Abstract: Additive manufacturing devices operable in various external force environments are disclosed. In an aspect, an additive manufacturing device operable in microgravity is disclosed. In other aspects, devices which are operable in high-vibration environments or varying external force environments are disclosed. Additive manufacturing devices herein may produce parts from metal, polymer, or other feedstocks.

Abstract: Node-based remote operations of additive manufacturing device are disclosed. In an aspect, a system for operating a remote additive manufacturing device is disclosed. Each computing device is a node in a communications path and contains an instance of a command software program configured to receive and send a single set of commands, ensure the integrity of such commands and/or operate communicatively connected additive manufacturing devices.

Abstract: An extended structure additive manufacturing device and method are provided. The device includes a movable material bonding component and a movement mechanism which enable the device to create parts outside the conventional additive manufacturing device print volumes defined by the device and its print-head. Methods of making parts involve creating a portion of a part and moving the extended structure additive manufacturing device relative to the part and printing a second portion of the part. Parts incapable of being formed using a conventional additive manufacturing device may be made using the extended structure additive manufacturing device and/or methods disclosed herein.