Systems for printing three-dimensional objects

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system for printing at least a portion of a three-dimensional (3D) object. The system may comprise a source of at least one feedstock, a support for supporting at least a portion of the 3D object, a feeder for directing at least one feedstock from the source towards the support, and a power supply for supplying electrical current. The system may comprise a controller operatively coupled to the power supply. The controller may receive a computational representation of the 3D object. The controller may direct the at least one feedstock through a feeder towards the support and may direct electrical current through the at least one feedstock and into the support. The controller may subject such feedstock to Joule heating such that at least a portion of such feedstock may deposit adjacent to the support, thereby printing the 3D object in accordance with the computational representation.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method for forming a three-dimensional structure, comprising using heat from a feedstock to melt and deposit said feedstock onto an object in accordance with a computer design of said three-dimensional structure, thereby forming at least a portion of said three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said feedstock comprises a metal. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said feedstock comprises a plurality of metals. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said plurality of metals is a plurality of different metals. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said feedstock comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said feedstock comprises a non-conductive material and a conductive material. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said conductive material heats said non-conductive material upon application of an electrical current 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said object comprises a previously deposited portion of said feedstock or another feedstock. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising removing said three-dimensional structure from said object. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said object is a support that does not form part of said three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said object is a sacrificial structure that is removed from said three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said feedstock is a wire. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said object comprises a metal or a polymer. 
     
     
         37 . A method for forming a three-dimensional structure, comprising melting and depositing a feedstock onto an object in accordance with a computer design of said three-dimensional structure, which melting and depositing is performed in a single step without welding, resistive spot welding or sintering of said feedstock, thereby forming at least a portion of said three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said feedstock comprises a metal. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said feedstock comprises a plurality of metals. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said plurality of metals is a plurality of different metals. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said feedstock comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said feedstock comprises a non-conductive material and a conductive material. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said conductive material heats said non-conductive material upon application of an electrical current. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said object is a previously deposited portion of said feedstock or another feedstock. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising removing said three-dimensional structure from said object. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said object is a support that does not form part of said three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said object is a sacrificial structure that is removed from said three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said feedstock is deposited at a location that is in accordance with a computer design of said three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said object comprises a metal or a polymer.