A system for forming a product with different size particles is disclosed. The system comprises at least one print head region configured to retain a first group of print heads configurable to additively print at least a first portion of the product with a first material and a second group of print heads configurable to additively print at least a second portion of the product with a second material. The described system may also comprise a processor configured to regulate the first group of print heads and the second group of print heads to distribute the first material and the second material. A method of making an object by ink jet printing using the disclosed system is also disclosed.

An apparatus and method for removing support material from and/or smoothing surfaces of an additively manufactured part (the “AM part”) is disclosed. The apparatus may include a chamber, a support surface within the chamber, and one or more nozzles within the chamber. The nozzles may be the same size or different sizes. The support surface may be configured to support the AM part. The support surface may have one or more openings sized and configured to allow the fluid to pass through the opening(s). The nozzles may be configured to spray a fluid at the AM part, and the spray may be an atomized or semi-atomized spray of the fluid. For removing support material from parts with internal spaces, such as cavities or passages, the apparatus can include a nozzle at the end of an adjustable flexible hose member that can be adjusted to spray into an internal space of the part. Alternatively, for removing unwanted support material from multiple parts with internal spaces, the apparatus may include a submersion tank.

An apparatus and method for removing support material from and/or smoothing surfaces of an additively manufactured part (the “AM part”) is disclosed. The apparatus may include a chamber, a support surface within the chamber, and one or more nozzles within the chamber. The nozzles may be the same size or different sizes. The support surface may be configured to support the AM part. The support surface may have one or more openings sized and configured to allow the fluid to pass through the opening(s). The nozzles may be configured to spray a fluid at the AM part, and the spray may be an atomized or semi-atomized spray of the fluid. For removing support material from parts with internal spaces, such as cavities or passages, the apparatus can include a nozzle at the end of an adjustable flexible hose member that can be adjusted to spray into an internal space of the part. Alternatively, for removing unwanted support material from multiple parts with internal spaces, the apparatus may include a submersion tank.

An apparatus and method for removing support material from and/or smoothing surfaces of an additively manufactured part (the “AM part”) is disclosed. The apparatus may include a chamber, a support surface within the chamber, and one or more nozzles within the chamber. The nozzles may be the same size or different sizes. The support surface may be configured to support the AM part. The support surface may have one or more openings sized and configured to allow the fluid to pass through the opening(s). The nozzles may be configured to spray a fluid at the AM part, and the spray may be an atomized or semi-atomized spray of the fluid. For removing support material from parts with internal spaces, such as cavities or passages, the apparatus can include a nozzle at the end of an adjustable flexible hose member that can be adjusted to spray into an internal space of the part. Alternatively, for removing unwanted support material from multiple parts with internal spaces, the apparatus may include a submersion tank.

A tooling assembly for mounting a plurality of components, such as compressor blades, in a powder bed additive manufacturing machine to facilitate a repair process is provided. The tooling assembly includes component fixtures configured for receiving each of the compressor blades, a mounting plate for receiving the component fixtures, and a magnet assembly operably coupling the component fixtures to the mounting plate in a desired position and orientation to facilitate an improved printing process.

A tooling assembly for mounting a plurality of components, such as compressor blades, in a powder bed additive manufacturing machine to facilitate a repair process is provided. The tooling assembly includes component fixtures configured for receiving each of the compressor blades, a mounting plate for receiving the component fixtures, and a magnet assembly operably coupling the component fixtures to the mounting plate in a desired position and orientation to facilitate an improved printing process.

A three-dimensional printing kit can include a particulate build material, a binding agent, and a supportive coating agent. The particulate build material can include from about 80 wt % to about 100 wt % metal particles based on the total weight of the particulate build material. The binding agent can include binder particles dispersed in a binder liquid vehicle. The supportive coating agent can include ceramic particles having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, a gelling compound, and a supportive coating liquid vehicle.

A three-dimensional printing kit can include a particulate build material, a binding agent, and a supportive coating agent. The particulate build material can include from about 80 wt % to about 100 wt % metal particles based on the total weight of the particulate build material. The binding agent can include binder particles dispersed in a binder liquid vehicle. The supportive coating agent can include ceramic particles having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, a gelling compound, and a supportive coating liquid vehicle.

A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object includes a structure shaping step of supplying a shaping material including metal powder or ceramic powder, and supplying a binder to a region corresponding to a structure S of the three-dimensional shaped object to be shaped in the shaping material (step S140), a support shaping step of shaping, with a support material including a resin, a support T supporting the structure S (step S130), and a degreasing step of degreasing the support T and the binder, the support T being in a state of supporting the structure S (step S200).

A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object includes a structure shaping step of supplying a shaping material including metal powder or ceramic powder, and supplying a binder to a region corresponding to a structure S of the three-dimensional shaped object to be shaped in the shaping material (step S140), a support shaping step of shaping, with a support material including a resin, a support T supporting the structure S (step S130), and a degreasing step of degreasing the support T and the binder, the support T being in a state of supporting the structure S (step S200).