Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from additively fabricated parts through liquid immersion of the parts. Motion of the liquid, such as liquid currents, may dislodge or otherwise move powder away from additively fabricated parts to which it is adhered or otherwise proximate to. The liquid may also provide a vehicle to carry away powder from the additively fabricated parts. Removed powder may be filtered or otherwise separated from the liquid to allow recirculation of the liquid to the parts and/or to enable re-use of the powder in subsequent additive fabrication processes. Techniques for depowdering through liquid immersion may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from parts by directing gas onto, or near to, the powder. While fragile green parts, such as green parts produced by binder jetting, may be fragile with respect to scraping or impacts, such parts may nonetheless be resistance to damage from directed gas, even if directed at a high pressure. Techniques for depowdering through directed application of gas may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering additively fabricated parts are described. The techniques utilize various mechanisms to separate powder from parts. For instance, techniques for depowdering described herein may include fabrication of auxiliary structures in addition to fabrication of parts. Certain auxiliary structures may aid with depowdering operations, and may be fabricated along with parts during an additive fabrication process. The auxiliary structures may be shaped and/or have positional and/or geometrical relationships to the parts during fabrication. For instance, an auxiliary structure may include a cage structure fabricated around one or more parts.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from parts through vibration of the powder, the parts, and/or structures mechanically connected to the powder and/or parts. For instance, the application of vibration may dislodge, aerate and/or otherwise increase the flowability of regions of the powder, thereby making it easier to remove the powder with a suitable means. Techniques for depowdering through vibration may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from additively fabricated parts through liquid immersion of the parts. Motion of the liquid, such as liquid currents, may dislodge or otherwise move powder away from additively fabricated parts to which it is adhered or otherwise proximate to. The liquid may also provide a vehicle to carry away powder from the additively fabricated parts. Removed powder may be filtered or otherwise separated from the liquid to allow recirculation of the liquid to the parts and/or to enable re-use of the powder in subsequent additive fabrication processes. Techniques for depowdering through liquid immersion may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

Abstract: A method is provided for printing a three-dimensional object. The method comprises, depositing a layer of metal powder onto a powder bed of a three-dimensional printer. A liquid is heated to generate a vapor. The liquid is removed from the vapor to dry the vapor by heating the vapor above a condensation temperature of the liquid. The dry vapor is deposited onto the powder bed of the three-dimensional printer.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering additively fabricated parts are described. The techniques utilize various mechanisms to separate powder from parts. For instance, techniques for depowdering described herein may include fabrication of auxiliary structures in addition to fabrication of parts. Certain auxiliary structures may aid with depowdering operations, and may be fabricated along with parts during an additive fabrication process. The auxiliary structures may be shaped and/or have positional and/or geometrical relationships to the parts during fabrication. For instance, an auxiliary structure may include a cage structure fabricated around one or more parts.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from additively fabricated parts through liquid immersion of the parts. Motion of the liquid, such as liquid currents, may dislodge or otherwise move powder away from additively fabricated parts to which it is adhered or otherwise proximate to. The liquid may also provide a vehicle to carry away powder from the additively fabricated parts. Removed powder may be filtered or otherwise separated from the liquid to allow recirculation of the liquid to the parts and/or to enable re-use of the powder in subsequent additive fabrication processes. Techniques for depowdering through liquid immersion may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from parts through vibration of the powder, the parts, and/or structures mechanically connected to the powder and/or parts. For instance, the application of vibration may dislodge, aerate and/or otherwise increase the flowability of regions of the powder, thereby making it easier to remove the powder with a suitable means. Techniques for depowdering through vibration may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

Abstract: Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from parts by directing gas onto, or near to, the powder. While fragile green parts, such as green parts produced by binder jetting, may be fragile with respect to scraping or impacts, such parts may nonetheless be resistance to damage from directed gas, even if directed at a high pressure. Techniques for depowdering through directed application of gas may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

Abstract: A method is provided for printing a three-dimensional object. The method comprises, depositing a layer of metal powder onto a powder bed of a three-dimensional printer. A liquid is heated to generate a vapor. The liquid is removed from the vapor to dry the vapor by heating the vapor above a condensation temperature of the liquid. The dry vapor is deposited onto the powder bed of the three-dimensional printer.

Abstract: A build box associated with a powder bed fabrication system may comprise a housing defining a housing cavity, and a powder print bed disposed within the housing cavity. The powder print bed may be characterized by state information. The build box may further comprise a medium configured to facilitate access to the state information, and a coupling interface for removably engaging the build box with at least one subsystem of the powder bed fabrication system. The state information may comprise one or more state information elements of object identification, object location, current processing state, next subsystem processing step, previous subsystem processing step, object model information, object material composition, and current powder print bed temperature profile. The medium may comprise a memory device coupled with a transceiver. The medium may alternatively comprise an RFID device, or an optically perceivable designator, such as a bar code or QR code.

Abstract: Printing devices and methods are provided that utilize high throughput extrusion to generate a printer material, such as a three-dimensional object. High-throughput extrusion systems as provided volumetrically pre-heat an extruded filament to a desired pre-heat temperature, and then either maintain or heat the extruded filament to a desired melt temperature prior to having the filament extruded out of the system and onto a surface, such as a build platform. By pre-heating the filament prior to heating it to the temperature at which it is excluded, it helps increase the throughput of the system. Likewise, by doing the heating volumetrically, it further helps increase the throughput of the system. Various embodiments of devices and methods typically used for printing in conjunction with the disclosed high throughput systems are also provided.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a de-powdering subsystem for an additive fabrication system is described. The de-powdering subsystem may comprise a bath subsystem. The bath subsystem may comprise a reservoir configured to contain a liquid and to accept objects to be de-powdered into the liquid, and an agitation facility configured to cause currents within the liquid. The agitator facility may be at least one of (i) a pump configured to circulate the liquid within the reservoir, (ii) a heating element configured to generate convection currents in the liquid, and (iii) a stirrer driven through a linkage to a motor. The bath subsystem may comprise at least one ultrasonic transducer configured to apply ultrasonic vibrations to the liquid within the reservoir.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a de-powdering subsystem for an additive fabrication system is described. The de-powdering subsystem may comprise a bath subsystem. The bath subsystem may comprise a reservoir configured to contain a liquid and to accept objects to be de-powdered into the liquid, and an agitation facility configured to cause currents within the liquid. The agitator facility may be at least one of (i) a pump configured to circulate the liquid within the reservoir, (ii) a heating element configured to generate convection currents in the liquid, and (iii) a stirrer driven through a linkage to a motor. The bath subsystem may comprise at least one ultrasonic transducer configured to apply ultrasonic vibrations to the liquid within the reservoir.

Abstract: A system for separating objects within a stacked powder print bed of nested objects comprises a build box configured to contain the powder print bed. The build box has a build box top and a build box floor. The system further includes an elongated aperture formed in a side wall of the build box, and a de-powdering subsystem configured to mechanically and electrically engage the build box. A separating blade associated with the de-powdering subsystem is configured to be inserted through the elongated aperture and into the powder print bed between a top-most print bed layer of the nested objects and a second print bed layer directly below and contiguous with the top-most layer, thereby forming an isolated powder print bed between the separating blade and the build box top. The unbound powder may be agitated by various techniques and subsequently removed from the objects.

Abstract: A build box associated with a powder bed fabrication system may comprise a housing defining a housing cavity, and a powder print bed disposed within the housing cavity. The powder print bed may be characterized by state information. The build box may further comprise a medium configured to facilitate access to the state information, and a coupling interface for removably engaging the build box with at least one subsystem of the powder bed fabrication system. The state information may comprise one or more state information elements of object identification, object location, current processing state, next subsystem processing step, previous subsystem processing step, object model information, object material composition, and current powder print bed temperature profile. The medium may comprise a memory device coupled with a transceiver. The medium may alternatively comprise an RFID device, or an optically perceivable designator, such as a bar code or QR code.

Abstract: A system for separating objects within a stacked powder print bed of nested objects comprises a build box configured to contain the powder print bed. The build box has a build box top and a build box floor. The system further includes an elongated aperture formed in a side wall of the build box, and a de-powdering subsystem configured to mechanically and electrically engage the build box. A separating blade associated with the de-powdering subsystem is configured to be inserted through the elongated aperture and into the powder print bed between a top-most print bed layer of the nested objects and a second print bed layer directly below and contiguous with the top-most layer, thereby forming an isolated powder print bed between the separating blade and the build box top. The unbound powder may be agitated by various techniques and subsequently removed from the objects.

Abstract: Fused deposition model printer system. The system prints cold slurry substances and includes a source of a cold slurry substance with a print platform supported for at least three axes of motion under computer control. An extruder head system including a nozzle extrudes a stream of the cold slurry substance from the source onto the print platform, the extruder head including a heater. A cryogen line is provided having a perforated section for surrounding the continuous stream of the cold slurry substance to spray a cryogen onto the cold slurry substance to cool it upon extrusion. A chilled compartment or freezer is provided in which the print platform, extruder head system, and cryogen line are contained to maintain those components at a selected temperature whereby the cold slurry substance is printed to form a desired three dimensional shape.

Abstract: Printing devices and methods are provided that utilize high throughput extrusion to generate a printer material, such as a three-dimensional object. High-throughput extrusion systems in accordance with the present disclosure volumetrically pre-heat an extruded filament to a desired pre-heat temperature, and then either maintain or heat the extruded filament to a desired melt temperature prior to having the filament extruded out of the system and onto a surface, such as a build platform. By pre-heating the filament prior to heating it to the temperature at which it is excluded, it helps increase the throughput of the system. Likewise, by doing the heating volumetrically, it further helps increase the throughput of the system. Various embodiments of devices and methods typically used for printing in conjunction with the disclosed high throughput systems are also provided for in the present disclosure.