A method of printing a three-dimensional object. The method comprises supplying a print material that is electrically conductive to a plurality of ejector conduits arranged in an array, the ejector conduits comprising first ends configured to accept the print material and second ends comprising ejector nozzles; advancing the print material in one or more of the ejector conduits of the array until the print material is disposed in the ejector nozzle of the one or more ejector conduits; flowing electrical current through the print material positioned in at least one of the ejector nozzles, thereby heating and expanding the print material in the at least one of the ejector nozzles so as to eject at least a portion of the print material from the at least one of the ejector nozzles onto a print substrate; and repeating both the advancing and the flowing electrical current through the print material to form a three-dimensional object on the print substrate.

A method of printing a three-dimensional object. The method comprises supplying a print material that is electrically conductive to a plurality of ejector conduits arranged in an array, the ejector conduits comprising first ends configured to accept the print material and second ends comprising ejector nozzles; advancing the print material in one or more of the ejector conduits of the array until the print material is disposed in the ejector nozzle of the one or more ejector conduits; flowing electrical current through the print material positioned in at least one of the ejector nozzles, thereby heating and expanding the print material in the at least one of the ejector nozzles so as to eject at least a portion of the print material from the at least one of the ejector nozzles onto a print substrate; and repeating both the advancing and the flowing electrical current through the print material to form a three-dimensional object on the print substrate.

A method of printing a three-dimensional object. The method comprises supplying a print material that is electrically conductive to a plurality of ejector conduits arranged in an array, the ejector conduits comprising first ends configured to accept the print material and second ends comprising ejector nozzles; advancing the print material in one or more of the ejector conduits of the array until the print material is disposed in the ejector nozzle of the one or more ejector conduits; flowing electrical current through the print material positioned in at least one of the ejector nozzles, thereby heating and expanding the print material in the at least one of the ejector nozzles so as to eject at least a portion of the print material from the at least one of the ejector nozzles onto a print substrate; and repeating both the advancing and the flowing electrical current through the print material to form a three-dimensional object on the print substrate.

A three-dimensional (“3D”) printer. The 3D printer comprises a plurality of ejector conduits arranged in an array, each ejector conduit comprising a first end positioned to accept a print material, a second end comprising an ejector nozzle, and a passageway defined by an inner surface of the ejector conduit for allowing the print material to pass through the ejector conduit from the first end to the second end. The 3D printer further comprises: a plurality of radiant energy sources, the plurality of radiant energy sources being positionable so that a path of radiant energy emitted from one or more of the plurality of radiant energy sources is capable of striking the ejector nozzle of each of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer; and a positioning system for controlling the relative position of the array with a print substrate in a manner that would allow the print substrate to receive print material jettable from the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer.

A three-dimensional (“3D”) printer. The 3D printer comprises a plurality of ejector conduits arranged in an array, each ejector conduit comprising a first end positioned to accept a print material, a second end comprising an ejector nozzle, and a passageway defined by an inner surface of the ejector conduit for allowing the print material to pass through the ejector conduit from the first end to the second end. The 3D printer further comprises: a plurality of radiant energy sources, the plurality of radiant energy sources being positionable so that a path of radiant energy emitted from one or more of the plurality of radiant energy sources is capable of striking the ejector nozzle of each of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer; and a positioning system for controlling the relative position of the array with a print substrate in a manner that would allow the print substrate to receive print material jettable from the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer.

A 3D printer includes an ejector device for mixing and ejecting print material, the ejector device comprising a substrate and a plurality of ejector conduits on the substrate. The ejector conduits are arranged in an array, each ejector conduit comprising: a first passageway fluidly connecting a first end of the ejector conduit to a conduit junction, the first end configured to accept a first print material; a second passageway fluidly connecting a second end of the ejector conduit to the conduit junction, the second end configured to accept a second print material; and a third passageway fluidly connecting a third end of the ejector conduit to the conduit junction. The third end comprises an ejector nozzle, the ejector nozzle comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one surface of the first electrode being exposed in the third passageway and at least one surface of the second electrode being exposed in the third passageway. A current pulse generating system is in electrical connection with the first electrode and the second electrode of the plurality of ejector conduits. A magnetic field source is sufficiently proximate the second end of the plurality of ejector conduits so as to generate a flux region disposed within the ejector nozzle of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer. The 3D printer further comprises a positioning system for controlling the relative position of the ejector device with respect to a print substrate in a manner that would allow the print substrate to receive print material jettable from the ejector nozzle of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer.

A 3D printer includes an ejector device for mixing and ejecting print material, the ejector device comprising a substrate and a plurality of ejector conduits on the substrate. The ejector conduits are arranged in an array, each ejector conduit comprising: a first passageway fluidly connecting a first end of the ejector conduit to a conduit junction, the first end configured to accept a first print material; a second passageway fluidly connecting a second end of the ejector conduit to the conduit junction, the second end configured to accept a second print material; and a third passageway fluidly connecting a third end of the ejector conduit to the conduit junction. The third end comprises an ejector nozzle, the ejector nozzle comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one surface of the first electrode being exposed in the third passageway and at least one surface of the second electrode being exposed in the third passageway. A current pulse generating system is in electrical connection with the first electrode and the second electrode of the plurality of ejector conduits. A magnetic field source is sufficiently proximate the second end of the plurality of ejector conduits so as to generate a flux region disposed within the ejector nozzle of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer. The 3D printer further comprises a positioning system for controlling the relative position of the ejector device with respect to a print substrate in a manner that would allow the print substrate to receive print material jettable from the ejector nozzle of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer.

A method of printing a three-dimensional object. The method includes: supplying a print material to a plurality of ejector conduits arranged in an array, the ejector conduits comprising first ends configured to accept the print material and second ends comprising ejector nozzles; advancing the print material in one or more of the ejector conduits of the array until the print material is disposed in the ejector nozzle of the one or more ejector conduits; heating the print material positioned in at least one of the ejector nozzles using radiant energy, the heating causing at least a portion of the print material to be ejected from the at least one of the ejector nozzles and onto a print substrate; and repeating both the advancing the print material and the heating the print material to form a three-dimensional object on the print substrate.

A three-dimensional (“3D”) printer. The 3D printer includes: a plurality of ejector conduits arranged in an array, each ejector conduit comprising a first end positioned to accept a print material, a second end comprising an ejector nozzle, and a passageway defined by an inner surface of the ejector conduit for allowing the print material to pass through the ejector conduit from the first end to the second end, the ejector nozzle comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one surface of the first electrode being exposed in the passageway and at least one surface of the second electrode being exposed in the passageway; a current pulse generating system in electrical contact with the ejector nozzle of each of the plurality of ejector conduits; a magnetic field source sufficiently proximate the second end of the ejector conduit so as to generate a flux region disposed within the ejector nozzle during operation of the 3D printer; and a positioning system for controlling the relative position of the array with respect to a print substrate in a manner that would allow the print substrate to receive print material jettable from the ejector nozzle of each of the plurality of ejector conduits during operation of the 3D printer.

A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a plasticizing unit; a nozzle configured to dispense a plasticized material from a nozzle opening toward a stage; a dispensing amount adjustment unit configured to communicate with the nozzle opening, be provided in a flow path through which the plasticized material flows, and adjust a dispensing amount of the plasticized material from the nozzle opening by changing an area of an opening formed in the flow path; a pressure adjustment unit configured to adjust pressure of the flow path through a branch flow path coupled to the flow path between the dispensing amount adjustment unit and the nozzle opening; and a control unit configured to control the dispensing amount adjustment unit and the pressure adjustment unit. When the control unit changes the dispensing amount from a first dispensing amount to a second dispensing amount, the control unit controls the dispensing amount adjustment unit to change the area of the opening, and then controls the pressure adjustment unit to adjust the pressure of the flow path. The second dispensing amount is a dispensing amount when the plasticized material is dispensed from the nozzle opening.