Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for making three-dimensional objects from a bindable powder are shown and described. A dynamically erected and/or expanded retaining barrier is provided which is erected and/or expanded during an object building operation to retain dispensed powder.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a manifold shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped having three pairs of parallel faces and including (i) a body thereof defining a plurality of fluidic channels, (ii) a bottom portion thereof defining a slot configured to accommodate insertion of a printing element; and (iii) at least one face defining a plurality of fluidic connections in fluidic communication with the fluidic channels. A method for manufacturing a printing apparatus includes the steps of a) manufacturing a manifold by manufacturing a parallelepiped and defining a slot therein configured to hold a printing element; b) machining features into the manifold for mechanical mounting, electronic connection, and fluid connection; and (c) assembling the manifold with the printing element and a gasket to form the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A material system and method for bonding refractory powders in a three dimensional printer. A first particulate component including a refractory material is mixed with a first reactive component to form a particulate mixture. A flat layer of the particulate mixture is dispensed onto a build surface. A liquid binder, which may include a furan monomer and a surfactant, is dispensed by an ink-jet printhead onto the particulate mixture. The particulate mixture may contain a furan-soluble polymer that imposes a capillary attraction for the liquid binder, keeping it situated in the immediate vicinity of where the binder is dispensed. Additionally it provides a sufficient catalytic power to co-polymerize with the furan monomer and form a solid structure. This enables a 3D printer to build strong, accurate parts with high packing density, and to reuse the feed material many times in the printer.

Abstract: A powder for three-dimensional printing including a mixture of soluble adhesive; cement filler including magnesium oxide, and acid additive; and nonreactive ceramic filler. A kit includes a substantially nonaqueous liquid jetting fluid, and a solid powder mixture including soluble adhesive, magnesium oxide, an acid additive, and a nonreactive ceramic filler. A nonaqueous liquid jetting fluid includes up to 50 wt % cosolvents, and an acidic additive. A method for forming a three dimensional article includes providing a layer of a powder mixture including a soluble adhesive, magnesium oxide, an acid additive, and a nonreactive ceramic filler; and applying a substantially nonaqueous liquid jetting fluid including less than 50% water by weight to the powder mixture layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fabricating a solid article by three-dimensional printing. A bed of loose solid powder is formed, a fluid dispenser moved parallel to the bed, and a liquid dispensed from the fluid dispenser onto at least a portion of a surface of the powder to form a first printed layer having a first pattern printed thereon. The fluid dispenser includes a printhead inclined at an angle selected from a range of 2 to 20 degrees from vertical with respect to the bed. An apparatus includes a stage, a spreading mechanism to spread layers of loose powder on the stage, and a fluid dispenser disposed above the stage and configured to dispense droplets of fluid that travel in free flight to the stage, the fluid dispenser including a printhead tilted at an angle from 2 to 20 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the stage surface.