An improved apparatus and method are provided to remove powder from a web, for example, in a 3D printing apparatus. A flexible blade is provided to contact and move across a first portion of the web located between adjacent portions of the web to scrape powder from the first portion without removing powder deposited on the adjacent portions. A pair of edge vacuum nozzles and a central vacuum nozzle are also provided to move with the flexible blade to remove powder from both edges of the first portion and a central region of the first portion.

An improved apparatus and method are provided to remove powder from a web, for example, in a 3D printing apparatus. A flexible blade is provided to contact and move across a first portion of the web located between adjacent portions of the web to scrape powder from the first portion without removing powder deposited on the adjacent portions. A pair of edge vacuum nozzles and a central vacuum nozzle are also provided to move with the flexible blade to remove powder from both edges of the first portion and a central region of the first portion.

A process for support material removal for 3D printed parts wherein the part is placed in a media filled tank and support removal is optimized in a multi-parameter system through an artificial intelligence process which may include, but is not limited to, the use of historical data, parametric testing data, normal support removal data, and outputs from other support removal AI models to generate optimally efficient use of each parameter in terms of pulse repetition interval (PRI) and cycle time as defined by pulse width (PW). The input parameters may include heat, circulation, ultrasound and chemical reaction, which are used in sequence and/or in parallel, to optimize efficiency of support removal. Sequentially and/or in parallel, heat, pump circulation and ultrasound may vary in application or intensity. Selection of means of agitation depends on monitored feedback from the support removal tank and application of a statistically dynamic rule based system (SDRBS).

A process for support material removal for 3D printed parts wherein the part is placed in a media filled tank and support removal is optimized in a multi-parameter system through an artificial intelligence process which may include, but is not limited to, the use of historical data, parametric testing data, normal support removal data, and outputs from other support removal AI models to generate optimally efficient use of each parameter in terms of pulse repetition interval (PRI) and cycle time as defined by pulse width (PW). The input parameters may include heat, circulation, ultrasound and chemical reaction, which are used in sequence and/or in parallel, to optimize efficiency of support removal. Sequentially and/or in parallel, heat, pump circulation and ultrasound may vary in application or intensity. Selection of means of agitation depends on monitored feedback from the support removal tank and application of a statistically dynamic rule based system (SDRBS).

A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a melting section providing a shaping material to a channel, a nozzle ejecting the shaping material to a shaping region of a shaping table, an ejection-amount adjusting mechanism adjusting an amount of the shaping material from the nozzle, a suction member sucking the shaping material in the channel, a memory configured to store a program, and a processor configured to execute the program so as to control the three-dimensional shaping apparatus. The processor is configured to stop the ejection of the shaping material and, thereafter, prior to resumption of the ejection of the shaping material, execute material purge processing for discharging the shaping material remaining in the melting section to a region different from the shaping region. The suction member is located closer to the nozzle than the ejection-amount adjusting mechanism in the first channel.

A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a melting section providing a shaping material to a channel, a nozzle ejecting the shaping material to a shaping region of a shaping table, an ejection-amount adjusting mechanism adjusting an amount of the shaping material from the nozzle, a suction member sucking the shaping material in the channel, a memory configured to store a program, and a processor configured to execute the program so as to control the three-dimensional shaping apparatus. The processor is configured to stop the ejection of the shaping material and, thereafter, prior to resumption of the ejection of the shaping material, execute material purge processing for discharging the shaping material remaining in the melting section to a region different from the shaping region. The suction member is located closer to the nozzle than the ejection-amount adjusting mechanism in the first channel.

A three-dimensional (“3D”) printing system for printing on a substrate, the printing system including a plurality of powder feeders, the plurality of powder feeders dispensing a powder on the substrate in a first direction and in a second direction; and a powder uniformization device located adjacent to the plurality of powder feeders, the powder uniformization device rotatable along the substrate in directions opposing the first direction and the second direction.

A three-dimensional (“3D”) printing system for printing on a substrate, the printing system including a plurality of powder feeders, the plurality of powder feeders dispensing a powder on the substrate in a first direction and in a second direction; and a powder uniformization device located adjacent to the plurality of powder feeders, the powder uniformization device rotatable along the substrate in directions opposing the first direction and the second direction.

Examples relate to a print station of a three-dimensional (“3D”) printing apparatus, and method of 3D printing, the print station including a substrate configured to hold a printed object, the substrate having a longitudinal axis, and a print system over the substrate, the print system including a powder distribution device including a blade-shaped end, and a powder uniformization device located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Examples relate to a print station of a three-dimensional (“3D”) printing apparatus, and method of 3D printing, the print station including a substrate configured to hold a printed object, the substrate having a longitudinal axis, and a print system over the substrate, the print system including a powder distribution device including a blade-shaped end, and a powder uniformization device located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.