A method of producing a 3D part using a selective deposition based additive manufacturing system can include developing a first layer using at least one electrostatography engine, determining a first cross-track offset distance between an average cross-track symmetry line of the first layer and a centerline of a transfer medium, transferring the first layer to the transfer medium such that the average cross-track symmetry line of the first layer is aligned with the centerline of the transfer medium, moving a build platform relative to the transfer medium in the cross-track direction to align the first layer on a part build surface, and transfusing the first layer on the build platform using a transfusion assembly to build the part in a layer-by-layer manner. The first layer comprises at least one of a part material and a support material. The first cross-track offset distance is measured in a cross-track direction perpendicular to an in-track direction of movement of the transfer medium.

A method of producing a 3D part using a selective deposition based additive manufacturing system can include developing a first layer using at least one electrostatography engine, determining a first cross-track offset distance between an average cross-track symmetry line of the first layer and a centerline of a transfer medium, transferring the first layer to the transfer medium such that the average cross-track symmetry line of the first layer is aligned with the centerline of the transfer medium, moving a build platform relative to the transfer medium in the cross-track direction to align the first layer on a part build surface, and transfusing the first layer on the build platform using a transfusion assembly to build the part in a layer-by-layer manner. The first layer comprises at least one of a part material and a support material. The first cross-track offset distance is measured in a cross-track direction perpendicular to an in-track direction of movement of the transfer medium.

A three-dimensional (3D) inkjet printer is configured to build up an object by printing a series of layers and stacking them to form the object. In order to speed printing, drying of each layer is accelerated by using a pressure differential to extract liquid vehicle from the ink, and by moving the printed layer away from the inkjet print heads before drying so that the inkjet print heads may print the next layer. The dried printed layer may also be conditioned and/or cured. Dried printed layers are stacked at a build station to assemble the finished object.

The present invention relates to a 3D printer wherein a printing material is placed and hardened on a transparent film and a 3D printing method using the same. The 3D printer of the present invention is composed of the film supplying part to provide a transparent film; the material supplying part to provide a printing material on the transparent film; the photo-hardening part to solidify the printing material provided onto the transparent film as a designed form; and the film collecting part to collect the transparent film and the remaining printing material after the printing material has been hardened by the photo-hardening part.

The present invention relates to a 3D printer wherein a printing material is placed and hardened on a transparent film and a 3D printing method using the same. The 3D printer of the present invention is composed of the film supplying part to provide a transparent film; the material supplying part to provide a printing material on the transparent film; the photo-hardening part to solidify the printing material provided onto the transparent film as a designed form; and the film collecting part to collect the transparent film and the remaining printing material after the printing material has been hardened by the photo-hardening part.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for printing three-dimensional (3D) objects. A system for printing a 3D object may comprise a platform comprising an area configured to hold a mixture including a photoactive resin. The platform may comprise a first coupling unit. The system may comprise an optical source configured to provide light to the mixture for curing the photoactive resin in at least a portion of the mixture to print at least a portion of the 3D object. The system may comprise a build head configured to support the at least he portion of the 3D object during printing. The build head may comprise a second coupling unit that is configured to couple to the first coupling unit to provide an alignment of the area of the platform relative to a surface of the build head while printing the at least the portion of the 3D object.

System and method of manufacturing a laminated three-dimensional (3D) metallic object. The method includes: providing a plurality of foils of metal; marking portions of some of the foils in the plurality of foils with a marking agent that includes a material having electrochemical potential higher than the metal; bonding the plurality of marked foils into a block; and selectively etching parts of the block not in proximity to the marking agent.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate and a foil supporting an uncured layer of a resin. A stage is configured to hold a component of one or more cured layers of the resin. One or more actuators is operable to move the stage away from the support plate in a Z-axis direction. A radiant energy device is positioned opposite the stage such that the support plate is positioned between the radiant energy device and the stage. A foil interaction device includes a first pneumatic actuation zone and a second pneumatic actuation zone. Each of the first and second pneumatic actuation zones is configured to apply a force on a surface of the foil. The first and second pneumatic actuation zones are fluidly separable and configured to apply varied pressures relative to one another to the surface of the foil.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate and a foil supporting an uncured layer of a resin. A stage is configured to hold a component of one or more cured layers of the resin. One or more actuators is operable to move the stage away from the support plate in a Z-axis direction. A radiant energy device is positioned opposite the stage such that the support plate is positioned between the radiant energy device and the stage. A foil interaction device includes a first pneumatic actuation zone and a second pneumatic actuation zone. Each of the first and second pneumatic actuation zones is configured to apply a force on a surface of the foil. The first and second pneumatic actuation zones are fluidly separable and configured to apply varied pressures relative to one another to the surface of the foil.

Systems and methods for constructing 3-dimensional (3D) parts are disclosed. A printing system may include a deposition system configured to print a plurality of 2-dimensional (2D) layers onto a plurality of carrier sheets. The printing system also includes a transferring system configured to transfer a 2D layer from a carrier sheet of the plurality of carrier sheets, onto the 3D part. The 3D part may be located on a base substrate. The printing system further includes a feed system configured to provide the plurality of carrier sheets from the deposition system to the transfer system in a successive fashion while maintaining the directionality of printing in the deposition and transferring systems.