Systems, apparatus and methods of additively manufacturing objects are disclosed. Specifically, provided herein are methods of heating objects having a particle-based support at least partially surrounding the object during portions of stages of the heating. Additionally, systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support during heating, such that the object can continue heating to form a final part. Systems, apparatus, and methods for distributing the particle-based support to shore the objects through heating are disclosed. Systems, apparatus, and methods for removing the particle-based support are also disclosed herein.

Methods for repurposing waste materials, such as aluminum powder, are disclosed. A method in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure may comprise collecting a material in a container, the material comprising oxidized aluminum powder, processing the material, which includes heating the material to melt at least a portion of the oxidized aluminum powder, and forming the processed material into at least one component.

Methods for repurposing waste materials, such as aluminum powder, are disclosed. A method in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure may comprise collecting a material in a container, the material comprising oxidized aluminum powder, processing the material, which includes heating the material to melt at least a portion of the oxidized aluminum powder, and forming the processed material into at least one 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 three-dimensional shaping method includes a molded body forming step of forming a molded body having a plurality of projection portions using a material containing a powder and a binder, a supporting step of supporting the molded body by a support having groove portions at positions configured to insert each of the projection portions in a state where the plurality of projection portions are inserted into the groove portions, and a sintering step of sintering the powder by heating the molded body in a state of being supported by the support, wherein the groove portion is extended from an insertion position of the projection portion in a specified direction that specifies a direction of shrinkage of the molded body by performing the sintering step.

A three-dimensional shaping method includes a molded body forming step of forming a molded body having a plurality of projection portions using a material containing a powder and a binder, a supporting step of supporting the molded body by a support having groove portions at positions configured to insert each of the projection portions in a state where the plurality of projection portions are inserted into the groove portions, and a sintering step of sintering the powder by heating the molded body in a state of being supported by the support, wherein the groove portion is extended from an insertion position of the projection portion in a specified direction that specifies a direction of shrinkage of the molded body by performing the sintering step.

A fabrication method involving the use of additive material fabrication methods to create a shell representative of a desired part, the additive material shell being used in one or more molding fabrication methods in which a second material is provided into a cavity of the shell.

A fabrication method involving the use of additive material fabrication methods to create a shell representative of a desired part, the additive material shell being used in one or more molding fabrication methods in which a second material is provided into a cavity of the shell.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing processes, apparatuses, software, and systems for the production of at least one desired 3D object. The 3D printer system (e.g., comprising a processing chamber, build module, or an unpacking station) described herein may retain a desired (e.g., inert) atmosphere around the material bed and/or 3D object at multiple 3D printing stages. The 3D printer described herein comprises one or more build modules that may have a controller separate from the controller of the processing chamber. The 3D printer described herein comprises a platform that may be automatically constructed. The invention(s) described herein may allow the 3D printing process to occur for a long time without operator intervention and/or down time.

A 3-dimensional printing system for manufacturing a part is provided. The system includes a building platform having a deposited pattern of metal powder, a sand dispensing nozzle selectively supplying sand to the building platform, a binder dispensing nozzle selectively supplying binder material to the building platform, a robotic arm supporting one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle, the robotic arm moving the one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle, and a processor controlling the robotic arm to position the one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle relative to the deposited pattern of metal powder and control the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle to supply powdered sand and binder, respectively, based on a Computer Aided Drafting file associated with the part.