Systems and methods for forming an object using additive manufacturing. One method includes receiving a digital model of the object, predicting a shrinking characteristic or receiving a predicted shrinking characteristic of the object that will occur during thermal processing of the object, once formed, and generating, based on the shrinking characteristic of the object, instructions for forming a raft on which the object will be formed. The instructions for forming the raft are configured to form a raft having a shrinking characteristic that reflects the shrinking characteristic of the object.

A three-dimensional printing system includes a print bed and a shelf insertion mechanism for inserting a shelf of one or a plurality of auxiliary shelves into a print volume between the print bed and a printer head. A printer assembly is configured to deposit layers of material within the print volume to form one or more objects on a support platform, the support platform including the print bed or an auxiliary shelf that is inserted into the print volume by the shelf insertion mechanism. A controller is configured to control the shelf insertion mechanism to insert an auxiliary shelf between the print bed and a printer head of the system after formation of the objects on that support platform by the printer assembly is complete.

A three-dimensional printing system includes a print bed and a shelf insertion mechanism for inserting a shelf of one or a plurality of auxiliary shelves into a print volume between the print bed and a printer head. A printer assembly is configured to deposit layers of material within the print volume to form one or more objects on a support platform, the support platform including the print bed or an auxiliary shelf that is inserted into the print volume by the shelf insertion mechanism. A controller is configured to control the shelf insertion mechanism to insert an auxiliary shelf between the print bed and a printer head of the system after formation of the objects on that support platform by the printer assembly is complete.

A method of controlling sensing level in a liquid ejector is disclosed. The method includes filling a reservoir in communication with a liquid ejector with a printing material to a first level set point, receiving a drop out signal from a laser-based level sensor that reads from a surface of a melt pool in the reservoir, pausing an operation of the liquid ejector, adjusting the printing material level set point to a second level set point of printing material in reservoir that is higher than the first level set point, increasing a quantity of printing material in the reservoir to fill the reservoir to the second level set point, and resuming the operation of the liquid ejector.

In some examples, an additive manufacturing technique for forming a vacuum insulator. For example, a method including forming an article including a first layer, a second layer, and at least one support member extending between the first and second layer by depositing a filament via a filament delivery device, wherein the filament includes a sacrificial binder and a powder, and wherein the first layer, second layer, and at least one support member define an open cavity within the article; removing the binder; and sintering the article to form the vacuum insulator, wherein the vacuum insulator defines a vacuum environment in the cavity.

In some examples, an additive manufacturing technique for forming a vacuum insulator. For example, a method including forming an article including a first layer, a second layer, and at least one support member extending between the first and second layer by depositing a filament via a filament delivery device, wherein the filament includes a sacrificial binder and a powder, and wherein the first layer, second layer, and at least one support member define an open cavity within the article; removing the binder; and sintering the article to form the vacuum insulator, wherein the vacuum insulator defines a vacuum environment in the cavity.

In some examples, an additive manufacturing technique for forming a vacuum insulator. For example, a method including forming an article including a first layer, a second layer, and at least one support member extending between the first and second layer by depositing a filament via a filament delivery device, wherein the filament includes a sacrificial binder and a powder, and wherein the first layer, second layer, and at least one support member define an open cavity within the article; removing the binder; and sintering the article to form the vacuum insulator, wherein the vacuum insulator defines a vacuum environment in the cavity.

A method and system for manufacturing and using a self-supporting structure in processing unit for adsorption or catalytic processes. The self-supporting structure has greater than 50% by weight of the active material in the self-supporting structure to provide an open-celled structure providing access to the active material. The self-supporting structures, which may be disposed in a processing unit, may be used in swing adsorption processes and other processes to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons.

A method and system for manufacturing and using a self-supporting structure in processing unit for adsorption or catalytic processes. The self-supporting structure has greater than 50% by weight of the active material in the self-supporting structure to provide an open-celled structure providing access to the active material. The self-supporting structures, which may be disposed in a processing unit, may be used in swing adsorption processes and other processes to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons.

The present invention relates to an article fabrication system having a plurality of material deposition tools containing one or more materials useful in fabricating the article, and a material deposition device having a tool interface for receiving one of the material deposition tools. A system controller is operably connected to the material deposition device to control operation of the material deposition device. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating an article using the system of the invention and a method of fabricating a living three-dimensional structure.