Plant (1) for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object (2), comprising at least one process station (3a-3c) being configured to perform an additive manufacturing process and/or at least one preprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process and/or at least one postprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process; at least one conveying device (19) configured to convey an item (20) between at least two positions (P1, P2) of the plant (1), the conveying device (19) comprising at least one conveying element (22), the at least one conveying element (22) being at least partially bound to ground (23), and at least one conveying carriage (24) being connectable or connected with the conveying element (22) so as to be moveable between at least two positions (P1, P2) of the plant (1), the at least one conveying carriage (24) comprising at least one supporting interface (25) for supporting at least one item (20).

The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data. Material is extruded on a surface of a workpiece (e.g., in two-dimensions). The workpiece is then moved incrementally so that additional material can be extruded on the new surface of the work piece. These steps are repeated until the 3-dimensional object is completed. The present invention also relates to a device including an extruder system for extruding a build material in multiple directions on a surface of a workpiece, and a conveying component for moving the workpiece incrementally for extruding additional material on the new surface. The method and device preferably allows for the continuous construction of three-dimensional objects.

A system for manufacturing a Three Dimensional (3D) printed component is provided. The system includes a substrate adapted for at least partially 3D printing the component thereon. The substrate includes a first geometrical feature. The system also includes a plurality of processing stations interconnected to one another. Each of the plurality of processing stations is adapted to receive the substrate. Each of the plurality of processing stations includes a second geometrical feature adapted to interlock with the first geometrical feature.

A deployable manufacturing center (DMC) system includes a foundry module containing a metallurgical system configured to convert a raw material into an alloy powder, and an additive manufacturing (AM) module containing an additive manufacturing system configured to form the alloy powder into metal parts. The deployable manufacturing center (DMC) system can also include a machining module containing a machining system configured to machine the metal parts into machined metal parts, and a quality conformance (QC) module containing an inspection and evaluation system configured to inspect and evaluate the metal parts. A process for manufacturing metal parts includes the steps of providing the deployable manufacturing center (DMC) system; deploying the (DMC) system to a desired location; forming an alloy powder from a raw material using the deployable foundry module; and then forming the metal parts from the alloy powder using the additive manufacturing (AM) module.

A modular system (1) for producing a three-dimensional object (2) by layerwise application and selective solidification of a pulverulent build material (13) contains a first module (30, 34-36; 40, 41) suitable for carrying out a first process used for the production of the three-dimensional object (2), and at least a second and a third module (30, 34-36; 40,41) suitable for carrying out a further process used for the production of the three-dimensional object (2). The first to third modules (30, 34-36; 40, 41) are configured so that the second or the third module, or both, can selectively and replaceably be connected to the first module in such a way that their housings are coupled to one another directly.

The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7). The build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) and the carrier (7) are adapted to be connected to one another in a stationary manner during the vertical movement of the irradiation unit (17) so that the vertical movement takes place relative to the carrier (7) and relative to the build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b).

Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source (4), wherein a determination device (7) is provided that comprises a first determination unit (8) and a second determination unit (9), wherein the first determination unit (8) is adapted to determine at least one first parameter of the object (2) during an additive manufacturing process and wherein the second determination unit (9) is adapted to determine at least one second parameter of the object (2) after the additive manufacturing process is finished, wherein the determination device (7) is adapted to compare the at least one first parameter and the at least one second parameter.

A 3D printing system comprising: a selective solidification module to: form a printed article by processing a build material; and form a printed container encompassing the printed article and a portion of unused build material about the printed article, the printed container defining a first port and a second port fluidly connected to the first port. The 3D printing system further comprises a connector to couple to the first port or second port of the printed container; and a pump fluidly connected to the connector to cause a fluid to flow through the printed container from the first port to the second port such that the printed article is cooled by the fluid flow.

A 3D printing system comprising: a selective solidification module to: form a printed article by processing a build material; and form a printed container encompassing the printed article and a portion of unused build material about the printed article, the printed container defining a first port and a second port fluidly connected to the first port. The 3D printing system further comprises a connector to couple to the first port or second port of the printed container; and a pump fluidly connected to the connector to cause a fluid to flow through the printed container from the first port to the second port such that the printed article is cooled by the fluid flow.

A 3D printing system and methods to selectively pattern dense feedstock based on selective inhibition sintering (SIS). A sintering selectivity agent (inhibitor or promoter) is selectively deposited on a build layer according to the pattern boundary. When the layers are built-up and the part is sintered, the inhibited region remains unbound, thus defining the edge of the part. The material contain powder embedded in cohesive binder that make the adjacent layer adhere together. The build process involves forming the sheets of dense feedstock embedded binder, followed by depositing ink to promote selective sintering onto the layer. Once the build is complete, the process continues with the binder removal, sintering and finishing processes.