Abstract: A method and system for 3D printing for creating at least two discrete sections of powder on a substrate, segmenting the substrate to isolate the at least two discrete sections of powder, compacting the powder on a segment of the substrate, removing loose/non-compacted powder from the segment of the substrate, create a printed/processed layer by performing one or more of a printing process or a processing operation on the segment of substrate, and transferring the printed/processed layers from the segment of substrate to a build platform.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method provide conditioning to a powder deposited on a substrate (e.g., a web), for example, by wetting the powder in a 3D printing apparatus. To achieve this in an exemplary implementation, a wetting apparatus is located between a powder dispenser and at least one top calendering roller in a direction of movement of the substrate, wherein the wetting apparatus is configured to apply a wetting agent to the powder on the substrate before the powder passes through the calendering roller. The wetting agent is comprised of a material which increases cohesiveness of the powder to prevent the powder from adhering to the top roller. In a particular implementation, the wetting agent is steam confined to an area of the substrate where the powder passes through the wetting apparatus, without wetting other areas of the substrate which are not in the wetting apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for 3D printing for creating at least two discrete sections of powder on a substrate, segmenting the substrate to isolate the at least two discrete sections of powder, compacting the powder on a segment of the substrate, removing loose/non-compacted powder from the segment of the substrate, create a printed/processed layer by performing one or more of a printing process or a processing operation on the segment of substrate, and transferring the printed/processed layers from the segment of substrate to a build platform.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method provide conditioning to a powder deposited on a substrate (e.g., a web), for example, by wetting the powder in a 3D printing apparatus. To achieve this in an exemplary implementation, a wetting apparatus is located between a powder dispenser and at least one top calendering roller in a direction of movement of the substrate, wherein the wetting apparatus is configured to apply a wetting agent to the powder on the substrate before the powder passes through the calendering roller. The wetting agent is comprised of a material which increases cohesiveness of the powder to prevent the powder from adhering to the top roller. In a particular implementation, the wetting agent is steam confined to an area of the substrate where the powder passes through the wetting apparatus, without wetting other areas of the substrate which are not in the wetting apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for 3D printing for creating at least two discrete sections of powder on a substrate, segmenting the substrate to isolate the at least two discrete sections of powder, compacting the powder on a segment of the substrate, removing loose/non-compacted powder from the segment of the substrate, create a printed/processed layer by performing one or more of a printing process or a processing operation on the segment of substrate, and transferring the printed/processed layers from the segment of substrate to a build platform.