AN APPARATUS FOR BUILDING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL ARTICLE AND A METHOD FOR BUILDING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL ARTICLE

摘要

The invention provides an apparatus for building a three-dimensional article in sequential cross-sectional layers, which apparatus comprises: a powder delivery system comprising one or more reservoirs for delivering a powder (2) and a powder spreading system (16); a printing system (26) for delivering a liquid; a build chamber (1) comprising an outer wall (5), an inner wall (8) and a build platform (10) which is movable along the inner wall of the build chamber; and a powder recovery system; wherein the building chamber comprises a space defined by the upper portion between the inner wall and the outer wall of the building chamber and this space is in communication with the powder recovery system and/or the build platform is capable of releasing unused powder (directly) from the build chamber in a downward direction into the powder recovery system. The invention further provides a method building a three-dimensional article wherein use is made of said apparatus.