An additively manufactured in-process structure includes, a base, a first cantilever element extending from the base, and a first heat sink adjacent to the first cantilever element and configured for absorbing heat from the first cantilever element during an additive manufacturing process. A gap is formed between the first cantilever element and the first heat sink and the first heat sink is spaced from any rigid substrate underlying and supporting the first heat sink.

A method for obtaining, by additive manufacture, a component including at least one recess, this method including: a step of forming, by additive manufacture, a one-piece blank component, in which the at least one recess contains a support including a core in the form of a block of material and cellular elements that connect the core to the recess; and a step of detaching the support from the rest of the blank component in order to expose the recess.

A method for obtaining, by additive manufacture, a component including at least one recess, this method including: a step of forming, by additive manufacture, a one-piece blank component, in which the at least one recess contains a support including a core in the form of a block of material and cellular elements that connect the core to the recess; and a step of detaching the support from the rest of the blank component in order to expose the recess.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for working with three-dimensional object models for printing. One of the methods includes determining a plurality of infill structures in a slice of an object; and determining a path for the tool-head to create the plurality of infill structures including: determining a first portion of the path for deposition of a first infill structure during a first time period; determining a second portion of the path for deposition of one or more second infill structures that are not adjacent to the first infill structure during a second time period; and determining a third portion of the path for deposition of a third infill structure that is adjacent to the first infill structure, wherein the second time period is determined to allow the first infill structure to cool before deposition of the third infill structure.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for working with three-dimensional object models for printing. One of the methods includes determining a plurality of infill structures in a slice of an object; and determining a path for the tool-head to create the plurality of infill structures including: determining a first portion of the path for deposition of a first infill structure during a first time period; determining a second portion of the path for deposition of one or more second infill structures that are not adjacent to the first infill structure during a second time period; and determining a third portion of the path for deposition of a third infill structure that is adjacent to the first infill structure, wherein the second time period is determined to allow the first infill structure to cool before deposition of the third infill structure.

Parameters of a set of tools are stored on a storage device. The tools are part of a manufacturing assembly usable for removing one or more support structures from a part. The support structures are formed with the part to facilitate additive manufacturing of the part. A near-net shape is modeled which includes the part combined with the support structures. A process plan is developed that includes subtractive manufacturing operations by the manufacturing assembly that remove the support structures. The process plan repeatedly updates the near-net shape as each one of the support structures is incrementally removed.

Parameters of a set of tools are stored on a storage device. The tools are part of a manufacturing assembly usable for removing one or more support structures from a part. The support structures are formed with the part to facilitate additive manufacturing of the part. A near-net shape is modeled which includes the part combined with the support structures. A process plan is developed that includes subtractive manufacturing operations by the manufacturing assembly that remove the support structures. The process plan repeatedly updates the near-net shape as each one of the support structures is incrementally removed.

The use of compatible, semi-miscible or miscible polymer compositions as support structures for the 3D printing of objects, including those made from polyether-block-amide copolymers such as PEBAX® block copolymers from Arkema, polyamides such as RILSAN® polyamides from Arkema, polyether ketone ketone such as KEPSTAN® PEKK from Arkema, and fluoropolymers, such a KYNAR® PVDF from Arkema, especially objects of polyvinylidene fluoride and its copolymers. One particularly useful miscible polymer is an acrylic polymer, which is miscible with the fluoropolymer in the melt. The support structure composition provides the needed adhesion to the build plate and to the printed object and support strength during the 3D printing process, yet it is removable after the fluoropolymer object has cooled. The support polymer composition is selected to be stiff and low warping, yet flexible enough to be formed into filaments.

The use of compatible, semi-miscible or miscible polymer compositions as support structures for the 3D printing of objects, including those made from polyether-block-amide copolymers such as PEBAX® block copolymers from Arkema, polyamides such as RILSAN® polyamides from Arkema, polyether ketone ketone such as KEPSTAN® PEKK from Arkema, and fluoropolymers, such a KYNAR® PVDF from Arkema, especially objects of polyvinylidene fluoride and its copolymers. One particularly useful miscible polymer is an acrylic polymer, which is miscible with the fluoropolymer in the melt. The support structure composition provides the needed adhesion to the build plate and to the printed object and support strength during the 3D printing process, yet it is removable after the fluoropolymer object has cooled. The support polymer composition is selected to be stiff and low warping, yet flexible enough to be formed into filaments.

A method for holding a part blank inside a holding assembly. The holding assembly includes a first holding portion. The first holding portion includes an inner cavity containing a fluid. The part blank and the first holding portion are at least partially manufactured by additive manufacturing. The holding method includes a heating of the holding assembly and the part blank to deform the first holding portion by fluid expansion in the inner cavity and to reduce a gap between the part blank and the holding assembly by expansion of the first holding portion in relation to the part blank.