain first and second portions of a 3D object under formation within at least one selectable temperature range despite a first total volume of the first fluid agents for application onto the first portion of the 3D object being substantially greater than a second total volume of second fluid agents for application onto the second portion of the 3D object.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a powder layer forming portion, an energy beam source, and a contact detection sensor including a plate-like probe. The powder layer forming portion is configured to form a powder layer in a predetermined region. The energy beam source is configured to radiate an energy beam to the powder layer formed by the powder layer forming portion to fuse or sinter the powder layer so that a solidified layer is formed. Presence or absence of a projection portion on a surface of the solidified layer is detected by using the contact detection sensor.

An additive manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional component includes: a build plate, at least a portion of which is transparent, the build plate defining a build surface; a material depositor operable to deposit a radiant-energy-curable resin on the build surface; a stage positioned facing the build surface of the build plate and configured to hold a stacked arrangement of one or more cured layers of the resin; one or more actuators operable to change the relative positions of the build plate and the stage; a radiant energy apparatus positioned adjacent to the build plate opposite to the stage, and operable to generate and project radiant energy on the resin through the build plate in a predetermined pattern; and a cleaning apparatus operable to remove debris from the build surface. A method is provided for use of the apparatus.