A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a dispensing unit having a nozzle and configured to dispense a material toward a stage; a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the nozzle; a moving unit configured to move the dispensing unit and the cleaning mechanism relative to the stage; and a control unit configured to control an operation of the moving unit. The cleaning mechanism includes a cleaning unit including a purge unit in which the material is purged from the nozzle and a brush unit to come into contact with the nozzle, and a recovery unit configured to recover the material accumulated in the purge unit. The control unit is configured to move the cleaning unit relative to the stage in conjunction with movement of the dispensing unit relative to the stage.

A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a dispensing unit having a nozzle and configured to dispense a material toward a stage; a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the nozzle; a moving unit configured to move the dispensing unit and the cleaning mechanism relative to the stage; and a control unit configured to control an operation of the moving unit. The cleaning mechanism includes a cleaning unit including a purge unit in which the material is purged from the nozzle and a brush unit to come into contact with the nozzle, and a recovery unit configured to recover the material accumulated in the purge unit. The control unit is configured to move the cleaning unit relative to the stage in conjunction with movement of the dispensing unit relative to the stage.

A resin composition useful for additive manufacturing is provided, which resin composition may exhibit improved shelf life through inhibition of crystallization. Such resin composition may include a crystallization inhibitor as taught herein, and/or a prepolymer produced by reaction of an isocyanate with multiple isomers and comprising a lower percentage of the structurally symmetric isomer. Methods of forming a three-dimensional object using such resin composition are also provided.

A resin composition useful for additive manufacturing is provided, which resin composition may exhibit improved shelf life through inhibition of crystallization. Such resin composition may include a crystallization inhibitor as taught herein, and/or a prepolymer produced by reaction of an isocyanate with multiple isomers and comprising a lower percentage of the structurally symmetric isomer. Methods of forming a three-dimensional object using such resin composition are also provided.

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.

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.

A method of removing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based scaffold from a 3D printed part formed by a 3D printing process that renders a finished product for immediate use. The method principally involves preparing an acidic-aqueous cleansing solution comprising a mixture of carboxylic acid and water; immersing the 3D printed part conventionally bonded with PVA-based scaffold into the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution for a select amount of time to break down and remove the PVA-based scaffold from the 3D printed part; and adding to the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution a select quantity of polymeric carbohydrate to crosslink and bond with the PVA-based scaffold to effect dissolution thereof into the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution.

A method of removing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based scaffold from a 3D printed part formed by a 3D printing process that renders a finished product for immediate use. The method principally involves preparing an acidic-aqueous cleansing solution comprising a mixture of carboxylic acid and water; immersing the 3D printed part conventionally bonded with PVA-based scaffold into the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution for a select amount of time to break down and remove the PVA-based scaffold from the 3D printed part; and adding to the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution a select quantity of polymeric carbohydrate to crosslink and bond with the PVA-based scaffold to effect dissolution thereof into the acidic-aqueous cleansing solution.

A 3D printer includes a nozzle and a cleaning system. The cleaning system includes a gas source configured to introduce a gas at least partially into the nozzle. The cleaning system also includes a cleaning tool configured to remove solidified metallic dross from within the nozzle.

A 3D printer includes a nozzle and a cleaning system. The cleaning system includes a gas source configured to introduce a gas at least partially into the nozzle. The cleaning system also includes a cleaning tool configured to remove solidified metallic dross from within the nozzle.