Abstract: Auxiliary material handling units for additive manufacturing (AM), AM methods, methods of handling auxiliary material of an AM system, active print head cleaning devices, feedstock container modules, and related systems are provided. An auxiliary material handling unit (AMHU) includes a material displacer having at least one entry port through which auxiliary material from an AM system is received, wherein the material displacer displaces the auxiliary material away from the at least one entry port. A method of handling auxiliary material of an AM system includes receiving auxiliary material from the AM system in a material displacer having at least one entry port; and, with the material displacer, displacing the auxiliary material away from the at least one entry port. Displaced auxiliary material may be processed with a material processing unit and/or collected in a collection reservoir. At least one sensor may provide feedback to a controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a multicomponent feedstock being delivered through a print head of a 3D printer. Multiple component lengths are produced from separate feedstocks and are aligned to form the multicomponent feedstock which is fed into the print head for extrusion. The method includes providing at least two sources of feedstock of different material, feeding a distal end of a first feedstock along a feed path, cutting the first feedstock at a pre-determined length to provide a length of first feedstock having a proximal end. The method includes feeding a distal end of a second feedstock along the feed path and aligning the distal end of the second feedstock with the proximal end of the length of the first feedstock. The second feedstock is cut at a pre-determined length to provide a length of the second feedstock serially aligned with the length of first feedstock, to form a length of multicomponent feedstock. The length of multicomponent feedstock is fed into the print head.

Abstract: Joiners, methods of joining, and related systems for additive manufacturing are provided. The method of joining includes bulk depositing, by an additive manufacturing tool head, a joiner (anchor) of a second material in a receptacle in a body of a first material. Also, the method of joining includes depositing an anchor layer of a third material upon the anchor. Networks of joiners in 3D printed parts, multi-material parts comprising joiners, computer program products for providing joiners, joiner systems including trolleys, and related methods and systems are also provided. Further provided is a system, and method, for securing a part to a build platform and separating the part from the build platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a multicomponent feedstock being delivered through a print head of a 3D printer. Multiple component lengths are produced from separate feedstocks and are aligned to form the multicomponent feedstock which is fed into the print head for extrusion. The method includes providing at least two sources of feedstock of different material, feeding a distal end of a first feedstock along a feed path, cutting the first feedstock at a pre-determined length to provide a length of first feedstock having a proximal end. The method includes feeding a distal end of a second feedstock along the feed path and aligning the distal end of the second feedstock with the proximal end of the length of the first feedstock. The second feedstock is cut at a pre-determined length to provide a length of the second feedstock serially aligned with the length of first feedstock, to form a length of multicomponent feedstock. The length of multicomponent feedstock is fed into the print head.