Abstract: A system and method of curing build material powder. An amount of build material powder is placed in a container sealable with respect to a gaseous atmosphere present about the exterior of the container. The container is installed in a powder curing apparatus which includes a heating system and an agitation system. The heating system heats the build material powder to a temperature profile while the agitation system causes a portion of the build material powder in the container to be conveyed away from an interior surface of the container, and a second portion of the build material powder is conveyed toward an interior surface of the container.

Abstract: A drum for storing and processing build material powder includes a cylindrical body having a plurality of circumferential rings and a plurality of internal baffles. The first end of the cylindrical body is sealed by a first cap that is tapered to an orifice. The second end of the cylindrical body is sealed by a second cap. A gas inlet configured to receive an inflow of an inert gas and a gas outlet configured to exhaust used gas from an interior of the drum.

Abstract: A lifting system for a binder jetting additive manufacturing printer including a lift enclosure having a sealable access port and an aperture between an interior of the lift enclosure and a printing chamber. At least one lift column fixed to the interior of the lift enclosure is configured to vertically traverse a build box lift plate from a retracted position to a raised position, wherein in the raised position the build box lift plate indexes against at least one indexing stop. A platen lift is affixed to the box lift plate and is configured to traverse a build platen in a z-lift axis.

Abstract: A carriage unit for binder jetting additive manufacturing of components. A carriage body is movably mounted to a carriage frame within a printer unit and configured to traverse relative to a work surface. Two compaction rollers are mounted to the carriage body. Each is configured to move between a retracted position disengaged from build material powder to a deployed condition to recoat build material powder over a work surface. A powder dispensing unit is mounted to the carriage body and configured to dispense a metered amount of the build material powder as the carriage body traverses over the work surface. A print head mounted to the carriage body is configured to deposit a predetermined pattern of binder as the carriage unit traverses relative to the work surface.

Abstract: A semi-resonant actuator assembly includes a resonating body comprising a piezoelectric plate having a first length, a first width, and a first thickness, and an inactive plate having a second length substantially equal the first length, a second width substantially equal to the first width, and second thickness. A thickness of the resonating body is provided by a sum of the first thickness of the active piezoelectric plate and the second thickness of the inactive plate.

Abstract: A semi-resonant actuator assembly includes a resonating body comprising a piezoelectric plate having a first length, a first width, and a first thickness, and an inactive plate having a second length substantially equal the first length, a second width substantially equal to the first width, and second thickness. A thickness of the resonating body is provided by a sum of the first thickness of the active piezoelectric plate and the second thickness of the inactive plate.