Abstract: A starter piece for printing a three-dimensional item includes a main body having a face surface, a keel coupled to the main body, a guide tab extending from the keel, and at least one retaining mechanism coupled to the main body. Printing a three-dimensional item with an additive manufacturing system having a print foundation, a print head configured to print the three-dimensional item, and a plurality of support rails includes printing a support structure for the three-dimensional item in a layer by layer manner along the printing axis along with the printing of the three-dimensional item. The support structure is printed to provide a support between the three-dimensional item and the plurality of support rails of the additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: Method for printing a three-dimensional part layerwise with an additive manufacturing system includes printing layers by depositing material from a print head onto a print foundation, incrementing a position of the print head relative to the print foundation after each layer is printed, and indexing the print foundation carrying the printed layers away from the print head along the printing axis after a number of layers are printed. Printing is performed with driven and fixed rails clamped against movement of the print foundation. Moving the print foundation includes moving the driven rails with respect to the fixed rails in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build plane. Additive manufacturing system includes a drive mechanism to index the print foundation on the printing axis using fixed and driven rails, the driven rails engaging the print foundation for moving the print foundation.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional parts, the system including a print head configured to print a part material along a non-vertical printing axis, a non-horizontal print foundation configured to receive the printed part material from the print head to produce the three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer manner, a drive mechanism configured to index the print foundation along the non-vertical printing axis, and a controller operably coupled to control the print head and the drive mechanism. The controller is configured to cause the print head to print the part according to a method of printing including printing a support structure below the part on the non-horizontal print foundation, wherein the part and the support structure are physically separated, and wherein the support structure is configured to support the part during printing as the part is elongated.

Abstract: Method for printing a three-dimensional part layerwise with an additive manufacturing system includes printing layers by depositing material from a print head onto a print foundation, incrementing a position of the print head relative to the print foundation after each layer is printed, and indexing the print foundation carrying the printed layers away from the print head along the printing axis after a number of layers are printed. Printing is performed with driven and fixed rails clamped against movement of the print foundation. Moving the print foundation includes moving the driven rails with respect to the fixed rails in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build plane. Additive manufacturing system includes a drive mechanism to index the print foundation on the printing axis using fixed and driven rails, the driven rails engaging the print foundation for moving the print foundation.

Abstract: A starter piece for printing a three-dimensional item includes a main body having a face surface, a keel coupled to the main body, a guide tab extending from the keel, and at least one retaining mechanism coupled to the main body. Printing a three-dimensional item with an additive manufacturing system having a print foundation, a print head configured to print the three-dimensional item, and a plurality of support rails includes printing a support structure for the three-dimensional item in a layer by layer manner along the printing axis along with the printing of the three-dimensional item. The support structure is printed to provide a support between the three-dimensional item and the plurality of support rails of the additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: A head mount for use in a digital manufacturing system, where the head mount comprises a first component supported by at least one gantry of the digital manufacturing system, and a second component configured to retain a deposition head of the digital manufacturing system, and to move relative to the first component in response to a load applied to the deposition head from a platform assembly of the digital manufacturing system.

Abstract: A head mount for use in a digital manufacturing system, where the head mount comprises a first component supported by at least one gantry of the digital manufacturing system, and a second component configured to retain a deposition head of the digital manufacturing system, and to move relative to the first component in response to a load applied to the deposition head from a platform assembly of the digital manufacturing system.