Abstract: An additive three-dimensional fabrication process is improved by controlling deposition rate to obtain surface textures or other surface features below the nominal processing resolution of fabrication hardware. Sub-resolution information may be obtained, for example, from express metadata (such as for surface texture), or by interpolating data from a source digital model.

Abstract: By reversing the direction of a first build material fed into an extruder, the first build material can be wholly or partially evacuated from the extruder before a second material is introduced. This approach mitigates transition artifacts and permits faster, more complete changes from one build material to another.

Abstract: An additive three-dimensional fabrication process uses multiple build materials with different optical properties (e.g., color, opacity) at different surface depths to achieve grayscale-rendered images on exterior surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A server is configured to store a number of different models of an object in machine-ready form corresponding to a number of different three-dimensional printers having differing capabilities and/or hardware configurations. When a user at a client device or a printer requests the object, the server automatically determines a printer type and selects a suitable, corresponding machine-ready model for immediate fabrication by the printer.

Abstract: A scanned texture can be applied to a three-dimensional model using a scanner. A user can scan a surface texture with a three-dimensional scanner and then use the same scanner as a three-dimensional input device to apply the texture to a three-dimensional model displayed in a virtual modeling environment. To accomplish this, the surface texture may first be isolated and extracted from a scanned surface. The surface texture can then be applied to a three-dimensional model in a virtual workspace by using the scanner as a navigational and control input. Thus, in a similar manner and motion in which a real-world object is scanned, the surface texture can be applied to the digital model displayed in the virtual modeling environment. The scanner therefore provides a user with a simple and intuitive way in which to capture physical surface textures and apply them to digital objects.

Abstract: Three-dimensional printer fabrication is improved receiving a digital model of an object, the digital model specifying two or more different build materials; prioritizing the two or more different build materials with a ranking; identifying exclusive locations in the plurality of layers where a surface layer of the object has one of the two or more different build materials; generating an external structure for the object according to one or more design rules; matching a first build material of the external structure to a second build material of the object at each of the exclusive locations; and generating tool instructions for fabricating the object and the external structure using at least the first build material and the second build material.

Abstract: An assembly that is configured to be coupled to and communicate with a 3D printer having a printer head includes a color-application unit positioned upstream of the 3D printer. The color-application unit is configured to receive a filament and direct the filament to the printer head of the 3D printer. The assembly also includes a color applicator coupled to the color-application unit. The color applicator is operable to selectively apply color to an interior surface of the filament.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer effects color changes in an extrudate using a color-application unit applying a colorant to the interior of a filament before it is melted within an extruder. Specifically, the color-application unit may receive a filament (or portions thereof) having an exposed interior surface, where color applicators are actuated to apply one or more colors to the interior surface of the filament in order to modify the extruded color. The filament may then be coupled, collapsed, or otherwise closed about the interior surface, e.g., by a mechanical coupler, to substantially enclose the interior surface of the filament, which is then fed to the extruder for fabricating a colored object in a three-dimensional fabrication process. By enclosing the colored surface within the filament before melting for extrusion, transition effects of a color change can be mitigated and transition time for a substantially complete change in color can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer is configured to fill interior cavities of a fabricated object with functional or aesthetic materials during fabrication. In general, a number of layers can be fabricated with an infill pattern that leaves void space within an exterior surface of the object. These void spaces can receive a second material such as an epoxy or adhesive that spans multiple layers of the object to increase structural integrity. Similarly, aesthetic materials may be used to add color, opacity, or other desired properties to a fabricated object. The void spaces can also or instead form molds that are filled with a build material to provide a fabricated object.

Abstract: A variety of techniques are disclosed for visual and functional augmentation of a three-dimensional printer.

Abstract: An extrusion head of an extruder is configured to move along a feedpath independently from a heating element so that the extrusion head can yield to extrusion-related forces. Specifically, the extruder may include an extrusion head movably coupled to a thermal core to permit axial displacement of the extrusion head relative to the thermal core. In use, the extrusion head may be displaced within the thermal core when the extruder is subject to extrusion-related forces (e.g., an upward force created by a refraction of build material or a downward force created by an advance of build material). This motion can facilitate better transitions by the extruder between different layers or z-axis positions in a model during fabrication.

Abstract: A server is configured to store a number of different models of an object in machine-ready form corresponding to a number of different three-dimensional printers having differing capabilities and/or hardware configurations. When a user at a client device or a printer requests the object, the server automatically determines a printer type and selects a suitable, corresponding machine-ready model for immediate fabrication by the printer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer includes a laser line scanner and hardware to rotate the scanner relative to an object on a build platform. In this configuration, three-dimensional surface data can be obtained from the object, e.g., for use as an input to subsequent processing steps such as the generation of tool instructions to fabricate a three-dimensional copy of the object, or various surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A variety of techniques are disclosed for customizing a digital model of an aesthetic housing to receive a functional component and an interface component for the functional component.

Abstract: A build chamber of a three-dimensional printer uses directed heat to preheat a region within the chamber where a build will be initiated, and then uses circulating, heated air to maintain a target temperature for the entire build volume after the build is initiated. A fixed heating element and blower may advantageously be used for both heating steps, and preheating may be accomplished more quickly by initially directing heat at the locus of build initiation rather than diffusing heat throughout an entire build volume.

Abstract: A server is configured to store a library of printable content and to select an item from the library in response to a user request. Instead of the user specifying a particular item, the server can automatically select from a number of different items. The server may automatically determine a printer type for the user and select a suitable, corresponding model for immediate fabrication by the printer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer positions a tool such as an extruder in three-dimensional space using a passive, i.e., non-motorized, z-axis alignment technique that generates z-axis movement based upon motorized movements along another axis. In this manner, intermittent z-axis step movements such as those from layer to layer in a multi-layer fabrication process can be performed without the need for an additional, dedicated motor for z-axis movement. The passive system may employ a variety of different gearing techniques to convert x-axis or y-axis movements into a z-axis movement under various conditions. For example, the three-dimensional printing tool may move to a predetermined position along a first axis (e.g., an x-axis or y-axis) where a passive gear assembly engages a rack or the like. When in this predetermined position along the first axis, the tool can move along a second axis and create a resulting movement on a third axis (e.g., the z-axis).

Abstract: A build chamber of a three-dimensional printer uses directed heat to preheat a region within the chamber where a build will be initiated, and then uses circulating, heated air to maintain a target temperature for the entire build volume after the build is initiated. A fixed heating element and blower may advantageously be used for both heating steps, and preheating may be accomplished more quickly by initially directing heat at the locus of build initiation rather than diffusing heat throughout an entire build volume.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses its extruder and build platform to properly orient the build platform within a working volume. In a multi-point leveling operation, the extruder is moved to the z-axis origin at a number of x-y positions within the plane of the build platform, and the height of the build platform is adjusted to meet the extruder at the origin. If the build platform is a meltable material such as a plastic, then this leveling process must be performed while the extruder is cool. A homing operation may be performed periodically after leveling in order to realign the z-axis positions of the build platform and extruder. A non-meltable contact point may be usefully provided so that homing can be performed while the extruder is hot, such as immediately before a build or between a number of builds.

Abstract: Multi-material, three-dimensional fabrication is improved by the use of a purge wall adjacent to an object to absorb transitional artifacts of material changes. The structure of the purge wall may be selected to reduce build time, and to reduce certain printing artifacts such as warping and delaminating. For example, alternating layers of offset or mirrored zigzag patterns may be used to reduce and distribute the layer-to-layer adhesion surfaces throughout the purge wall while providing sufficient contact points to maintain the structural integrity of the purge wall.