An apparatus and method are provided for extracting a build part from an additive manufacturing machine. Upon completion of the build part by the additive manufacturing machine, a pin array is placed above the build part, the pin array including a plurality of pins slidably supported by a support plate for vertical movement relative to the support plate. The pin array is moved toward the build part so that the plurality of pins contact the build part and conform to the contour of the build part. The pins of the pin array are locked with the pins in contact with and conforming to the build part. The pin array and build part are inverted so that the build part is supported by the locked pins of the pin array. All of the pins of the array are locked simultaneously by a common locking component. The build plate can be formed on a sacrificial interposer plate that is removed by an etchant bath supported on the pin array when the build part is inverted.

A polymer body includes a first thermoplastic polymer, and a second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer form a continuous solid structure. The first thermoplastic polymer forms an external supporting structure that at least partially envelops the second thermoplastic polymer. A first flow temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer is at least 10° C. higher than a second flow temperature of the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer may be removable by exposure to a selective solvent.

A method, of manufacturing a series of objects is disclosed. In the method, a layer of a manufacturing medium is provided. Portions of the layer of the medium, are bond together at at least edge regions of the layer to form a support portion. The support portion is lowered while gripping the support portion by the edge regions of the layer. A further layer of the medium is provided supported by the support portion. Portions of the further layer of the medium are selectively bound to form at least an object portion. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

A method, of manufacturing a series of objects is disclosed. In the method, a layer of a manufacturing medium is provided. Portions of the layer of the medium, are bond together at at least edge regions of the layer to form a support portion. The support portion is lowered while gripping the support portion by the edge regions of the layer. A further layer of the medium is provided supported by the support portion. Portions of the further layer of the medium are selectively bound to form at least an object portion. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

A 3D printer and method for increasing the speed of 3D printing, wherein said 3D printer comprises a heating block, a nozzle (1) attached to the heating block, and a hole through the heating block and the centre of the nozzle (1). In said hole there is a heat conductive material (7) attached in at least one place on the inner side wall of the hole for transferring heat (5) from the side wall towards the centre of the hole.

A 3D printer and method for increasing the speed of 3D printing, wherein said 3D printer comprises a heating block, a nozzle (1) attached to the heating block, and a hole through the heating block and the centre of the nozzle (1). In said hole there is a heat conductive material (7) attached in at least one place on the inner side wall of the hole for transferring heat (5) from the side wall towards the centre of the hole.

A method of removing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based scaffold from a 3D printed part formed by a 3D printing process that renders a finished product for immediate use. The method principally involves preparing an acidic-aqueous cleansing solution comprising a mixture of carboxylic acid and water; immersing the 3D printed part conventionally bonded with PVA-based scaffold into the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution for a select amount of time to break down and remove the PVA-based scaffold from the 3D printed part; and adding to the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution a select quantity of polymeric carbohydrate to crosslink and bond with the PVA-based scaffold to effect dissolution thereof into the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution.

A method of removing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based scaffold from a 3D printed part formed by a 3D printing process that renders a finished product for immediate use. The method principally involves preparing an acidic-aqueous cleansing solution comprising a mixture of carboxylic acid and water; immersing the 3D printed part conventionally bonded with PVA-based scaffold into the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution for a select amount of time to break down and remove the PVA-based scaffold from the 3D printed part; and adding to the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution a select quantity of polymeric carbohydrate to crosslink and bond with the PVA-based scaffold to effect dissolution thereof into the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution.

A method for determining additive manufacturing parameters for the manufacture of an additive manufacturing support (1) for a target part exhibiting an overhang comprises the steps of: (a) additive manufacture of a plurality of supports for each supporting an overhang (2) of a test part (3), each support (1) being associated with a collection of manufacturing parameters and a collection of geometric parameters pertaining to the overhang (2); (b) manufacturing the test part (3) and observing, for each support (1), a collection of mechanical parameters pertaining to the support (1); (c) determining the additive manufacturing parameters for the manufacture of the support (1) of the target part on the basis of the geometric parameters pertaining to the overhang of the target part and of the mechanical parameters pertaining to the support.

A method for determining additive manufacturing parameters for the manufacture of an additive manufacturing support (1) for a target part exhibiting an overhang comprises the steps of: (a) additive manufacture of a plurality of supports for each supporting an overhang (2) of a test part (3), each support (1) being associated with a collection of manufacturing parameters and a collection of geometric parameters pertaining to the overhang (2); (b) manufacturing the test part (3) and observing, for each support (1), a collection of mechanical parameters pertaining to the support (1); (c) determining the additive manufacturing parameters for the manufacture of the support (1) of the target part on the basis of the geometric parameters pertaining to the overhang of the target part and of the mechanical parameters pertaining to the support.