A method of printing a 3D printing a photopolymer composite material includes providing a resin premix material including an acrylate monomer or an acrylate oligomer, an inorganic hydrate, a reinforcing filler, a co-initiator, and an ultraviolet (UV) initiator. A thermal initiator is mixed with the resin premix to form a photopolymer composite resin. The photopolymer composite resin is repeatedly extruded and dual-cured by a 3D printing system to create a photopolymer composite material. The 3D printing system includes a control system, a mixing system, a feeding system in fluid communication with the mixing system, a light curing module controlled by the control system, and a printing head controlled by the control system.

A method of printing a 3D printing a photopolymer composite material includes providing a resin premix material including an acrylate monomer or an acrylate oligomer, an inorganic hydrate, a reinforcing filler, a co-initiator, and an ultraviolet (UV) initiator. A thermal initiator is mixed with the resin premix to form a photopolymer composite resin. The photopolymer composite resin is repeatedly extruded and dual-cured by a 3D printing system to create a photopolymer composite material. The 3D printing system includes a control system, a mixing system, a feeding system in fluid communication with the mixing system, a light curing module controlled by the control system, and a printing head controlled by the control system.

A three-dimensional (“3D”) printing system for printing on a substrate, the printing system including a powder distribution device dispensing powder on the substrate and including a blade-shaped end, the blade-shaped end disposed at a height above the substrate; a powder uniformization device located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the substrate; one or more sensors disposed upstream from the powder uniformization device and configured to determine one or more parameters of a thickness of the dispensed powder at one or more locations; and a control apparatus configured to determine whether the one or more parameters of the thickness is above a predetermined threshold value, and if the one or more parameters is determined to be above the predetermined threshold value, to adjust the powder distribution device.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.

A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) having a discrete supply hopper (340) and a recoater (20). The discrete supply hopper (340) is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater (20) in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (20). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.

The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) having a discrete supply hopper (340) and a recoater (20). The discrete supply hopper (340) is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater (20) in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (20). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.

An additive manufacturing machine having a build vessel defining a work surface is provided. The additive manufacturing machine includes a build unit including a powder dispenser assembly defining a powder reservoir that receives additive powder; a positioning system adapted to provide independent movement of at least one of the build unit and the work surface with respect to one another in at least two dimensions; and a dosing rate measurement device in communication with the powder dispenser assembly, wherein the dosing rate measurement device measures a dosing rate of the additive powder in-situ.

Techniques for controlling moisture content of build material in a three dimensional printer are provided. An example system includes a build material vessel to contain the build material and receive a flow of air, and a humidifier to adjust the humidity of the air flowing into the build material vessel. The system also includes one or more sensors to determine a dew point of the air flowing into the build material vessel. The humidity level of the air flowing into the hopper is controlled by the humidifier to maintain the dew point at a level that will prevent condensation of water inside the build material vessel.

Techniques for controlling moisture content of build material in a three dimensional printer are provided. An example system includes a build material vessel to contain the build material and receive a flow of air, and a humidifier to adjust the humidity of the air flowing into the build material vessel. The system also includes one or more sensors to determine a dew point of the air flowing into the build material vessel. The humidity level of the air flowing into the hopper is controlled by the humidifier to maintain the dew point at a level that will prevent condensation of water inside the build material vessel.