A process of producing a surface-modified 3-dimensional article, the process comprising the steps of providing a radiation-curable composition, building-up a 3-dimensional article by radiation-curing the radiation-curable composition layer by layer, preferably by using a stereolithography or digital light processing unit, partially removing radiation-curable composition which sticks to the surface of the 3- dimensional article, treating only a portion of the surface of the 3- dimensional article to which the radiation-curable composition is stuck with particles, applying an additional curing step to the 3-dimensional article, preferably by applying heat and/or radiation. A 3-dimensional article which can be obtained by such a process and a kit of parts comprising such a 3-dimensional article.

A process of producing a surface-modified 3-dimensional article, the process comprising the steps of providing a radiation-curable composition, building-up a 3-dimensional article by radiation-curing the radiation-curable composition layer by layer, preferably by using a stereolithography or digital light processing unit, partially removing radiation-curable composition which sticks to the surface of the 3- dimensional article, treating only a portion of the surface of the 3- dimensional article to which the radiation-curable composition is stuck with particles, applying an additional curing step to the 3-dimensional article, preferably by applying heat and/or radiation. A 3-dimensional article which can be obtained by such a process and a kit of parts comprising such a 3-dimensional article.

A system comprising a support member to support a three-dimensional printed job. The three-dimensional printed job has at least one printed part and associated excess build material. The system further includes a force generating arrangement to impart a force on a three-dimensional printed job supported by the support member; and a build material outlet to allow removal of excess build material from a three-dimensional printed job supported by the support member. The system further includes a sensor to sense a change in the support member, a three-dimensional printed job supported by the support member or a combination thereof wherein the change is due to removal of excess build material from the three-dimensional printed job; and a controller to modify the force imparted on a three-dimensional printed job supported by the support member, wherein the controller modifies the force in dependence upon the change sensed by the sensor.

A system comprising a support member to support a three-dimensional printed job. The three-dimensional printed job has at least one printed part and associated excess build material. The system further includes a force generating arrangement to impart a force on a three-dimensional printed job supported by the support member; and a build material outlet to allow removal of excess build material from a three-dimensional printed job supported by the support member. The system further includes a sensor to sense a change in the support member, a three-dimensional printed job supported by the support member or a combination thereof wherein the change is due to removal of excess build material from the three-dimensional printed job; and a controller to modify the force imparted on a three-dimensional printed job supported by the support member, wherein the controller modifies the force in dependence upon the change sensed by the sensor.

A 3D printing apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a container, a build material extraction module, an energy source and a controller. The container is to receive a build volume comprising portions in which an un-cured thermally curable binder has been applied to define a 3D object to be generated and portions on which no binder has been applied. The build material extraction module is to remove part of the build material on which no binder has been applied. The energy source to heat the contents of the container. And the controller is to control the build material extraction module to remove part of the build material on which no binder has been applied; and control the energy source to heat the build material to thermally cure any binder in the container.

A 3D printing apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a container, a build material extraction module, an energy source and a controller. The container is to receive a build volume comprising portions in which an un-cured thermally curable binder has been applied to define a 3D object to be generated and portions on which no binder has been applied. The build material extraction module is to remove part of the build material on which no binder has been applied. The energy source to heat the contents of the container. And the controller is to control the build material extraction module to remove part of the build material on which no binder has been applied; and control the energy source to heat the build material to thermally cure any binder in the container.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy is device operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A deposition assembly is upstream of the stage and configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The deposition assembly includes a reservoir housing configured to retain a volume of resin between the upstream wall and the downstream wall. The deposition assembly also includes an application device operably coupled with the reservoir housing. A computing system is operably coupled with the application device. The computing system is configured to intermittently initiate a flush operation between successive layers of the component, wherein the application device is moved from a first position to a second position during the flush operation.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy is device operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A deposition assembly is upstream of the stage and configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The deposition assembly includes a reservoir housing configured to retain a volume of resin between the upstream wall and the downstream wall. The deposition assembly also includes an application device operably coupled with the reservoir housing. A computing system is operably coupled with the application device. The computing system is configured to intermittently initiate a flush operation between successive layers of the component, wherein the application device is moved from a first position to a second position during the flush operation.

A cleaning system for an additively manufactured component includes a tank storing a cleaning fluid. A fluid circuit is operably coupled with the tank. A pump is coupled with the fluid circuit. A manifold is configured to receive fluid from the fluid circuit through the pump. At least one of a coupler defined by the manifold or a hose is coupled with the manifold. The at least one of the coupler defined by the manifold or the hose is further configured to couple with said additively manufactured component.

A cleaning system for an additively manufactured component includes a tank storing a cleaning fluid. A fluid circuit is operably coupled with the tank. A pump is coupled with the fluid circuit. A manifold is configured to receive fluid from the fluid circuit through the pump. At least one of a coupler defined by the manifold or a hose is coupled with the manifold. The at least one of the coupler defined by the manifold or the hose is further configured to couple with said additively manufactured component.