Abstract: An apparatus is provided for fracturing a shell of a three-dimensional object. The apparatus may be caused to receive a shell of a three-dimensional object composed of a plurality of facets including first facets and distinct second facets, and form layer data defining a plurality of layers of the shell for use in forming the three-dimensional object on a layer-by-layer basis. At least some of the plurality of layers may include respective first fragments, and at least some of the plurality of layers may include respective second fragments. The first fragments may be produced by first facets and exclusive of second facets, and the second fragments may be produced by second facets and exclusive of first facets. And at least one layer of the plurality of layers may include both a first fragment of the respective first fragments, and a second fragment of the respective second fragments.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system includes a controller that performs a method of fabricating a three dimensional article of manufacture. The method includes steps A and B including (A) providing initial data defining a three dimensional object having a defined outer surface and (B) modifying the initial data to define a shelled and supported three dimensional object. Step B includes (1) defining a cavity inside the defined outer surface, the cavity bounded by an inner surface, the three dimensional object is a shell with a shell thickness between the defined outer surface and the inner surface, (2) analyzing lateral sections of the object to detect portions of the lateral sections that are unconnected or unsupported portions for a given lateral section, and (3) generating a support beam that connects an unconnected or unsupported portion of a lateral section to another portion of the shell.

Abstract: Methods of 3D printing an object with reduced curl on at least one surface that contacts a print plate are described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a method of 3D printing an object comprises depositing build material to form a first layer of a 3D printed object and depositing build material in a predetermined pattern to form a first layer of a skirt in contact with the 3D printed object. Depositing build material to form the first layer of the skirt comprises 3D printing a first layer of a sidewalk that substantially surrounds at least a portion of a perimeter of the 3D printed object and 3D printing a first layer of a perforated interface between the sidewalk and the perimeter of the skirt.

Abstract: There is provided a support structure for use with 3D printing of objects from computer-aided designs. The support structures include fine points that contact the down-facing surfaces of the 3D object being printed in order to adequately support the 3D object while also being adapted for easy removal after the 3D print process is complete. The fine points are possible by controlling the operation of the dispenser to provide a precise amount of material in a precise location. The dispenser jumps from a first fine point to a second fine point by retracting the print material after the first fine point is printed and then moving the dispenser vertically relative to the first fine point before the dispenser is moved horizontally to the second fine point.

Abstract: Methods of 3D printing an object with reduced curl on at least one surface that contacts a print plate are described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a method of 3D printing an object comprises depositing build material to form a first layer of a 3D printed object and depositing build material in a predetermined pattern to form a first layer of a skirt in contact with the 3D printed object. Depositing build material to form the first layer of the skirt comprises 3D printing a first layer of a sidewalk that substantially surrounds at least a portion of a perimeter of the 3D printed object and 3D printing a first layer of a perforated interface between the sidewalk and the perimeter of the skirt.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for fracturing a shell of a three-dimensional object. The apparatus may be caused to receive a shell of a three-dimensional object composed of a plurality of facets including first facets and distinct second facets, and form layer data defining a plurality of layers of the shell for use in forming the three-dimensional object on a layer-by-layer basis. At least some of the plurality of layers may include respective first fragments, and at least some of the plurality of layers may include respective second fragments. The first fragments may be produced by first facets and exclusive of second facets, and the second fragments may be produced by second facets and exclusive of first facets. And at least one layer of the plurality of layers may include both a first fragment of the respective first fragments, and a second fragment of the respective second fragments.

Abstract: There is provided a support structure for use with 3D printing of objects from computer-aided designs. The support structures include fine points that contact the down-facing surfaces of the 3D object being printed in order to adequately support the 3D object while also being adapted for easy removal after the 3D print process is complete. The fine points are possible by controlling the operation of the dispenser to provide a precise amount of material in a precise location. The dispenser jumps from a first fine point to a second fine point by retracting the print material after the first fine point is printed and then moving the dispenser vertically relative to the first fine point before the dispenser is moved horizontally to the second fine point.