The present invention provides a method of in situ 4D printing of high-temperature materials including 3D printing a structure of an ink including a precursor. The structure is treated with controlled high energy flow to create a portion which has a different coefficient of thermal expansion/thermal shrinkage ratio. The structure is heated and the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion creates an interface stress to cause a selected level of deformation. Alternatively, two structures with different coefficients of expansion/thermal shrinkage ratio may be printed. Thermal treatment of the two structures creates an interface stress to cause a selected level of deformation.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system may comprise a frame; and an additive component(s) configured to couple to the frame. The additive component(s) may comprise a first extrusion unit, a second extrusion unit, and/or a third extrusion unit. The 3D printing system may be a portion of a hybrid computer numerical control (CNC) machining/3D printing system and configured to manufacture a 3D component autonomously from start to finish. The additive component(s) may comprise a heating system including a hot-air blower.

A three-dimensional, additive manufacturing system is disclosed. The first and second printer modules form sequences of first patterned single-layer objects and second patterned single-layer objects on the first and second carrier substrates, respectively. The patterned single-layer objects are assembled into a three-dimensional object on the assembly plate of the assembly station. A controller controls the sequences and patterns of the patterned single-layer objects formed at the printer modules, and a sequence of assembly of the first patterned single-layer objects and the second patterned single-layer objects into the three-dimensional object on the assembly plate. The first transfer module transfers the first patterned single-layer objects from the first carrier substrate to the assembly apparatus in a first transfer zone and the second transfer module transfers the second patterned single-layer objects from the second carrier substrate to the assembly apparatus in a second transfer zone. The first and second printer modules are configured to deposit first and second materials under first and second deposition conditions, respectively. The first and second materials are different and/or the first and second deposition conditions are different.

A deployable manufacturing center (DMC) system includes a foundry module containing a metallurgical system configured to convert a raw material into an alloy powder, and an additive manufacturing (AM) module containing an additive manufacturing system configured to form the alloy powder into metal parts. The deployable manufacturing center (DMC) system can also include a machining module containing a machining system configured to machine the metal parts into machined metal parts, and a quality conformance (QC) module containing an inspection and evaluation system configured to inspect and evaluate the metal parts. A process for manufacturing metal parts includes the steps of providing the deployable manufacturing center (DMC) system; deploying the (DMC) system to a desired location; forming an alloy powder from a raw material using the deployable foundry module; and then forming the metal parts from the alloy powder using the additive manufacturing (AM) module.

A deployable manufacturing center (DMC) system includes a foundry module containing a metallurgical system configured to convert a raw material into an alloy powder, and an additive manufacturing (AM) module containing an additive manufacturing system configured to form the alloy powder into metal parts. The deployable manufacturing center (DMC) system can also include a machining module containing a machining system configured to machine the metal parts into machined metal parts, and a quality conformance (QC) module containing an inspection and evaluation system configured to inspect and evaluate the metal parts. A process for manufacturing metal parts includes the steps of providing the deployable manufacturing center (DMC) system; deploying the (DMC) system to a desired location; forming an alloy powder from a raw material using the deployable foundry module; and then forming the metal parts from the alloy powder using the additive manufacturing (AM) module.

A three-dimensional (3-D) printer includes build and support material development stations positioned to transfer layers of build and support materials to an intermediate transfer surface. A platen having a flat surface is positioned to contact the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build and support materials to the flat surface of the platen as the platen contacts one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. A dispenser is positioned to deposit a leveling material on the layer on the platen, and a mechanical planer is positioned to contact and level the leveling material on the layer on the platen to make the top of the leveling material parallel to the flat surface of the platen.

A coating device arrangement 1 for a 3D printer 100 is described, comprising a coating device 3 having a carrier structure 21a to 21c and a container 17 fixed to the carrier structure, defining an inner cavity for receiving particulate construction material, which leads to an opening for outputting the particulate construction material, a vibration device 23 configured to vibrate particulate construction material received in the container and thereby to influence the discharge of construction material from the opening, and a stroking member 15a attached to the coating device, configured to stroke particulate construction material output from the opening to thereby level and/or compress the output particulate material, and/or a closing device 31 configured to selectively close the opening and comprising a closing member 31a attached to the coating device 3, wherein the stroking member 15a and/or the closing member 31a are fixed to the carrier structure to be vibration-decoupled from the vibration generated by means of the vibration device in the container 17.

A manufacturing machine is capable of subtractive manufacturing and additive manufacturing for a workpiece. The manufacturing machine includes: a first headstock and a second headstock disposed in a machining area and configured to hold a workpiece; a tool spindle and a lower tool rest disposed in the machining area and configured to hold a tool to be used for subtractive manufacturing for the workpiece; an additive manufacturing head configured to discharge a material during additive manufacturing for the workpiece; a workpiece gripper configured to grip the workpiece during transportation of the workpiece into and out of the machining area; and a robot arm on which the additive manufacturing head and the workpiece gripper are mountable. Accordingly, the manufacturing machine improving the productivity in the simple and easy manner is provided.

A 3-D printer includes a development station positioned to electrostatically transfer layers of material to an intermediate transfer surface, and a transfer station adjacent the intermediate transfer surface. The transfer station is positioned to receive the layers as the intermediate transfer surface moves past the transfer station. Also, a platen is included that moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the material to the platen each time the platen contacts one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfer station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers on the platen. A fusing station is positioned to apply light to each layer, after each layer is transferred from the transfer station to the platen. The fusing station selectively applies the light to sinter a portion of the material within the layer.

A cooling unit can be coupled to a build unit of a 3D printing system. The cooling unit comprises a cooling unit opening which is arranged to face a build unit opening when the cooling unit is coupled to the build unit to enable transfer of content from the build unit to the cooling unit. The cooling unit further comprises a self-locking latch mechanism to couple the cooling unit to the build unit such that the cooling unit opening faces the build unit opening.