Direct Writing For Additive Manufacturing Systems

摘要

There are provided techniques for direct printing material into parts made by additive manufacturing, such as parts made by laser sintering. The direct printed material may be a metal, elastomer, ceramic, or any other material. Further, the direct printed material is typically different than the laser sintering material. Other aspects of the invention include using direct printed materials in the laser sintered parts to improve part strength, provide multi-materials, selectively provide electrical conductivity, and/or provide other desirable features to the parts.

主权项

1. A method of fabricating a three-dimensional object from digital data representing the object, the method comprising:
providing a first layer of particulate material; consolidating at least a first portion of the first layer of particulate material to form a consolidated first cross-section of the object; applying a first portion of conductive material to the consolidated first cross-section; applying a second layer of particulate material to the consolidated first cross-section of the first layer; and consolidating at least a second portion of the second layer of particulate material to form a consolidated second cross-section of the object.