A jetted binder printing system includes a carrier substrate configured to travel along a longitudinal direction thereof, an adjustable binder printer configured to deliver an adjustable binder to the carrier substrate, a dispensing module located downstream from the adjustable binder printer on the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate, the dispensing module including at least one powder container, the dispensing module being configured to dispense powder onto the carrier substrate, and a primary binder printer located downstream from the compaction module along the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate. The primary binder printer includes a print head configured to print a primary binder on the dispensed powder according to a desired pattern. The primary binder is printed on a surface of the powder that is opposite a surface on which the adjustable binder is printed. The primary binder is printed to match the pattern of the adjustable binder.

A jetted binder printing system includes a carrier substrate configured to travel along a longitudinal direction thereof, an adjustable binder printer configured to deliver an adjustable binder to the carrier substrate, a dispensing module located downstream from the adjustable binder printer on the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate, the dispensing module including at least one powder container, the dispensing module being configured to dispense powder onto the carrier substrate, and a primary binder printer located downstream from the compaction module along the longitudinal direction of the carrier substrate. The primary binder printer includes a print head configured to print a primary binder on the dispensed powder according to a desired pattern. The primary binder is printed on a surface of the powder that is opposite a surface on which the adjustable binder is printed. The primary binder is printed to match the pattern of the adjustable binder.

A method and an apparatus for collecting powder samples in real-time in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involves an ingester system for in-process collection and characterizations of powder samples. The collection may be performed periodically and uses the results of characterizations for adjustments in the powder bed fusion process. The ingester system of the present disclosure is capable of packaging powder samples collected in real-time into storage containers serving a multitude purposes of audit, process adjustments or actions.

An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. Improved chamber designs, multiple chambers, powder handling and re-use systems, and powder characterization methods are disclosed.

A multifunctional robotic system for performing in vivo procedures includes a control unit comprising a computer processor and a robotic arm in communication with the control unit for multi-axis movement of the robotic arm. The robotic arm has a plurality of passages therein.

A printer head is disposed in one of the passages and is configured to create multi-dimensional objects in vivo. The robotic system includes a measuring system disposed in one of the passages.. The computer processor has executable software configured to receive signals from the measuring system and is configured to control the printer head and the measuring system to position the object in an in vivo location based upon the signals from the measuring system.

Described are devices and methods for unpacking a three-dimensional object, manufactured in a swap container by layer-by-layer application and selective solidification of a powdery structural material, from the structural material that surrounds the object and has remained unsolidified, comprising a turning device that rotates the swap container from an upright position into an unloading position for discharging the unsolidified structural material, wherein the turning device comprises a drive unit by which the three-dimensional object is displaceable into a removal position relative to the swap container), following the unpacking of the unsolidified structural material.

Examples for refining the microstructure of metallic materials used for additive manufacturing are described herein. An example can involve generating a first layer of an integral object by heating a metallic material to a molten state such that the metallic material includes a solid-liquid interface. The example can further involve applying an electromagnetic field or vibrations to the metallic material of the first layer. In some instances, the electromagnetic fields or vibrations perturb the first layer of metallic material causing nucleation sites to form at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. The example also includes generating a second layer coupled to the first layer of the integral object. Generating the second layer increases a number of nucleation sites at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. Each nucleation site can grows a crystal at a spatially-random orientation.

Examples for refining the microstructure of metallic materials used for additive manufacturing are described herein. An example can involve generating a first layer of an integral object by heating a metallic material to a molten state such that the metallic material includes a solid-liquid interface. The example can further involve applying an electromagnetic field or vibrations to the metallic material of the first layer. In some instances, the electromagnetic fields or vibrations perturb the first layer of metallic material causing nucleation sites to form at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. The example also includes generating a second layer coupled to the first layer of the integral object. Generating the second layer increases a number of nucleation sites at the solid-liquid interface of the metallic material in the molten state. Each nucleation site can grows a crystal at a spatially-random orientation.

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.