Abstract: A process for layer-by-layer manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder and objects made from the same is described. The process includes the step of applying a layer of a powder on a bed of a laser sintering machine. The powder includes polyetherketoneketone. The process further includes the step of solidifying selected points of the applied layer of powder by irradiation using heat energy introduced by a laser having a power L and successively repeating the step of applying the powder and the step of solidifying the applied layer of powder until all cross sections of a three-dimensional object are solidified. L is between 1 W and 20 W. In some embodiments L is between 1 and 10 W. In some embodiments, the powder is recycled PEKK powder. In some embodiments, the powder includes carbon fiber.

Abstract: A system for producing an object from a powder by selective laser sintering. The system includes a chamber and a support platform in the chamber. A spreader applies a layer of powder to a bed surface. An irradiation source irradiates select points in the powdered layer prepared on the support platform. A radiant heater heats at least a portion of the bed surface. A temperature sensor monitors the temperature of select points on the bed surface. A controller adjusts the radiant heater in response to temperature data provided by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder by selective sintering the powder using electromagnetic radiation. The powder includes recycled PAEK. In one embodiment, the powder includes recycled PEKK. In one embodiment, the powder includes first recycle PEKK and second recycle PEKK. In one embodiment, the powder consists essentially of recycled PEKK. The process may include the step of maintaining a bed of a selective laser sintering machine at approximately 300 degrees Celsius and applying a layer of the powder to the bed. The average in-plane tensile strength of the three-dimensional object is greater than that of a three-dimension object manufactured by selective sintering using a powder including an unused PEKK powder.

Abstract: A powder composition suitable for use in laser sintering for printing a three-dimensional object. The powder composition includes a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) powder having a plurality of particles. The plurality of particles having a mean diameter of D50. The composition includes a plurality of carbon fibers having a mean length L50. L50 is greater than D50. The particles are substantially non-spherical. A portion of the carbon fiber is embedded into the particle via high intensity mixing.

Abstract: A powder composition suitable for laser sintering for printing a three-dimensional object obtained by pre-heating a raw PEKK to evaporate a liquid solvent in the raw PEKK and the grinding the raw PEKK to form a PEKK powder, the powder composition having a first fraction comprising a polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) powder having a plurality of particles, the plurality of particles having a mean diameter D50 in the range of 30 ?m to 150 ?m. The plurality of particles of the first fraction are substantially non-spherical.

Abstract: A process for layer-by-layer manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder and objects made from the same is described. The process includes the step of applying a layer of a powder on a bed of a laser sintering machine. The powder includes polyetherketoneketone. The process further includes the step of solidifying selected points of the applied layer of powder by irradiation using heat energy introduced by a laser having a power L and successively repeating the step of applying the powder and the step of solidifying the applied layer of powder until all cross sections of a three-dimensional object are solidified. L is between 1 W and 20 W. In some embodiments L is between 1 and 10 W. In some embodiments, the powder is recycled PEKK powder. In some embodiments, the powder includes carbon fiber.

Abstract: A method for preparing a PEKK powder for use in SLS includes the steps of: providing a raw, non-powder PEKK material; heat treating the raw PEKK to evaporate at least substantially all of a liquid solvent in the raw PEKK, causing at least substantially all of the raw PEKK to be in the form of irregularly-shaped particles; cooling the raw PEKK; and grinding the raw PEKK to form a PEKK powder.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided that includes a body extending in direction at least substantially along a body axis, between a first end portion and a second end portion. The spinal implant also includes a first bearing surface disposed relative to the first end portion, and defining a first relief pattern that is configured to inhibit movement of the spinal implant relative to one or more vertebrae in at least substantially all directions. A method for manufacturing the spinal implant involves use of selective laser sintering.

Abstract: A method of analytically determining a laser power for laser sintering includes choosing a batch of powder material for building a plurality of test rods; selecting a range of laser power for building the test rods; determining a plurality of power increments within the selected range to define a plurality of laser power settings; programming a laser sintering machine to build at least one test rod at each laser power setting; constructing the test rods; wherein the optimal power is at least one watt below a lowest laser power setting associated with the formation of voids; identifying the laser power setting used to construct a respective test rod without formation of voids in the surface as an optimal laser power; and configuring the selective laser sintering machine with the optimal laser power when conducting a laser sintering process using the chosen batch of powder material.

Abstract: A process for preparing a feedstock having polyaryletherketone particles for using in selective laser sintering. The process includes the steps of determining a particle size distribution of the polyaryletherketone particles in the feedstock based on a number of particles corresponding to each of a plurality of particle size ranges to obtain a particle size distribution determination. The process further includes the step of reducing the number of particles in the feedstock corresponding to one or more size ranges having a depressed melting temperature relative to the average melting temperature of the polyaryletherketone particles in the feedstock based on the particle size distribution determination.

Abstract: A system for producing an object from a powder by selective laser sintering. The system includes a chamber and a support platform in the chamber. A spreader applies a layer of powder to a bed surface. An irradiation source irradiates select points in the powdered layer prepared on the support platform. A radiant heater heats at least a portion of the bed surface. A temperature sensor monitors the temperature of select points on the bed surface. A controller adjusts the radiant heater in response to temperature data provided by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method of producing an object from a polymer powder using a laser sintering system, whereby the laser sintering system introduces heat energy to solidify select points of a layer of polymer powder according to build data of the object and adjusts the heat energy according to solidification of select points of other layers.

Abstract: A powder composition suitable for use in laser sintering for printing a three-dimensional object. The powder composition includes a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) powder having a plurality of particles. The plurality of particles having a mean diameter of D50. The composition includes a plurality of carbon fibers having a mean length L50. L50 is greater than D50. The particles are substantially non-spherical. A portion of the carbon fiber is embedded into the particle via high intensity mixing.

Abstract: A method of preparing a powder matrix suitable for use in laser sintering for printing a three-dimensional object. A foamable polyaryletherketone (PAEK) matrix is provided and is foamed to create voids. The foamed matrix is ground to form PAEK particles having a mean diameter between 10 microns and 200 microns. In some embodiments, the foaming is performed via injection of a blowing agent into PAEK matrix during an extrusion of the PAEK matrix to form the plurality of voids in the PAEK foam.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a part while said part is produced by additive manufacturing, includes an additive manufacturing apparatus having a build tray, the apparatus being configured to fabricate the part layer-by-layer on the tray; an automated tool holder carrying a tool configured to deposit, add or weld layer-upon-layer of material; the tool holder and tray are configured to move relative to one another along a defined path; and an inspection device attached to the tool holder and configured to scan a layer of material in situ. The tool holder alternately arranges the tool and inspection device in a working position so that the tool holder fixes the tool in the working position for depositing, adding, or welding the layer of material and thereafter the tool holder switches said tool with the inspection device into the working position for scanning and detecting defects in the layer of material.

Abstract: A powder composition suitable for use in laser sintering for printing a three-dimensional object. The powder composition includes a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) powder having a plurality of particles. The plurality of particles having a mean diameter of D50. The composition includes a plurality of carbon fibers having a mean length L50. L50 is greater than D50. The particles are substantially non-spherical. A portion of the carbon fiber is embedded into the particle via high intensity mixing.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder by selective sintering the powder using electromagnetic radiation. The powder includes recycled PAEK. In one embodiment, the powder includes recycled PEKK. In one embodiment, the powder includes first recycle PEKK and second recycle PEKK. In one embodiment, the powder consists essentially of recycled PEKK. The process may include the step of maintaining a bed of a selective laser sintering machine at approximately 300 degrees Celsius and applying a layer of the powder to the bed. The average in-plane tensile strength of the three-dimensional object is greater than that of a three-dimension object manufactured by selective sintering using a powder including an unused PEKK powder.

Abstract: Method for producing an object by additively manufacturing a preform of the object from a building material comprising a polymer. The preform is encapsulated with a metal or metal alloy encapsulant that is capable of withstanding temperatures greater than the preform. The encapsulated preform is heated at a predetermined temperature and for a period of time, such that the preform at least partially transmutes into the form of a carbonaceous solid.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder by selective sintering the powder using electromagnetic radiation. The powder includes recycled PAEK. In one embodiment, the powder includes recycled PEKK. In one embodiment, the powder includes first recycle PEKK and second recycle PEKK. In one embodiment, the powder consists essentially of recycled PEKK. The process may include the step of maintaining a bed of a selective laser sintering machine at approximately 300 degrees Celsius and applying a layer of the powder to the bed. The average in-plane tensile strength of the three-dimensional object is greater than that of a three-dimension object manufactured by selective sintering using a powder including an unused PEKK powder.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of functionalizing a polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymer, and blending the PAEK polymer with water to form a sizing composition. The method may further include the step of applying the sizing composition to a fiber. The method may further include the step of heating the fibers, coated with sizing composition, for example to between 300° C.-400° C. In some methods, the functionalized PAEK polymer comprises functionalized polyetherketoneketone (PEKK). In yet other methods, the functionalized PAEK polymer comprises sulfonated PEKK (sPEKK).