A method for using a build plate including a reusable supporting platform for additive manufacturing of a component is disclosed. The method may include additive manufacturing the reusable supporting platform on a top surface of a base of the build plate, and additive manufacturing a first component on the second surface of the reusable supporting platform. The method may also include separating the first component from the build plate at the second surface of the reusable supporting platform, thereby exposing a new surface of the body of the reusable supporting platform. Additionally, the method may include additive manufacturing at least a second component on the new surface of the reusable supporting platform. The reusable supporting platform may include a body including a first surface coupled to the top surface of the base of the build plate, and a second surface configured to support a component to be formed by additive manufacturing and for separation of the component from the build plate.

A method for using a build plate including a reusable supporting platform for additive manufacturing of a component is disclosed. The method may include additive manufacturing the reusable supporting platform on a top surface of a base of the build plate, and additive manufacturing a first component on the second surface of the reusable supporting platform. The method may also include separating the first component from the build plate at the second surface of the reusable supporting platform, thereby exposing a new surface of the body of the reusable supporting platform. Additionally, the method may include additive manufacturing at least a second component on the new surface of the reusable supporting platform. The reusable supporting platform may include a body including a first surface coupled to the top surface of the base of the build plate, and a second surface configured to support a component to be formed by additive manufacturing and for separation of the component from the build plate.

Systems and corresponding methods are provided for separation of support structures from near net shape manufactured parts. The system can include a support structure and a non-adhering material. The non-adhering material can be positioned on one or more predetermined exterior-facing surfaces of the support structure. The support system can be dimensioned for receipt within a void space of a porous green body defined by an overhang region of the porous green body. After receipt within a void space of a porous green body that undergoes a thermally-induced volumetric change, the support system can be configured to support the overhang region and the non-adhering material can be configured to inhibit adherence of the exterior-facing surfaces of the support structure to opposed surfaces of the void space.

Systems and corresponding methods are provided for separation of support structures from near net shape manufactured parts. The system can include a support structure and a non-adhering material. The non-adhering material can be positioned on one or more predetermined exterior-facing surfaces of the support structure. The support system can be dimensioned for receipt within a void space of a porous green body defined by an overhang region of the porous green body. After receipt within a void space of a porous green body that undergoes a thermally-induced volumetric change, the support system can be configured to support the overhang region and the non-adhering material can be configured to inhibit adherence of the exterior-facing surfaces of the support structure to opposed surfaces of the void space.

An object to be sintered is supported on a bed comprising of rolling or flowable particles made from a material that does nor reacts with, and does not adhere to, the object or the surface it is sliding on or the tray holding the particles. For a metallic object ceramic balls are used, rolling on a second metallic surface made of a refractory metal.

A structural component construction that is suitable and provided for the purpose of being further processed into a structural component of a gas turbine is provided. It is provided that the structural component construction has been manufactured by means of metal injection molding and subsequent sintering, and that it includes a support structure as an integral part of the structural component construction which is suitable for supporting the structural component during sintering, wherein the support structure is either not contained or not contained in its entirety in the finished structural component.

Assemblies fabricated by additive manufacturing include an object and a base plate providing support to the object during the manufacturing process. The geometry of the base plate is defined to optimize space and material constraints. During sintering, the base plate is reduced in area in a manner complementing the reduction in the footprint of the object, preserving the fidelity of the finished object.

A method of embedding a sample material in a mounting medium with reduced cycle times and a mounting medium for embedding a sample material. The method includes the steps of: preparing a granular mounting medium by blending a granular resin and a granular filler, placing a sample material and said granular mounting medium in a moulding cavity, followed by the steps of: heating, for a first period of time, said moulding cavity including said granular mounting medium thereby producing a sintering mounting medium, cooling, for a second period of time, said moulding cavity including said mounting medium thereby producing a solid mounting medium embedding said sample material.

An additively manufactured (AM) structure includes a removal plane extending therein defining an object thereabove. The AM structure also includes at least one datum structure coupled relative to the AM structure. Each datum structure includes a vertical reference plane for guiding a cutting element to remove the object from a remaining portion of the AM structure through the removal plane. The vertical reference plane is horizontally coplanar with the removal plane of the AM structure. The datum structures allow for accurate object cuts regardless of whether an AM build platform is horizontal or non-planar.

Disclosed herein is a printing method for forming a three dimensional article. The method includes providing a first 3D structural material; depositing a metal nanoparticle ink composition on a surface of the first 3D structural material; annealing the metal nanoparticle ink composition at a temperature of between 60 C. and 100 C. to form the conductive article on the first 3D structural material; and optionally forming a second 3D structural material over the conductive article.