Various processes for producing three dimensional electrically conductive polymer structures, such as three dimensional structures of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), are described as well as materials produced by these processes.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes an environmentally sealed first chamber, a second chamber separated from the first chamber by a first valve, a platform positionable in the first chamber, a dispenser configured to deliver a plurality of successive layers of feed material onto the platform in the first chamber, at least one energy source to selectively fuse feed material in a layer on the platform in the first chamber, and an air knife assembly to direct a laminar flow of air across a layer of feed material on the platform in the first chamber. The air knife assembly includes an inlet module and an exhaust module that are movable through the first valve between the first chamber and the second chamber.

The invention refers to a method of generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object (2) in a process chamber (3) of a generative manufacturing apparatus (1) by a layer-by-layer application and selective solidification of a building material (13) within a build area (10) arranged in the process chamber. In the course of this, while the object is being manufactured, a process gas is supplied to the process chamber by means of a gas supply device and is discharged from the process chamber via an outlet (42a, 42b). According to the invention, the gas supply device is designed and/or arranged relatively to the build area and/or controlled such that a gas stream (40) of the process gas streaming through the process chamber is shaped in such a manner that a substantially elongate oval impingement area (A3) of the gas stream (40) is generated within the build area (10).

The invention refers to a method of generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object (2) in a process chamber (3) of a generative manufacturing apparatus (1) by a layer-by-layer application and selective solidification of a building material (13) within a build area (10) arranged in the process chamber. In the course of this, while the object is being manufactured, a process gas is supplied to the process chamber by means of a gas supply device and is discharged from the process chamber via an outlet (42a, 42b). According to the invention, the gas supply device is designed and/or arranged relatively to the build area and/or controlled such that a gas stream (40) of the process gas streaming through the process chamber is shaped in such a manner that a substantially elongate oval impingement area (A3) of the gas stream (40) is generated within the build area (10).

A non-woven fabric is provided which includes a three-dimensional array of fibers. The three-dimensional array of fibers includes an array of standing fibers extending perpendicular to a plane of the non-woven fabric and attached to a base substrate, where the base substrate is one or more of an expendable film substrate, a metal base substrate, or a mandrel substrate. Further, the three-dimensional array of fibers includes multiple layers of non-woven parallel fibers running parallel to the plane of the non-woven fiber in between the array of standing fibers in a defined pattern of fiber layer orientations. In implementation, the array of standing fibers are grown to extend from the base substrate using laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition (LCVD).

Sputtering printheads, additive manufacturing systems comprising the same, and methods for additive manufacturing are provided. Sputtering printheads of the present invention use a plasma to sputter a feedstock material which is directed towards a target. A printhead can include a heater to heat the feedstock to, or near, the material's melting point as it is being sputtered to increase the deposition rate. A convergent nozzle can also increase the deposition rate. Printheads of the present invention are readily reconfigurable such that the same printhead can be used to deposit different materials, such as metals and non-metals, in succession by replacing the feedstock material and making changes to a few settings. Additive manufacturing systems of the present invention can be operated at normal room temperatures and pressure.

Sputtering printheads, additive manufacturing systems comprising the same, and methods for additive manufacturing are provided. Sputtering printheads of the present invention use a plasma to sputter a feedstock material which is directed towards a target. A printhead can include a heater to heat the feedstock to, or near, the material's melting point as it is being sputtered to increase the deposition rate. A convergent nozzle can also increase the deposition rate. Printheads of the present invention are readily reconfigurable such that the same printhead can be used to deposit different materials, such as metals and non-metals, in succession by replacing the feedstock material and making changes to a few settings. Additive manufacturing systems of the present invention can be operated at normal room temperatures and pressure.

A method of printing a three dimensional article (201) can include forming a bottom layer of the three dimensional article (201) by spraying a dry build material powder (210) onto a build platform (230) while heating the dry build material powder (210). The dry build material powder (210) can include metal or ceramic particles mixed with a polymeric binder having a softening point temperature. The dry build material powder (210) can be heated to a temperature above the softening point temperature such that the dry build material powder (210) adheres to the build platform (230). Subsequent layers can be formed by spraying dry build material powder (210) onto a lower layer while heating the dry build material powder (210) such that the dry build material powder (210) adheres to the lower layer.

A 3D printer apparatus for printing a refractory materials on the surfaces of workpieces in accordance with a given program is disclosed. The apparatus contains a first generator for generating a first atmospheric ICP beam, a second generator for generating a second atmospheric ICP beam, and a bouncing tube between the generators for breaking clusters of precursor nanoparticles into elementary charged nanoparticles that penetrate in a premelted state into a plasma discharge formed in the second generator under the inductive coupling with a saddle antenna, which encompasses the second generator. The outlet nozzle of the second generator emits the second beam onto an extractor plate that is a part of a plasma gun, which converts the second beam into a finely controlled focusing beam capable of printing a material even on the inner surfaces of deep small diameter gas holes of showerheads.

A 3D printer apparatus for printing a refractory materials on the surfaces of workpieces in accordance with a given program is disclosed. The apparatus contains a first generator for generating a first atmospheric ICP beam, a second generator for generating a second atmospheric ICP beam, and a bouncing tube between the generators for breaking clusters of precursor nanoparticles into elementary charged nanoparticles that penetrate in a premelted state into a plasma discharge formed in the second generator under the inductive coupling with a saddle antenna, which encompasses the second generator. The outlet nozzle of the second generator emits the second beam onto an extractor plate that is a part of a plasma gun, which converts the second beam into a finely controlled focusing beam capable of printing a material even on the inner surfaces of deep small diameter gas holes of showerheads.