In a three-dimensional printing method example, a liquid functional agent is selectively applied. The liquid functional agent includes an alloying agent. A metallic build material is applied. The liquid functional agent is selectively applied before the metallic build material, after the metallic build material, or both before and after the metallic build material. The liquid functional agent patterns the metallic build material to form a composite layer. At least some of the metallic build material is exposed to energy to melt the at least some of the metallic build material to form a layer. Upon contact or after energy exposure, the alloying agent and the build material alter a composition of the composite layer.

Systems and methods for printed multifunctional skins are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an aerodynamic apparatus includes an aerodynamic structure having a first surface exposed to an outside environment, and a second surface exposed to an inside environment. A printed sensor is carried by the first surface of the aerodynamic structure, electronic components are carried by the second surface of the aerodynamic structure, and at least one printed conductive trace is carried by the first surface and the second surface. The printed conductive trace electrically connects the printed sensor with the electronics.

The invention provides a method for the production of a 3D printed object (100), wherein the method comprises (i) a 3D printing stage, the 3D printing stage comprising 3D printing a 3D printable material (110) to provide the 3D printed object (100) of printed material (120), wherein the 3D printing stage further comprises forming during 3D printing a channel (200) in the 3D printed object (100) under construction, wherein the method further comprises (ii) a filling stage comprising filling the channel (200) with a curable material (140) and curing the curable material (140) to provide the channel (200) with cured material (150), wherein the cured material (150) has a lower stiffness than the surrounding printed material (120).

A thermoplastic forming tool includes a wand that includes a handle, a tip, and a conduit coupling the handle to the tip. The tip includes a heating element, a forming shoe, and a forming shoe support. During use, heat from the heating element heats the forming shoe to a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic forming tool may be used to apply a thermoplastic material to a surface.

Systems and methods for printed multifunctional skin are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a smart device includes providing a structure, placing a sensor over an outer surface of the structure, and placing conductive traces over the outer surface of the structure. The conductive traces electrically connect the sensor to electronics.

A manufacturing apparatus that includes a conveyance device that moves a stage, where an electronic device shaped by multiple layers is placed, in X-axis and Y-axis directions. A first shaping unit, a second shaping unit, and a component mounting unit are arranged within a range in which the stage can move. The manufacturing apparatus performs additive manufacturing of the electronic device on the stage by performing a sequential movement of the stage to respective working positions of different units. As a result, in this manufacturing apparatus, a workpiece on the stage does not have to be removed and repositioned during each work process such as shaping by a first shaping unit, shaping by a second shaping unit, and electronic component mounting by a component mounting unit.

A manufacturing apparatus that includes a conveyance device that moves a stage, where an electronic device shaped by multiple layers is placed, in X-axis and Y-axis directions. A first shaping unit, a second shaping unit, and a component mounting unit are arranged within a range in which the stage can move. The manufacturing apparatus performs additive manufacturing of the electronic device on the stage by performing a sequential movement of the stage to respective working positions of different units. As a result, in this manufacturing apparatus, a workpiece on the stage does not have to be removed and repositioned during each work process such as shaping by a first shaping unit, shaping by a second shaping unit, and electronic component mounting by a component mounting unit.

Systems and methods for conformal additive manufacturing are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are disclosed utilizing variable offset curves and/or a manipulated solution to Laplace's equation to generate layers between an initial boundary and a desired boundary.

A 3-dimensional printed part can include a part body including a first matrix of fusing agent and thermoplastic polymer powder, a security feature including a second matrix of fusing agent, thermoplastic polymer powder, and photoluminescent agent, and a masking feature including a third matrix of fusing agent and thermoplastic polymer powder. The security feature can be positioned beneath and visible through the masking feature upon photoluminescent emission of the security feature.

A 3-dimensional printed part can include a part body including a first matrix of fusing agent and thermoplastic polymer powder, a security feature including a second matrix of fusing agent, thermoplastic polymer powder, and photoluminescent agent, and a masking feature including a third matrix of fusing agent and thermoplastic polymer powder. The security feature can be positioned beneath and visible through the masking feature upon photoluminescent emission of the security feature.