Abstract: The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to powder spreading and binder distribution techniques for consistent and rapid layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through binder jetting. For example, a powder may be spread to form a layer along a volume defined by a powder box, a binder may be deposited along the layer to form a layer of a three-dimensional object, and the direction of spreading the layer and depositing the binder may be in a first direction and in a second direction, different from the first direction, thus facilitating rapid formation of the three-dimensional object with each passage of the print carriage over the volume. Powder delivery, powder spreading, thermal energy delivery, and combinations thereof, may facilitate consistently achieving quality standards as the rate of fabrication of the three-dimensional object is increased.

Abstract: The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to powder spreading and binder distribution techniques for consistent and rapid layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through binder jetting. For example, a powder may be spread to form a layer along a volume defined by a powder box, a binder may be deposited along the layer to form a layer of a three-dimensional object, and the direction of spreading the layer and depositing the binder may be in a first direction and in a second direction, different from the first direction, thus facilitating rapid formation of the three-dimensional object with each passage of the print carriage over the volume. Powder delivery, powder spreading, thermal energy delivery, and combinations thereof, may facilitate consistently achieving quality standards as the rate of fabrication of the three-dimensional object is increased.

Abstract: The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to powder spreading and binder distribution techniques for consistent and rapid layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through binder jetting. For example, a powder may be spread to form a layer along a volume defined by a powder box, a binder may be deposited along the layer to form a layer of a three-dimensional object, and the direction of spreading the layer and depositing the binder may be in a first direction and in a second direction, different from the first direction, thus facilitating rapid formation of the three-dimensional object with each passage of the print carriage over the volume. Powder delivery, powder spreading, thermal energy delivery, and combinations thereof, may facilitate consistently achieving quality standards as the rate of fabrication of the three-dimensional object is increased.

Abstract: The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to dispensing powder for rapid and accurate layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through binder jetting. More specifically, a powder may be dispensed from a hopper movable over a volume defined by a powder box to facilitate, for example, rapidly delivering powder in front of a spreader movable across the volume to spread the powder into a layer. The hopper may include a plurality of dispensing rollers along a dispensing region of the hopper. The dispensing rollers may be rotatable relative to one another to control dispensing the powder from the hopper to an area in front of the spreader, reducing wasted motion associated with moving a spreader to retrieve powder from a stationary powder supply and reducing the likelihood of inadvertently delivering powder from the hopper to unintended areas.

Abstract: The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to spreading powder to facilitate accurate layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through binder jetting. More specifically, a spreader may be moved across a volume defined by a powder box to spread the powder in a layer. As the spreader is moved across the volume, the spreader may vibrate to pack the powder in the volume. By applying this vibration to the powder on a layer-by-layer basis, the resulting three-dimensional object formed through the binder jetting process may have improved density. In turn, such improved density may be useful for forming the three-dimensional objects into finished parts meeting target density standards, which may be particularly useful in the fabrication of metal parts. Further, or instead, applying vibration to the powder may reduce the likelihood of layer-to-layer variations in the three-dimensional object, thus reducing the likelihood of defects in finished parts.

Abstract: The devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to thermal energy delivery to facilitate rapid layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through binder jetting. More specifically, a powder may be spread to form a layer along a volume defined by a powder box, a binder may be deposited along the layer to form a layer of a three-dimensional object, and the direction of spreading the layer and depositing the binder may be in a first direction and in a second direction, different from the first direction, thus facilitating rapid formation of the three-dimensional object. Thermal energy may be delivered to each layer in the first and second directions to dry or otherwise change the binder and/or the powder to reduce the likelihood of distorting the binder in a given layer as a subsequent layer is rapidly formed over the given layer.

Abstract: According to the disclosed embodiments, an illustrative product cartridge comprises first and second opposing walls separated by a distance defined by a product to be transported by the cartridge, the first and second walls configured to define a product access aperture to allow ingress and egress of a plurality of instances of the product between the first and second walls. The product cartridge also comprises product engaging members disposed on the first and second walls, the product engaging members configured to slidingly engage and secure the plurality of instances of the product in parallel when inserted into the product access aperture and at a defined spacing between the plurality of instances of the product. A transfer access aperture opposite the product access aperture is configured to allow an external object to substantially simultaneously push each of the plurality of instances of the product out of the product access aperture.

Abstract: A segmented nickel hydrogen battery system includes a hydrogen storage segment (130) and a battery segment (120) in fluid communication with the storage segment. The battery segment includes a plurality of electrochemical cells each having a current collector plate (104) and a plastic seal component (104) provided about the peripheral edge of the collector plate. The plastic seal component may be secured to the collector plate using a variety of methods, but is preferably injection-molded about the collector plate edge. The collector plate/seal segment subassemblies may then be stacked and the seal components bonded together to form an integral seal. The electrodes and separator are placed between the collector plates before bonding. Preferably, the electrodes and separator are formed as a bipolar cell construction.