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 method is provided of sintering a green object body to form a manufactured object. The method comprises providing a green object body. The green object body comprises granular construction material bound together by a binder. The method comprises providing a green support body for supporting the green object body. The green support body comprises granular construction material bound together by a binder. The method comprises supporting the green object body with the green support body. The method comprises sintering the green support body together with the green object body supported by the green support body. A method of manufacturing an object, a method of processing object data, a data carrier carrying program instructions and an object data processor are also provided.

In one example, a 3D printing system includes a support structure generator to identify a breakaway support to temporarily support part of the object, to design a wedge shaped groove between a portion of the object and the support, the groove ending at a line along which the support intersects the object, and to generate a digital object model that includes the support and the groove. The system also includes a 3D printer to print the object, support and groove based on the object model.

In one example, a 3D printing system includes a support structure generator to identify a breakaway support to temporarily support part of the object, to design a wedge shaped groove between a portion of the object and the support, the groove ending at a line along which the support intersects the object, and to generate a digital object model that includes the support and the groove. The system also includes a 3D printer to print the object, support and groove based on the object model.

An additively manufactured assembly including an additively manufactured component with an edge oriented with respect to a recoater blade direction and an non-contact support that does not form a part of the additively manufactured component, the additively manufactured support located adjacent the edge. A method of additively manufacturing a component includes additively manufacturing an component with an edge oriented with respect to a recoater blade direction simultaneous with additively manufacturing an non-contact support that does not form a part of the component, the additively manufactured support located adjacent the edge.

An additively manufactured assembly including an additively manufactured component with an edge oriented with respect to a recoater blade direction and an non-contact support that does not form a part of the additively manufactured component, the additively manufactured support located adjacent the edge. A method of additively manufacturing a component includes additively manufacturing an component with an edge oriented with respect to a recoater blade direction simultaneous with additively manufacturing an non-contact support that does not form a part of the component, the additively manufactured support located adjacent the edge.

A method, of manufacturing a series of objects is disclosed. In the method, a layer of a manufacturing medium is provided. Portions of the layer of the medium, are bond together at at least edge regions of the layer to form a support portion. The support portion is lowered while gripping the support portion by the edge regions of the layer. A further layer of the medium is provided supported by the support portion. Portions of the further layer of the medium are selectively bound to form at least an object portion. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

A method for determining additive manufacturing parameters for the manufacture of an additive manufacturing support (1) for a target part exhibiting an overhang comprises the steps of: (a) additive manufacture of a plurality of supports for each supporting an overhang (2) of a test part (3), each support (1) being associated with a collection of manufacturing parameters and a collection of geometric parameters pertaining to the overhang (2); (b) manufacturing the test part (3) and observing, for each support (1), a collection of mechanical parameters pertaining to the support (1); (c) determining the additive manufacturing parameters for the manufacture of the support (1) of the target part on the basis of the geometric parameters pertaining to the overhang of the target part and of the mechanical parameters pertaining to the support.

A method for determining additive manufacturing parameters for the manufacture of an additive manufacturing support (1) for a target part exhibiting an overhang comprises the steps of: (a) additive manufacture of a plurality of supports for each supporting an overhang (2) of a test part (3), each support (1) being associated with a collection of manufacturing parameters and a collection of geometric parameters pertaining to the overhang (2); (b) manufacturing the test part (3) and observing, for each support (1), a collection of mechanical parameters pertaining to the support (1); (c) determining the additive manufacturing parameters for the manufacture of the support (1) of the target part on the basis of the geometric parameters pertaining to the overhang of the target part and of the mechanical parameters pertaining to the support.

This disclosure, and the exemplary embodiments provided herein, include AM processed Ti-MMCs reinforced with either aluminum oxide or tantalum pentoxide. According to an exemplary embodiment, composite feedstock powders of Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) with 1% and 3% (by volume) reinforcements of either nano-Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or Ta.sub.2O.sub.5 are prepared by high energy ball milling and then 3-D printed using SLM.