A three-dimensional object model is divided into slices that are targeted for an additive manufacturing process operable to deposit material at a variable deposition size ranging between minimum and maximum printable feature sizes. For each of the slices, a thinning algorithm is applied to contours of the slice to form a meso-skeleton. Topological features of the thinned slice are reduced over a number of passes such that a portion of the meso-skeleton is reduced to a single pixel wide line. Based on the number of passes, a slice-specific printable feature size within the range of the minimum and maximum printable feature sizes is determined. An adjusted slice is formed by sweeping the meso-skeleton with the slice-specific printable feature size. The adjusted slices are assembled into an object model which is used to create a manufactured object.

A three-dimensional object model is divided into slices that are targeted for an additive manufacturing process operable to deposit material at a variable deposition size ranging between minimum and maximum printable feature sizes. For each of the slices, a thinning algorithm is applied to contours of the slice to form a meso-skeleton. Topological features of the thinned slice are reduced over a number of passes such that a portion of the meso-skeleton is reduced to a single pixel wide line. Based on the number of passes, a slice-specific printable feature size within the range of the minimum and maximum printable feature sizes is determined. An adjusted slice is formed by sweeping the meso-skeleton with the slice-specific printable feature size. The adjusted slices are assembled into an object model which is used to create a manufactured object.

Disclosed is a coater assembly 1 for a 3D printer, comprising a coater 3 having a container 5 which defines an inner cavity for receiving particulate construction material which opens into a container opening 7 for outputting the particulate construction material from the container 5, and an output region 9 which defines a coater output opening 11 for outputting the particulate construction material from the coater 3 onto a construction field. The container 5 is movable relative to the coater output opening 11 so that by moving the container 5 relative to the coater output opening a discharge of particulate construction material from the inner cavity through the container opening 7 and the coater output opening 11 onto the construction field is variable.

The invention relates to a printing device (10) for a 3D printer. The printing device comprises a metering unit (18) for melting and plasticizing a material (38) to be printed and a delivery unit (14) for printing the material (38) provided via the metering unit (18). The metering unit (18) and the delivery unit (14) are arranged separately from each other and can be connected to each other, wherein the delivery unit (14) can be transported to the metering unit (18) in order to receive material (38) and, in order to connect the delivery unit (14) to the metering unit (18), a nozzle (74) of the delivery unit (14) and a coupling point (62) of the metering unit (18) come into contact with each other.

The invention relates to a printing device (10) for a 3D printer. The printing device comprises a metering unit (18) for melting and plasticizing a material (38) to be printed and a delivery unit (14) for printing the material (38) provided via the metering unit (18). The metering unit (18) and the delivery unit (14) are arranged separately from each other and can be connected to each other, wherein the delivery unit (14) can be transported to the metering unit (18) in order to receive material (38) and, in order to connect the delivery unit (14) to the metering unit (18), a nozzle (74) of the delivery unit (14) and a coupling point (62) of the metering unit (18) come into contact with each other.

Disclosed are a 3D printing device with an extrusion port having a variable size and a control method thereof. The 3D printing device includes: a feeding portion with an inlet and an outlet for a material; a discharging portion with an extrusion port, where the extrusion port is capable of being in fluid communication with the outlet of the feeding portion to extrude the material, and the extrusion port is partitioned into a plurality of hole channels; and a control portion, configured to control, in a process of filling a single-communication region by utilizing the extrusion port, a relative movement between the feeding portion and the discharging portion, to change a quantity of hole channels in communication with the outlet of the feeding portion in the plurality of hole channels, thereby changing a size of the extrusion port.

Disclosed are a 3D printing device with an extrusion port having a variable size and a control method thereof. The 3D printing device includes: a feeding portion with an inlet and an outlet for a material; a discharging portion with an extrusion port, where the extrusion port is capable of being in fluid communication with the outlet of the feeding portion to extrude the material, and the extrusion port is partitioned into a plurality of hole channels; and a control portion, configured to control, in a process of filling a single-communication region by utilizing the extrusion port, a relative movement between the feeding portion and the discharging portion, to change a quantity of hole channels in communication with the outlet of the feeding portion in the plurality of hole channels, thereby changing a size of the extrusion port.

A powder discharge unit for equipping and/or upgrading a device for generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a selective layer-by-layer solidification of building material in powder form includes a powder container for receiving building material in powder form and a filling chamber for filling in building material in powder form into the powder container. The powder discharge unit is configured to fluidise the building material in powder form in the powder container and the building material in powder form in the filling chamber independently of one another.

A powder discharge unit for equipping and/or upgrading a device for generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a selective layer-by-layer solidification of building material in powder form includes a powder container for receiving building material in powder form and a filling chamber for filling in building material in powder form into the powder container. The powder discharge unit is configured to fluidise the building material in powder form in the powder container and the building material in powder form in the filling chamber independently of one another.

In one example, a powdered build material supply system for additive manufacturing includes a supply deck, a dispenser to dispense a ribbon of powdered build material on to the supply deck, and a spreader to spread powdered build material from the ribbon over a work area adjacent to the supply deck.