Examples of a 3D printing apparatus arranged to perform a print operation using build material, and methods of operating such a 3D printing apparatus, are described. In one case, a 3D printer is arranged to perform a print operation using build material whilst a build material temperature sensed by the printer is below a threshold temperature of the build material. The printer is arranged to obtain a threshold temperature indicator in advance of a respective print operation.

An additive manufacturing powder recirculation apparatus including: a powder recirculation loop having: an inlet for receiving powder from an additive manufacture apparatus; an outlet for supplying powder to the additive manufacture apparatus; and a powder flow path extending between the inlet and outlet. A diverter valve in the powder flow path is configured to selectively place the powder flow in fluid communication with either the downstream powder recirculation loop or a hopper outside of the powder recirculation loop.

The invention relates to a stereolithography device having a replaceable bottle to receive printing material, which bottle may be stored in or on a bottle holder and from which printing material may be withdrawn into the stereolithography device by means of a device-sided holder. A filling level sensor is attached to the bottle holder by which a filling level of the printing material in the bottle can be detected. A mini memory device is associated to the bottle where the stereolithography device stores information regarding the printing material in the bottle, in particular the filling level thereof.

A movable raw material processing unit for an additive manufacturing device for manufacturing a solid article comprises a housing comprising a transport device for disengaging the raw material processing unit from the additive manufacturing device. The raw material processing unit comprises a raw material container unit, a build unit and a raw material distribution unit.

A movable raw material processing unit for an additive manufacturing device for manufacturing a solid article comprises a housing comprising a transport device for disengaging the raw material processing unit from the additive manufacturing device. The raw material processing unit comprises a raw material container unit, a build unit and a raw material distribution unit.

According to an example, an apparatus may include an agent delivery device to selectively deliver an agent onto a layer of build material particles. The apparatus may also include an energy source to apply energy onto the layer of build material particles to selectively fuse the build material particles in the layer based upon the locations at which the agent was delivered and a chamber formed of a plurality of walls, in which the agent delivery device and the energy source are housed inside the chamber. The apparatus may further include a vapor source to supply vapor into the chamber to wet the build material particles inside the chamber.

Plant for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising at least one process station for an additive manufacturing process, wherein at least one functional component, preferably a lifting device for a powder module, of the process station is at least partially enclosed by a housing structure of the process station, wherein the process station is coupled or can be coupled with at least one powder module, wherein the housing structure comprises at least one opening for loading and/or unloading the at least one powder module into or from the process station, wherein a platform is provided that is arrangeable or arranged adjacent to the at least one opening, wherein the platform comprises at least one positioning unit with at least one positioning surface for positioning a module carrier which is adapted to carry the at least one powder module.

Plant for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising at least one process station for an additive manufacturing process, wherein at least one functional component, preferably a lifting device for a powder module, of the process station is at least partially enclosed by a housing structure of the process station, wherein the process station is coupled or can be coupled with at least one powder module, wherein the housing structure comprises at least one opening for loading and/or unloading the at least one powder module into or from the process station, wherein a platform is provided that is arrangeable or arranged adjacent to the at least one opening, wherein the platform comprises at least one positioning unit with at least one positioning surface for positioning a module carrier which is adapted to carry the at least one powder module.

A build material recovery system for a three-dimensional (3D) printer can include a selective solidification device to create a 3D object using build material, a build processing device to separate the 3D object from unfused build material, a material separating and conditioning device to condition the unfused build material, and a material storage device to store the conditioned build material.

A build material recovery system for a three-dimensional (3D) printer can include a selective solidification device to create a 3D object using build material, a build processing device to separate the 3D object from unfused build material, a material separating and conditioning device to condition the unfused build material, and a material storage device to store the conditioned build material.