A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with two solid metal moving mechanisms that are independently operated to move two different metals into the receptacle of a vessel in a melted metal drop ejecting apparatus. The ejector is operated to form object features with melted metal drops of one of the two different metals and to form support features with melted metal drops of the other of the two different metals. The thermal expansion coefficients of the two metals are sufficiently different that the support features easily separate from the object features after the object and support features cool.

A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with two solid metal moving mechanisms that are independently operated to move two different metals into the receptacle of a vessel in a melted metal drop ejecting apparatus. The ejector is operated to form object features with melted metal drops of one of the two different metals and to form support features with melted metal drops of the other of the two different metals. The thermal expansion coefficients of the two metals are sufficiently different that the support features easily separate from the object features after the object and support features cool.

A method is disclosed. The method involves establishing a number of times that a batch of build material has been processed as part of one or more additive manufacturing processes without forming part of a three-dimensional object formed during the one or more additive manufacturing processes. The method also involves determining, based on the established number of times, build parameters to be applied in respect of an additive manufacturing a batch of build material has process to be performed using the batch of build material to generate a three-been processed as part of one or dimensional object.

Support substrates are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit processing of an object. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are sintered into a final part, a multi-layer support substrate of interleaved support and interface layers is fabricated to support an object while reducing an impact of friction on shrinkage of the part during the sintering process.

Support substrates are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit processing of an object. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are sintered into a final part, a multi-layer support substrate of interleaved support and interface layers is fabricated to support an object while reducing an impact of friction on shrinkage of the part during the sintering process.

According to examples, an apparatus may include a processor and a memory on which are stored machine-readable instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to access a 3D model of a 3D object to be fabricated and apply a deformation model to the 3D model. In some examples, the processor may generate a modified 3D model that compensates for a determined deformation of the 3D object during a sintering process for the 3D object. In some examples, the deformation model may include a densification component associated with a density of the 3D object and a deformation component associated with mechanical loads on the 3D object. The densification component may have initial state values associated with the density of the 3D object during the sintering process.

According to examples, an apparatus may include a processor and a memory on which are stored machine-readable instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to access a 3D model of a 3D object to be fabricated and apply a deformation model to the 3D model. In some examples, the processor may generate a modified 3D model that compensates for a determined deformation of the 3D object during a sintering process for the 3D object. In some examples, the deformation model may include a densification component associated with a density of the 3D object and a deformation component associated with mechanical loads on the 3D object. The densification component may have initial state values associated with the density of the 3D object during the sintering process.

In an embodiment, an article comprises a plurality of structural units, wherein each structural unit comprises a first portion; a second portion; wherein the second portion contacts the first portion; and a third portion; wherein the third portion is in communication with the first portion and the second portion and is more compressible than the first portion and the second portion; wherein the first portion comprises a first shape memory alloy having a first preset state and wherein the second portion comprises a second shape memory alloy that has a second preset state; wherein the second preset state is different from the first preset state.

In an embodiment, an article comprises a plurality of structural units, wherein each structural unit comprises a first portion; a second portion; wherein the second portion contacts the first portion; and a third portion; wherein the third portion is in communication with the first portion and the second portion and is more compressible than the first portion and the second portion; wherein the first portion comprises a first shape memory alloy having a first preset state and wherein the second portion comprises a second shape memory alloy that has a second preset state; wherein the second preset state is different from the first preset state.

In an example implementation, a sintering system includes optical fiber installed into a sintering furnace. A support structure inside the furnace is to support a token green object in a predetermined position and to hold a distal end of the fiber adjacent to the predetermined position. A light source is operably engaged at a proximal end of the fiber to transmit light through the fiber into the furnace. A light detector is operably engaged at the proximal end of the fiber to receive reflected light through the fiber that scatters off a surface of the token green object.