A 3D printing method providing an improved manufacturing process by providing a plurality of layers forming at least a part of the component, wherein the plurality of layers contains at least one first layer part and at least one second layer part, wherein the at least one first layer part and the at least one second layer part have been manufactured with different manufacturing speeds.

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 method of additive manufacturing includes a) providing a component geometry with a hole and, b) selectively irradiating a powder bed with an energy beam according to the geometry in a layerwise manner, wherein in layers of the component including the hole, the respective regions which define the hole are irradiated with the energy beam such that a supporting structure is generated in the hole having a lower rigidity than a structure of the component. The supporting structure is used for counteracting stress or distortion during the additive buildup. A computer program product and apparatus correspond to the method.

A method of additive manufacturing includes a) providing a component geometry with a hole and, b) selectively irradiating a powder bed with an energy beam according to the geometry in a layerwise manner, wherein in layers of the component including the hole, the respective regions which define the hole are irradiated with the energy beam such that a supporting structure is generated in the hole having a lower rigidity than a structure of the component. The supporting structure is used for counteracting stress or distortion during the additive buildup. A computer program product and apparatus correspond to the method.

In an example, a method comprises receiving, at a processor, a digital model representing an object to be produced by additive manufacturing. The method may comprise receiving, at the processor, an indication that a first selected region of a surface of the object is to have a first coating applied after printing. The method may further comprise applying a first predefined surface roughness pattern to the first selected region of the surface of the digital model.

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 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.

There is disclosed an ink composition for three dimensional (3D) printing. The ink composition comprises: a liquid dispersion of tungsten carbide (WC) particles and cobalt (Co) particles, and, a carrier vehicle for the dispersion of tungsten carbide particles and the dispersion of cobalt particles. The ink composition is of a viscosity usable with ink jet print heads for 3D printing.