A process for the production of sinter powder particles (SP), comprising the steps a) providing at least one continuous filament, b) coating, the at least one continuous filament provided in step a) with at least one thermoplastic polymer to obtain a continuous strand comprising the at least one continuous filament, coated with the at least one thermoplastic polymer, wherein the average cross-sectional diameter of the strand is in the range of 10 to 300 pm, and c) size reducing of the continuous strand provided in step b) in order to obtain the sinter powder particles (SP), wherein the average length of the sinter powder particles (SP) is in the range of 10 to 300 pm. The present invention further relates to sinter powder particles (SP) obtained by the process, the use of the sinter powder particles (SP) in a powder-based additive manufacturing process and sinter powder particles (SP) having an essentially cylindrical shape N as well as a process for the production of a shaped body by laser sintering or high-speed sintering of sinter powder particles (SP).

The present invention relates to a forming material for three-dimensional (3D) printing, a forming method for 3D printing, and a formed object, wherein, while being based on an amorphous glass powder shaped irregularly, the forming material for 3D printing ensures excellent flowability and sinterability such that it enables the formation of high-quality products at high speed. The forming material for 3D printing consists of a parent glass powder in the form of an unmelted powder irregularly shaped by crushing amorphous glass; and a spherical nanopowder that has an average particle diameter equal to or less than 1/50.sup.th of the average particle diameter of the parent glass powder and is mixed in such a way that it can be disposed on a surface of the parent glass powder to enhance the flowability of the irregularly shaped parent glass powder during the formation of an object by 3D printing.

The present invention relates to a forming material for three-dimensional (3D) printing, a forming method for 3D printing, and a formed object, wherein, while being based on an amorphous glass powder shaped irregularly, the forming material for 3D printing ensures excellent flowability and sinterability such that it enables the formation of high-quality products at high speed. The forming material for 3D printing consists of a parent glass powder in the form of an unmelted powder irregularly shaped by crushing amorphous glass; and a spherical nanopowder that has an average particle diameter equal to or less than 1/50.sup.th of the average particle diameter of the parent glass powder and is mixed in such a way that it can be disposed on a surface of the parent glass powder to enhance the flowability of the irregularly shaped parent glass powder during the formation of an object by 3D printing.

A apparatus for making a three-dimensional object that includes: a gripping fixture having a grip surface or a pedestal having a build surface, the grip or build surface configured to hold an end of a contiguous, preformed material; a feed system having a feed outlet positioned above the grip or build surface, the feed system configured to feed the contiguous, preformed material into a build zone between the feed outlet and the grip or build surface; and a laser delivery system arranged to direct at least one laser beam through the furnace and into the build zone to form a hot spot in the build zone; and a positioning system arranged to effect relative motion between the grip or build surface and the feed outlet. In some implementations, the apparatus for making a 3D object can also include a furnace enclosing the build zone and the feed outlet.

A apparatus for making a three-dimensional object that includes: a gripping fixture having a grip surface or a pedestal having a build surface, the grip or build surface configured to hold an end of a contiguous, preformed material; a feed system having a feed outlet positioned above the grip or build surface, the feed system configured to feed the contiguous, preformed material into a build zone between the feed outlet and the grip or build surface; and a laser delivery system arranged to direct at least one laser beam through the furnace and into the build zone to form a hot spot in the build zone; and a positioning system arranged to effect relative motion between the grip or build surface and the feed outlet. In some implementations, the apparatus for making a 3D object can also include a furnace enclosing the build zone and the feed outlet.

A material melting device (10) for melting a work material, and discharge of the melted work material, is described. The material melting device (10) comprises a cold part (12) and a hot part (30), and a work material duct (22) for supplying said work material. The work material duct (22) extends at least partially through the cold part (12) to a melting chamber (33) arranged in the hot part (30). The hot part (30) comprises a nozzle duct (34) extending from the melting chamber (33) to a nozzle opening (35) such that melted work material can be flowed from the melting chamber (33) and discharged from the nozzle opening (35). The melting chamber (33) has a cross-sectional area which is larger than the cross-sectional area of the work material duct (22).

A material melting device (10) for melting a work material, and discharge of the melted work material, is described. The material melting device (10) comprises a cold part (12) and a hot part (30), and a work material duct (22) for supplying said work material. The work material duct (22) extends at least partially through the cold part (12) to a melting chamber (33) arranged in the hot part (30). The hot part (30) comprises a nozzle duct (34) extending from the melting chamber (33) to a nozzle opening (35) such that melted work material can be flowed from the melting chamber (33) and discharged from the nozzle opening (35). The melting chamber (33) has a cross-sectional area which is larger than the cross-sectional area of the work material duct (22).

A apparatus for making a three-dimensional object (glass, glass ceramic or ceramic) that includes: a gripping fixture 102a having a grip surface or a pedestal 102 having a build surface 130, the grip or build surface configured to hold an end of a contiguous, preformed material 106, such as a fiber or a ribbon; a feed system 100 having a feed outlet 118 positioned above the grip or build surface, the feed system configured to feed the contiguous, preformed material into a build zone between the feed outlet and the grip or build surface; and a laser delivery system 134 arranged to direct at least one laser beam through the furnace 132 and into the build zone to form a hot spot 126 in the build zone; and a positioning system 120 arranged to effect relative motion between the grip or build surface and the feed outlet. In some implementations, the apparatus for making a 3D object can also include a furnace 132 enclosing the build zone and the feed outlet.

A apparatus for making a three-dimensional object (glass, glass ceramic or ceramic) that includes: a gripping fixture 102a having a grip surface or a pedestal 102 having a build surface 130, the grip or build surface configured to hold an end of a contiguous, preformed material 106, such as a fiber or a ribbon; a feed system 100 having a feed outlet 118 positioned above the grip or build surface, the feed system configured to feed the contiguous, preformed material into a build zone between the feed outlet and the grip or build surface; and a laser delivery system 134 arranged to direct at least one laser beam through the furnace 132 and into the build zone to form a hot spot 126 in the build zone; and a positioning system 120 arranged to effect relative motion between the grip or build surface and the feed outlet. In some implementations, the apparatus for making a 3D object can also include a furnace 132 enclosing the build zone and the feed outlet.

Additive manufacturing apparatus including a build module is presented. The build module includes a support structure; a powder supply chamber formed in the support structure; and powder applicator disposed on the support structure and located proximate to the powder supply chamber. The build module further includes a powder recovery chamber and a plurality of build plates spatially disposed around the powder recovery chamber, the plurality of build plates configured to move around the powder recovery chamber. The build module is configured such that during an additive manufacturing process step, a build plate of the plurality of build plates is disposed between the powder supply chamber and the powder recovery chamber, and the powder applicator is configured to distribute a required amount of the powder material from the powder supply chamber on the build plate and deposit any excess powder material in the powder recovery chamber. Related processes are also presented.