A 3D printing apparatus is disclosed herein. The 3D printing apparatus comprises a build compartment defining a build chamber within which a 3D object is to be generated; and a non-powered platform, moveable within the build chamber, comprising a platform drive interface to engage with an external drive mechanism to cause the platform to move. The 3D printing apparatus further comprises a powder compartment located laterally adjacent to the build compartment, within which build material is to be stored for use in the generation of the 3D object. The 3D printing apparatus also comprises a locking interface to couple the 3D printing apparatus with an external hosting device.

An aluminum alloy material comprising a composition containing no less than 1.2 at % and no more than 6.5 at % of Fe, no less than 0.15 at % and no more than 5 at % of at least one first element selected from the group consisting of Nd, W, and Sc, and no less than 0.005 at % and no more than 2 at % of at least one second element selected from the group consisting of C and B, the balance being Al and inevitable impurities.

An aluminum alloy material comprising a composition containing no less than 1.2 at % and no more than 6.5 at % of Fe, no less than 0.15 at % and no more than 5 at % of at least one first element selected from the group consisting of Nd, W, and Sc, and no less than 0.005 at % and no more than 2 at % of at least one second element selected from the group consisting of C and B, the balance being Al and inevitable impurities.

In one aspect, additive manufacture techniques are described herein which enable the densification of green articles prior to further article processing. In some embodiments, a method of forming an article comprises providing a powder composition, and forming the powder composition into a green article by one or more additive manufacturing techniques. The green article is contacted with a powder pressure transfer media. The green article and powder pressure transfer media are then subjected to cold isostatic pressing (CIP) or warm isostatic pressing (WIP) at a pressure less than minimum isostatic compaction pressure of the powder pressure transfer media to provide a densified green article.

In one aspect, additive manufacture techniques are described herein which enable the densification of green articles prior to further article processing. In some embodiments, a method of forming an article comprises providing a powder composition, and forming the powder composition into a green article by one or more additive manufacturing techniques. The green article is contacted with a powder pressure transfer media. The green article and powder pressure transfer media are then subjected to cold isostatic pressing (CIP) or warm isostatic pressing (WIP) at a pressure less than minimum isostatic compaction pressure of the powder pressure transfer media to provide a densified green article.

Model data is obtained, defining parts to be generated by a three-dimensional printer. A sprue is determined to connect the parts, and a label is automatically generated on the sprue which identifies the parts connected to the sprue. Modified model data is generated representing the parts and the sprue.

Model data is obtained, defining parts to be generated by a three-dimensional printer. A sprue is determined to connect the parts, and a label is automatically generated on the sprue which identifies the parts connected to the sprue. Modified model data is generated representing the parts and the sprue.

The present invention is a system and method for electroplating and etching, which provides a solution to the problem of smoothing rough exterior features of a 3D printed or otherwise roughly manufactured object with rough exterior features. The core components of the invention are an acid bath with a first electrode and a target object as a second electrode which are in the acid bath. The first electrode and the target object are connected to a power source that causes a current to run in a first direction to etch the target object and in a second direction to plate on the target object. The amount of different metals dissolved in the acid solution will affect the composition of plated material on the target object.

The present invention is a system and method for electroplating and etching, which provides a solution to the problem of smoothing rough exterior features of a 3D printed or otherwise roughly manufactured object with rough exterior features. The core components of the invention are an acid bath with a first electrode and a target object as a second electrode which are in the acid bath. The first electrode and the target object are connected to a power source that causes a current to run in a first direction to etch the target object and in a second direction to plate on the target object. The amount of different metals dissolved in the acid solution will affect the composition of plated material on the target object.

A method is described in which a digital model of a part to be formed within a build bed is received. The model is rotated within a build volume of the build bed such that the projected area of the part in a plane normal to a flow axis is reduced. The flow axis is an axis along which a flow of gas moves through the build bed during a post-print operation, or the flow axis is defined by a type of post-print operation to be performed on the build bed.