A method for a workpiece comprising a material composed of a base material and an additive is disclosed, the method including spreading a granular material in superimposed layers. The granular material contains the base material and an organic binder. An ink contains a solvent for dissolving the binder, and a suspension of the additive. Using the ink, patterns are printed onto individual layers. The ink dissolves the binder in the region of the patterns, and introduces the additive in the region of the patterns. The patterns in the layers together produce a three-dimensional shape of the workpiece. The solvent is expelled so that the granular material is connected by the binder and the additive is fixed. Granular material unwetted by the solvent is removed to reveal the green compact of the workpiece. The green compact is thermally treated to convert the base material and the additive into the material.

A method for a workpiece comprising a material composed of a base material and an additive is disclosed, the method including spreading a granular material in superimposed layers. The granular material contains the base material and an organic binder. An ink contains a solvent for dissolving the binder, and a suspension of the additive. Using the ink, patterns are printed onto individual layers. The ink dissolves the binder in the region of the patterns, and introduces the additive in the region of the patterns. The patterns in the layers together produce a three-dimensional shape of the workpiece. The solvent is expelled so that the granular material is connected by the binder and the additive is fixed. Granular material unwetted by the solvent is removed to reveal the green compact of the workpiece. The green compact is thermally treated to convert the base material and the additive into the material.

A powder supply apparatus includes at least a vibration sieve part configured to vibrate a powder supply port by a vibration source. The powder supply port has a rectangular shape. The vibration source is mounted on a short side of the powder supply port.

The invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for building up a workpiece layer by layer in the course of an additive manufacturing process, in particular in the form of a powder-bed process, wherein grains of a powder are fused to one another by using a binder, wherein the binder used is a heat-curable adhesive which is not applied selectively but layer by layer and which is activated and cured by a controlled energy source, in particular a laser with a controlled laser beam, and thereby fuses respectively adjacent grains of the powder.

The invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for building up a workpiece layer by layer in the course of an additive manufacturing process, in particular in the form of a powder-bed process, wherein grains of a powder are fused to one another by using a binder, wherein the binder used is a heat-curable adhesive which is not applied selectively but layer by layer and which is activated and cured by a controlled energy source, in particular a laser with a controlled laser beam, and thereby fuses respectively adjacent grains of the powder.

Provided is a chamber system for solid free form fabrication, the chamber system having a deposition chamber, a service chamber and one or more loading/unloading chambers. The chamber system allows for a more efficient and cost effective process to service the deposition apparatus, load holding substrates, and unload workpieces without requiring having to adjust the atmosphere in the deposition chamber.

A 3D printing apparatus is disclosed herein. The 3D printing apparatus comprises a non-powered compartment defining a chamber to contain build material, and a passive latching element connected to a lateral wall of the compartment to be engaged with a complementary latching element of a platform. A drive mechanism of a 3D printing device is engageable with the platform to apply an upward vertical force to the platform to move the platform upwardly. The complementary latching elements are to: passively latch the platform and the compartment together at a latched position such that upward movement of the platform causes upward movement of the compartment until the compartment is restrained at a sealing position; and to passively unlatch the platform from the compartment, upon further upward movement of the platform.

A 3D printing apparatus is disclosed herein. The 3D printing apparatus comprises a non-powered compartment defining a chamber to contain build material, and a passive latching element connected to a lateral wall of the compartment to be engaged with a complementary latching element of a platform. A drive mechanism of a 3D printing device is engageable with the platform to apply an upward vertical force to the platform to move the platform upwardly. The complementary latching elements are to: passively latch the platform and the compartment together at a latched position such that upward movement of the platform causes upward movement of the compartment until the compartment is restrained at a sealing position; and to passively unlatch the platform from the compartment, upon further upward movement of the platform.

A powder for additive manufacturing, which is a powder to be used in a three-dimensional additive manufacturing method, including a plurality of coated particles containing metal particles, and resin coating films that cover the metal particles and contain a caking additive, wherein 0.0001≤t/D50≤0.0010 in which t is an average thickness of the resin coating films and D50 is an average particle diameter of the metal particles.

The present disclosure provides mixtures, systems, and methods for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a mixture for printing a 3D object, comprising a plurality of granulated particles. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a mixture for printing a 3D object, comprising a plurality of precursor compounds configured to react to form a plurality of particles.