Abstract: A 3D printing apparatus and method includes a piezo actuator that reciprocates a tappet. The reciprocation of the tappet generates pressure within a chamber filled with molten print material. The generated pressure causes the molten print material to be extruded through a nozzle coupled to the chamber. The piezo actuator is controlled to switchably provide continuous extrusion of print material or extrusion of discrete droplets of print material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a part formed of metal, a method of determining a ceramic support structure for the metal part, and an un-sintered metal part including the ceramic support. The method of manufacturing the part includes forming a metal part and forming a ceramic support by depositing a ceramic composite material in a pattern to form ceramic print layers. The ceramic support supports a supportable portion of the metal part. The method of determining the ceramic support structure for the metal part includes determining, (i) a composition of a ceramic filament used to produce the ceramic support or (ii) a geometry of an infill of the ceramic support such that the ceramic support has a strength sufficient to support the supportable portion prior to sintering and is deformable to allow the supportable portion to undergo geometric changes during sintering.

Abstract: A material for producing a three-dimensionally printed part including a metal material and at least one sintering aid in an amount effective to give the three-dimensionally printed part a density of between about 90% and about 100% after sintering is disclosed. A method of printing a three-dimensional part including selecting a metal material, incorporating at least one sintering aid into the metal material to form a print material, and printing the three-dimensional part is also disclosed. A method of producing a sintered metal part including providing a metal material for the sintered metal part incorporating boron as a first sintering aid, incorporating phosphorus as a second sintering aid, forming the metal part in a predetermined form the metal material, and heating the formed metal part to a sintering temperature is also disclosed. Three-dimensionally printed parts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods of additively manufacturing objects are disclosed. Specifically, provided herein are methods of heating objects having a particle-based support at least partially surrounding the object during portions of stages of the heating. Additionally, systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support during heating, such that the object can continue heating to form a final part. Systems, apparatus, and methods for distributing the particle-based support to shore the objects through heating are disclosed. Systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods of additively manufacturing leak resistant objects are disclosed. Provided herein are methods of forming objects having walls and/or surfaces that are resistant to leaks. Objects disclosed are formed from or manufactured from compositions, including metals, polymers, and combinations thereof. Objects provided herein are made from methods of forming individual shells, forming of series shells, and layer-by-layer forming of objects. Further disclosed are methods of interconnecting shells, layers, and processes for transitioning therebetween the shells and layers.

Abstract: Metal composites, tooling and methods of additively manufacturing these are disclosed. Metal objects and structures as provided herein are additively manufactured from metal having an infill pattern infiltrated with a metal powder. Also provided herein are methods of forming such objects and structures. Methods include additively manufacturing a metal structure having an interior printed using an infill. Steps can further include infiltrating the printed infill of the structure with a powder metal thereby forming a composite.

Abstract: Metal composites, tooling and methods of additively manufacturing these are disclosed. Metal objects and structures as provided herein are additively manufactured from metal having an infill pattern infiltrated with a second metal. Also provided herein are methods of forming such objects and structures. Methods include additively manufacturing a metal structure having an interior printed using an infill. Steps can further include infiltrating the printed infill of the structure with a liquid metal thereby forming a bi-metal composite.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods of additively manufacturing objects are disclosed. Specifically, provided herein are methods of heating objects having a particle-based support at least partially surrounding the object during portions of stages of the heating. Additionally, systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support during heating, such that the object can continue heating to form a final part. Systems, apparatus, and methods for distributing the particle-based support to shore the objects through heating are disclosed. Systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A material for producing a three-dimensionally printed part including a metal material and at least one sintering aid in an amount effective to give the three-dimensionally printed part a density of between about 90% and about 100% after sintering is disclosed. A method of printing a three-dimensional part including selecting a metal material, incorporating at least one sintering aid into the metal material to form a print material, and printing the three-dimensional part is also disclosed. A method of producing a sintered metal part including providing a metal material for the sintered metal part incorporating boron as a first sintering aid, incorporating phosphorus as a second sintering aid, forming the metal part in a predetermined form the metal material, and heating the formed metal part to a sintering temperature is also disclosed. Three-dimensionally printed parts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacture to provide an efficient and economical steel deoxidizer aluminum matrix composite material that is near fully dense, free of brittle intermetallic compounds and allows for deep penetration of aluminum into molten steel thus cutting unnecessary losses of this valuable metal to parasitic oxidation reactions with slag and atmosphere.

Abstract: Surface metallization technology for ceramic substrates is disclosed herein. It makes use of a known phenomenon that many metal—metal oxide alloys in liquid state readily wet an oxide ceramic surface and strongly bond to it upon solidification. To achieve high adhesion strength of a metallization to ceramic, a discrete metallization layer consisting of metal droplets bonded to ceramic surface using metal—metal oxide bonding process is produced first. Next, a continuous metal layer is deposited on top of the discrete layer and bonded to it using a sintering process. As a result a strongly adhering, glass-free metallization layer directly bonded to ceramic surface is produced. In particular, the process can be successfully used to metalize aluminum nitride ceramic with high thermal and electrical conductivity copper metal.

Abstract: Surface metallization technology for ceramic substrates is disclosed herein. It makes use of a known phenomenon that many metal-metal oxide alloys in liquid state readily wet an oxide ceramic surface and strongly bond to it upon solidification. To achieve high adhesion strength of a metallization to ceramic, a discrete metallization layer consisting of metal droplets bonded to ceramic surface using metal-metal oxide bonding process is produced first. Next, a continuous metal layer is deposited on top of the discrete layer and bonded to it using a sintering process. As a result a strongly adhering, glass-free metallization layer directly bonded to ceramic surface is produced. In particular, the process can be successfully used to metallize aluminum nitride ceramic with high thermal and electrical conductivity copper metal.