An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.

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 three-dimensional shaped object manufacturing method for shaping a three-dimensional shaped object. The three-dimensional shaped object manufacturing method includes a first step of shaping a first partial shaped object corresponding to a first partial path and a second partial shaped object corresponding to a second partial path in accordance with shaping data including path data and discharge amount data; a second step of measuring a first gap indicating a gap between the first partial shaped object and the second partial shaped object; and a third step of executing an adjustment processing of adjusting, based on a difference between the first gap and a second gap determined based on the shaping data and corresponding to the first gap, a discharge amount in a third partial path which is one of the plurality of paths and along which the discharge unit moves after the first partial path and the second partial path.

A three-dimensional shaped object manufacturing method for shaping a three-dimensional shaped object. The three-dimensional shaped object manufacturing method includes a first step of shaping a first partial shaped object corresponding to a first partial path and a second partial shaped object corresponding to a second partial path in accordance with shaping data including path data and discharge amount data; a second step of measuring a first gap indicating a gap between the first partial shaped object and the second partial shaped object; and a third step of executing an adjustment processing of adjusting, based on a difference between the first gap and a second gap determined based on the shaping data and corresponding to the first gap, a discharge amount in a third partial path which is one of the plurality of paths and along which the discharge unit moves after the first partial path and the second partial path.

A method of moving a print head between a plurality of partitioned chambers in a 3D printer includes providing the 3D printer having a thermal barrier having an area defined by a length and width, wherein a print head nozzle can be positioned through the thermal barrier along the width or the length and at least two partitioned chambers below the area of the thermal barrier, wherein a first chamber comprises a printing chamber and a second chamber comprises a chamber providing another functionality. The method includes raising the print head in a z direction from the second chamber to above the thermal barrier and moving the print head in a x-y direction from above the second chamber over the partition to a location above the first chamber. The method also includes lowering the print head in the z direction and into the first chamber such that an extrusion port of a nozzle of the print head is proximate a x-y print plane.

A method of moving a print head between a plurality of partitioned chambers in a 3D printer includes providing the 3D printer having a thermal barrier having an area defined by a length and width, wherein a print head nozzle can be positioned through the thermal barrier along the width or the length and at least two partitioned chambers below the area of the thermal barrier, wherein a first chamber comprises a printing chamber and a second chamber comprises a chamber providing another functionality. The method includes raising the print head in a z direction from the second chamber to above the thermal barrier and moving the print head in a x-y direction from above the second chamber over the partition to a location above the first chamber. The method also includes lowering the print head in the z direction and into the first chamber such that an extrusion port of a nozzle of the print head is proximate a x-y print plane.

This invention concerns a module for insertion into an additive manufacturing apparatus. The module comprising a frame mountable in a fixed position in the additive manufacturing apparatus, the frame defining a build chamber and a dosing chamber. A build platform is movable in the build chamber for supporting a powder bed during additive manufacturing of a part. A dosing piston is movable in the dosing chamber to push powder from the dosing chamber. A mechanism mechanically links the build platform to the dosing piston such that downward movement of the build platform in the build chamber results in upward movement of the dosing piston in the dosing chamber.

This invention concerns a module for insertion into an additive manufacturing apparatus. The module comprising a frame mountable in a fixed position in the additive manufacturing apparatus, the frame defining a build chamber and a dosing chamber. A build platform is movable in the build chamber for supporting a powder bed during additive manufacturing of a part. A dosing piston is movable in the dosing chamber to push powder from the dosing chamber. A mechanism mechanically links the build platform to the dosing piston such that downward movement of the build platform in the build chamber results in upward movement of the dosing piston in the dosing chamber.

The present document relates to a dispensing head for continuous fiber reinforced fused filament type additive manufacturing. The dispensing head is configured for dispensing a material onto a substrate carrier platform, and comprises one or more inlets for receiving a strand of meltable solid material and a reinforcement fiber and a material passage extending from the receiving inlets to a dispensing outlet. The dispensing head further comprises a material heating unit for liquefying the material and drive means for driving the material through the material passage. The material heating unit comprises a solid radiation body extending from the dispensing outlet at least in a direction parallel to the substrate carrier platform, defining a radiation face toward the substrate carrier platform, wherein the radiation body is thermally separated from the dispensing outlet.