Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.p.

Marc Nicolau

Xavier Alonso

Ismael Chanclon

Marc Morros

Ernesto Alejandro Jones Poppescou

Xavier Gasso

Nicola Cofelice

Robert Beauchamp

Xavier Miguel

Angel Santos

Marti Cot

A build material management system for a 3D printing system is described in which a non-fused purged build material port is to output purged non-fused build material from a build material transportation system. An emptying of substantially all non-fused build material from at least a portion of the build material transportation system to the non-fused purged build material port in response to a received purge signal is controlled by processing circuitry of the build material management system.

Purging non-fused build material

A build material container outlet structure () comprises: a connector () comprising an interface surface () and an adaptor to receive a nozzle structure () of an external aspiration system; and a retaining structure () to releasably hold the nozzle structure in an engagement position with the interface surface of the connector; wherein the retaining structure comprises one or more retaining elements (---) disposed in the connector to exert an attractive magnetic biasing force on the nozzle structure of the external aspiration system to releasably hold the nozzle structure in the engagement position with the interface surface of the connector.

Outlet structure

A build material management system for an additive manufacturing system is described in which a recovered build material tank () and a mixing tank () are provided. The recovered build material tank () comprises an outlet and a first build material filter () for separating a gas flow from a build material flow. The mixing tank () comprises a second build material filter (). The mixing tank () is connected to the recovered build material tank () via a RBMT-to-mixer conduit (). A controller () is provided to couple the second build material filter () to a reduced pressure interface to transport build material from the outlet of the recovered build material tank into the mixing tank () via the second build material filter (). The controller () controls coupling of the first build material filter () to the reduced pressure interface to transport build material from a build material source into the recovered build material tank (). A corresponding method is provided.

Build material management

There is provided a 3D printing build material container () comprising a reinforcement structure (), a collapsible reservoir () to hold build material, a build material outlet structure (), at least one first inlet structure (), and a second inlet structure (). The reinforcement structure encloses an airtight space and the reservoir is disposed within the reinforcement structure. The build material outlet () structure is to allow build material to exit the reservoir. The at least one first inlet structure () is to allow recycled build material to enter the reservoir and to selectively allow a gas to enter the reservoir. The second inlet structure () is to selectively allow a gas to enter a space between the reservoir and the reinforcement structure.

Build material container

A container () for receiving a manufactured object () from a 3D printer is disclosed. A method for cooling and unpacking 3D printed objects using that container. () is also disclosed. The container has a wall forming the sides of the container, a top extending to the sides of the container, a connector () for connection to a vacuum source and a guillotine member (). The lower portion of the container has support members to slidably receive the guillotine member () to form a base of the container. The guillotine member is selectively configurable between an apertured configuration having a plurality of through holes () to allow passage of air and/or build material, and a closed configuration in which the through holes are closed so as to prevent build material from falling out of the container.

Growing community of inventors

Barcelona, Spain

Marc Nicolau