APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING
First Claim
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1. A method for generating a three-dimensional object devoid of one or more auxiliary support features, comprising:
- (a) providing a powder bed in an enclosure, wherein the powder bed comprises individual particles formed of a material selected from the group consisting of an elemental metal, metal alloy, ceramic, and an allotrope of elemental carbon;
(b) transforming a portion of the powder bed into a transformed material; and
(c) hardening the transformed material to form at least one layer of the three-dimensional object that is devoid of the one or more auxiliary support features, wherein the at least one layer of the three-dimensional object has a radius of curvature of at least about 5 centimeters as measured by optical microscopy.
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) objects, 3D printing processes, as well as methods, apparatuses and systems for the production of a 3D object. Methods, apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need for auxiliary supports. The present disclosure provides three dimensional (3D) objects printed utilizing the printing processes, methods, apparatuses and systems described herein.
156 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for generating a three-dimensional object devoid of one or more auxiliary support features, comprising:
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(a) providing a powder bed in an enclosure, wherein the powder bed comprises individual particles formed of a material selected from the group consisting of an elemental metal, metal alloy, ceramic, and an allotrope of elemental carbon; (b) transforming a portion of the powder bed into a transformed material; and (c) hardening the transformed material to form at least one layer of the three-dimensional object that is devoid of the one or more auxiliary support features, wherein the at least one layer of the three-dimensional object has a radius of curvature of at least about 5 centimeters as measured by optical microscopy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for generating a three-dimensional object devoid of one or more auxiliary support features, comprising:
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an enclosure that accommodates the powder bed, wherein the powder bed comprises individual particles formed of a material selected from the group consisting of an elemental metal, metal alloy, ceramic, and an allotrope of elemental carbon; an energy source that provides an energy beam to at least a portion of the powder bed; and a controller operatively coupled to the energy source and programmed to (i) receive instructions to generate the three-dimensional object and (ii) direct the energy beam along a path in accordance with the instructions to transform the at least a portion of the powder bed to a transformed material that hardens into at least one layer of the three-dimensional object that is devoid of the one or more auxiliary support features, wherein the at least one layer of the three-dimensional object has a radius of curvature of at least about 5 centimeters as measured by optical microscopy. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification