# US 11,110,652 B2 · Generating a three-dimensional object > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,652 B2 - Document ID: US11110652B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/844,411 - Filed: 2020-04-09 - Published: 2020-07-23 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-16 - Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Applicants: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Inventors: Fernando Juan Jover; Alejandro Manuel de Pena; Esteve Comas Cespedes; Edward Dale Davis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110652B2 ## CPC - B29C 64/165: using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber - B29C 64/35: Cleaning - B29C 64/386: Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing - B29C 64/393: for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes - B29C 64/40: Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof - B29K 2105/0058: {Liquid or visquous} - B29K 2105/251: {Particles, powder or granules (expandable particles B29K2105/046)} - B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing - B33Y 30/00: Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor - B33Y 50/02: for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract According to one example, there is provided apparatus for generating a three-dimensional object. The apparatus comprises a build material distributor movable bi-directionally in a first axis to deposit successive layers of a build material on a support, and an agent distributor movable bi-directionally in a second axis different to the first axis to deliver an agent onto selected portions of successive layers of build material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for generating a three-dimensional object, comprising: a build material distributor movable bi-directionally along a first axis to deposit successive layers of a build material on a support; an agent distributor movable bi-directionally along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis to deliver an agent onto selected portions of successive layers of build material; a first energy source disposed on a first side of the agent distributor and movable with the agent distributor bi-directionally along the second axis; and a second energy source disposed on a second side of the agent distributor opposite the first side and movable with the agent distributor bi-directionally along the second axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a carriage movable along the second axis on which is mounted the agent distributor, the first energy source and the second energy source. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, comprising a controller programmed to control the carriage to move along the second axis in a first direction and to, as the carriage is moved in the first direction: control the agent distributor to deliver an agent to selected portions of a layer of build material; and control the first or second energy source trailing the agent distributor to apply energy to the layer of build material whilst the agent distributor is delivering the agent to the selected portions of the layer of build material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a first carriage movable along the first axis on which is mounted the build material distributor; and a second carriage movable along the second axis on which is mounted the agent distributor, the first energy source and the second energy source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, comprising a controller programmed to control the second carriage to move along the second axis in a first direction and to, as the carriage is moved in the first direction: control the agent distributor to deliver an agent to selected portions of a layer of build material; and control the first or second energy source trailing the agent distributor to apply energy to the layer of build material whilst the agent distributor is delivering the agent to the selected portions of the layer of build material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the agent distributor is to deliver an agent to cause build material on which it is delivered to form a portion of the three-dimensional object. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first axis is orthogonal to the second axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, comprising first and second parking zones opposite one another along the first axis at which the build material distributor may be parked without hindering movement of the agent distributor along the second axis. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, comprising third and fourth parking zones opposite one another along the second axis at which the agent distributor may be parked without hindering movement of the build material distributor along the first axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, comprising an agent distributor service element to enable a servicing operation to be performed on the agent distributor whilst the agent distributor is parked in the third or fourth parking zone. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a controller programmed to control the build material distributor, the energy sources, and the agent distributor to generate successive layers of a three-dimensional object in accordance with data defining slices of the three-dimensional object to be generated.