A method of additive manufacture suitable for large and high resolution structures is disclosed. The method may include sequentially advancing each portion of a continuous part in the longitudinal direction from a first zone to a second zone. In the first zone, selected granules of a granular material may be amalgamated. In the second zone, unamalgamated granules of the granular material may be removed. The method may further include advancing a first portion of the continuous part from the second zone to a third zone while (1) a last portion of the continuous part is formed within the first zone and (2) the first portion is maintained in the same position in the lateral and transverse directions that the first portion occupied within the first zone and the second zone.

An apparatus and a method for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing involve a multiple-chamber design achieving a high efficiency and throughput. The multiple-chamber design features concurrent printing of one or more print jobs inside one or more build chambers, side removals of printed objects from build chambers allowing quick exchanges of powdered materials, and capabilities of elevated process temperature controls of build chambers and post processing heat treatments of printed objects. The multiple-chamber design also includes a height-adjustable optical assembly in combination with a fixed build platform method suitable for large and heavy printed objects.

An apparatus and a method for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing involve a multiple-chamber design achieving a high efficiency and throughput. The multiple-chamber design features concurrent printing of one or more print jobs inside one or more build chambers, side removals of printed objects from build chambers allowing quick exchanges of powdered materials, and capabilities of elevated process temperature controls of build chambers and post processing heat treatments of printed objects. The multiple-chamber design also includes a height-adjustable optical assembly in combination with a fixed build platform method suitable for large and heavy printed objects.

A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method may include restricting, by an enclosure, an exchange of gaseous matter between an interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure. The method may further include running multiple machines within the enclosure. Each of the machines may execute its own process of additive manufacture. While the machines are running, a gas management system may maintain gaseous oxygen within the enclosure at or below a limiting oxygen concentration for the interior.

A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method may include restricting, by an enclosure, an exchange of gaseous matter between an interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure. The method may further include running multiple machines within the enclosure. Each of the machines may execute its own process of additive manufacture. While the machines are running, a gas management system may maintain gaseous oxygen within the enclosure at or below a limiting oxygen concentration for the interior.

Disclosed is an additive manufacturing process for making shingles and roof tiles. The entire shingle, including the substrate, can be manufactured on location, or a substrate can be manufactured at a manufacturing plant and then colored and textured on location to provide a wide variety of shapes and colors of shingles and roof tiles. Costs for inventory and shipping are reduced and a greater variety of shapes and colors can be provided for the shingles and roof tiles. The additive manufacturing equipment can be mounted on a truck so that the additive manufacturing techniques can be a mobile application of the additive manufacturing technology.

Disclosed is an additive manufacturing process for making shingles and roof tiles. The entire shingle, including the substrate, can be manufactured on location, or a substrate can be manufactured at a manufacturing plant and then colored and textured on location to provide a wide variety of shapes and colors of shingles and roof tiles. Costs for inventory and shipping are reduced and a greater variety of shapes and colors can be provided for the shingles and roof tiles. The additive manufacturing equipment can be mounted on a truck so that the additive manufacturing techniques can be a mobile application of the additive manufacturing technology.

A multi-material three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided. The provided apparatus includes two or more print stations. Each of the print stations includes a substrate, a transportation device, a dispersion device, a compaction device, a printing device, a fixing device, and a fluidized materials removal device. The apparatus also includes an assembly apparatus in communication with the two or more print stations via the transportation device. The apparatus also includes one or more transfer devices in communication with the assembly apparatus. The apparatus also includes a computing and controlling device configured to control the operations of the two or more print stations, the assembly apparatus and the one or more transfer devices.

A multi-material three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided. The provided apparatus includes two or more print stations. Each of the print stations includes a substrate, a transportation device, a dispersion device, a compaction device, a printing device, a fixing device, and a fluidized materials removal device. The apparatus also includes an assembly apparatus in communication with the two or more print stations via the transportation device. The apparatus also includes one or more transfer devices in communication with the assembly apparatus. The apparatus also includes a computing and controlling device configured to control the operations of the two or more print stations, the assembly apparatus and the one or more transfer devices.

A multi-material three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided. The provided apparatus includes two or more print stations. Each of the print stations includes a substrate, a transportation device, a dispersion device, a compaction device, a printing device, a fixing device, and a fluidized materials removal device. The apparatus also includes an assembly apparatus in communication with the two or more print stations via the transportation device. The apparatus also includes one or more transfer devices in communication with the assembly apparatus. The apparatus also includes a computing and controlling device configured to control the operations of the two or more print stations, the assembly apparatus and the one or more transfer devices.