A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) jetting apparatus with improved performance. Particularly, electrodes are configured to deliver electrical current to an internal cavity of a nozzle of the jetting apparatus, and thus the molten metal inside. These electrodes are formed from or have a surface that is titanium diboride. The titanium diboride is connected to the source of electrical current by a highly conductive material with a low thermal expansion coefficient relative to the titanium diboride. Jetting apparatuses according to the disclosure have improved jetting characteristics, such as higher stable jetting frequencies, lower oxide growth on the nozzle land, leading to more time between nozzle cleanings, and a more stable jetting current from the start of jetting through steady state jetting.
B29C 64/255 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers
B29C 59/10 - Surface shaping, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by electric discharge treatment
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
Methods and systems for forming break-away supports during additive manufacturing of objects via magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) jetting. In MHD jetting supports may be required for certain overhang areas and/or other features. On a surface or surfaces that will contact the object and/or a build plate (or the like), a plasma discharge may be conducted to create a treated surface. The treated surface bonds weakly with the support relative to inter-layer bonds between construction layers. Thus, after printing is complete the supports can be easily separated without strong mechanical forces that may have otherwise damaged the printed object.
Disclosed is a pumping system with reduced contamination. A vacuum pump system includes a mechanical vacuum pump mechanism within a hermetic pump that hermetically isolates the pump mechanism from ambient air. A pump inlet is hermetically sealed to the hermetic pump housing. A pump outlet is hermetically sealed at one end to the hermetic pump housing and at the other end to an inlet of a Peclet seal tube. The vacuum pump system produces a vacuum in a vacuum processing chamber. A sweep gas source injects a sweep gas into at least one of (i) the hermetic pump housing and (ii) the inlet of the Peclet seal tube. The sweep gas and a process gas flow through the Peclet seal tube to substantially isolate against the backflow of the ambient air through the Peclet seal tube.
F27B 5/16 - Arrangements of air or gas supply devices
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
F27D 7/06 - Forming or maintaining special atmospheres or vacuum within heating chambers
F27B 5/04 - Muffle furnaces; Retort furnaces; Other furnaces in which the charge is held completely isolated adapted for treating the charge in vacuum or special atmosphere
F27D 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
A system and method of curing build material powder. An amount of build material powder is placed in a container sealable with respect to a gaseous atmosphere present about the exterior of the container. The container is installed in a powder curing apparatus which includes a heating system and an agitation system. The heating system heats the build material powder to a temperature profile while the agitation system causes a portion of the build material powder in the container to be conveyed away from an interior surface of the container, and a second portion of the build material powder is conveyed toward an interior surface of the container.
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
A drum for storing and processing build material powder includes a cylindrical body having a plurality of circumferential rings and a plurality of internal baffles. The first end of the cylindrical body is sealed by a first cap that is tapered to an orifice. The second end of the cylindrical body is sealed by a second cap. A gas inlet configured to receive an inflow of an inert gas and a gas outlet configured to exhaust used gas from an interior of the drum.
B22F 10/25 - Direct deposition of metal particles, e.g. direct metal deposition [DMD] or laser engineered net shaping [LENS]
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
A method of processing build material powder for binder jetting additive manufacturing. Build material powder requiring sieving is received in a first container at a sieving station where it is passed through a first conveyance loop to a sieving unit. After sieving the build material powder is deposited in a second container. The second container of build material powder, now sieved, is taken to a feed conveyance station. The feed conveyance station passes the build material powder from the second container to a binder jetting printer via a second conveyance loop.
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
A lifting system for a binder jetting additive manufacturing printer including a lift enclosure having a sealable access port and an aperture between an interior of the lift enclosure and a printing chamber. At least one lift column fixed to the interior of the lift enclosure is configured to vertically traverse a build box lift plate from a retracted position to a raised position, wherein in the raised position the build box lift plate indexes against at least one indexing stop. A platen lift is affixed to the box lift plate and is configured to traverse a build platen in a z-lift axis.
A carriage unit for binder jetting additive manufacturing of components. A carriage body is movably mounted to a carriage frame within a printer unit and configured to traverse relative to a work surface. Two compaction rollers are mounted to the carriage body. Each is configured to move between a retracted position disengaged from build material powder to a deployed condition to recoat build material powder over a work surface. A powder dispensing unit is mounted to the carriage body and configured to dispense a metered amount of the build material powder as the carriage body traverses over the work surface. A print head mounted to the carriage body is configured to deposit a predetermined pattern of binder as the carriage unit traverses relative to the work surface.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
9.
GAS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR BINDER JETTING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
A gas management system for binder jetting additive manufacturing from build material powder includes a first volume at least partly within a binder jet printer that contains gas at a first pressure. A second volume encloses a plurality of process modules configured to deposit and bind build material powder. The second volume contains gas at a second pressure. A boundary between the first and second volumes includes a partition providing separation between the volumes and controls gaseous communication between them. A gas management system maintains a conditioned environment within the second volume during printing by selectively providing an inflow of process gas to the second volume. Process gas flows from the first volume to the second volume. The first pressure of the gas in the first volume is greater than the second pressure of the gas in the second volume.
B29C 64/371 - Conditioning of environment using an environment other than air, e.g. inert gas
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B33Y 70/10 - Composites of different types of material, e.g. mixtures of ceramics and polymers or mixtures of metals and biomaterials
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/188 - Processes of additive manufacturing involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control
10.
DOWNDRAFT SYSTEM FOR BINDER JETTING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
A powder collection system for use in binder jetting additive manufacturing. A downdraft system includes at least one powder collection chute disposed in an interior of a binder jetting printer and adjacent to a print deck. The downdraft system is configured to receive an amount of excess build material powder dislodged from the print deck by a powder spreading process. A pneumatic conveyance system including at least one conveyance plumbing tube provides gaseous communication between the downdraft system and a powder collection unit. A gas management system provides a flow of process gas through the downdraft system and the pneumatic conveyance system at a rate sufficient to convey the excess build material powder received by the downdraft through the pneumatical conveyance system to the powder collection unit. The powder collection unit separates the excess build material powder from the flow of process gas and collects it.
B29C 64/255 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers
B22F 12/50 - Means for feeding of material, e.g. heads
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
11.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INERT ENVIRONMENTS FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING
Systems and methods for providing inert manufacturing and processing environments. In certain embodiments, a build box having green parts that were manufactured via binder jetting additive manufacturing is sealed with a lid and heat cured in an oven. A supply of process gas is delivered to the build box to provide an inert environment within the build box during the heating process, which results in an exhaust of gaseous species from the build box and prevents contamination from the ambient environment. In certain embodiments, copper-alloy parts are manufactured via binder jetting additive manufacturing in an inert environment to achieve higher final densities after post-processing and sintering.
A method of conditioning layers of build material powder for metal additive manufacturing including depositing an amount of build material powder on a work surface, the amount of build material powder having a lower surface separated from an upper surface by a height. A roller is traversed across the work surface in a first direction while rotating the roller in a direction opposed to the first direction. During the step of traversing the roller, a lower surface of the roller extends below the upper surface of the amount of build material powder by a distance. The roller has a surface conditioning configured to, in conjunction with a controlled speed of the rotation of the roller, provide a powder density in a compacted layer within a predetermined powder density range.
B22F 1/00 - Metallic powder; Treatment of metallic powder, e.g. to facilitate working or to improve properties
B22F 3/16 - Both compacting and sintering in successive or repeated steps
B22F 3/18 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor by using pressure rollers
B29C 64/147 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using sheet material, e.g. laminated object manufacturing [LOM] or laminating sheet material precut to local cross sections of the 3D object
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
13.
IMPROVING THE JETTING PERFORMANCE OF MOLTEN METAL ALLOYS BY CONTROLLING THE CONCENTRATION OF KEY ALLOYING ELEMENTS
A method for improving part quality in additive manufacturing involving jetting liquid metal. Limiting the amounts of magnesium and zinc in a meniscus material to below predetermined thresholds improves jetting quality. Further, ensuring an amount of Strontium is above a predetermined threshold further improves jetting of the liquid metal.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/115 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor by spraying molten metal, i.e. spray sintering, spray casting
Improved formulations of an interface material are described. These formulations may, in at least some cases, match and/or accommodate dimensional changes in the part and/or support structure throughout thermal processing (e.g., debind and sintering, or sintering only). Furthermore, these formulations may also maintain the property of resisting bonding between the interface and the part and/or support structure while also maintaining a physical separation between the part and support structure. In some cases, an improved interface material may accommodate strain associated with the shrinkage of a part (and optionally support structure) during sintering while also minimally impacting the ability of the part (and optionally support structure) to shrink or otherwise change in dimension. In some cases, the interface material may include one or more fugitive phases that are removed during thermal processing (e.g., through pyrolysis of the fugitive phase(s)).
B22F 7/06 - Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting of composite workpieces or articles from parts, e.g. to form tipped tools
B22F 10/18 - Formation of a green body by mixing binder with metal in filament form, e.g. fused filament fabrication [FFF]
B22F 10/43 - Structures for supporting workpieces or articles during manufacture and removed afterwards characterised by material
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
Systems and methods are disclosed for forming a three-dimensional object using additive manufacturing. One method includes depositing a first amount of powder material onto a powder print bed of a printing system, spreading the first amount of powder material across the powder print bed to form a first layer, measuring a density of powder material within the powder print bed, and adjusting a parameter of the printing system based on the measured density of the powder material within the powder print bed.
B22F 10/37 - Process control of powder bed aspects, e.g. density
B29C 64/00 - 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
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B22F 10/00 - Additive manufacturing of workpieces or articles from metallic powder
Disclosed is a pumping system with reduced contamination. A vacuum pump system includes a mechanical vacuum pump mechanism within a hermetic pump that hermetically isolates the pump mechanism from ambient air. A pump inlet is hermetically sealed to the hermetic pump housing. A pump outlet is hermetically sealed at one end to the hermetic pump housing and at the other end to an inlet of a Peclet seal tube. The vacuum pump system produces a vacuum in a vacuum processing chamber. A sweep gas source injects a sweep gas into at least one of (i) the hermetic pump housing and (ii) the inlet of the Peclet seal tube. The sweep gas and a process gas flow through the Peclet seal tube to substantially isolate against the backflow of the ambient air through the Peclet seal tube.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
F27B 5/04 - Muffle furnaces; Retort furnaces; Other furnaces in which the charge is held completely isolated adapted for treating the charge in vacuum or special atmosphere
17.
THERMAL DEBINDING TECHNIQUES FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Techniques for debinding additively fabricated parts are described that do not require solvent debinding or catalytic debinding, and that may be performed using only thermal debinding in a furnace. As a result, in at least some cases debinding and sintering may take place sequentially within a single furnace. In some embodiments, the techniques may utilize particular materials as binders that allow for a thermal debinding process that does not negatively affect the parts.
Disclosed is the measurement and control of height in the Z-axis of layers produced in an additive manufacturing process. The height of layers being deposited can be monitored, which may involve the use of a fiducial tower to measure a global errors or optical or other means to measure layers on a layer-by-layer basis. Droplet size, pitch and other conditions may be modified to ameliorate or correct detected errors.
B29C 64/112 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
B29C 64/106 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
B29C 64/20 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
A dross removal system for magnetohydrodynamic additive. A vacuum source is used to create a pressure differential at a nozzle opening sufficient to collect dross from a pool of molten metal. The dross and any collected molten metal can be captured in a waste bin for later disposal.
B29C 64/00 - 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
A controlled environment system for the additive manufacture of metal objects using magnetohydrodynamic jetting. A sealing plate is placed against an Péclet gap seal of a volume enclosure. A flow of inert gas is used to maintain a high-purity volume in the interior of the volume enclosure. A print head accesses the interior and delivers build material through a hole in the sealing plate. A build plate is movable relative to the sealing plate within the interior of the volume enclosure on which objects can be fabricated.
B29C 64/20 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/371 - Conditioning of environment using an environment other than air, e.g. inert gas
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
21.
TWO-STAGE SINTERING FURNACE AND METHODS OF OPERATING THEREOF
A sintering and debinding system includes a debinding chamber configured to switch between an open state and a closed state, the open state being configured to permit receipt or removal of at least one part within or from the debinding chamber and a sintering chamber operably connected to the debinding chamber and being vertically positioned above or below the debinding chamber. The sintering system also includes a shelf structure configured to receive the at least one part, the shelf structure being movable between the debinding chamber and the sintering chamber and a gate valve configured to switch between an open state and a closed state, the gate valve being configured to selectively permit or block fluid communication between the debinding chamber and the sintering chamber. The gate valve is configured such that: when the gate valve is in an open state, fluid communication between the debinding chamber and the sintering chamber is permitted and the shelf structure is movable between the debinding chamber and the sintering chamber. The gate valve is further configured such that, when the gate valve is in the closed state, fluid communication between the debinding chamber and sintering chamber is restricted, and at least one of: (i) movement of the shelf structure between the debinding chamber and the sintering chamber is restricted or (ii) the debinding chamber is configured to permit receipt within and removal of the at least one part from the debinding chamber.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
F27B 9/14 - Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity characterised by the means by which the charge is moved during treatment
F27B 17/00 - Furnaces of a kind not covered by any of groups
A furnace may include an outer wall defining a chamber, the chamber including an internal cavity configured to receive one or more parts, at least one heater positioned within the chamber, the at least one heater being configured to generate temperatures of at least about 800 degrees Celsius within the internal cavity, and a vacuum pump configured to apply a vacuum to at least a portion of the chamber. The furnace may also include at least one layer of inner insulation and at least one layer of outer insulation disposed outward of the inner insulation with respect to the chamber, the at least one layer of outer insulation being sealed with respect to the at least one layer of inner insulation.
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
F27B 5/04 - Muffle furnaces; Retort furnaces; Other furnaces in which the charge is held completely isolated adapted for treating the charge in vacuum or special atmosphere
Embodiments described herein relate to methods and systems for controlling the packing behavior of powders for additive manufacturing applications. In some embodiments, a method for additive manufacturing includes adding a packing modifier to a base powder to form a build material. The build material may be spread to form a layer across a powder bed, and the build material may be selectively joined along a two-dimensional pattern associated with the layer. The steps of spreading a layer of build material and selectively joining the build material in the layer may be repeated to form a three-dimensional object. The packing modifier may be selected to enhance one or more powder packing and/or powder flow characteristics of the base powder to provide for improved uniformity of the additive manufacturing process, promote sintering, and/or to enhance the properties of the manufactured three-dimensional objects.
The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising a binder and a metal powder, and associated methods. Some compositions provided include a polymer and a metal powder. Some compositions provided include a binder formulation and a metal powder. The binder formulation generally includes a first liquid and a polymer. The binder formulation may be a solution. The polymer may include a nitrogen-containing repeat unit. The metal powder may include a noble metal. Some methods provided include combining a metal powder with a binder formulation. Methods provided include but are not limited to additive manufacturing processes and injection molding processes.
B29C 37/00 - Component parts, details, accessories or auxiliary operations, not covered by group or
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
C23C 18/16 - Chemical coating by decomposition of either liquid compounds or solutions of the coating forming compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating; Contact plating by reduction or substitution, i.e. electroless plating
25.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING EXTRUDATE FLOW IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTING
An additive manufacturing apparatus (100), and corresponding method, determine a mass (or volume) output flow rate (120) of extrudate (112) used in three-dimensional (3D) printing, and such determination is insensitive to rheological properties of a material of the extrudate (112) being printed. A thermal energy balance on a liquefying extrusion head (104) enables a load on a heater (106), used to heat the extrusion head (104), to be related to the output flow rate (120) of extrudate (112). Based on the thermal energy balance (350), the output flow rate (120) may be determined based on a duty cycle (116) of the heater (106). The output flow rate (120) may be employed to affect the 3D printing to prevent over-or under-extrusion of the extrudate(112) and to identify a fault condition.
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
26.
PULSE SHAPING TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC PRINTING PERFORMANCE
A method of additive manufacturing using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) printing of liquid metal. A first current pulse is applied to a liquid metal in a nozzle to eject a droplet from a discharge orifice. A second current pulse is applied to the liquid metal in the nozzle to reduce an amplitude of the oscillations in a meniscus on the discharge orifice. The second current pulse can be either of an opposite or the same polarity as the first current pulse and is timed according to according to the oscillation.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
B05B 5/025 - Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns
B05B 5/16 - Arrangements for supplying liquids or other fluent material
An improved additive manufacturing system for manufacturing metal parts by magnetohydrodynamic printing liquid metal. A monitoring system including at least one camera capturing light reflected from a strobe light source. Images of the droplets are captured during their jetting and analyzed to determine whether the jetting performance is meeting specifications. A nozzle of the system has a nozzle bottom and a nozzle stem extending outward therefrom on which a meniscus of liquid metal can form. The nozzle is cleaned by bringing a ceramic rod in the vicinity of the nozzle and jetting a bead of metal which is rotated against the nozzle to remove an amount of dross.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/115 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor by spraying molten metal, i.e. spray sintering, spray casting
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
28.
TECHNIQUES FOR DEPOWDERING ADDITIVELY FABRICATED PARTS VIA RAPID PRESSURE CHANGE AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Techniques for depowdering additively fabricated parts are described in which powder is separated from parts by creating a large pressure differential between the powder and parts and a nearby location. The pressure differential may cause gas to quickly flow into and/or around the powder and parts, thereby producing a force against the powder and parts. Since the powder is generally much lighter than the parts, this force may be much more effective at moving the powder than moving the parts. As a result, the powder and parts may be separated from one another. The pressure differential may be created in various ways, such as by holding the parts and part in a chamber that is pressurized with air and/or other gas(es). Rapid depressurization of the chamber may produce the aforementioned pressure differential, leading to powder movement away from the parts.
Disclosed is a method and material system for fabricating metal infiltrated objects having a high volume fraction of infiltrant relative to the infiltrated preform. In an embodiment method, a composite is formed into the shape of a desired object, the composite including a skeletal phase and a fugitive phase. The fugitive phase is then removed to create a self-supporting porous skeletal structure. The porous skeletal structure is then infiltrated with the infiltrant to achieve a densified object.
A method for fabricating an infiltrated object of a desired shape having a high volume fraction of infiltrant using an additively manufactured preform. Using an additive manufacturing technique, the preform is formed with graded macro-porosity. When infiltrated, the void volume of the macro-porosity is filled with infiltrant. Optionally, the void volume may be varied across the profile of the object to create a gradient of mechanical properties in the infiltrated object.
A method of maintaining part geometry fidelity during infiltration of a metallic preform. The preform and an infiltration barrier are formed, either independently or together during an additive manufacturing process. The infiltration barrier prevents infiltrant from bleeding out from the preform where it is present, thus protecting fine geometries that would otherwise be filled with infiltrant.
Techniques are provided for fabricating a three-dimensional object. A digital model of the object is analyzed prior to fabrication of the object to identify at least one of a thickness of one or more regions of the object based on the digital model or a solvent permeation rate of one or more regions of the object based on the digital model. A proposed modification to the digital model is identified to reduce a difference in the thickness between the one or more regions or a difference in the solvent permeation rate between the one or more regions.
Devices, systems, and methods are directed to coated powder for three dimensional additive manufacturing. The powder may include a first material coated with a second material, with the coating advantageously resisting segregation of the first material and the second material during handling processes associated with fabrication. The reduced segregation of the first material and the second material may facilitate forming finished three- dimensional parts with improved homogeneity of microstructures and, thus, improved physicochemical properties. More generally, the reduced segregation of the first material and the second material achievable through coating the first material with the second material may facilitate binder jet fabrication using a wider array of combinations of first material and second material as compared to binder jet fabrication using mixtures of constituent powders of the first material and the second material.
B29C 64/112 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
Support substrates are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit processing of an object. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are sintered into a final part, a multi-layer support substrate of interleaved support and interface layers is fabricated to support an object while reducing an impact of friction on shrinkage of the part during the sintering process.
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/20 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor by extruding
B22F 7/02 - Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting of composite layers
B22F 7/04 - Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting of composite layers with one or more layers not made from powder, e.g. made from solid metal
The present invention relates to a shrinking interface composition that allows for the accommodation of sintering shrinkage between two or more areas or sections of a three-dimensionally printed part and/or support structures for the part. The interface composition, which can be in the form of an interface layer, is used to prevent the fusing of the sections, parts or support structures to each other.
B22F 1/00 - Metallic powder; Treatment of metallic powder, e.g. to facilitate working or to improve properties
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B22F 7/06 - Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting of composite workpieces or articles from parts, e.g. to form tipped tools
B28B 1/00 - Producing shaped articles from the material
B29C 64/106 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B29C 64/20 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing 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
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
36.
A METHOD OF GENERATING A MOLD AND USING IT FOR PRINTING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT
This invention relates to three-dimensional printing. This invention in particular relates to a method of generating mold and printing a three-dimensional object. The mold thickness is controlled and holes are generated in the mold surface for releasing moisture easily. The mold surface having holes is designed initially digitally and then combined with the three-dimensional model before printing the three-dimensional object. In case the thickness of the mold surface is more then it reduces the overall quality of the three-dimensional object. When the model is enclosed inside the mold, there will be some residue moisture in the model even if the drying apparatus can improve this by drying layer by layer. This affects the final quality of the part. A solution of these problems is provided in the present invention. The thickness of the mold layer is between 0.5 to 1 mm and holes having 0.1 to 0.4 mm diameter. The holes are evenly distributed on the mold. The mold having the holes is prepared from which moisture can easily escape. A method of digitally generated a mold having thin layer and holes is used for fabricating three dimensional objects with high precision and quality.
B29C 33/38 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor characterised by the material or the manufacturing process
This invention relates to a three-dimensional printing. This invention in particularly relates to a crafting medium containing water-based binder for three dimensional printing. The present invention also relates to a system for making three-dimensional object and a method thereof. The three-dimensional objects with a powder plus binder constitution for sintering there are several problems, the binder is difficult to remove because it needs to be dissolved or burned out after the object is finished. The binder can also be hazardous and needs toxic substances to dissolve. While removing the binder there is a risk for cracks and deformities in the resulting object. The crafting medium which is in the paste form includes 40 volume% - 80 volume% metal/ceramic powder, 1 volume% - 5 volume% gelling organic material, and 15 volume% - 60 volume% water. Also additional corrosion inhibitors, sintering aiding or lubrication additives in the range of 0.1 - 2 volume% can be added. The water-binder in the crafting medium is removed after deposition of each layer. During the three-dimensional printing around 60-90% of the water is removed during layer-by-layer deposition. This leaves a porous structure that still has some binder to keep the object rigid, but binder contents is small enough and object is porous enough to allow for sintering without a separate debinding step in post processing.
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
C04B 35/565 - Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition; Ceramic compositions; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products based on non-oxides based on carbides based on silicon carbide
B28B 1/00 - Producing shaped articles from the material
This invention relates to three-dimensional printing. This invention in particularly relates to a system for drying a paste-based crafting medium during three-dimensional printing and a method thereof. The system can comprise a dual printhead comprising a first dispensing nozzle for depositing the filament material for a mold layer in a flowable fluid form and a second dispensing nozzle for depositing the crafting medium, which is in a paste form. The system also includes a drying means which can be a heating system or a drying apparatus, that in some embodiments can be attached to the printhead. The three-dimensional imaging process for making objects, preferably metal objects or ceramic objects, on a layer-by-layer basis under the control of a data processing system is disclosed. The drying of the object or mold is crucial in the three-dimensional imaging process because it can affect the overall quality of the object. A solution to this problem is achieved in the present invention by using a drying step after finishing each layer of the object (both mold and paste). This is achieved in some embodiments by using a drying apparatus comprising a radiating heater and air circulation fan mounted on to the moving print head. The print head can repeatedly scan the printed layer and apply heat and air circulation to improve drying in a controlled manner. This system and method provides improved evenness in the drying and reduces the risk of cracks developing in the deposited object, and also reduces the risk of further problems during the subsequent processing steps to provide the finished object.
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
This invention relates to three-dimensional printing. This invention in particularly relates to a method of fabricating a three-dimensional object using a support edifice and also using a mold material with structural additives. The support edifice is fabricated in the same crafting material as the final three-dimensional object in the same manner as the printing of the final three dimensional object (mold and crafting in a layer by layer manner). This method enables the support edifice to also transform during post processing in the same manner as the final three-dimensional object, thus supporting the object until finished. The system for fabricating the object comprises a dual printhead comprising a first dispensing nozzle for depositing the filament material in a flowable fluid form and a second dispensing nozzle for depositing the crafting medium, which is in a paste form. The printhead can also include a heating system or a drying apparatus. The three-dimensional imaging process for making objects, preferably metal objects or ceramic objects, on a layer- by-layer basis under the control of a data processing system is disclosed. The printing of the three-dimensional object such as heavy objects or an object having different parts having a very thin gap or space. It is important to use different processing steps and/or material to print such three-dimensional objects. The present invention provides a solution by printing a support edifice comprising a special structural additive for the mold, and further the support edifice can be printed simultaneously while printing the mold and crafting-paste material on a layer-by-layer basis. The mold material is mixed with the structural additive. The structural additive is useful for prohibiting either fusing of the object with the support edifice, or in alternative embodiments, the fusing of one part of an object with another part of an object.
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B29C 33/38 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor characterised by the material or the manufacturing process
B29C 64/106 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B29C 64/141 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials
This invention relates to three-dimensional printing. This invention particularly relates to a system with a dynamic variable size nozzle orifice for three-dimensional printing of objects based on crafting and molding techniques, and a method thereof. The present invention provides a dynamic variable nozzle orifice, where one embodiment uses a nozzle made of a soft flexible material. The soft flexible material, such as rubber, latex or silicone, is such that when the extrusion pressure is high the orifice will enlarge and allow wider extrusion volume for filling large or wide voids. In another scenario, when the extrusion pressure is lower the orifice will be narrower and give precise narrow extrusion to fill smaller voids. Another embodiment uses a method of controlling the orifice size which is by a mechanical means independent of the pressure in the nozzle. Such a method can utilize an iris device for controlling the size of the orifice. By utilizing the function of a dynamic orifice size of the nozzle when depositing a crafting material inside a mold structure as described herein, theprinting time can be reduced without a reduction in detailing abilities. Subsequently, the systems and methods of the present invention are useful for fabricating high-quality three-dimensional objects using a crafting paste and molding techniques.
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29K 105/00 - Condition, form or state of moulded material
41.
SPREADER POSITIONING IN MULTI-DIRECTIONAL BINDER JETTING FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to spreader positioning techniques for consistent and rapid layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through binder jetting. For example, an additive manufacturing system may include a roller and a print carriage. In a layer-by-layer fabrication process, the roller may move in advance of the print carriage over a dimension of a volume to spread a respective layer of powder onto which the print carriage delivers a binder. Controlling the position of the roller may facilitate achieving consistent layer characteristics which, in turn, may facilitate fabrication of high quality parts.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B28B 1/00 - Producing shaped articles from the material
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B29C 64/20 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
A de-powdering basket comprises an enclosure of at least one side wall and a bottom wall. The enclosure is configured such that, when the enclosure is disposed within a build box, the outer surfaces of the at least one side wall are substantially adjacent to the interior walls of the build box. The enclosure further comprises one or more apertures disposed within the at least one side wall, each of the apertures comprising a void that extends through the at least one side wall from an interior surface of the side wall to an exterior surface of the side wall. The enclosure may be configured to accommodate a build plate situated within the enclosure. Outer edges of the build plate may cooperate with inner surfaces of the side walls of the enclosure to prevent loose powder from passing between the outer edges of the build plate and the side wall.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
Methods of printing an object via a 3-dimensional printer include printing a shell and an infill structure. The shell defines an exterior of an object and includes one or more apertures enabling flow of a debinder solvent therethrough. The infill structure occupies a volume encompassed by the shell, and defines a network of interconnected channels. During a debinding of the object, the network enables percolation of a debinder solvent through the structure and the one or more apertures. As a result, the object is debinded efficiently and in minimal time.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
Methods of printing an object via a 3-dimensional printer include printing a shell and an infill structure. The shell defines an exterior of an object and includes one or more apertures enabling flow of a debinder solvent therethrough. The infill structure occupies a volume encompassed by the shell, and defines a network of interconnected channels. During a debing of the object, the network enables percolation of a debinder solvent through the structure and the one or more apertures. As a result, the object is debinded efficiently and in minimal time.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of vapor phase change in binder jetting processes for forming three-dimensional objects. In general, a vapor of a first fluid may be directed to a layer of a powder spread across a build volume. The vapor may condense to reduce mobility of the particles of the powder of the layer. For example, the condensing vapor may reduce the likelihood of particle ejection from the layer and, thus, may reduce the likelihood of clogging or otherwise degrading a printhead used to jet a second fluid (e.g., a binder) to the layer. Further, or instead, the condensing vapor may increase the density of the powder in the layer which, when repeated over a plurality of layers forming a three-dimensional object, may reduce the likelihood of slumping of the part during sintering.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B28B 1/00 - Producing shaped articles from the material
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
H05K 3/12 - Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern using printing techniques to apply the conductive material
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B22F 1/00 - Metallic powder; Treatment of metallic powder, e.g. to facilitate working or to improve properties
46.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING EFFECTS OF SPREADING FORCES DURING 3D PRINTING
An additive manufacturing system (250), and corresponding method, prints a part (10) in a coupled arrangement with an anchoring component (24) in a powder bed (20) using a 3D printing system (250). The system forms the anchoring component (24) with a feature that provides a resistive force to a spreading force (12) imposed by a spreading mechanism (15) of the 3D printing system (250). The coupled arrangement in combination with the resistive force is sufficient to at least partially immobilize at least one printed layer of the part (10) to resist the spreading force (12), thereby reducing at least one defect in the part (10). The anchoring component (24) may be a sacrificial component or another part. Another part may be employed as the anchoring component to use fewer sacrificial components to reduce waste of powder material and fluid, the fluid employed to cause binding of the powder material.
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
47.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWDER BED DENSITY FOR 3D PRINTING
A system and corresponding method for additive manufacturing of a three- dimensional (3D) object to improve packing density of a powder bed used in the manufacturing process. The system and corresponding method enable higher density packing of the powder. Such higher density packing leads to better mechanical interlocking of particles, leading to lower sintering temperatures and reduced deformation of the 3D object during sintering. An embodiment of the system comprises means for adjusting a volume of a powder metered onto a top surface of the powder bed to produce an adjusted metered volume and means for spreading the adjusted metered volume to produce a smooth volume for forming a smooth layer of the powder with controlled packing density across the top surface of the powder bed. The controlled packing density enables uniform shrinkage, without warping, of the 3D object during sintering to produce higher quality 3D printed objects.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B28B 1/00 - Producing shaped articles from the material
B28B 7/46 - Moulds; Cores; Mandrels characterised by means for modifying the properties of the moulding material for humidifying or dehumidifying
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
H05K 3/12 - Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern using printing techniques to apply the conductive material
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B29C 64/236 - Driving means for motion in a direction within the plane of a layer
B29C 64/194 - Processes of additive manufacturing involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control during lay-up
3D-printed parts may include binding agents to be removed following an additive manufacturing process. A debinding process removes the binding agents by immersing the part in a solvent bath causing chemical dissolution of the binding agents. The time of exposure of the 3D-printed part to the solvent is determined based on the geometry of the part, wherein the geometry is applied to predict the diffusion of the solvent through the 3D-printed part. The 3D-printed part is then immersed in the solvent bath to remove the binding agent, and is removed from the solvent bath after the time of exposure.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B22F 1/00 - Metallic powder; Treatment of metallic powder, e.g. to facilitate working or to improve properties
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 5/10 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the special shape of the product of articles with cavities or holes, not otherwise provided for in the preceding subgroups
G05B 19/4099 - Surface or curve machining, making 3D objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing
B08B 3/08 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect
B29C 71/00 - After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
A materials processing furnace provides for debinding and sintering objects and treating effluent generated by the sintering. A heating chamber maintains a controlled atmosphere for sintering the object. A vacuum pump evacuates an effluent from the heating chamber, and an injector adds a reagent to the evacuated effluent to form a mixed gas. A catalytic converter receives the mixed gas and catalyzes one or more hazardous or offensive compounds of the effluent, thereby converting the effluent to a safer and less offensive exhaust. As a result, the furnace is suitable for operation in an office environment.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
F27B 5/04 - Muffle furnaces; Retort furnaces; Other furnaces in which the charge is held completely isolated adapted for treating the charge in vacuum or special atmosphere
F27B 5/16 - Arrangements of air or gas supply devices
F27B 21/00 - Open or uncovered sintering apparatus; Other heat-treatment apparatus of like construction
F27D 7/06 - Forming or maintaining special atmospheres or vacuum within heating chambers
A process for simulating cellular growth is implemented to determine geometry of an object within a simulated environment. Seed cells, which represent starting points for a cell body, are defined within the environment. A number of constraints and parameters, such as forces and target locations, are also imposed on the environment. The body of cells is then grown within the simulated environment, spawning and destroying cells as needed to meet the imposed constraints. A stable structure meeting the constraints can be exported and fabricated, such as by a three-dimensional printer, to produce a corresponding a real-world object.
3D printing using metal containing multi phase materials is prone to nozzle clogging and flow artifacts. These can be mitigated by monitoring process conditions and taking action at times based on other conditions. Forces, physical regularity, and temperatures can be monitored and service can be taken based on these, immediately, or at dynamic future points, short or longer term, such as completion of a segment or layer, or before critical geometry. Process conditions can be logged and service time can be based on functions of individual and combinations of logged data. Operating windows can be adjusted based on same. Service includes dwell time at high and low temperatures, treatment material provided into the nozzle to change the liquid composition therein. Plungers and fluid jets can expel material from nozzle inlet or outlet. Dwelling at various temperatures can liquefy clogs or cause rupture by disparate volume changes of cooling materials.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
G05B 19/4099 - Surface or curve machining, making 3D objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
52.
INDUCTION HEATING SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR FUSED FILAMENT METAL FABRICATION
A nozzle for extruding metal containing multi phase (MCMP) build material is heated by an induction coil. The nozzle effective radius is larger than an induction skin depth in the nozzle, which is larger than 1/15 the radius, and less than the nozzle length. The nozzle material performance index, based on resistivity and magnetic permeability, is higher than that of the build material, and components of a build platform, particularly a removable sheet. The coil radius is less than 1.4 times the nozzle effective radius. The nozzle may be of several annular sections, of which that of the bore may be removable and wear resistant. The nozzle may be of multiple graphite grades, including copper infused. The coil axial extent may be less than the nozzle length, and it may be located nearer to the outlet. An adhesion control layer on a build sheet may enhance or reduce adhesion thereto.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
53.
BINDER JETTING IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF INHOMOGENEOUS THREE-DIMENSIONAL PARTS
Devices, systems, and methods are directed to binder jetting for forming three- dimensional parts having controlled, macroscopically inhomogeneous material composition. In general, a binder may be delivered to each layer of a plurality of layers of a powder of inorganic particles. An active component may be introduced, in a spatially controlled distribution, to at least one of the plurality of layers such that the binder, the powder of inorganic particles, and the active component, in combination, form an object. The object may be thermally processed into a three-dimensional part having a gradient of one or more physicochemical properties of a material at least partially formed from thermally processing the inorganic particles and the active component of the object.
B22F 1/00 - Metallic powder; Treatment of metallic powder, e.g. to facilitate working or to improve properties
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
Fused filament fabrication using metal based multi-phase (MBMP) build materials, creates a build with object portions and support portions adhered to each other that must be separated. Different object portions are more delicate or problematic than others. Methods for tuning or specifying the strength of adhesion at interfaces between such object and support portions include providing a release skin of powder or other material at such interfaces. Strength of adhesion also varies based on the liquid fraction of material deposited to form interfaces, generally with relatively higher liquid fraction leading to stronger adhesion. Liquid fraction is governed by MBMP material composition and temperature at deposition. Strength can be tuned by printing interfaces of the same material at different temperatures, or different materials at the same or different temperatures. Support portions may be entirely of weaker adhesion. Joining portions may separate with object or support.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
A debinder provides for debinding printed green parts in an additive manufacturing system. The debinder can include a storage chamber, a process chamber, a distill chamber, a waste chamber, and a condenser. The storage chamber stores a liquid solvent for debinding the green part. The process chamber debinds the green part using a volume of the liquid solvent transferred from the storage chamber. The distill chamber collects a solution drained from the process chamber and produces a solvent vapor from the solution. The condenser condenses the solvent vapor to the liquid solvent and transfer the liquid solvent to the storage chamber. The waste chamber collects a waste component of the solution.
Devices, systems, and methods are directed at spreading sequential layers of powder across a powder bed and applying energy to each layer to form a three-dimensional object. The powder can include granules including agglomerations of metallic particles to facilitate spreading the metallic particles in each layer. The energy can be directed to the powder to reflow the granules in each layer to bind the metallic particles in the layer to one another and to one or more adjacent layers to form the three-dimensional object. Thus, in general, the agglomeration of the metallic particles in the granules can overcome constraints associated with metallic particles that are of a size ordinarily unsuitable for flowing and/or a size that presents safety risks. By overcoming these constraints, the granules can improve formation of dense finished parts from a powder and can result in formation of unique microstructures in finished parts.
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
B22F 1/00 - Metallic powder; Treatment of metallic powder, e.g. to facilitate working or to improve properties
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
3D printing using certain materials, such as metal containing multi-phase materials can be prone to clogs and other flow interruptions. Providing build material according to feed rate profiles having varying rates can mitigate these problems. Each feed rate profile can be broken up into blocks of time, some of which relate to fabricating the exterior geometry of the object. Each block of time can be represented by a FFT. The blocks that relate to the exterior are represented by a FFT that has significant high frequency content of 1 Hz or greater. It is beneficial to use profiles including feed rates outside of a range of feed rates suitable for steady state extrusion, being either higher or lower rates than the range limits. A combination of feed rate profiles based only on clog and flow interruption mitigation and operational to print the part according to a model can be used.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B05B 12/06 - Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery for effecting pulsating flow
B05B 15/50 - Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
58.
THERMALLY ROBUST NOZZLE FOR 3-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING AND METHODS OF USING SAME
For conditioning build material for fused filament fabrication, thermal power is both added to and removed from a nozzle in a manner that can reduce sensitivity of the nozzle temperature to fluctuations in build material feed rate. The amount of thermal power added is at least as large as the sum of the amount removed, the amount to condition the material, and losses to the environment. The amount removed may be at least as large as half the thermal power required to condition the material to extrusion temperature, and may be comparable to, or much larger than the conditioning amount. The larger the ratio of the amount removed to the conditioning amount, the less sensitive the nozzle temperature will be to fluctuations in build material feed rate. Fine temperature control arises, enabling building with metal-containing multi-phase materials or other materials that have a narrow working temperature range.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B05B 5/00 - Electrostatic spraying apparatus; Spraying apparatus with means for charging the spray electrically; Apparatus for spraying liquids or other fluent materials by other electric means
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
A system for generating a user-adjustable furnace profile, comprises a user interface configured to receive one or more materials properties from a user, a processor, and a memory with computer code instructions stored thereon. The memory is operatively coupled to the processor such that, when executed by the processor, the computer code instructions cause the system to implement communicating with a furnace to ascertain one or more thermal processes associated with the furnace, identifying one or more object characteristics associated with an object to be processed by furnace, and determining a thermal processing parameter profile of at least one thermal processing parameter corresponding to each of the thermal processes, based on (i) the one or more part characteristics and (ii) the one or more materials properties, the thermal processing parameter profile characterizing a cycle of the one or more thermal processes.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
An apparatus, and corresponding method, feeds build material, in the form of rods, to a drive system in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system. The apparatus dispenses a rod (150) to a media tray (160) and into a first groove defined by a flipper arm (166). The flipper arm is in a substantially horizontal position supported by a bottom ridge (867) of the media tray. The flipper arm is rotated away from the bottom ridge and toward a stopper (162) coupled to the flipper arm and the media tray. The stopper defines a second groove. The apparatus deposits the rod into the drive system via a feed shaft formed by the first and second grooves of the flipper arm and stopper, respectively. The apparatus enables high-speed 3D printing using the rods by overcoming challenges in loading the rods due to brittleness of the rods.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/255 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers
Mold lock is remediated by performing a layer-by-layer, two-dimensional analysis to identify unconstrained removal paths for any support structure or material within each two- dimensional layer, and then ensuring that aligned draw paths are present for all adjacent layers, all as more specifically described herein. Where locking conditions are identified, a sequence of modification rules are then applied, such as by breaking support structures into multiple, independently removable pieces. By addressing mold lock as a series of interrelated two- dimensional geometric problems, and reserving three-dimensional remediation strategies for more challenging, complex mold lock conditions, substantial advantages can accrue in terms of computational speed and efficiency.
Complexity of a geometry of a desired (i.e., target) three-dimensional (3D) object being produced by an additive manufacturing system, as well as atypical behavior of the processes employed by such a system, pose challenges for producing a final version of the desired 3D object with fidelity relative to the desired object. An example embodiment enables such challenges to be overcome as a function of feedback to enable the final version to be produced with fidelity. The feedback may be at least one value that is associated with at least one characteristic of a printed object following processing of the printed object. Such feedback may be obtained as part of a calibration process of the 3D printing system or as part of an operational process of the 3D printing system.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
A furnace system includes a heating chamber, a retort assembly, and a waveguide. The heating chamber includes a shell encompassing an insulation layer and a working volume, where the working volume is configured to receive at least one part for heat treatment. The retort assembly is supported within the insulation layer and includes an inner retort surface facing the working volume. The inner retort surface is formed of at least one carbon compound reflective of microwave radiation, and the retort assembly defines a retort aperture. The waveguide is configured to direct microwave radiation from a microwave source to the retort aperture.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
In an aspect, multiple metallic base materials are mixed into a user-controlled multimetallic mixture and extruded into a net shape, which is thermally processed into a multimetallic and/or alloyed object. In another aspect, a superstructure is fabricated around an object, but physically isolated from the object, with a shape facilitating robotic handling of the superstructure, along with removal of powder from the object, after a three-dimensional printing process. In another aspect, a ceramic precursor is used to create a separable interface between a support structure and a sinterable object. More specifically, a sinterable structure is fabricated from a sinterable powder in an aqueous binder, and an interface layer is formed by depositing a ceramic precursor in a nonaqueous solution onto the sinterable structure. When the ceramic precursor is exposed to water in the aqueous binder, the ceramic can precipitate to form an unsinterable, ceramic interface layer between sinterable structures.
H04N 1/409 - Edge or detail enhancement; Noise or error suppression
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B29C 64/00 - 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
65.
MOVING BUILD MATERIAL USING A GRIPPER IN A 3D PRINTING SYSTEM
A system and corresponding method to move build material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system uses a gripper. The gripper is arranged to apply at least two opposing lateral forces to the build material. The at least two opposing lateral forces are applied to the build material, in conjunction with linear motion of the gripper, for at least a portion of a path the build material travels toward an extrusion head.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
66.
ADDITIVE FABRICATION WITH INFILTRATABLE STRUCTURES
An infiltratable material forms a net shape containing a porous network that can be infiltrated with a supplemental material, commonly referred to as an infiltrant, e.g., by heating the infiltrant so that it melts and wicks into the porous network of the net shape. By using additive fabrication technologies to spatially dispose an infiltrant about an infiltratable structure, a composite structure can be created that advantageously controls the amount of infiltrant applied to the infiltratable structure and the spatial distribution of the infiltrant about and/or within the infiltratable structure prior to infiltratio
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 7/06 - Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting of composite workpieces or articles from parts, e.g. to form tipped tools
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
A system and corresponding method to move a rod of build material in a three- dimensional (3D) printing system uses a pusher. The rod of build material has distal and proximal ends relative to an extrusion head. The distal and proximal ends having distal and proximal end surfaces, respectively. The pusher engages with the rod and applies an axial force to at least a portion of the distal end surface of the rod for at least a portion of a path the rod travels toward the extrusion head. The axial force actuates the rod of build material without alteration, such as by shaving, fracturing, or otherwise deforming the rod of build material.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
A metering apparatus and corresponding method meter a powder material in a three-dimensional (3D) printing system. The metering apparatus comprises a hopper with walls configured to contain a powder material, a metering roller, and a tool. The metering roller is located beneath an opening of the hopper. The metering roller and a given wall of the walls of the hopper are spaced apart by a gap therebetween at the opening; the gap in combination with rotation of the metering roller causes the powder material to flow from under the given wall of the hopper at a substantially predictable rate. The tool is positioned at the given wall where the flow emerges and is configured to force the powder material off of the metering roller to supply the 3D printing system with the powder material for printing a 3D object.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/20 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
69.
METERING BUILD MATERIAL IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTING
Methods and systems for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional (3D) object employ a unique metering system to precisely deposit metal injection molding (MIM) metal powder material into a uniformly distributed layer and compact the powder material by a roller for even distribution. An example embodiment meters the powder material at an opening of a powder supply storing the powder material to produce a flow of the powder material away from the powder supply and onto a moveable surface located beneath the opening. The opening and the moveable surface are spaced apart by a gap therebetween. The metering is based on the gap and a motion of the moveable surface relative to the powder supply. The motion enables the powder material to flow from the powder supply. Absent the motion, the powder material does not flow from the powder supply.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/20 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
Assemblies and support structures facilitate fabricating objects through additive manufacturing. A support structure include a column having a vertical channel extending along a surface of the column, the vertical channel being formed to couple to a motion system of a build plate. A plurality of arms extend laterally from an upper portion of the column, each of the plurality of arms having a respective rail channel aligned in a common plane. The rail channels secure respective rails of a motion system of a print head, and the plurality of arms secure the respective rails at a fixed position relative to the motion system of the build plate. A plurality of feet extending laterally from a lower portion of the column.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/20 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
A 3D printer includes a build plate providing a surface on which an object is printed. Prior to printing, a sheet is fixed to the surface of the build plate. The sheet is composed of a material that adheres to a binder component of the feedstock used to print the object. During printing, the first layer of the printed object forms a bond with the sheet, which secures the location of the first layer and resists movement of the object during printing. Following printing and the object gaining sufficient rigidity, the object and sheet can be removed together from the printer. The sheet may then be peeled from the object, and the object can undergo debinding and/or sintering to create a finished object.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B29C 64/20 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
Methods provide for fabricating objects through additive manufacturing in a manner that compensates for deformations introduced during post-print processing, such as sintering. An initial model may be divided into a plurality of segments, the initial model defining geometry of an object. For each of the segments, modified geometry may be calculated, where the modified geometry compensates for a predicted deformation. Print parameters can then be updated to incorporate the modified geometry, where the print parameters define geometry of the printed object (e.g., configuration settings of the printer, a tool path, an object model). The object may then be printed based on the updated print parameters.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to powder spreading and binder distribution techniques for consistent and rapid layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through binder jetting. For example, a powder may be spread to form a layer along a volume defined by a powder box, a binder may be deposited along the layer to form a layer of a three-dimensional object, and the direction of spreading the layer and depositing the binder may be in a first direction and in a second direction, different from the first direction, thus facilitating rapid formation of the three-dimensional object with each passage of the print carriage over the volume. Powder delivery, powder spreading, thermal energy delivery, and combinations thereof, may facilitate consistently achieving quality standards as the rate of fabrication of the three-dimensional object is increased.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
A camera assembly is employed in additive manufacturing to improve the fidelity of a printed object. The camera may scan the surface of a build plate of a 3D printer and an object as it is being printed to generate image data. The image data is processed to detect errors in the build plate or printed object. The printer compensates for the detected errors, which can including modifying the printer configuration and/or modifying the instructions for printing a given object. Using the updated configuration, subsequent objects may then be printed, under a corrected process, to produce an object with fidelity to an original object model.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
75.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTRUSION CONTROL IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTING
Systems, methods, and apparatus are introduced for controlling an output flow of a build material from an extrusion assembly used for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. Control of the output flow is based on an input control value that may be a function of a hydraulic capacitance and a hydraulic resistance, representing hydraulic capacitance values and hydraulic resistance values, respectively, associated with the build material, the extrusion assembly, or a combination thereof at one or more locations of the extrusion assembly relative to a melting zone of an extrusion head of the extrusion assembly as well as a target output flow. The input control value enables the output flow to match the target output flow. The hydraulic capacitance and resistance values account for interaction of the build material and a mechanical mechanism of the extrusion assembly driving extrusion of the build material. The hydraulic capacitance and resistance values may depend upon interaction between the build material and mechanics of the extrusion assembly as well as an internal wetted geometry of the extrusion assembly.
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
76.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING EXTRUDATE FLOW IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINGTING
An additive manufacturing apparatus, and corresponding method, determine a mass (or volume) output flow rate of extrudate used in three-dimensional (3D) printing, and such determination is insensitive to rheological properties of a material of the extrudate being printed. A thermal energy balance on a liquefying extrusion head enables a load on a heater, used to heat the extrusion head, to be related to the output flow rate of extrudate. Based on the thermal energy balance, the output flow rate may be determined based on a duty cycle of the heater. The output flow rate may be employed to affect the 3D printing to prevent over- or under-extrusion of the extrudate and to identify a fault condition.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
A build box (108) associated with a powder bed fabrication system may comprise a housing (302) defining a housing cavity (304), and a powder print bed disposed within the housing cavity. The powder print bed may be characterized by state information. The build box may further comprise a medium configured to facilitate access to the state information, and a coupling interface for removably engaging the build box with at least one subsystem of the powder bed fabrication system. The state information may comprise one or more state information elements of object identification, object location, current processing state, next subsystem processing step, previous subsystem processing step, object model information, object material composition, and current powder print bed temperature profile. The medium may comprise a memory device coupled with a transceiver. The medium may alternatively comprise an RFID device, or an optically perceivable designator, such as a bar code or QR code.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B29C 64/259 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers interchangeable
B29C 64/176 - Processes of additive manufacturing specially adapted for manufacturing multiple 3D objects sequentially
A system for separating objects within a stacked powder print bed of nested objects comprises a build box configured to contain the powder print bed. The build box has a build box top and a build box floor. The system further includes an elongated aperture formed in a side wall of the build box, and a de-powdering subsystem configured to mechanically and electrically engage the build box. A separating blade associated with the de-powdering subsystem is configured to be inserted through the elongated aperture and into the powder print bed between a top-most print bed layer of the nested objects and a second print bed layer directly below and contiguous with the top-most layer, thereby forming an isolated powder print bed between the separating blade and the build box top. The unbound powder may be agitated by various techniques and subsequently removed from the objects.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
Methods of printing an object via a 3 -dimensional printer include provide for printed objects having a higher density. A printer head is operated to deposit build material in lines under controlled parameters including lateral position, height, extrustion rate, extrusion temperature, and/or extrusion material. The printer may print first lines forming channels at a given layer, and then second lines to fill those channels. The printer may operate with other approaches to fill gaps between printed lines, such as offset and/or smaller lines aligned with those gaps. The resulting object has greater density while maintaining an accurate object shape.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B29C 64/106 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B22F 3/22 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor for producing castings from a slip
Assemblies fabricated by additive manufacturing include an object and a base plate providing support to the object during the manufacturing process. The geometry of the base plate is defined to optimize space and material constraints. During sintering, the base plate is reduced in area in a manner complementing the reduction in the footprint of the object, preserving the fidelity of the finished object. The base plate includes a plurality of pores / apertures in a drain area (811) to enable debinding solvent through.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
Assemblies fabricated by additive manufacturing include an object and a base plate providing support to the object during the manufacturing process. The geometry of the base plate is defined to optimize space and material constraints. During sintering, the base plate is reduced in area in a manner complementing the reduction in the footprint of the object, preserving the fidelity of the finished object.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
Assemblies fabricated by additive manufacturing include an object and a base plate providing support to the object during the manufacturing process. The geometry of the base plate is defined to optimize space and material constraints. During sintering, the base plate is reduced in area in a manner complementing the reduction in the footprint of the object, preserving the fidelity of the finished object. The base plate includes a drainage area (811) for allowing debinding solvent to pass through.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving strength fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer process in which an ink is delivery of a binder delivered onto successive layers of a powder of inorganic particles in a powder bed. More specifically, nanoparticles of inorganic material can may be introduced into one or more layers of the metal powder in the powder bed and thermally processed to facilitate sinter necking, in the powder bed, of the metal particles forming the three-dimensional object. Such sinter necking in the powder bed can may improve strength of the three-dimensional objects being fabricated and, also or instead, can may reduce the likelihood of defects associated with subsequent processing of the three-dimensional objects (e.g., slumping and shrinking in a final sintering stage and/or inadequate densification of the final part).
B22F 1/00 - Metallic powder; Treatment of metallic powder, e.g. to facilitate working or to improve properties
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
Techniques and compositions are disclosed for three-dimensional printing with powder/binder systems including, but not limited to, metal injection molding powder materials, highly-filled polymer composites, and any other materials suitable for handling with various additive manufacturing techniques, and further suitable for subsequent debinding and thermal processing into a final object.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B29C 70/02 - Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts comprising combinations of reinforcements and fillers incorporated in matrix material, forming one or more layers, with or without non-reinforced or non-filled layers
B29C 70/00 - Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts
B29C 39/00 - Shaping by casting, i.e. introducing the moulding material into a mould or between confining surfaces without significant moulding pressure; Apparatus therefor
B29C 73/02 - Repairing of articles made from plastics or substances in a plastic state, e.g. of articles shaped or produced by using techniques covered by this subclass or subclass using liquid or paste-like material
B29C 73/00 - Repairing of articles made from plastics or substances in a plastic state, e.g. of articles shaped or produced by using techniques covered by this subclass or subclass
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
Systems, methods, components, and materials are disclosed for stereolithographic fabrication of three-dimensional, dense objects. A resin including at least one component of a binder system and dispersed particles can be exposed to an activation light source. The activation light source can cure the at least one component of the binder system to form a green object, which can include the at least one component of the binder system and the particles. A dense object can be formed from the green object by removing the at least one component of the binder system in an extraction process and thermally processing particles to coalesce into the dense object.
The devices, systems, and methods described herein relate to additive manufacturing, and more specifically to techniques for fabricating support structures, breakaway layers, and the like suitable for use with sinterable build materials.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B29C 64/141 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/20 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
A powder bed is filled layer by layer with a powdered build material containing an activatable binder. The binder in each new layer is locally activated according to a computerized three-dimensional model of an object to fabricate, layer by layer, a sinterable net shape of the object within the powder bed. The sinterable net shape can then be removed, debound as appropriate, and sintered into a final part.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
A class of metallic composites is described with advantageous bulk properties for additive fabrication. In particular, the composites described herein can be used in fused filament fabrication or any other extrusion or deposition-based three-dimensional printing process.
Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the pneumatic ejection of liquid metal from a nozzle moving along a controlled three-dimensional pattern to fabricate a three- dimensional object through additive manufacturing. The metal is movable into the nozzle as a valve is actuated to control movement of pressurized gas into the nozzle. Such movement of metal into the valve as pressurized gas is being moved into the nozzle to create an ejection force on liquid metal in the nozzle can reduce or eliminate the need to replenish a supply of the metal in the nozzle and, therefore can facilitate continuous or substantially continuous liquid metal ejection for the fabrication of parts.
Devices, systems, and methods are directed to applying magnetohydrodynamic forces to liquid metal to eject liquid metal along a controlled pattern, such as a controlled three-dimensional pattern as part of additive manufacturing of an object. The magnetohydrodynamic force can be pulsed to eject droplets of the liquid metal to provide control over accuracy of the object being fabricated. The pulsations can be applied in fluid chambers having high resonance frequencies such that droplet ejection can be effectively controlled over a wide range of frequencies, including high frequencies suitable for liquid metal ejection at rates suitable for commercially viable three-dimensional fabrication.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
Various improvements to additive manufacturing are disclosed, including techniques for adapting fused filament fabrication processes to fabricate metal objects with metallic build materials.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
In an aspect, a printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process and a metallic build material. An ultrasonic vibrator is incorporated into the printer to improve the printing process, e.g., by disrupting a passivation layer on the deposited material to improve interlayer bonding, and to prevent adhesion of the metallic build material to a nozzle and other printer components.
B33Y 30/00 - 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 - Details thereof or accessories therefor
93.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELECTROHYDRODYNAMIC PRINTING OF METALLIC OBJECTS
An additive manufacturing system uses electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing techniques to form a metallic object based upon a digital model. A metal build material is melted within a reservoir and expelled through an outlet of an expeller in a controlled manner using EHD force to modulate surface tension on a meniscus of the liquid metal at the outlet of the expeller. Concurrently, a positioning robotics system moves the expeller relative to a print bed along a toolpath that forms the solidifying metal droplets into a net shape according to the digital model.
patents
