The invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for building up a workpiece layer by layer in the course of an additive manufacturing process, in particular in the form of a powder-bed process, wherein grains of a powder are fused to one another by using a binder, wherein the binder used is a heat-curable adhesive which is not applied selectively but layer by layer and which is activated and cured by a controlled energy source, in particular a laser with a controlled laser beam, and thereby fuses respectively adjacent grains of the powder.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, an additive manufacturing system is described. The additive manufacturing system includes a build material distributor to deposit metal powder build material and an agent distribution system to selectively deposit a binding agent on the metal powder build material in a pattern of a layer of a three-dimensional (3D) object to be printed. The additive manufacturing system also includes an ultraviolet (UV) energy source. The UV energy source, in a layer-by-layer fashion 1) cures the binding agent to join together metal powder build material with binding agent disposed thereon and 2) evaporates a solvent of the binding agent.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, an additive manufacturing system is described. The additive manufacturing system includes a build material distributor to deposit metal powder build material and an agent distribution system to selectively deposit a binding agent on the metal powder build material in a pattern of a layer of a three-dimensional (3D) object to be printed. The additive manufacturing system also includes an ultraviolet (UV) energy source. The UV energy source, in a layer-by-layer fashion 1) cures the binding agent to join together metal powder build material with binding agent disposed thereon and 2) evaporates a solvent of the binding agent.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, an additive manufacturing system is described. The additive manufacturing system includes a build material distributor to deposit metal powder build material and an agent distribution system to selectively deposit a binding agent on the metal powder build material in a pattern of a layer of a three-dimensional (3D) object to be printed. The additive manufacturing system also includes an ultraviolet (UV) energy source. The UV energy source, in a layer-by-layer fashion 1) cures the binding agent to join together metal powder build material with binding agent disposed thereon and 2) evaporates a solvent of the binding agent.

A cold plate having a copper base plate and a plurality of fins on the copper base plate. The fins are porous and made by 3D printing a copper-silver alloy on the copper base plate. Alternatively, the fins can be 3D printed and then adhered to the copper base plate with a brazing material. The copper base plate is placed on electronics to be cooled, such as a chip package, using a thermal interface material. An optional manifold can be placed on the copper base plate for circulating a coolant across the fins.

A cold plate having a copper base plate and a plurality of fins on the copper base plate. The fins are porous and made by 3D printing a copper-silver alloy on the copper base plate. Alternatively, the fins can be 3D printed and then adhered to the copper base plate with a brazing material. The copper base plate is placed on electronics to be cooled, such as a chip package, using a thermal interface material. An optional manifold can be placed on the copper base plate for circulating a coolant across the fins.

An in-situ material regeneration method and system are provided that enable recovery, reconditioning and reuse of used build materials, including removed powder and removed liquids, thus increasing material utilization efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.

An in-situ material regeneration method and system are provided that enable recovery, reconditioning and reuse of used build materials, including removed powder and removed liquids, thus increasing material utilization efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.

Devices, systems, and methods are directed to binder jetting for forming three-dimensional parts having controlled, macroscopically inhomogeneous material composition. In general, a binder may be delivered to each layer of a plurality of layers of a powder of inorganic particles. An active component may be introduced, in a spatially controlled distribution, to at least one of the plurality of layers such that the binder, the powder of inorganic particles, and the active component, in combination, form an object. The object may be thermally processed into a three-dimensional part having a gradient of one or more physicochemical properties of a material at least partially formed from thermally processing the inorganic particles and the active component of the object.

Devices, systems, and methods are directed to binder jetting for forming three-dimensional parts having controlled, macroscopically inhomogeneous material composition. In general, a binder may be delivered to each layer of a plurality of layers of a powder of inorganic particles. An active component may be introduced, in a spatially controlled distribution, to at least one of the plurality of layers such that the binder, the powder of inorganic particles, and the active component, in combination, form an object. The object may be thermally processed into a three-dimensional part having a gradient of one or more physicochemical properties of a material at least partially formed from thermally processing the inorganic particles and the active component of the object.