A dispensing system for an additive manufacturing includes a powder reservoir that contains powder to form an object, and an array of nozzles positioned at a base of the powder reservoir over a top surface of a platen where the object is to be formed. The powder flows from the powder reservoir through the nozzles to the top surface. A respective powder wheel in each nozzle controls a flow rate of the powder. Each wheel has multiple troughs on surface of the wheel. When a motor rotates the wheel, the troughs transport the powder through the nozzle. The rotation speed of the wheel controls the flow rate. For solid parts of the object, the wheel rotates and allows the powder to be deposited on the top surface. For empty parts of the object, the wheel remains stationary to prevent the powder from flowing to the surface.

A dispensing system for an additive manufacturing includes a powder reservoir that contains powder to form an object, and an array of nozzles positioned at a base of the powder reservoir over a top surface of a platen where the object is to be formed. The powder flows from the powder reservoir through the nozzles to the top surface. A respective powder wheel in each nozzle controls a flow rate of the powder. Each wheel has multiple troughs on surface of the wheel. When a motor rotates the wheel, the troughs transport the powder through the nozzle. The rotation speed of the wheel controls the flow rate. For solid parts of the object, the wheel rotates and allows the powder to be deposited on the top surface. For empty parts of the object, the wheel remains stationary to prevent the powder from flowing to the surface.

A three-dimensional shaping device includes a laser irradiation unit (10), a shroud (20), and a protection member (14). The laser irradiation unit includes an optical system (12). The shroud (20) includes an inside space (S0) that extends from one end opening portion (202) to another end opening portion (206). The protection member (14) is formed of a transparent material and is arranged at the one end opening portion (202) of the shroud (20) and causes a laser light emitted from the laser irradiation unit (10) to be transmitted therethrough so that a three-dimensional shaped object is fabricated in a shaping area by sintering or melting and solidifying a powder. The shroud (20) further includes a side wall portion (22) that demarcates a first inside space (S1) and a second inside space (S2), an air supply port (210), an exhaust port (220), and ventilation members (212, 214).

A three-dimensional shaping device includes a laser irradiation unit (10), a shroud (20), and a protection member (14). The laser irradiation unit includes an optical system (12). The shroud (20) includes an inside space (S0) that extends from one end opening portion (202) to another end opening portion (206). The protection member (14) is formed of a transparent material and is arranged at the one end opening portion (202) of the shroud (20) and causes a laser light emitted from the laser irradiation unit (10) to be transmitted therethrough so that a three-dimensional shaped object is fabricated in a shaping area by sintering or melting and solidifying a powder. The shroud (20) further includes a side wall portion (22) that demarcates a first inside space (S1) and a second inside space (S2), an air supply port (210), an exhaust port (220), and ventilation members (212, 214).

A dispensing system for an additive manufacturing apparatus includes a frame, a powder reservoir, an agitator and an array of dispensing units positioned below the powder reservoir. The powder reservoir has a first width along a primary axis, and includes a lower portion and an upper portion that is wider than the lower portion along a second axis perpendicular to the primary axis. The agitator is positioned in the upper portion of the powder reservoir. Each dispensing unit includes a nozzle block that has a passage therethrough that defines a nozzle and provides a respective path for the powder to flow from the powder reservoir to the nozzle, and a valve positioned in the passage in the nozzle block to controllably release powder through the nozzle.

A dispensing system for an additive manufacturing apparatus includes a frame, a powder reservoir, an agitator and an array of dispensing units positioned below the powder reservoir. The powder reservoir has a first width along a primary axis, and includes a lower portion and an upper portion that is wider than the lower portion along a second axis perpendicular to the primary axis. The agitator is positioned in the upper portion of the powder reservoir. Each dispensing unit includes a nozzle block that has a passage therethrough that defines a nozzle and provides a respective path for the powder to flow from the powder reservoir to the nozzle, and a valve positioned in the passage in the nozzle block to controllably release powder through the nozzle.

A method of changing the gas content of a device (100) which comprises a first chamber (110). The method comprises: arranging the device in a first configuration, wherein the first chamber has a first internal volume; providing a flow of a first gas to the first chamber so that the gas content of the first chamber is at least partially changed; transitioning the device from the first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first chamber has a second internal volume which is grater than the first internal volume.

A method of changing the gas content of a device (100) which comprises a first chamber (110). The method comprises: arranging the device in a first configuration, wherein the first chamber has a first internal volume; providing a flow of a first gas to the first chamber so that the gas content of the first chamber is at least partially changed; transitioning the device from the first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first chamber has a second internal volume which is grater than the first internal volume.

A three-dimensional shaping device includes a chamber that has a shaping space; a heating unit configured to heat the shaping space; a base that has a shaping surface exposed to the shaping space; a discharge unit configured to discharge a shaping material toward the shaping surface while moving in a first direction in the shaping space heated by the heating unit and shape a three-dimensional shaped article; a first drive unit configured to move the base in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a tubular first heat resistant member that is disposed between a peripheral part of a first opening formed in a partition wall of the chamber and the base, configured to extend and contract in the second direction in accordance with a movement of the base in the second direction, and defines a separation space separated from the shaping space, in which at least a part of the first drive unit is disposed in the separation space.

A 3D printing module, a build unit and a method are disclosed herein. The 3D printing module comprises a build unit receiving interface to receive a build unit. The build unit comprises a build platform with a build platform drive interface. The 3D printing module further comprises a driving mechanism engageable with the build platform drive interface to controllably move the build platform.