Abstract: New methods and systems for manufacturing a three-dimensional form, comprising steps of providing a plurality of particulates; contacting the particulates with an activation agent; contacting particulates having the activation agent with a binder material that is activatable by the activation agent; at least partially hardening the binder for forming a layer of the three-dimensional form; and repeating these steps to form the remainder of the three-dimensional form. Following sequential application of all required layers and binder material to make the form, the unbound particles are appropriately removed (and optionally re-used), to result in the desired three-dimensional form. The invention also contemplates a novel method for preparing a form, where unbound particulates free of binder material are re-claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for man facture of three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process, whereby a spreader device is used to deposit particulate material in layers on a build platform and the particulate material flow, which occurs perpendicular to the spreading direction, is transferred into containers that are actively cleaned by sliders or brushes at the spreader device. It exploits the fact that particulate material that is moves dynamically can only bridge small height differences. The arrangement can be implemented in a space-saving manner beneath the spreading plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process, whereby a build platform for application of build material is provided and a support frame is arranged around the build platform, to which said support frame at least one device for dosing the particulate material and one device for bonding the particulate material is attached via the guiding elements and the support frame is moveable in a Z direction, which essentially means perpendicular to the base surface of the build platform. In so doing, the device provides a material feeding device having a particle material container to supply particulate material in batches from the storage area to the dosing apparatus and to do so with the least possible amount of shearing forces and without significant interaction with the atmosphere.

Abstract: New methods and systems for manufacturing a three-dimensional form, comprising steps of providing a plurality of particulates; contacting the particulates with an activation agent; contacting particulates having the activation agent with a binder material that is activatable by the activation agent; at least partially hardening the binder for forming a layer of the three-dimensional form; and repeating these steps to form the remainder of the three-dimensional form. Following sequential application of all required layers and binder material to make the form, the unbound particles are appropriately removed (and optionally re-used), to result in the desired three-dimensional form. The invention also contemplates a novel method for preparing a form, where unbound particulates free of binder material are re-claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for production of a three-dimensional article from a material, by means of layered application. According to the invention, a dropwise application is carried out, whereby drops of reaction components are ejected by a nozzle arrangement (3) and applied to a base reaction component (2), arranged on a substrate (1). The material for the three-dimensional article is formed in layers, with reaction of the base reaction component (2) with reaction components on contact, whereby the material is formed on a reaction of the base reaction component with one of the reaction components to give a material with one material property and on another reaction of the base reaction component with another of the reaction components to give a material with another material property. On production of the three-dimensional article, an article section is produced in which a gradual transition between the one material property and the other material property is generated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for use in dispensing fluids especially particulate matter on to a surface to be coated, comprising a blade traversing along said surface, whereby the fluid is dispensed in front of said blade on to said surface, whereafter said blade is swept across the dispensed fluid such that it imparts vibrations. The fluid (5) is fed on to said surface through the bottom outlet of a container (3) vibrated cooperatively with the blade (7).

Abstract: A rapid-prototyping production method for producing a structural body by deposition, in several subsequent deposition steps, of subsequent layers of a building material one onto the other. The building material is selectively deposited in each layer in a liquid state in the form of droplets and being caused to solidify when deposited. After deposition, the layer is lowered into a supporting fluid which has a liquid state and has a density which is at least the same as the density of the building material.