The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing system. In one embodiment the system makes use of a reservoir for holding a granular material feedstock. A nozzle is in communication with the reservoir for releasing the granular material feedstock in a controlled fashion from the reservoir to form at least one layer of a part. An excitation source is included for applying a signal which induces a controlled release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle as needed, to pattern the granular material feedstock as necessary to form a layer of the part.

A three-dimensional printing system includes a vertical support beam, a resin vessel assembly coupled to the vertical support beam and including a resin vessel, and a support tray positioning system. The support tray positioning system includes a support tray elevator, a lead screw nut, a motorized lead screw, an intermediate nut, and a linear bearing. The motorized lead screw engages the lead screw nut to raise and lower the support tray elevator. The linear bearing constrains motion of the support tray elevator to vertical motion. The support tray elevator, the intermediate nut, and the lead screw nut interlock to constrain rotational motion of the lead screw nut with respect to the support tray elevator while allowing for two dimensional lateral motion of the lead screw nut with respect to the support tray elevator to accommodate mechanical tolerances of the lead screw with respect to the linear bearing.

A three-dimensional printing system includes a vertical support beam, a resin vessel assembly coupled to the vertical support beam and including a resin vessel, and a support tray positioning system. The support tray positioning system includes a support tray elevator, a lead screw nut, a motorized lead screw, an intermediate nut, and a linear bearing. The motorized lead screw engages the lead screw nut to raise and lower the support tray elevator. The linear bearing constrains motion of the support tray elevator to vertical motion. The support tray elevator, the intermediate nut, and the lead screw nut interlock to constrain rotational motion of the lead screw nut with respect to the support tray elevator while allowing for two dimensional lateral motion of the lead screw nut with respect to the support tray elevator to accommodate mechanical tolerances of the lead screw with respect to the linear bearing.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.

A powder bed fusion apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a fabrication container that is provided between first and second storage containers which heat a powder material stored therein to first and second predetermined temperatures, respectively, and that heats the powder material stored therein to a third predetermined temperature higher than the first and second predetermined temperatures, and lets the powder material be irradiated with a laser beam from a laser beam emission unit based on a model to be fabricated; and an evaluation unit that, when the powder material in the first storage container is carried into the fabrication container, evaluates the carrying based on a comparison between a threshold value and a change in the temperature of the powder material stored in the second storage container calculated based on the temperature detected by a temperature measurement device.

A powder bed fusion apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a fabrication container that is provided between first and second storage containers which heat a powder material stored therein to first and second predetermined temperatures, respectively, and that heats the powder material stored therein to a third predetermined temperature higher than the first and second predetermined temperatures, and lets the powder material be irradiated with a laser beam from a laser beam emission unit based on a model to be fabricated; and an evaluation unit that, when the powder material in the first storage container is carried into the fabrication container, evaluates the carrying based on a comparison between a threshold value and a change in the temperature of the powder material stored in the second storage container calculated based on the temperature detected by a temperature measurement device.

A process for producing an article by three-dimensional printing includes applying a 1,1-di-activated vinyl compound-containing liquid binder over a predetermined area of a layer of solid particles. The liquid binder infiltrates gaps between the solid particles to form a first cross-sectional layer of an article, and the 1,1-di-activated vinyl compound reacts to solidify the liquid binder and bind the solid particles in the first cross-sectional layer of the article. Also provided is an article produced by the three-dimensional printing process, set forth herein.

A process for producing an article by three-dimensional printing includes applying a 1,1-di-activated vinyl compound-containing liquid binder over a predetermined area of a layer of solid particles. The liquid binder infiltrates gaps between the solid particles to form a first cross-sectional layer of an article, and the 1,1-di-activated vinyl compound reacts to solidify the liquid binder and bind the solid particles in the first cross-sectional layer of the article. Also provided is an article produced by the three-dimensional printing process, set forth herein.

A printing cartridge capable of controlling and tracking 3D printing material. The printing cartridge having an open configuration and a closed configuration.