The present invention relates to an article fabrication system having a plurality of material deposition tools containing one or more materials useful in fabricating the article, and a material deposition device having a tool interface for receiving one of the material deposition tools. A system controller is operably connected to the material deposition device to control operation of the material deposition device. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating an article using the system of the invention and a method of fabricating a living three-dimensional structure.

A three-dimensional shaped article production method for producing a three-dimensional shaped article by stacking layers to form a stacked body includes a first layer formation step of forming a first layer on a support by supplying a first composition containing first particles and a binder, a second layer formation step of forming a second layer composed of one layer or a plurality of layers on the first layer by supplying a second composition containing second particles and a binder, and a separation step of separating the second layer from the support through the first layer, wherein after the separation step, a sintering step of sintering the second layer is performed.

Systems and methods for using a non-stick conductive material to automate tool touch-off in an additive manufacturing process are provided. A substrate comprises a first conductive layer, an intermediate binder layer, and a second non-stick conductive layer. The non-stick conductive layer may comprise perfluoroalkoxy alkanes and carbon nanotubes. An electrical connection may be made between the first conductive layer and the second non-stick conductive layer. When used with an additive manufacturing device, when the nozzle of the device contacts the substrate, a circuit may close resulting in a detectable voltage drop. When the voltage drop is detected, a reference point for the additive manufacturing device may be set.

An additive manufacturing (AM) system includes a build chamber, a base adjustably coupled to the build chamber, and a build material applicator for depositing a build material above a build platform for creating the object. The build platform includes a fixed region fixedly and rigidly coupled to the base and a flex region configured to flex relative to the base in response to a force applied to the build platform by an object. The partial flexibility allows deformation caused by thermal distortion of the build platform during use to reduce final object stress. The AM system can produce larger additively manufactured objects out of crack-prone material. In addition, the partial flexibility may prevent damage to the build platform and/or base without an overly complicated arrangement.

An additive manufacturing (AM) system includes a build chamber, a base adjustably coupled to the build chamber, and a build material applicator for depositing a build material above a build platform for creating the object. The build platform includes a fixed region fixedly and rigidly coupled to the base and a flex region configured to flex relative to the base in response to a force applied to the build platform by an object. The partial flexibility allows deformation caused by thermal distortion of the build platform during use to reduce final object stress. The AM system can produce larger additively manufactured objects out of crack-prone material. In addition, the partial flexibility may prevent damage to the build platform and/or base without an overly complicated arrangement.

An apparatus includes a build plate, a powder application apparatus that applies metal powder onto the build plate to form a powder layer, a beam irradiation apparatus that irradiates the powder layer with an electron beam, and a control unit that controls the powder application apparatus and the beam irradiation apparatus. When the powder layer is preheated by irradiation with the electron beam, the control unit sets a beam size and an irradiation position of the electron beam such that lines of the electron beam do not overlap each other at least at a start of preheating, and controls the beam irradiation apparatus to gradually increase at least one of a beam current and the beam size of the electron beam from the start of preheating to an end of preheating.

An apparatus includes a build plate, a powder application apparatus that applies metal powder onto the build plate to form a powder layer, a beam irradiation apparatus that irradiates the powder layer with an electron beam, and a control unit that controls the powder application apparatus and the beam irradiation apparatus. When the powder layer is preheated by irradiation with the electron beam, the control unit sets a beam size and an irradiation position of the electron beam such that lines of the electron beam do not overlap each other at least at a start of preheating, and controls the beam irradiation apparatus to gradually increase at least one of a beam current and the beam size of the electron beam from the start of preheating to an end of preheating.

A removal apparatus for aiding in the removal of an additive manufacturing build plate from a support structure is provided. The removal apparatus may include a plurality of printed geometries disposed proximate one or more fasteners securing or anchoring the build plate to the support structure. The printed geometries may be printed concurrently with the additive manufacturing article. The apparatus may further include one or more expansion bolts sized for installation between a pair of printed geometries positioned apart from one another. The expansion bolts may include a small lead screw, a large lead screw and a coupling nut. In operation, rotation of the coupling nut in a first direction lengthens the expansion bolt to push the printed geometry outward thereby reducing the distortion in the build plate so that the fastener between the build plate and the support structure may be removed.

A removal apparatus for aiding in the removal of an additive manufacturing build plate from a support structure is provided. The removal apparatus may include a plurality of printed geometries disposed proximate one or more fasteners securing or anchoring the build plate to the support structure. The printed geometries may be printed concurrently with the additive manufacturing article. The apparatus may further include one or more expansion bolts sized for installation between a pair of printed geometries positioned apart from one another. The expansion bolts may include a small lead screw, a large lead screw and a coupling nut. In operation, rotation of the coupling nut in a first direction lengthens the expansion bolt to push the printed geometry outward thereby reducing the distortion in the build plate so that the fastener between the build plate and the support structure may be removed.

Methods for repurposing waste materials, such as aluminum powder, are disclosed. A method in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure may comprise collecting a material in a container, the material comprising oxidized aluminum powder, processing the material, which includes heating the material to melt at least a portion of the oxidized aluminum powder, and forming the processed material into at least one component.