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.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first vertically-extending support leg, a second vertically-extending support leg, and a gantry supported on the first and second support legs. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a work table movably supported beneath the gantry, a print head supported on the gantry, and a trim head supported on the gantry with the print head.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first vertically-extending support leg, a second vertically-extending support leg, and a gantry supported on the first and second support legs. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a work table movably supported beneath the gantry, a print head supported on the gantry, and a trim head supported on the gantry with the print head.

A powder bed fusion apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a fabrication container that is provided between first and second storage containers which heat a powder material stored therein to first and second predetermined temperatures, respectively, and that heats the powder material stored therein to a third predetermined temperature higher than the first and second predetermined temperatures, and lets the powder material be irradiated with a laser beam from a laser beam emission unit based on a model to be fabricated; and an evaluation unit that, when the powder material in the first storage container is carried into the fabrication container, evaluates the carrying based on a comparison between a threshold value and a change in the temperature of the powder material stored in the second storage container calculated based on the temperature detected by a temperature measurement device.

A powder bed fusion apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a fabrication container that is provided between first and second storage containers which heat a powder material stored therein to first and second predetermined temperatures, respectively, and that heats the powder material stored therein to a third predetermined temperature higher than the first and second predetermined temperatures, and lets the powder material be irradiated with a laser beam from a laser beam emission unit based on a model to be fabricated; and an evaluation unit that, when the powder material in the first storage container is carried into the fabrication container, evaluates the carrying based on a comparison between a threshold value and a change in the temperature of the powder material stored in the second storage container calculated based on the temperature detected by a temperature measurement device.

A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

A 3D printer successively fuses sheet material in a stack to form a three-dimensional object. The sheet material may provide a mesh separating islands of material that will be fused to produce the desired three-dimensional object. The mesh provides support for the island material during the fusing process and may be removed afterwards.