Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from parts by directing gas onto, or near to, the powder. While fragile green parts, such as green parts produced by binder jetting, may be fragile with respect to scraping or impacts, such parts may nonetheless be resistance to damage from directed gas, even if directed at a high pressure. Techniques for depowdering through directed application of gas may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

Abstract: A system and method of creating molten metal droplets is disclosed. The system may be used for 3D printing. The system relies on a change in momentum of the droplet relative to the tip of the metal microwire to cause the droplet to separate from the tip of the metal microwire. The change in momentum can be created by using an oscillating printhead. In other embodiments, a mass strikes the printhead to cause the droplet to separate from the metal microwire. The metal microwire may be heated using a heat source, such as a laser, an induction coil or a plasma arc.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering additively fabricated parts are described. The techniques utilize various mechanisms to separate powder from parts. For instance, techniques for depowdering described herein may include fabrication of auxiliary structures in addition to fabrication of parts. Certain auxiliary structures may aid with depowdering operations, and may be fabricated along with parts during an additive fabrication process. The auxiliary structures may be shaped and/or have positional and/or geometrical relationships to the parts during fabrication. For instance, an auxiliary structure may include a cage structure fabricated around one or more parts.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method includes depositing a first amount of metal powder onto a powder bed of a printing system, spreading the first amount of metal powder across the powder bed to form a first layer, and depositing a first amount of binder material on the first layer. The additive manufacturing method also includes exposing the first layer to a first lighting condition, imaging the first layer under the first lighting condition to generate a first image, analyzing the first image of the first layer, and determining whether to adjust at least one printing parameter based on the analyzing.

Abstract: A sanitization device may include a sanitization compartment including an ozone outlet, a connector defining a fluid pathway that is fluidly coupled to the sanitization compartment, an ozone operating system having an ozone generator configured to generate ozone and a distribution fan configured to urge ozone generated by the ozone generator through the fluid pathway of the connector and into the sanitization compartment, a filter access door transitionable between an open position and a closed position, the filter access door including a filter holder configured to receive a filter such that the filter fluidly couples to the ozone outlet when the filter access door is in the closed position, the filter is configured to reduce ozone passing therethrough to oxygen and the filter is downstream of the connector, and an exhaust fan fluidly coupled to the ozone outlet and configured to urge ozone through the filter.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from parts by directing gas onto, or near to, the powder. While fragile green parts, such as green parts produced by binder jetting, may be fragile with respect to scraping or impacts, such parts may nonetheless be resistance to damage from directed gas, even if directed at a high pressure. Techniques for depowdering through directed application of gas may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

Abstract: A method of printing an object using additive manufacturing includes depositing an amount of powder onto a print bed, spreading the amount of powder into a layer, depositing, in a first direction, a fluid configured to bind the powder onto at least a portion of the layer in a cross-sectional shape of the object to form the object, and depositing the fluid configured to bind the powder onto at least a portion of the layer adjacent to a leading edge of the cross-sectional shape of the object in the first direction to form at least one buffer element upstream of the cross-sectional shape of the object in the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.

Abstract: A controller for providing user input of a desired direction of motion or orientation for a transporter. The controller has an input for receiving specification by a user of a value based on a detected body orientation of the user. User-specified input may be conveyed by the user using any of a large variety of input modalities, including: ultrasonic body position sensing; foot force sensing; handlebar lean; active handlebar; mechanical sensing of body position; and linear slide directional input. An apparatus that may include an active handlebar is provided for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle.