A recoater for applying a layer of build material capable of solidification on a working surface, wherein the recoater comprises a discharge port and a flattening member, wherein the discharge port is configured to discharge build material to form a heap of build material ahead of the flattening member, wherein the flattening member is configured to spread material from the heap of build material along the working surface in order to form the layer of build material on top of the working surface through a gap formed between a lower surface of the flattening member and the working surface by relative movement of the flattening member and the working surface, wherein the recoater further includes a shutter distanced from the discharge port, wherein the shutter is configured to be movable between a closed position in which build material is not dispensed onto the working surface, and an opened position in which build material is dispensed onto the working surface, wherein the shutter is configured to close an adjacent area ahead of the lower surface of the flattening member in the closed position.

A three-dimensional printing apparatus includes a base, a first build plate, and a second build plate. The base includes a build platform. The first build plate is attached to the base and is movable in vertical directions to a position spaced vertically from the build platform. The second build plate is supported by the first build plate such that the second build plate is spaced vertically from the first build plate. A plurality of objects is fabricated by the apparatus. A first object is fabricated on the first build plate. The first build plate is moved vertically. A second object is fabricated on the second build plate.

A three-dimensional, additive manufacturing system is disclosed. The first and second printer modules form sequences of first patterned single-layer objects and second patterned single-layer objects on the first and second carrier substrates, respectively. The patterned single-layer objects are assembled into a three-dimensional object on the assembly plate of the assembly station. A controller controls the sequences and patterns of the patterned single-layer objects formed at the printer modules, and a sequence of assembly of the first patterned single-layer objects and the second patterned single-layer objects into the three-dimensional object on the assembly plate. The first transfer module transfers the first patterned single-layer objects from the first carrier substrate to the assembly apparatus in a first transfer zone and the second transfer module transfers the second patterned single-layer objects from the second carrier substrate to the assembly apparatus in a second transfer zone. The first and second printer modules are configured to deposit first and second materials under first and second deposition conditions, respectively. The first and second materials are different and/or the first and second deposition conditions are different.

A 3D printing device for building up a three-dimensional workpiece layer-by-layer includes a first side having a removal area in which a workpiece is built up by the printing device, wherein the removal area provides manual removability of the workpiece therefrom; a second side having a workpiece output from which the workpiece is removable; and a conveying device configured to remove the workpiece from the removal area in an automated way.

To treat parts printed by means of 3D printing from the powder bed, they are inserted into a trough belt conveyor which transports and circulates the parts and in which the parts are acted on by a fluid jet during the transport.

To treat parts printed by means of 3D printing from the powder bed, they are inserted into a trough belt conveyor which transports and circulates the parts and in which the parts are acted on by a fluid jet during the transport.

The present invention combines three steps of the Bound Powder Deposition (BPD) process into a single real-time Additive Manufacturing (AM) process to improve print properties while decreasing both manufacturing times and associated costs.

An apparatus and method for fabricating a three-dimensional object from a representation of the object stored in memory. The apparatus includes a build platform having a build gap defined therein. A base plate is initially supported along a lower surface of the build platform such that an edge of the base plate extends along and closes off the build gap. A powder delivery assembly is configured to supply powder to the build gap. At least one directed energy source is configured to apply directed energy to at least a portion of the build gap to form a layer of the three-dimensional structure. An advancement assembly configured to selectively engage with the base plate and/or the three-dimensional structure to hold the base plate and the three-dimensional structure in a fixed position during forming of a layer and to advance the base plate and the three-dimensional structure once the layer is formed.

A jetted binder printing system includes a carrier substrate configured to travel along a longitudinal direction thereof, an adjustable binder printer configured to deliver an adjustable binder to the carrier substrate, a dispensing module located downstream from the adjustable binder printer on the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate, the dispensing module including at least one powder container, the dispensing module being configured to dispense powder onto the carrier substrate, and a primary binder printer located downstream from the compaction module along the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate. The primary binder printer includes a print head configured to print a primary binder on the dispensed powder according to a desired pattern. The primary binder is printed on a surface of the powder that is opposite a surface on which the adjustable binder is printed. The primary binder is printed to match the pattern of the adjustable binder.

A jetted binder printing system includes a carrier substrate configured to travel along a longitudinal direction thereof, an adjustable binder printer configured to deliver an adjustable binder to the carrier substrate, a dispensing module located downstream from the adjustable binder printer on the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate, the dispensing module including at least one powder container, the dispensing module being configured to dispense powder onto the carrier substrate, and a primary binder printer located downstream from the compaction module along the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate. The primary binder printer includes a print head configured to print a primary binder on the dispensed powder according to a desired pattern. The primary binder is printed on a surface of the powder that is opposite a surface on which the adjustable binder is printed. The primary binder is printed to match the pattern of the adjustable binder.