TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe methods and systems of stereolithography for building cost-efficient and time-saving multi-material, multi-functional and multi-colored prototypes, models and devices configured for intermediate washing and curing/drying.
TL;DR: A computational model based on the discrete element method is employed to study the critical influence of powder cohesiveness on the powder recoating process in AM and shows that cohesive forces dominate gravity forces leading to low quality powder layers not suitable for subsequent laser melting without additional layer/surface finishing steps.
TL;DR: In this paper, the state of the art of additive manufacturing (AM) at the micro-scale level is reviewed, including powder recoating, laser optics, and powder particle size.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present methods and apparatus for building three-dimensional objects on a cross-sectional basis including counter-rotating rollers, ink jet recoaters, spinning members which sling material, applicator bars that dispense material via a meniscus and/or independently dispensed streams, and also including methods and devices to determine a preferred region over which to form a layer and to check for building errors.
Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in building three-dimensional objects on substantially a cross-sectional basis including methods and apparatus for forming successive layers using counter-rotating rollers, ink jet recoaters, spinning members which sling material, applicator bars that dispense material via a meniscus and/or independently dispensed streams, and also including methods and apparatus to determine a preferred region over which to form a layer and to check for building errors.
TL;DR: In this article, an improved technique has been developed for the successful fabrication of reticulate porous ceramics (RPCs) with strong struts, using polyurethane sponge as the template.
Abstract: An improved technique has been developed for the successful fabrication of reticulate porous ceramics (RPCs) with strong struts, using polyurethane sponge as the template. In this technique, the coating process is composed of two stages. In the first stage, a thicker slurry is used to coat the sponge substrate uniformly. The green body is preheated to produce a reticulated preform with sufficient handling strength after the sponge has been burned out. In the second stage, a thinner slurry is used to coat the preform repeatedly, so that that struts are greatly thickened. Furthermore, large flaws, such as longitudinal strut cracks, are eliminated by the recoating process. The mechanical properties of RPCs should be improved significantly by this technique, which will make this material conducive for use in new technological applications.