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.

The present invention relates to a thermosetting material for use in a 3D printing process comprising: a) at least one epoxy resin A, b) at least one elastomer-modified epoxy resin B, c) at least one resin C with a dynamic viscosity of below 4 Pas at 150° C., d) at least one of a curing agent D capable of reacting with A, B and optionally C, e) and optionally additional compounds,
wherein the glass transition temperature of the uncured material is at least 30° C., preferably at least 40° C. as measured with DSC at a heating rate of 20° C./min.

The invention further relates to a method of producing a cured 3D thermoset object and the use of the above-mentioned thermosetting material in a 3D printing process.

The present invention relates to a thermosetting material for use in a 3D printing process comprising: a) at least one epoxy resin A, b) at least one elastomer-modified epoxy resin B, c) at least one resin C with a dynamic viscosity of below 4 Pas at 150° C., d) at least one of a curing agent D capable of reacting with A, B and optionally C, e) and optionally additional compounds,
wherein the glass transition temperature of the uncured material is at least 30° C., preferably at least 40° C. as measured with DSC at a heating rate of 20° C./min.

The invention further relates to a method of producing a cured 3D thermoset object and the use of the above-mentioned thermosetting material in a 3D printing process.

Laser jetting of droplets of a viscous material, such as an ink, is performed by coating a layer of ink on a mesh-like transport screen, with the ink being retained within spaces of the mesh-like transport screen. The ink-coated mesh-like transport screen is conveyed to a working area and a laser beam is used to heat the ink within the spaces of the mesh-like transport screen, thereby causing ink droplets to be jetted from the spaces of the mesh-like transport screen. Structures are formed on a receiving substrate arranged near the working area by jetting the ink droplets, either in an aggregation or sequentially, across a gap from the mesh-like transport screen to the receiving substrate and displacing the mesh-like transport screen and the laser beam relative to one another at times between the jetting of the droplets, or by directly printing ink droplets onto the receiving substrate.

Laser jetting of droplets of a viscous material, such as an ink, is performed by coating a layer of ink on a mesh-like transport screen, with the ink being retained within spaces of the mesh-like transport screen. The ink-coated mesh-like transport screen is conveyed to a working area and a laser beam is used to heat the ink within the spaces of the mesh-like transport screen, thereby causing ink droplets to be jetted from the spaces of the mesh-like transport screen. Structures are formed on a receiving substrate arranged near the working area by jetting the ink droplets, either in an aggregation or sequentially, across a gap from the mesh-like transport screen to the receiving substrate and displacing the mesh-like transport screen and the laser beam relative to one another at times between the jetting of the droplets, or by directly printing ink droplets onto the receiving substrate.

A manipulator device such as a robot arm that is capable of increasing manufacturing throughput for additively manufactured parts, and allows for the manipulation of parts that would be difficult or impossible for a human to move is described. The manipulator can grasp various permanent or temporary additively manufactured manipulation points on a part to enable repositioning or maneuvering of the part.

A manipulator device such as a robot arm that is capable of increasing manufacturing throughput for additively manufactured parts, and allows for the manipulation of parts that would be difficult or impossible for a human to move is described. The manipulator can grasp various permanent or temporary additively manufactured manipulation points on a part to enable repositioning or maneuvering of the part.

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.