Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process. The shape of an extrusion nozzle may be varied during extrusion to control, e.g., an amount of build material deposited, a shape of extrudate exiting the nozzle, a feature resolution, and the like.

Abstract: 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 infiltration.

Abstract: A superstructure is fabricated around an object, but physically isolated from the object, with a shape that facilitates robotic handling of the superstructure, along with removal of powder from the object, after a three-dimensional printing process such as binder jetting.

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process. A former extending from a nozzle of the printer supplements a layer fusion process by applying a normal force on new material as it is deposited to form the object. The former may use a variety of techniques such as heat and rolling to improve physical bonding between layers.

Abstract: A support structure is fabricated below a printed object to form a structure that prevents or minimizes a drag on a floor while the object shrinks during sintering.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A support structure is formed from a support material below a printed object that shrinks similarly to a build material of the printed object during processing in a furnace.

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process. The shape of an extrusion nozzle may be varied during extrusion to control, e.g., an amount of build material deposited, a shape of extrudate exiting the nozzle, a feature resolution, and the like.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer delivery of an ink onto a powder of metal particles in a powder bed. More specifically, the ink may include a carrier, supramolecular assemblies of molecules, and nanoparticles of an inorganic material. The supramolecular assemblies may sequester the nanoparticles of the inorganic material from the carrier to facilitate maintaining the nanoparticles in a stable form, providing a shelf-life suitable for transportation and storage of the ink in large-scale commercial operations. The supramolecular assemblies of the molecules may be disrupted during a fabrication process to release the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may improve strength of the three-dimensional objects being fabricated and, also or instead, may reduce the likelihood of defects associated with subsequent processing of the three-dimensional objects (e.g.

Abstract: Support structures are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit fabrication of a greater range of object geometries. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are subsequently sintered into a final part, an interface layer may be fabricated between the object and support in order to inhibit bonding between adjacent surfaces of the support structure and the object during sintering. Interface layers suitable for manufacture with an additive manufacturing system may resist the formation of bonds between a support structure and an object during subsequent sintering processes.

Abstract: Techniques and compositions are disclosed for composite feedstocks with powder/binder systems suitable for three-dimensional printing, such as fused filament fabrication. The composite feedstocks may include a jacket about a core, with at least the core including a powder material suspended in a binder system and the jacket having a hardness or toughness greater than a hardness or toughness of the core for the feedstock. In general, the harder jacket may protect the core from unintended deformation or damage during transportation, storage, or use. For example, the difference in hardness or toughness between the jacket and the core may facilitate gripping the feedstock (e.g., by gear drives or the like) with a higher amount of force than is otherwise applicable if the feedstock were composed of the core alone, without damaging the core, during a fused filament fabrication process or another additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A variety of additive manufacturing techniques can be adapted to fabricate a substantially net shape object from a computerized model using materials that can be debound and sintered into a fully dense metallic part or the like. However, during sintering, the net shape will shrink as binder escapes and the base material fuses into a dense final part. If the foundation beneath the object does not shrink in a corresponding fashion, the resulting stresses throughout the object can lead to fracturing, warping or other physical damage to the object resulting in a failed fabrication. To address this issue, a variety of techniques are disclosed for substrates and build plates that contract in a manner complementary to the object during debinding and sintering.

Abstract: Support structures are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit fabrication of a greater range of object geometries. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are subsequently sintered into a final part, a printer is configured to further fabricate an interface layer between the object and the support structure in order to inhibit bonding between adjacent surfaces of the support structure and the object during sintering.

Abstract: Support structures are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit fabrication of a greater range of object geometries. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are subsequently sintered into a final part, a printer is configured to further fabricate an interface layer between the object and the support structure in order to inhibit bonding between adjacent surfaces of the support structure and the object during sintering.

Abstract: Support structures are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit fabrication of a greater range of object geometries. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are subsequently sintered into a final part, an interface layer is fabricated between the object and support in order to inhibit bonding between adjacent surfaces of the support structure and the object during sintering.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for fabricating multi-part assemblies. In particular, by forming release layers between features such as bearings or gear teeth, complex mechanical assemblies can be fabricated in a single additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for fabricating multi-part assemblies. In particular, by forming release layers between features such as bearings or gear teeth, complex mechanical assemblies can be fabricated in a single additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: Support structures are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit fabrication of a greater range of object geometries. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are subsequently sintered into a final part, an interface layer is formed between the object and support in order to inhibit bonding between adjacent surfaces of the support structure and the object during sintering. The support structure may be a multi-part support structure to mitigate mold lock or facilitate removal from enclosed spaces.