Three-dimensional printer build material augers

Abstract

A three-dimensional printing system may include a three-dimensional printer. The three-dimensional printer may include a station to receive and rotate a build material container having an axial port, an auger and at least one at least one actuator to move at least one of the build material container and the auger relative to one another to position the auger through the axial port into the build material container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A three-dimensional printing system comprising:
 a station to receive and rotate a build material container having an axial port;   an auger; and   at least one actuator to move at least one of the build material container and the auger relative to one another to position the auger through the axial port into the build material container.   
     
     
         2 . The three-dimensional printing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotary actuator to rotate the auger as the auger is being axially positioned into the build material container. 
     
     
         3 . The three-dimensional printing system of  claim 1 , wherein the auger has a port closer and wherein at least one actuator is to axially move the auger into the build material container to a position such that the port closer closes the axial port. 
     
     
         4 . The three-dimensional printing system of  claim 3 , wherein the least one actuator is to axially move the auger partially out of the build material container. 
     
     
         5 . The three-dimensional printing system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is decouplable from the auger such that the auger may rotate in unison with rotation of the build material container by the station. 
     
     
         6 . The three-dimensional printing system of  claim 1 , wherein the station is to rotate the build material container in a first direction to discharge build material from the container and a second opposite direction to load build material into the container. 
     
     
         7 . The three-dimensional printing system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is to move the auger so as to pierce a seal of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The three-dimensional printing system of  claim 1  further comprising the build material container, wherein the build material container comprises an inner surface having helical raised portions to guide build material within the build material container towards the axial port during rotation of the build material container. 
     
     
         9 . The three-dimensional printing system of  claim 8 , wherein the build material container further comprises a puncturable seal across the axial port, wherein the at least one actuator is to axially move the auger to puncture the seal. 
     
     
         10 . A three-dimensional printing method comprising:
 loading a build material container, having an axial port, into a station of a three-dimensional printer;   positioning an auger of the three-dimensional printer through the axial port and into the build material container; and   rotating the build material container with the station while the auger of the three-dimensional printer is positioned   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising rotating the auger of the three-dimensional printer while moving the auger through the axial port into the build material container. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising axially moving the auger three-dimensional printer to a closing position in which a closer of the auger closes the axial port of the build material container 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising axially moving the auger from the closing position to an access position at which the auger is partially removed from the axial port and partially within the build material container. 
     
     
         14 . A three-dimensional printing method comprising:
 providing a build material container having an axial port and an inner surface having helical raised portions to guide build material within the build material container towards the axial port during rotation of the build material container; and   inserting an auger through the axial port of the build material container.   
     
     
         15 . The three-dimensional printing method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 breaking a puncturable seal of the container with the auger during insertion of the auger through the azial port.