An additive manufacturing system is disclosed for use in fabricating a structure. The additive manufacturing system may include a support, and a print head configured to discharge a material and being operatively connected to and moveable by the support in a normal travel direction during material discharge. The print head may include a module located at a trailing side of the discharging material relative to the normal travel direction and being configured to compact the material and expose the material to a cure energy at a tool center point.

An apparatus (100) for additive manufacturing of a part of an article from a first material comprising particles having a first composition is provided. The apparatus (100) comprises a layer providing means (110) for providing a first support layer from a second material comprising particles having a second composition, wherein the first composition and the second composition are different. The apparatus (100) comprises a concavity defining means (120) for defining a first concavity in an exposed surface of the first support layer. The apparatus (100) comprises a depositing means (130) for depositing a part of the first material in the first concavity defined in the first support layer. The apparatus (100) comprises a levelling means (140) for selectively levelling the deposited first material in the first concavity. The apparatus (100) comprises a first fusing means (150) for fusing some of the particles of the levelled first material in the first concavity by at least partially melting said particles, thereby forming a first part of the layer of the article. In this way, the second material may be thus used to provide a support structure during additive manufacturing of the part of the article.

An apparatus (100) for additive manufacturing of a part of an article from a first material comprising particles having a first composition is provided. The apparatus (100) comprises a layer providing means (110) for providing a first support layer from a second material comprising particles having a second composition, wherein the first composition and the second composition are different. The apparatus (100) comprises a concavity defining means (120) for defining a first concavity in an exposed surface of the first support layer. The apparatus (100) comprises a depositing means (130) for depositing a part of the first material in the first concavity defined in the first support layer. The apparatus (100) comprises a levelling means (140) for selectively levelling the deposited first material in the first concavity. The apparatus (100) comprises a first fusing means (150) for fusing some of the particles of the levelled first material in the first concavity by at least partially melting said particles, thereby forming a first part of the layer of the article. In this way, the second material may be thus used to provide a support structure during additive manufacturing of the part of the article.

A method of additive manufacturing may include disposing a layer of a powder material on a surface of a build platform of an additive manufacturing apparatus. The method may also include placing a compaction platform comprising one or more transducers in contact with an upper surface of the layer of the powder material. The method may additionally include activating at least one transducer of one or more transducers of the compaction platform of the compactor to densify a portion of the layer of the powder material below the at least one transducer while at least the weight of the compaction platform applies a normal force to the layer of the powder material. Related systems for densifying additively manufactured components are also described.

A method of additive manufacturing may include disposing a layer of a powder material on a surface of a build platform of an additive manufacturing apparatus. The method may also include placing a compaction platform comprising one or more transducers in contact with an upper surface of the layer of the powder material. The method may additionally include activating at least one transducer of one or more transducers of the compaction platform of the compactor to densify a portion of the layer of the powder material below the at least one transducer while at least the weight of the compaction platform applies a normal force to the layer of the powder material. Related systems for densifying additively manufactured components are also described.

A method of additive manufacturing may include disposing a layer of a powder material on a surface of a build platform of an additive manufacturing apparatus. The method may also include placing a compaction platform comprising one or more transducers in contact with an upper surface of the layer of the powder material. The method may additionally include activating at least one transducer of one or more transducers of the compaction platform of the compactor to densify a portion of the layer of the powder material below the at least one transducer while at least the weight of the compaction platform applies a normal force to the layer of the powder material. Related systems for densifying additively manufactured components are also described.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) objects, 3D printing processes, as well as methods, apparatuses and systems for the production of a 3D object. Methods, apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need for auxiliary supports. The present disclosure provides three dimensional (3D) objects printed utilizing the printing processes, methods, apparatuses and systems described herein.

A multi-material three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided. The provided apparatus includes two or more print stations. Each of the print stations includes a substrate, a transportation device, a dispersion device, a compaction device, a printing device, a fixing device, and a fluidized materials removal device. The apparatus also includes an assembly apparatus in communication with the two or more print stations via the transportation device. The apparatus also includes one or more transfer devices in communication with the assembly apparatus. The apparatus also includes a computing and controlling device configured to control the operations of the two or more print stations, the assembly apparatus and the one or more transfer devices.

A method for the additive manufacture of a component within a receiving unit using a powdery material wherein, in one step, the powdery material is introduced into the receiving unit via a feed unit. In a further step, an oscillation is applied to the powdery material introduced into the receiving unit. In a further step, the oscillation is applied over a period of time to the powdery material introduced into the receiving unit until a predetermined distribution of the powdery material within the receiving unit is achieved. In a further step, at least a part of the powdery material within the receiving unit is solidified after the predetermined distribution of the powdery material has been achieved. An apparatus for the additive manufacture of a component within a receiving unit using a powdery material is also described.

A method for the additive manufacture of a component within a receiving unit using a powdery material wherein, in one step, the powdery material is introduced into the receiving unit via a feed unit. In a further step, an oscillation is applied to the powdery material introduced into the receiving unit. In a further step, the oscillation is applied over a period of time to the powdery material introduced into the receiving unit until a predetermined distribution of the powdery material within the receiving unit is achieved. In a further step, at least a part of the powdery material within the receiving unit is solidified after the predetermined distribution of the powdery material has been achieved. An apparatus for the additive manufacture of a component within a receiving unit using a powdery material is also described.