A method for determining a distance in an additive manufacturing device includes emitting a number of directed beams using a number of beam sources, detecting at least one of the directed beams from a first beam source using a first detector and generating a signal in dependence on the at least one beam impinging on the least one detector, wherein a recoating element is spatially arranged between the first beam source and the first detector, and determining a distance between a boundary of the recoating element and a surface of a building base and/or an article placed on the building base, based on the signal generated by the detector and using an evaluation unit.

A method for determining a distance in an additive manufacturing device includes emitting a number of directed beams using a number of beam sources, detecting at least one of the directed beams from a first beam source using a first detector and generating a signal in dependence on the at least one beam impinging on the least one detector, wherein a recoating element is spatially arranged between the first beam source and the first detector, and determining a distance between a boundary of the recoating element and a surface of a building base and/or an article placed on the building base, based on the signal generated by the detector and using an evaluation unit.

A method for making an object and an apparatus for making the object in accordance with the method is disclosed. A section of the object is formed by irradiating a layer of material with a radiation, the layer of material being disposed on a material receiving surface of a flexible element shaped by a shaping member contacting the flexible element. The radiation passes through the member and the flexible element. The member is tilted to induce a peeling separation of the member from the element.

A method for making an object and an apparatus for making the object in accordance with the method is disclosed. A section of the object is formed by irradiating a layer of material with a radiation, the layer of material being disposed on a material receiving surface of a flexible element shaped by a shaping member contacting the flexible element. The radiation passes through the member and the flexible element. The member is tilted to induce a peeling separation of the member from the element.

Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers (3) of a build material (4) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source.

Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers (3) of a build material (4) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source.

In one example, a system for loading build material into a portable build unit having a platform on which objects are printed and a build material supply container next to the platform. The system includes a build material dispenser, a conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser, and a controller operatively connected to the dispenser and the conveyor. The controller is programmed to, with the build unit and the dispenser in a fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material into the supply container, cause the conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, and, while the conveyor moves the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material on to the platform.

In one example, a system for loading build material into a portable build unit having a platform on which objects are printed and a build material supply container next to the platform. The system includes a build material dispenser, a conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser, and a controller operatively connected to the dispenser and the conveyor. The controller is programmed to, with the build unit and the dispenser in a fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material into the supply container, cause the conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, and, while the conveyor moves the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material on to the platform.

A robot to manufacture a part by additive manufacturing using volume elements or voxels. The robot includes a base and a rotary arm having a plurality of effectors for additive manufacturing radially distributed on the arm. A guiding shaft to translationally move the rotary arm by rotation, in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation, and to translationally and rotationally guide the rotary arm relative to the base. A controller to control the action of the effectors for additive manufacturing as a function of the position of the rotary arm in space. A method for implementing the robot is provided.

A robot to manufacture a part by additive manufacturing using volume elements or voxels. The robot includes a base and a rotary arm having a plurality of effectors for additive manufacturing radially distributed on the arm. A guiding shaft to translationally move the rotary arm by rotation, in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation, and to translationally and rotationally guide the rotary arm relative to the base. A controller to control the action of the effectors for additive manufacturing as a function of the position of the rotary arm in space. A method for implementing the robot is provided.