A three-dimensional printing system may include a build platform, the build platform including at least one hole defined through the build platform, a diffuser plate placed below the at least one hole to maintain an amount of build material between a lower surface of the build platform and an upper surface of the diffuser plate, and a flow channel defined around the diffuser plate and sealing the diffuser plate from atmosphere.

A three-dimensional printing system may include a build platform, the build platform including at least one hole defined through the build platform, a diffuser plate placed below the at least one hole to maintain an amount of build material between a lower surface of the build platform and an upper surface of the diffuser plate, and a flow channel defined around the diffuser plate and sealing the diffuser plate from atmosphere.

A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object includes an n.sup.th layer forming step, an n+1.sup.th layer forming step, and a curing step. In the n.sup.th layer forming step, a cured portion of an n.sup.th layer, a first and second portions each of which is an uncured portion of the material are formed. In the n+1.sup.th layer forming step, a cured portion of an n+1.sup.th layer, and a third portion formed at a region adjacent to the cured portion of the n+1.sup.th layer and communicated with the first portion are formed. In the curing step, the second portion is cured prior to the n+1.sup.th layer forming step and the first and third portions are cured after the n+1.sup.th layer forming step, or the first, second and third portions are cured after the n+1.sup.th layer forming step.

A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a discharge part that includes a nozzle configured to discharge a shaping material from a nozzle opening thereof; a stage that includes a shaping surface on which the shaping material is to be deposited; a heating part configured to heat the shaping material deposited on the stage; and a control part configured to control the heating part. The heating part includes a first region and a second region closer to an outer periphery of the heating part than is the first region, as viewed from a direction of a perpendicular line of the shaping surface. The control part controls the heating part to make a temperature of the second region higher than a temperature of the first region.

A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a discharge part that includes a nozzle configured to discharge a shaping material from a nozzle opening thereof; a stage that includes a shaping surface on which the shaping material is to be deposited; a heating part configured to heat the shaping material deposited on the stage; and a control part configured to control the heating part. The heating part includes a first region and a second region closer to an outer periphery of the heating part than is the first region, as viewed from a direction of a perpendicular line of the shaping surface. The control part controls the heating part to make a temperature of the second region higher than a temperature of the first region.

An apparatus and method are provided for extracting a build part from an additive manufacturing machine. Upon completion of the build part by the additive manufacturing machine, a pin array is placed above the build part, the pin array including a plurality of pins slidably supported by a support plate for vertical movement relative to the support plate. The pin array is moved toward the build part so that the plurality of pins contact the build part and conform to the contour of the build part. The pins of the pin array are locked with the pins in contact with and conforming to the build part. The pin array and build part are inverted so that the build part is supported by the locked pins of the pin array. All of the pins of the array are locked simultaneously by a common locking component. The build plate can be formed on a sacrificial interposer plate that is removed by an etchant bath supported on the pin array when the build part is inverted.

An apparatus and method are provided for extracting a build part from an additive manufacturing machine. Upon completion of the build part by the additive manufacturing machine, a pin array is placed above the build part, the pin array including a plurality of pins slidably supported by a support plate for vertical movement relative to the support plate. The pin array is moved toward the build part so that the plurality of pins contact the build part and conform to the contour of the build part. The pins of the pin array are locked with the pins in contact with and conforming to the build part. The pin array and build part are inverted so that the build part is supported by the locked pins of the pin array. All of the pins of the array are locked simultaneously by a common locking component. The build plate can be formed on a sacrificial interposer plate that is removed by an etchant bath supported on the pin array when the build part is inverted.

A method, of manufacturing a series of objects is disclosed. In the method, a layer of a manufacturing medium is provided. Portions of the layer of the medium, are bond together at at least edge regions of the layer to form a support portion. The support portion is lowered while gripping the support portion by the edge regions of the layer. A further layer of the medium is provided supported by the support portion. Portions of the further layer of the medium are selectively bound to form at least an object portion. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

A method, of manufacturing a series of objects is disclosed. In the method, a layer of a manufacturing medium is provided. Portions of the layer of the medium, are bond together at at least edge regions of the layer to form a support portion. The support portion is lowered while gripping the support portion by the edge regions of the layer. A further layer of the medium is provided supported by the support portion. Portions of the further layer of the medium are selectively bound to form at least an object portion. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

A system, is disclosed having a polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem, a metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem, an exchanger to place at least one of the polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and the metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem into a position to provide a manufacturing process, a build area where a part is created with the polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and the metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem, and an environmental control unit to collect debris produced during operation of the polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and the metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem. Another system and method are also disclosed.