Surface and sub-surface defects are removed during additive manufacturing. After a layer of an object is formed in a powder bed, a portion of the layer is removed while the object is in the powder bed to remove surface and or sub-surface defects. The removal step may be performed on a layer-by-layer basis. A directed energy beam or tool may be used to remove a shallow object-powder interface portion of the layer, or a deeper skin portion of the layer. In this way, the completed object may be removed from the powder bed substantially free of surface roughness and sub-surface defects.

Surface and sub-surface defects are removed during additive manufacturing. After a layer of an object is formed in a powder bed, a portion of the layer is removed while the object is in the powder bed to remove surface and or sub-surface defects. The removal step may be performed on a layer-by-layer basis. A directed energy beam or tool may be used to remove a shallow object-powder interface portion of the layer, or a deeper skin portion of the layer. In this way, the completed object may be removed from the powder bed substantially free of surface roughness and sub-surface defects.

A device and method for printing 3D articles including electronic and functional elements including 3D printer and a plasma jet printer based on a dielectric barrier atmospheric pressure plasma jet system in which both printing and in-situ treatment and post-deposition treatment can be carried out to tailor the materials characteristics. Plasma jet printer comprising of electrodes in the nozzle/print head for applying electric field and generating atmospheric plasma that could be used for non-gravity based highly directional printing in any direction. Integration of dielectric barrier plasma printer and plasma treatment jets with the 3D printer increases the capability of embedding high performance electronics in a 3D printed structure aiding in additive manufacturing of functional devices. Ability to use a range of materials for print head assembly including micro machined silicon increases the resolution of the plasma jet printer to sub-micron level.

A device and method for printing 3D articles including electronic and functional elements including 3D printer and a plasma jet printer based on a dielectric barrier atmospheric pressure plasma jet system in which both printing and in-situ treatment and post-deposition treatment can be carried out to tailor the materials characteristics. Plasma jet printer comprising of electrodes in the nozzle/print head for applying electric field and generating atmospheric plasma that could be used for non-gravity based highly directional printing in any direction. Integration of dielectric barrier plasma printer and plasma treatment jets with the 3D printer increases the capability of embedding high performance electronics in a 3D printed structure aiding in additive manufacturing of functional devices. Ability to use a range of materials for print head assembly including micro machined silicon increases the resolution of the plasma jet printer to sub-micron level.

A jetted binder printing system includes a carrier substrate configured to travel along a longitudinal direction thereof, an adjustable binder printer configured to deliver an adjustable binder to the carrier substrate, a dispensing module located downstream from the adjustable binder printer on the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate, the dispensing module including at least one powder container, the dispensing module being configured to dispense powder onto the carrier substrate, and a primary binder printer located downstream from the compaction module along the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate. The primary binder printer includes a print head configured to print a primary binder on the dispensed powder according to a desired pattern. The primary binder is printed on a surface of the powder that is opposite a surface on which the adjustable binder is printed. The primary binder is printed to match the pattern of the adjustable binder.

A jetted binder printing system includes a carrier substrate configured to travel along a longitudinal direction thereof, an adjustable binder printer configured to deliver an adjustable binder to the carrier substrate, a dispensing module located downstream from the adjustable binder printer on the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate, the dispensing module including at least one powder container, the dispensing module being configured to dispense powder onto the carrier substrate, and a primary binder printer located downstream from the compaction module along the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate. The primary binder printer includes a print head configured to print a primary binder on the dispensed powder according to a desired pattern. The primary binder is printed on a surface of the powder that is opposite a surface on which the adjustable binder is printed. The primary binder is printed to match the pattern of the adjustable binder.

A method and an apparatus for additive casting of parts is disclosed. The method may include: depositing, on a build table, a first portion of a mold, such that, the depositing may be performed layer by layer; pouring liquid substance into the first portion of the mold to form a first casted layer; solidifying at least a portion of the first casted layer; depositing a second portion of the mold, on top of the first portion of the mold; pouring the liquid substance into the second portion of the mold to form a second casted layer, on top of at least a portion of the first casted layer; and solidifying at least a portion of the second casted layer. The method may further include joining the first and second casted layers prior to the pouring of a third casted layer.

A method and an apparatus for additive casting of parts is disclosed. The method may include: depositing, on a build table, a first portion of a mold, such that, the depositing may be performed layer by layer; pouring liquid substance into the first portion of the mold to form a first casted layer; solidifying at least a portion of the first casted layer; depositing a second portion of the mold, on top of the first portion of the mold; pouring the liquid substance into the second portion of the mold to form a second casted layer, on top of at least a portion of the first casted layer; and solidifying at least a portion of the second casted layer. The method may further include joining the first and second casted layers prior to the pouring of a third casted layer.

The invention relates to a three-dimensional orthodontic retainer (2) and to a method for producing such a retainer (2) in which the three-dimensional orthodontic retainer (2) is matched to the exact shape of the adjacent teeth (3) and is produced from a blank (1) in such a manner that the physical properties of the material of the remaining part of the blank (1) are unchanged in the retainer (2). The method for producing the three-dimensional orthodontic retainer (2) comprises the following method steps: creating three-dimensional model of the structure of the patient's teeth (3); designing a customised, precisely fitting model of the retainer (2); producing the retainer (2) on the basis of the designed 3D model by computer-controlled deposition or application of material.

A nozzle includes an ejection section and an acceleration section. A powder is configured to be ejected from the ejection section. The acceleration section is configured to allow the powder to circle around and is configured to accelerate the powder in a peripheral direction of the powder that circles around so as to transport the powder to an opening.