Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing build powder and support powder, in a sequence of layers, and having a frame and a container. Also, a build powder pourer is at least partially filled with build powder and a support powder pourer at least partially filled with support powder, each of the pourers having a dispensing opening and a dispensing plug, controllably covering the dispensing opening. Further, a pourer-movement and dispensing plug-actuating assembly is supported by the frame over the container and includes a movement element that is selectively attachable to the build powder pourer and alternately to the support powder pourer and also capable to controllably move an attached pourer in three orthogonal dimensions and to control the dispensing plug. In addition, at least one docking station for holding a first one of the pourers; and a computing assembly controls the pourer-movement and dispensing plug-actuating assembly to create a target shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing build powder and support powder, in a sequence of layers, and having a frame and a container. Also, a build powder pourer is at least partially filled with build powder and a support powder pourer at least partially filled with support powder, each of the pourers having a dispensing opening and a dispensing plug, controllably covering the dispensing opening. Further, a pourer-movement and dispensing plug-actuating assembly is supported by the frame over the container and includes a movement element that is selectively attachable to the build powder pourer and alternately to the support powder pourer and also capable to controllably move an attached pourer in three orthogonal dimensions and to control the dispensing plug. In addition, at least one docking station for holding a first one of the pourers; and a computing assembly controls the pourer-movement and dispensing plug-actuating assembly to create a target shape.

Abstract: A method for forming an object having a three-dimensional target shape, that makes use of a build powder, a support powder and a binder. The build powder is more strongly bound by the binder than is the support powder. The build powder and the support powder are dispensed in a sequence of layers of build powder patterned with support powder that collectively form the three-dimensional shape in build powder, and the binder is applied to the deposited build powder, thereby forming the object of build powder and binder. Finally, the formed object is separated from the support powder.

Abstract: A method for forming an object having a three-dimensional target shape, that makes use of a build powder, a support powder and a binder. The build powder is more strongly bound by the binder than is the support powder. The build powder and the support powder are dispensed in a sequence of layers of build powder patterned with support powder that collectively form the three-dimensional shape in build powder, and the binder is applied to the deposited build powder, thereby forming the object of build powder and binder. Finally, the formed object is separated from the support powder.

Abstract: A method for forming an object having a three-dimensional target shape, that makes use of a build powder, a support powder and a binder. The build powder is more strongly bound by the binder than is the support powder. The build powder and the support powder are dispensed in a sequence of layers of build powder patterned with support powder that collectively form the three-dimensional shape in build powder, and the binder is applied to the deposited build powder, thereby forming the object of build powder and binder. Finally, the formed object is separated from the support powder.