Methods and systems are described for fabricating a component using 3D printing. A 3D printed piece is created including a body of the component, a support structure, and a first sacrificial interface region coupling the body of the component to the support structure. The body of the component is formed of a first metal or ceramic material and the first sacrificial interface region is formed at least partially of a second metal or ceramic material. The body of the component is then separated from the support structure by applying a chemical or electrochemical dissolution process to the 3D printed piece. Because the second metal or ceramic material is less resistant to the dissolution process than the first metal or ceramic material, the first sacrificial interface region at least partially dissolves, thereby separating the body of the metal component from the support structure, without dissolving the body of the component.

Methods and systems are described for fabricating a component using 3D printing. A 3D printed piece is created including a body of the component, a support structure, and a first sacrificial interface region coupling the body of the component to the support structure. The body of the component is formed of a first metal or ceramic material and the first sacrificial interface region is formed at least partially of a second metal or ceramic material. The body of the component is then separated from the support structure by applying a chemical or electrochemical dissolution process to the 3D printed piece. Because the second metal or ceramic material is less resistant to the dissolution process than the first metal or ceramic material, the first sacrificial interface region at least partially dissolves, thereby separating the body of the metal component from the support structure, without dissolving the body of the component.

A leveling system for a three-dimensional printing system, comprises a rotatable roller, a waste collecting bath, a blade for removing liquid waste from the roller into the bath, and a plurality of tubular structures. Each tubular structure has an inlet at a vicinity of a base of the bath and an outlet connectable to a pump system.

A leveling system for a three-dimensional printing system, comprises a rotatable roller, a waste collecting bath, a blade for removing liquid waste from the roller into the bath, and a plurality of tubular structures. Each tubular structure has an inlet at a vicinity of a base of the bath and an outlet connectable to a pump system.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include an additive manufacturing method. Some embodiments include: generating a model of a support member using a model of a printing member, wherein at least one portion of the support member is in contact with a lower part of the printing member, and a nitride layer is formed on a surface of the support member; introducing an inert gas into an additive manufacturing printing device, spreading a first material powder in a forming cylinder, performing laser scanning on the first powder using the model; and introducing an ammonia gas into the additive manufacturing printing device, spreading the first material powder in the forming cylinder in the additive manufacturing printing device, performing laser scanning on the first material powder, such that the first material powder is melted, and on the basis of the model of the support member, a nitride layer is formed.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include an additive manufacturing method. Some embodiments include: generating a model of a support member using a model of a printing member, wherein at least one portion of the support member is in contact with a lower part of the printing member, and a nitride layer is formed on a surface of the support member; introducing an inert gas into an additive manufacturing printing device, spreading a first material powder in a forming cylinder, performing laser scanning on the first powder using the model; and introducing an ammonia gas into the additive manufacturing printing device, spreading the first material powder in the forming cylinder in the additive manufacturing printing device, performing laser scanning on the first material powder, such that the first material powder is melted, and on the basis of the model of the support member, a nitride layer is formed.

A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a magnetic field generator to form a magnetic field selectively about a nozzle from which melted metal drops are ejected. The drops ejected in the presence of the magnetic field have their velocities reduced from the initial velocity at which they are ejected. The reduced velocity increases the time in flight of the drops before they impact their landing areas. The increased travel time enables the melted metal drops to oxidize sufficiently that they bond less tightly than the drops ejected without passing through the magnetic field. Thus, the apparatus can form metal support structures that adhere less tightly to the part portions of the object so they can be more easily removed after printing of the object.

A 3D printing device for producing a three-dimensional component form at least two different materials. The 3D printing device has both a spray-printing unit and an electron-beam and/or laser unit. To produce the three-dimensional component, the spray-printing unit is designed and set up to spray the at least two different materials, and the electron-beam and/or laser unit is designed and set up to join sprayed-on material integrally by fusing by means of an electron beam and/or by means of a laser beam of the electron-beam and/or laser unit.

A 3D printing device for producing a three-dimensional component form at least two different materials. The 3D printing device has both a spray-printing unit and an electron-beam and/or laser unit. To produce the three-dimensional component, the spray-printing unit is designed and set up to spray the at least two different materials, and the electron-beam and/or laser unit is designed and set up to join sprayed-on material integrally by fusing by means of an electron beam and/or by means of a laser beam of the electron-beam and/or laser unit.

A 3D printing device for producing a three-dimensional component form at least two different materials. The 3D printing device has both a spray-printing unit and an electron-beam and/or laser unit. To produce the three-dimensional component, the spray-printing unit is designed and set up to spray the at least two different materials, and the electron-beam and/or laser unit is designed and set up to join sprayed-on material integrally by fusing by means of an electron beam and/or by means of a laser beam of the electron-beam and/or laser unit.