Ut-battelle, Inc.

Alex C Roschli

Brian K Post

Phillip C Chesser

Randall F Lind

Lonnie J Love

Seokpum Kim

Andrew P Reis

Michael C Borish

Craig A Blue

Ahmed A Hassen

John M Lindahl

Gregory D Dreifus

Matthew R Sallas

Vlastimil Kune

Bentley T Beard, Ii

Toolpath generation for additive manufacturing systems involves operations on polygonal contours derived from a model for additively manufacturing a structure. One aspect involves modifying or creating a model to allow parts to be printed without starting and stopping the printing equipment by generating continuous toolpaths or toolpaths having a reduced number of isolated paths. Another aspect involves modifying a slicing engine to generate a continuous toolpath or toolpath having a reduced number of isolated paths based on a representation of an object to be additively manufactured. Another aspect involves selectively placing the gaps at alternating positions among the sliced layers to create a zippering effect.

Continuous toolpaths for additive manufacturing

A system and method for improving additive manufacturing, including additive manufacturing toolpaths, is provided. The system and method includes a toolpath generator that obtains initial toolpaths of an object, identifies isolated paths in the toolpaths, and adds bridge connections between neighboring isolated paths in each layer to improve the toolpaths. The bridge connections facilitate the continuous and non-stop deposition of each layer according to improved toolpaths during additive manufacture, which can reduce total deposition time and improve the resultant additive manufacture.

System and method for additive manufacturing with toolpath bridges and resultant structure

A cable-driven additive manufacturing system includes an end effector configured for linear translation within a three-dimensional workspace, an aerial hoist suspending the end effector by at least one suspension cable, a plurality of base stations disposed below the aerial hoist, and control cables running from each of the base stations to the end effector.

Cable-driven additive manufacturing system

An additive manufacturing method that includes an extruder providing a supply of working material and a nozzle connected with respect to the extruder, the nozzle directing the working material to a deposit surface. A diverter valve is positioned between the extruder and the nozzle to direct the working material to an exhaust port away from the deposit surface under certain conditions.

Polymer exhaust for eliminating extruder transients

A methodfor generating and dispensing a powderedrelease agent during an additive manufacturing build is disclosed. A solid bodyof release agent material is ground insitu by a grinderand dispensed on a surface of the partto prevent adhesion of an adjacent layer of a base material. With the addition of the powderedrelease agent, a support structureis easily separated from the base materialwhen the partis complete, saving time and preventing the partfrom sustaining unintentional damage. Since no powderedrelease agent is actually loaded or stored in the apparatus, the potential for spillage, waste, inconsistent dispensing, inadvertent dispensing, and clumping due to humidity is eliminated.

Method for generating and dispensing a powdered release agent

An apparatusand a methodfor generating and dispensing a powderedrelease agent during an additive manufacturing build is disclosed. A solid bodyof release agent material is ground insitu by a grinderand dispensed on a surface of the partto prevent adhesion of an adjacent layer of a base material. With the addition of the powderedrelease agent, a support structureis easily separated from the base materialwhen the partis complete, saving time and preventing the partfrom sustaining unintentional damage. Since no powderedrelease agent is actually loaded or stored in the apparatus, the potential for spillage, waste, inconsistent dispensing, inadvertent dispensing, and clumping due to humidity is eliminated.

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Kingston, TN, United States of America

Alex C Roschli