An example apparatus to produce a three-dimensional object comprises a controller, a build area configured to receive a layer of particulate material, a printhead, and an ultraviolet light emitting diode energy source. The controller is to cause the printhead to deposit a liquid which absorbs ultraviolet radiation onto the layer of particulate material. The controller is further to cause the ultraviolet light emitting diode energy source to irradiate the liquid, after the liquid has been deposited onto the layer of particulate material, thereby to heat the liquid and cause a portion of the particulate material to solidify.

An example apparatus to produce a three-dimensional object comprises a controller, a build area configured to receive a layer of particulate material, a printhead, and an ultraviolet light emitting diode energy source. The controller is to cause the printhead to deposit a liquid which absorbs ultraviolet radiation onto the layer of particulate material. The controller is further to cause the ultraviolet light emitting diode energy source to irradiate the liquid, after the liquid has been deposited onto the layer of particulate material, thereby to heat the liquid and cause a portion of the particulate material to solidify.

The invention relates to a 3D printing device having an advantageous geometry of the build area.

The invention relates to a 3D printing device having an advantageous geometry of the build area.

A method of manufacturing 3D objects in an apparatus having a thermal sensor, a stationary heat source and one or more further heat sources. The method includes a warm up and a build process; each processing multiple layers by a layer cycle. The layer cycles include (a) providing build bed surface of particulate material; (b) heating the surface using the stationary or a first moving heat source; (b1) depositing absorption modifier (absorber) over one or more layer-specific regions and/or depositing absorption modifier (inhibitor) over a surrounding area; (c) heating the surface by the first or a second moving heat source; and (d) measuring the temperature of the surface after (a) and/or (b) and/or (c). During one or more of (a) to (c), heating the surface to a target temperature, such that (c) causes the layer-specific region of each layer to melt and form a portion of the 3D object.

A method for calibrating a heat source, used in manufacturing 3D object(s) from particulate material, including layer cycle steps of: (a) distributing a layer of particulate material; (b) heating a region of the layer with a heat source at a power input over a period of time; (c) measuring the temperature of the region; (d) depositing a radiation absorber over the region and/or an absorption inhibitor over a surrounding area; (e) heating the region and a second region within the surrounding area at a second power input and period of time; and (f) measuring a second temperature of the region and a third temperature of the second region; repeating the layer cycle using different pairs of input powers from the preceding pairs; and determining for each layer an adjusted input power(s); and applying the adjusted input powers to the heat source in steps (b) and (e) for a subsequent cycle.

In example implementations, an apparatus includes a housing, a movable base, a tab portion and a coupling mechanism. The housing is comprised of a microwave transparent material. The movable base is coupled to the housing to receive build material that is digitally printed. The tab portion is coupled to a bottom portion of at least one wall of the housing. The tab portion stops the movable base. The coupling mechanism is coupled to the housing to removably attach the apparatus to a three dimensional printer.

In example implementations, an apparatus includes a housing, a movable base, a tab portion and a coupling mechanism. The housing is comprised of a microwave transparent material. The movable base is coupled to the housing to receive build material that is digitally printed. The tab portion is coupled to a bottom portion of at least one wall of the housing. The tab portion stops the movable base. The coupling mechanism is coupled to the housing to removably attach the apparatus to a three dimensional printer.

Additive manufacturing apparatuses, components of additive manufacturing apparatuses, and methods of using such manufacturing apparatuses and components are disclosed. An additive manufacturing apparatus may include a recoat head for distributing build material in a build area, a print head for depositing material in the build area, one or more actuators for moving the recoat head and the print head relative to the build area, and a cleaning station for cleaning the print head.

In an example of a method for three-dimensional (3D) printing, a build material composition is applied to form a build material layer. The build material composition includes a polymeric or polymeric composite build material, and a precipitating agent. Based on a 3D object model, a fusing agent is selectively applied on at least a portion of the build material composition. The fusing agent includes a radiation absorber, which the precipitating agent precipitates. The build material composition is exposed to radiation to fuse the at least the portion to form a layer of a 3D part.