In one example, a control process for an additive manufacturing machine includes displacing a platform, measuring the actual displacement of the platform, determining that the actual displacement varies from a nominal displacement, and determining an amount of an agent to be applied to build material layered on the displaced platform based on the determined variation.

Molybdenum-containing alloys, and associated systems and methods, are generally described. In certain embodiments, secondary and/or tertiary elements can be included, along with molybdenum, to provide beneficial properties during the sintering of the molybdenum-containing alloy. The molybdenum-containing alloys are, according to certain embodiments, nanocrystalline. According to certain embodiments, the molybdenum-containing alloys have high relative densities. The molybdenum-containing alloys can be relatively stable, according to certain embodiments. Inventive methods for making molybdenum-containing alloys are also described herein.

Molybdenum-containing alloys, and associated systems and methods, are generally described. In certain embodiments, secondary and/or tertiary elements can be included, along with molybdenum, to provide beneficial properties during the sintering of the molybdenum-containing alloy. The molybdenum-containing alloys are, according to certain embodiments, nanocrystalline. According to certain embodiments, the molybdenum-containing alloys have high relative densities. The molybdenum-containing alloys can be relatively stable, according to certain embodiments. Inventive methods for making molybdenum-containing alloys are also described herein.

A method for heat treating a powder part preform including a titanium-based alloy, wherein the method includes the heat treatment of the preform in a furnace at a predetermined temperature, wherein the preform is on a holder during the heat treatment, wherein the holder includes a zirconium-based alloy having a zirconium content greater than or equal to 95% by weight, wherein the holder material has a melting temperature higher than the predefined temperature of the heat treatment, and wherein an anti-diffusion barrier is arranged between the preform and the holder in order to prevent welding of the preform to the holder.

A method and system of additively manufacturing parts using a getter device is disclosed. Specifically, provided herein are methods and systems of using a getter device in a sintering atmosphere furnace for consistently and repeatedly sintering additively manufactured machined quality parts, such as, for example, titanium parts.

A method for heat treating a powder part preform including a titanium alloy, includes heat treating the preform in a furnace at a predefined temperature, wherein the preform is on a holder during the heat treatment. The holder includes a titanium alloy having a mass titanium content no lower than 45%, or a zirconium alloy having a mass zirconium content no lower than 95%, wherein the material making up the holder has a melting temperature higher than the predefined heat treatment temperature, and an antidiffusion barrier is arranged between the preform and the holder to prevent the preform from becoming welded to the holder.

In a 3D printing method, a first layer of a build material is applied. A part layer is patterned by selectively applying a penetrating liquid functional material (PLFM) on at least a portion of the first layer. The PLFM includes (in amounts by weight based on total wt % of the PLFM): from about 5%-15% of a first metal oxide nanoparticle having a particle size ranging from about 0.5 nm up to 10 nm, from about 0.25%-10% of a second metal oxide nanoparticle having at least one dimension greater than 10 nm, from about 1%-10% of an electromagnetic radiation absorber, from about 5%-50% of an organic solvent, a surfactant, and a balance of water. The first layer having the PLFM applied thereon is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, whereby the portion of the first layer at least partially fuses to form the part layer.

In a 3D printing method, a first layer of a build material is applied. A part layer is patterned by selectively applying a penetrating liquid functional material (PLFM) on at least a portion of the first layer. The PLFM includes (in amounts by weight based on total wt % of the PLFM): from about 5%-15% of a first metal oxide nanoparticle having a particle size ranging from about 0.5 nm up to 10 nm, from about 0.25%-10% of a second metal oxide nanoparticle having at least one dimension greater than 10 nm, from about 1%-10% of an electromagnetic radiation absorber, from about 5%-50% of an organic solvent, a surfactant, and a balance of water. The first layer having the PLFM applied thereon is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, whereby the portion of the first layer at least partially fuses to form the part layer.

In an example implementation, a method of 3D printing includes receiving a 2D data slice derived from a 3D object model, where the 2D data slice defines an object area of a layer of build material that is to receive a liquid functional agent and be fused as a layer of a part. The method includes determining that the 2D data slice distinguishes first and second tolerance zones within the object area. The method includes controlling a printhead to print a liquid functional agent onto the layer of build material according to a first droplet ejection spacing when printing in the first tolerance zone, and controlling the printhead to print a liquid functional agent onto the layer of build material according to a second droplet ejection spacing when printing in the second tolerance zone.

In an example implementation, a method of 3D printing includes receiving a 2D data slice derived from a 3D object model, where the 2D data slice defines an object area of a layer of build material that is to receive a liquid functional agent and be fused as a layer of a part. The method includes determining that the 2D data slice distinguishes first and second tolerance zones within the object area. The method includes controlling a printhead to print a liquid functional agent onto the layer of build material according to a first droplet ejection spacing when printing in the first tolerance zone, and controlling the printhead to print a liquid functional agent onto the layer of build material according to a second droplet ejection spacing when printing in the second tolerance zone.