In a method for producing a three-dimensional workpiece (12), a first raw material powder (50) is applied to a substrate (18) in order to produce a raw material powder layer consisting of the first raw material powder (50). The raw material powder layer consisting of the first raw material powder (50) is selectively irradiated with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce a solidified first workpiece layer portion (52) from the first raw material powder (50). Non-solidified first raw material powder (50) is then removed from the substrate (18). In the next step, a second raw material powder (54) is applied to the substrate (18), in order to produce a raw material powder layer portion consisting of the second raw material powder (54) adjacent to the first workpiece layer portion (52), The raw material powder layer portion is selectively irradiated with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce a solidified second workpiece layer portion (56) from the second raw material powder (54) adjacent to the first workpiece layer portion (52). The non-solidified second raw material powder (54) is heated in order to produce a continuous porous sintered layer portion (58) from the second raw material powder (54) adjacent to the first workpiece layer portion (52) and the second workpiece layer portion (56).

A process is described that includes forming a metal alloy component having a pre-specified three dimensional geometry for use in a nuclear reactor by an additive manufacturing process followed by annealing the formed component at a first annealing temperature within the alpha temperature range of the phase diagram for the metal alloy. A second annealing step at a second annealing temperature lower than the first annealing temperature may be added. Alternatively, annealing may be at an annealing temperature in the alpha+beta temperature range of a phase diagram for the metal alloy, followed by a second anneal in the alpha temperature range of the phase diagram for the metal alloy.

An object of the invention is to provide an alloy article that exhibits even better mechanical properties than conventional high entropy alloy articles without sacrificing high corrosion resistance thereof. An alloy article according to the invention comprises matrix phase crystal grains being equiaxed crystals with an average crystal grain size of 150 μm or less, the alloy article having a metallic composition including: Co, Cr, Fe, Ni and Ti, each within a range of 5 atomic % or more and 35 atomic % or less; Mo within a range of more than 0 atomic % and less than 8 atomic %; and a balance comprising inevitable impurities, wherein in the matrix phase crystal grains, ultrafine particles with an average particle size of 100 nm or less and oxide particles with an average particle size of 100 nm or less are dispersedly precipitated.

A method of producing a permanent magnet includes forming a magnetisable workpiece by additive manufacturing and forming the permanent magnet by partitioning the magnetisable workpiece. The additive manufacturing includes steps of forming a first powder layer by depositing a first powder, the first powder being ferromagnetic; forming a first workpiece layer of the magnetisable workpiece by irradiating a predetermined first area of the first powder layer by means of a focused energy beam to fuse the first powder in the first area; and repeating the above steps multiple times to form further workpiece layers of the magnetisable workpiece. The permanent magnet is formed by partitioning the magnetisable workpiece, where an exposed surface of the permanent magnet formed by the partitioning is non-parallel to the first workpiece layer, and where the permanent magnet produces an external magnetic field having a magnetic field strength of at least 1 kA/m.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional (3D) article includes a support powder dispenser containing support powder, a metal powder dispenser containing metal powder, a build plate, a beam system, and a controller. The controller is configured to (1) receive information defining a two-dimensional (2D) slice of the 3D article, (2) position the build plate to receive a new layer of metal powder, (3) operate the metal powder dispenser to dispense the new layer of metal powder, the new layer of metal powder spanning the 2D slice and extending beyond the boundaries to define a zone of unfused powder, (4) operate the beam system to selectively fuse the new layer of powder over an area corresponding to the 2D slice, (5) operate the support powder dispenser to dispense a bounding contour of support powder proximate to or overlapping the zone of unfused powder.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional (3D) article includes a support powder dispenser containing support powder, a metal powder dispenser containing metal powder, a build plate, a beam system, and a controller. The controller is configured to (1) receive information defining a two-dimensional (2D) slice of the 3D article, (2) position the build plate to receive a new layer of metal powder, (3) operate the metal powder dispenser to dispense the new layer of metal powder, the new layer of metal powder spanning the 2D slice and extending beyond the boundaries to define a zone of unfused powder, (4) operate the beam system to selectively fuse the new layer of powder over an area corresponding to the 2D slice, (5) operate the support powder dispenser to dispense a bounding contour of support powder proximate to or overlapping the zone of unfused powder.

An expandable intervertebral implant (10) includes superior (20) and inferior (30) bone contacting members and at least one vertical wire netting (50) interconnecting the superior and inferior bone contacting members. The superior and inferior bone contacting members include at least two bone contacting components interconnected via one or more lateral wire nettings such that the implant is vertically and laterally expandable in situ from a first insertion configuration to a second expanded configuration. The vertical and lateral wire netting are preferably constructed of a plurality of individual link members. The present invention also preferably relates to an associated method of manufacturing the intervertebral implant such that the intervertebral implant can be manufactured as an integral component or part.

An object shaping method includes a step of forming a powder layer using first powder, a step of placing second powder having an average particle diameter smaller than an average particle diameter of the first powder at a part of a region of the powder layer, and a first heating step of heating the powder layer in which the second powder is placed. The average particle diameter is equal to or larger than 1 nm and equal to or smaller than 500 nm, and the first heating step performs heating the powder layer at a temperature at which particles contained in the second powder are sintered or melted.

An object shaping method includes a step of forming a powder layer using first powder, a step of placing second powder having an average particle diameter smaller than an average particle diameter of the first powder at a part of a region of the powder layer, and a first heating step of heating the powder layer in which the second powder is placed. The average particle diameter is equal to or larger than 1 nm and equal to or smaller than 500 nm, and the first heating step performs heating the powder layer at a temperature at which particles contained in the second powder are sintered or melted.

An object shaping method includes a step of forming a powder layer using first powder, a step of placing second powder having an average particle diameter smaller than an average particle diameter of the first powder at a part of a region of the powder layer, and a first heating step of heating the powder layer in which the second powder is placed. The average particle diameter is equal to or larger than 1 nm and equal to or smaller than 500 nm, and the first heating step performs heating the powder layer at a temperature at which particles contained in the second powder are sintered or melted.