Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for additively manufacturing a part. The method may involve using a reservoir to hold a granular material feedstock, and using a nozzle in communication with the reservoir to release the granular material feedstock in a controlled fashion from the reservoir to form at least one layer of a part. The method may further involve using an excitation source for applying a signal to the nozzle which induces a controlled release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle as needed to pattern the granular material feedstock as necessary to form a layer of the part.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plurality of powder particles configured to be joined in an additive manufacturing process to form a part. Each one of the powder particles has a determined three dimensional, non-spherical shape. The plurality of powder particles are further of dimensions enabling fitting individual ones of the powder particles in abutting relationship with one another. At least a subplurality of the powder particles each have a functionalized surface feature to enhance at least one of clustering or separation of the subplurality of powder particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plurality of powder particles configured to be joined in an additive manufacturing process to form a part, and wherein each one of the powder particles comprises a three dimensional, non-spherical shape. The non-spherical shape of each one of the plurality of powder particles may be at least one of identical in three dimensional shape, or at least partially complementary in three dimensional shape, to each other. The plurality of powder particles may further be of dimensions enabling fitting individual ones of the plurality of particles in abutting relationship with one another with substantially no voids between them.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing system. In one embodiment the system makes use of a reservoir for holding a granular material feedstock. A nozzle is in communication with the reservoir for releasing the granular material feedstock in a controlled fashion from the reservoir to form at least one layer of a part. An excitation source is included for applying a signal which induces a controlled release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle as needed, to pattern the granular material feedstock as necessary to form a layer of the part.