A method of moving a print head between a plurality of partitioned chambers in a 3D printer includes providing the 3D printer having a thermal barrier having an area defined by a length and width, wherein a print head nozzle can be positioned through the thermal barrier along the width or the length and at least two partitioned chambers below the area of the thermal barrier, wherein a first chamber comprises a printing chamber and a second chamber comprises a chamber providing another functionality. The method includes raising the print head in a z direction from the second chamber to above the thermal barrier and moving the print head in a x-y direction from above the second chamber over the partition to a location above the first chamber. The method also includes lowering the print head in the z direction and into the first chamber such that an extrusion port of a nozzle of the print head is proximate a x-y print plane.

A 3D printer includes a gantry configured to move in a plane and in a direction substantially normal to the plane and at least one print head carried by the gantry, the at least on print head comprising an extrusion nozzle at a bottom end. The 3D printer includes a plurality of partitioned chambers accessible by the at least one print head, each of the partitioned chambers having an upper edge defining an opening into each of the plurality of chambers, and a platen within a first chamber of the plurality of chambers, the platen configured to receive material from the print head to print the 3D part. The at least one print head is configured to be moved between each of the plurality of partitioned chambers by raising the print head in the direction substantially normal to the plane such that the extrusion nozzle is above the upper edge of the plurality of chambers, moving the print head in the plane from a first location above the first chamber of the plurality of partitioned chambers to a second location above a second chamber of the plurality of partitioned chambers and lowering the at least one print head into the second chamber.

A 3D printer includes a gantry configured to move in a plane and in a direction substantially normal to the plane and at least one print head carried by the gantry, the at least on print head comprising an extrusion nozzle at a bottom end. The 3D printer includes a plurality of partitioned chambers accessible by the at least one print head, each of the partitioned chambers having an upper edge defining an opening into each of the plurality of chambers, and a platen within a first chamber of the plurality of chambers, the platen configured to receive material from the print head to print the 3D part. The at least one print head is configured to be moved between each of the plurality of partitioned chambers by raising the print head in the direction substantially normal to the plane such that the extrusion nozzle is above the upper edge of the plurality of chambers, moving the print head in the plane from a first location above the first chamber of the plurality of partitioned chambers to a second location above a second chamber of the plurality of partitioned chambers and lowering the at least one print head into the second chamber.

The invention is generally a system for drying, recycling, and washing off residual resin from three-dimensionally (3D) printed objects. Exemplary systems may include a system for washing off residual printing material from a surface of a 3D-printed. In an exemplary embodiment, a chamber is adapted to receive the 3D-printed object and a printing material disruption module is adapted to disrupt a composition of residual printing material on a surface of the 3D-printed object. Additionally, a washing force module may be adapted to apply a washing force field to the 3D-printed object and wash off the residual printing material.

The invention is generally a system for drying, recycling, and washing off residual resin from three-dimensionally (3D) printed objects. Exemplary systems may include a system for washing off residual printing material from a surface of a 3D-printed. In an exemplary embodiment, a chamber is adapted to receive the 3D-printed object and a printing material disruption module is adapted to disrupt a composition of residual printing material on a surface of the 3D-printed object. Additionally, a washing force module may be adapted to apply a washing force field to the 3D-printed object and wash off the residual printing material.

The invention aims to provide a contactless method to create small conductive tracks on a substrate. To this end a method is provided for selective material deposition, comprising depositing a first material on a substrate; followed by solidifying the first material selectively in a first solidified pattern by one or more energy beams; and followed by propelling non-solidified material away from the substrate by a large area photonic exposure, controlled in timing, energy and intensity to leave the solidified first pattern of the first material.

The invention aims to provide a contactless method to create small conductive tracks on a substrate. To this end a method is provided for selective material deposition, comprising depositing a first material on a substrate; followed by solidifying the first material selectively in a first solidified pattern by one or more energy beams; and followed by propelling non-solidified material away from the substrate by a large area photonic exposure, controlled in timing, energy and intensity to leave the solidified first pattern of the first material.

A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.

A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.

An example system includes an object and a support frame supporting the object. The support frame constrains movement of the object relative to the support frame, and the support frame includes at least one of a cage or a shackle to non-rigidly constrain movement of at least a part of the object.