A 3D object is additively formed via arranging non-conductive material relative to a receiving surface. During additive formation of the 3D object, a conductive channel is formed as part of the 3D object. In some instances, non-destructive fracture sensing is performed via measurement of an electrical parameter of the conductive channel.

The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional shaped object without height limitation by means of layer-by-layer material application, wherein geometric data for the shaped object, a substrate part having a base surface for holding the shaped object, flowable first and second material, and a transfer body are provided. Material portions of the flowable first material are applied to the base surface and/or to a solidified material layer of the three-dimensional shaped object located on the base surface in accordance with the geometric data in order to produce a material layer of the three-dimensional shaped object. The material layer consisting of the first material is solidified. A surface region of the transfer body is coated with a layer of the second material, and said layer is brought into contact with the surface of the topmost solidified material layer of the three-dimensional shaped object facing away from the base surface in such a way that the flowable second material is transferred from the transfer body to the surface of the topmost solidified material layer of the three-dimensional shaped object and forms the further material layer on the surface of the topmost solidified material layer of the three-dimensional shaped object, the structure of which further layer corresponds to the structure of the topmost solidified material layer of the three-dimensional shaped object. The further material layer is likewise solidified.

An apparatus for shaping an extrudable material comprises a sleeve, comprising a first sleeve end, a sleeve inlet at the first sleeve end, a second sleeve end, opposite the first sleeve end, and a sleeve outlet at the second sleeve end. The extrudable material enters the sleeve through the sleeve inlet and exits the sleeve through the sleeve outlet. The apparatus further comprises an actuation mechanism, selectively operable to change at least one of a size or a shape of the sleeve outlet. The sleeve is sufficiently flexible to enable the actuation mechanism to change at least one of the size or the shape of the sleeve outlet. The sleeve is insufficiently stretchable to enable the actuation mechanism to stretch the sleeve.

A method of additive manufacturing a three-dimensional object by layerwise deposition of a building material with an inkjet printing system comprising a print head and a building tray, comprises calculating a weighting value for each nozzle, then for each layer obtaining a 2-D map of the layer, comprising active pixels at building material dispensing positions; obtaining a Data Correction Filter (DCF) including a height map of the previous layer, comparing the data of the 2D map to the data of the DCF at each position and determining if the nozzle at that position should dispense, then printing the layer, updating the weighting values and adjusting the position of the print head vis a vis the printing tray. The above is repeated until the three-dimensional object is printed.

A polymer body includes a first thermoplastic polymer, and a second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer form a continuous solid structure. The first thermoplastic polymer forms an external supporting structure that at least partially envelops the second thermoplastic polymer. A first flow temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer is at least 10° C. higher than a second flow temperature of the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer may be removable by exposure to a selective solvent.

A polymer body includes a first thermoplastic polymer, and a second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer form a continuous solid structure. The first thermoplastic polymer forms an external supporting structure that at least partially envelops the second thermoplastic polymer. A first flow temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer is at least 10° C. higher than a second flow temperature of the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer may be removable by exposure to a selective solvent.

A 3D printer and method for increasing the speed of 3D printing, wherein said 3D printer comprises a heating block, a nozzle (1) attached to the heating block, and a hole through the heating block and the centre of the nozzle (1). In said hole there is a heat conductive material (7) attached in at least one place on the inner side wall of the hole for transferring heat (5) from the side wall towards the centre of the hole.

A 3D printer and method for increasing the speed of 3D printing, wherein said 3D printer comprises a heating block, a nozzle (1) attached to the heating block, and a hole through the heating block and the centre of the nozzle (1). In said hole there is a heat conductive material (7) attached in at least one place on the inner side wall of the hole for transferring heat (5) from the side wall towards the centre of the hole.

A system, is disclosed having a polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem, a metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem, an exchanger to place at least one of the polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and the metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem into a position to provide a manufacturing process, a build area where a part is created with the polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and the metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem, and an environmental control unit to collect debris produced during operation of the polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and the metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem. Another system and method are also disclosed.

Embodiments are directed to nozzles for three-dimensional printing and related assemblies and methods. An example method includes, on a first side of a material, forming a hole into the material to define an at least partially conical inner conduit extending at least partially through the material, and, on a second side of the material, forming a through-hole into the material to define an exit orifice of the nozzle, the exit orifice connecting with the at least partially conical inner conduit to define a fluid pathway through the nozzle.