Abstract: A starter piece for printing a three-dimensional item includes a main body having a face surface, a keel coupled to the main body, a guide tab extending from the keel, and at least one retaining mechanism coupled to the main body. Printing a three-dimensional item with an additive manufacturing system having a print foundation, a print head configured to print the three-dimensional item, and a plurality of support rails includes printing a support structure for the three-dimensional item in a layer by layer manner along the printing axis along with the printing of the three-dimensional item. The support structure is printed to provide a support between the three-dimensional item and the plurality of support rails of the additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: Method for printing a three-dimensional part layerwise with an additive manufacturing system includes printing layers by depositing material from a print head onto a print foundation, incrementing a position of the print head relative to the print foundation after each layer is printed, and indexing the print foundation carrying the printed layers away from the print head along the printing axis after a number of layers are printed. Printing is performed with driven and fixed rails clamped against movement of the print foundation. Moving the print foundation includes moving the driven rails with respect to the fixed rails in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build plane. Additive manufacturing system includes a drive mechanism to index the print foundation on the printing axis using fixed and driven rails, the driven rails engaging the print foundation for moving the print foundation.

Abstract: A spool assembly comprising a housing structure, a spool rotatably retained in an interior region of the housing structure, and a sealed sheath encasing the housing structure to define a barrier for the encased housing structure and the rotatably retained spool. The spool assembly further comprises a locking arm disposed outside of the sealed sheath and configured to operably engage the spool through the sealed sheath and through the housing structure in a manner that does not penetrate the sealed sheath, where the locking arm prevents the spool from rotating relative to the housing mechanism when operably engaged with the spool. The locking arm may disengage from the spool in a hands-free manner when the spool assembly is loaded into a bay of an additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: Method for printing a three-dimensional part layerwise with an additive manufacturing system includes printing layers by depositing material from a print head onto a print foundation, incrementing a position of the print head relative to the print foundation after each layer is printed, and indexing the print foundation carrying the printed layers away from the print head along the printing axis after a number of layers are printed. Printing is performed with driven and fixed rails clamped against movement of the print foundation. Moving the print foundation includes moving the driven rails with respect to the fixed rails in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build plane. Additive manufacturing system includes a drive mechanism to index the print foundation on the printing axis using fixed and driven rails, the driven rails engaging the print foundation for moving the print foundation.

Abstract: A starter piece for printing a three-dimensional item includes a main body having a face surface, a keel coupled to the main body, a guide tab extending from the keel, and at least one retaining mechanism coupled to the main body. Printing a three-dimensional item with an additive manufacturing system having a print foundation, a print head configured to print the three-dimensional item, and a plurality of support rails includes printing a support structure for the three-dimensional item in a layer by layer manner along the printing axis along with the printing of the three-dimensional item. The support structure is printed to provide a support between the three-dimensional item and the plurality of support rails of the additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: A spool assembly comprising a housing structure, a spool rotatably retained in an interior region of the housing structure, and a sealed sheath encasing the housing structure to define a barrier for the encased housing structure and the rotatably retained spool. The spool assembly further comprises a locking arm disposed outside of the sealed sheath and configured to operably engage the spool through the sealed sheath and through the housing structure in a manner that does not penetrate the sealed sheath, where the locking arm prevents the spool from rotating relative to the housing mechanism when operably engaged with the spool. The locking arm may disengage from the spool in a hands-free manner when the spool assembly is loaded into a bay of an additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: A spool assembly comprising a housing structure, a spool rotatably retained in an interior region of the housing structure, and a sealed sheath encasing the housing structure to define a barrier for the encased housing structure and the rotatably retained spool. The spool assembly further comprises a locking arm disposed outside of the sealed sheath and configured to operably engage the spool through the sealed sheath and through the housing structure in a manner that does not penetrate the sealed sheath, where the locking arm prevents the spool from rotating relative to the housing mechanism when operably engaged with the spool. The locking arm may disengage from the spool in a hands-free manner when the spool assembly is loaded into a bay of an additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: A spool assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, comprising a spool rotatably retained in a sealed sheath in a hub-less manner, and a locking mechanism configured to operably engage with the spool to prevent the spool from rotating.

Abstract: A system may include an evase through which heated airflow flows therethrough when the system is in operation; and a coil assembly coupled with the evase and a heat rejection system and configured, when the system is in operation, to: receive a refrigerant; receive the heated airflow from the evase; transfer heat from the heated airflow to the refrigerant to reduce a temperature of the airflow; provide an egress through which the cooled airflow exits therefrom; and provide the refrigerant, after transferring the heat from the heated airflow to the refrigerant, to the heat rejection system to permit the heat rejection system to remove heat from the refrigerant to reduce a temperature of the refrigerant, and to provide the refrigerant, after removing the heat from the refrigerant, to the coil assembly.

Abstract: A spool assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, comprising a spool rotatably retained in a sealed sheath in a hub-less manner, and a locking mechanism configured to operably engage with the spool to prevent the spool from rotating.

Abstract: A spool assembly comprising a housing structure, a spool rotatably retained in an interior region of the housing structure, and a sealed sheath encasing the housing structure to define a barrier for the encased housing structure and the rotatably retained spool. The spool assembly further comprises a locking arm disposed outside of the sealed sheath and configured to operably engage the spool through the sealed sheath and through the housing structure in a manner that does not penetrate the sealed sheath, where the locking arm prevents the spool from rotating relative to the housing mechanism when operably engaged with the spool. The locking arm may disengage from the spool in a hands-free manner when the spool assembly is loaded into a bay of an additive manufacturing system.