Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing three-dimensional objects and auxiliary systems used in conjunction with the aforementioned apparatus and methods. The apparatus and methods involve 3D printing and servicing of the equipment used in the associated 3D printer.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing three-dimensional objects and auxiliary systems used in conjunction with the aforementioned apparatus and methods. The apparatus and methods involve 3D printing and servicing of the equipment used in the associated 3D printer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer includes multiple printheads for printing binder and/or colorant onto a bed of build material in a build chamber. The printheads can be mounted on a gantry that is designed for reciprocal displacement across a build chamber along a slow axis. The printheads, in turn, can reciprocally move across the gantry on a fast axis to enable displacement of the printheads along both the fast and slow axes so that the printheads can deposit binder liquid and/or colorant across the surface of a bed of build material in the build chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object from a representation of the object stored in memory. The apparatus includes a stationary build table for receiving successive layers of a build material and at least one movable printhead disposed above the build table. The printhead deposits a binding material in a predetermined pattern on each successive layer of the build material to form the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing materials system and method can produce both appearance models and small numbers of functional parts in an office environment. The method can include building cross-sectional portions of a three-dimensional article, and assembling the individual cross-sectional areas in a layer-wise fashion to form a final article. The individual cross-sectional areas can be built by using an ink-jet printhead to deliver an aqueous solvent or binder to an adhesive particulate mixture, causing the particles of the mixture to adhere together, and to previous cross-sectional areas. The binder can include at least one of nonaqueous organic monomeric compound, anionically ionizable polymer, cationic polymer, polymer, waterborne colloid, or inorganic solute.

Abstract: A materials system and methods are provided to enable the formation of articles by three-dimensional printing. The materials system includes an absorbent particulate filler that facilitates absorption of infiltrants, thereby allowing the accurate definition of articles with enhanced mechanical and structural characteristics. The methods include the use of phase-change materials to bind a powder, as well as the formation of support structures to improve the control of the shape of the articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing three-dimensional objects and auxiliary systems used in conjunction with the aforementioned apparatus and methods. The apparatus and methods involve continuously printing radially about a circular and/or rotating build table using multiple printheads. The apparatus and methods also include optionally using multiple build tables. The auxiliary systems relate to build material supply printhead cleaning diagnostics, and monitoring operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a 3DP™ material composition and method of use. The composition of the present invention includes an adhesive material, a fibrous component and a filler. Alternatively, the composition may include a particulate material having a mean particle size between about 10 microns and about 300 microns, a soluble adhesive material. The compositions may also include an accelerator and an additional adhesive.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a 3DP™ material system ad method, and an article made therefrom. The method of the present invention includes building cross-sectional portions of a three-dimensional article, and assembling the individual cross-sectional areas in a layer-wise fashion to form a final article. The individual cross-sectional areas are built by using an ink-jet printhead to deliver an aqueous fluid to a particulate material that includes plaster.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Three Dimensional Printing materials systems and method that satisfies the need for a quick, reliable, safe, and inexpensive method for producing both appearance models and small numbers of functional parts in an office environment. The method of the present invention includes building cross-sectional portions of a three-dimensional article, and assembling the individual cross-sectional areas in a layer-wise fashion to form a final article. The individual cross-sectional areas are built by using an ink-jet printhead to deliver an aqueous solvent to an adhesive particulate mixture, causing the particles of the mixture to adhere together, and to previous cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer includes multiple printheads for printing binder and/or colorant onto a bed of build material in a build chamber. The printheads can be mounted on a gantry that is designed for reciprocal displacement across a build chamber along a slow axis. The printheads, in turn, can reciprocally move across the gantry on a fast axis to enable displacement of the printheads along both the fast and slow axes so that the printheads can deposit binder liquid and/or colorant across the surface of a bed of build material in the build chamber.

Abstract: A printer forms three-dimensional objects from a powder by selectively applying a binder liquid to incremental layers of the powder. The binder binds layers of the powder into solid two-dimensional cross sections of the desired object provided from memory. The printer can use dithering and halftoning techniques to shade the object and can also print in color. A filtration system removes airborne powder and recirculates the clean air. The printer also includes additional features to manage excess and airborne powder.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing materials system and method can produce both appearance models and small numbers of functional parts in an office environment. The method can include building cross-sectional portions of a three-dimensional article, and assembling the individual cross-sectional areas in a layer-wise fashion to form a final article. The individual cross-sectional areas can be built by using an ink-jet printhead to deliver an aqueous solvent or binder to an adhesive particulate mixture, causing the particles of the mixture to adhere together, and to previous cross-sectional areas. The binder can include at least one of nonaqueous organic monomeric compound, anionically ionizable polymer, cationic polymer, polymer, waterborne colloid, or inorganic solute.

Abstract: A printer forms three-dimensional objects from a powder by selectively applying a binder liquid to incremental layers of the powder. The binder binds layers of the powder into solid two-dimensional cross sections of the desired object provided from memory. The printer can use dithering and halftoning techniques to shade the object and can also print in color. A filtration system removes airborne powder and recirculates the clean air. The printer also includes additional features to manage excess and airborne powder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Three Dimensional Printing materials systems and method that satisfies the need for a quick, reliable, safe, and inexpensive method for producing both appearance models and small numbers of functional parts in an office environment. The method of the present invention includes building cross-sectional portions of a three-dimensional article, and assembling the individual cross-sectional areas in a layer-wise fashion to form a final article. The individual cross-sectional areas are built by using an ink-jet printhead to deliver an aqueous solvent to an adhesive particulate mixture, causing the particles of the mixture to adhere together, and to previous cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module having a gapless insulating eggcrate providing insulated spaces for a large number of p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements. The absence of gaps in the walls of the spaces virtually eliminates the possibility of interwall shorts between the elements. Electrical connections on both the hot and cold sides of the module electrically connect the elements in series or in parallel as desired. Usually, most or all of the elements will be connected in series. In a preferred embodiment, the gapless eggcrate is formed from a high temperature plastic. In a preferred embodiment, two lead wires are added before adding the hot and cold side electrical connections. In this embodiment, electrical connections on the hot and cold sides comprise a thin layer of molybdenum and a coating of aluminum over the molybdenum. The surfaces are ground down to expose the insulating eggcrate walls except where connections between the elements are desired.

Abstract: A thermoelectric element having a very large number of alternating layers of semiconductor material. The alternating layers all have the same crystalline structure. The inventors have demonstrated that materials produced in accordance with this invention provide figures of merit more than six times that of prior art thermoelectric materials. A preferred embodiment is a superlattice of Si, as a barrier material, and SiGe, as a conducting material, both of which have the same cubic structure. Another preferred embodiment is a superlattice of B--C alloys, the layers of which would be different stoichiometric forms of B--C but in all cases the crystalline structure would be alpha 0. In a preferred embodiment the layers are grown under conditions as to cause them to be strained at their operating temperature range in order to improve the thermoelectric properties.