A powder layer smoothing devices adapted for use with powder-layer three-dimensional printers are described. The smoothing devices include an oscillating smoothing device that includes a leading edge adapted to cut, remove, and redistribute excess powder in a powder layer. A leveling sled follows the leading edge to trowel and compact the powder in the powder layer.

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.

Methods and systems according to the invention may be used to modify a manufacturing plan for an object manufactured by an additive manufacturing process. A digital representation of a desired object and a manufacturing plan may be compared to manufacturing information generated via an evaluation of such an object. Based on that comparison, the manufacturing plan may be modified so that that object or a subsequent object is highly similar to the desired object.

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 process for the manufacture of a metal component, wherein, in a first step, a raw metal component (A) with auxiliary structures (E) is produced by additive manufacture by applying metal powder to a building board (D) in an installation space, the metal powder being made into the raw metal component (A) by selective laser or electron beam melting, wherein the raw metal component (A) is attached to the building board (D) by means of anchor structures (B), wherein, in a second step, the raw metal component (A) attached to the building board (D) with the anchor structures (B) is subsequently removed from the installation space and then the raw metal component (A) attached to the building board (D) by means of anchor structures (B) is subjected to a chemical, electrochemical or chemical and electrochemical post-treatment to remove the auxiliary structures, whereupon the anchor structures (B) are mechanically removed in a third step.

A process for the manufacture of a metal component, wherein, in a first step, a raw metal component (A) with auxiliary structures (E) is produced by additive manufacture by applying metal powder to a building board (D) in an installation space, the metal powder being made into the raw metal component (A) by selective laser or electron beam melting, wherein the raw metal component (A) is attached to the building board (D) by means of anchor structures (B), wherein, in a second step, the raw metal component (A) attached to the building board (D) with the anchor structures (B) is subsequently removed from the installation space and then the raw metal component (A) attached to the building board (D) by means of anchor structures (B) is subjected to a chemical, electrochemical or chemical and electrochemical post-treatment to remove the auxiliary structures, whereupon the anchor structures (B) are mechanically removed in a third step.

A 3D printed metal coil for an electrical machine. The 3D printed coil has a plurality of turns and is configured to fit within a slot in an electrical machine. A portion of each turn forming an end winding of the coil has a flat plate-like shape for dissipating heat from the end winding.

Orthopedic implants produced by additive manufacture, followed by refinement of exterior and interior surfaces trough mechanical erosion, chemical erosion, or a combination of mechanical and chemical erosion. Surface refinement removes debris, and also produces bone-growth enhancing micro-scale and nano-scale structures.