Abstract: A system and method are provided enabling higher precision in composite based additive manufacturing (‘AM”). The method includes staging a fibrous material such as carbon fiber sheets by potentially cutting to length and placing a sheet onto an elevator. Above the elevator is a gantry that holds a moveable print head and a powder deposition device as well as an excess powder recapture device. A liquid is placed onto the fiber by the print head such that when the subsequent step of dusting the area with a plastic powder, the powder sticks to the area where the liquid was imaged. Subsequently, excess powder is removed and pressure and potentially heat are applied to sinter the layer and compress to the desired height.

Abstract: A system and method are provided enabling higher precision in composite based additive manufacturing (‘AM”). The method includes staging a fibrous material such as carbon fiber sheets by potentially cutting to length and placing a sheet onto an elevator. Above the elevator is a gantry that holds a moveable print head and a powder deposition device as well as an excess powder recapture device. A liquid is placed onto the fiber by the print head such that when the subsequent step of dusting the area with a plastic powder, the powder sticks to the area where the liquid was imaged. Subsequently, excess powder is removed and pressure and potentially heat are applied to sinter the layer and compress to the desired height.

Abstract: A vacuum control assembly for use in an image production device is provided. The assembly has a plenum, a perforated plate, a plurality of valve assemblies, and a controller. Each valve assembly has a rotating valve having a vacuum passage, and a chamber body having a plurality of chambers. Each valve is rotatable between a first position that fluidly connects the vacuum passage with at least one of the chambers to complete a fluid path between the plenum and the perforated plate, and a second position at which the vacuum passage connects the plenum with none of the chambers. The controller controls the plurality of valve assemblies to provide vacuum to a first predetermined portion of the perforated plate while also providing no vacuum to a second predetermined portion of the perforated plate.

Abstract: A vacuum control assembly for use in an image production device is provided. The assembly has a plenum, a perforated plate, a plurality of valve assemblies, and a controller. Each valve assembly has a rotating valve having a vacuum passage, and a chamber body having a plurality of chambers. Each valve is rotatable between a first position that fluidly connects the vacuum passage with at least one of the chambers to complete a fluid path between the plenum and the perforated plate, and a second position at which the vacuum passage connects the plenum with none of the chambers. The controller controls the plurality of valve assemblies to provide vacuum to a first predetermined portion of the perforated plate while also providing no vacuum to a second predetermined portion of the perforated plate.