Devices and methods for three-dimensional printing

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the formation of three-dimensional objects. A method for forming a three-dimensional object may comprise alternately and sequentially applying a stream comprising a binding substance to an area of a layer of powder material in a powder bed, and generating at least one perimeter of the three-dimensional object in the area. The stream may be applied in accordance with a model design of the three-dimensional object. The at least one perimeter may generated in accordance with the model design.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for forming a three-dimensional object, comprising:
 a surface configured to hold said three-dimensional object;   one or more print heads configured to deposit one or more materials on said surface;   at least one perimeter generator configured to generate perimeters corresponding to said three-dimensional object in said one or more materials; and   one or more computer processors operatively coupled to said one or more print heads and said at least one perimeter generator, wherein said one or more computer processors are individually or collectively programmed to (a) direct said one or more print heads to deposit a layer of said one or more materials on said surface and (b) direct said at least one perimeter generator to generate a perimeter corresponding to said three-dimensional object in said layer, wherein said perimeter is in accordance with a model design of said three-dimensional object.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one perimeter generator comprises a contact cutter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said contact cutter is a multi-axis machine tool or a computer numeric control (CNC) unit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more computer processors are individually or collectively programmed to, subsequent to (b), direct said one or more print heads to deposit an additional layer of said one or more materials on said layer and direct said at least one perimeter generator to generate an additional perimeter corresponding to said three-dimensional object in said additional layer, wherein said additional perimeter is in accordance with said model design of said three-dimensional object. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a furnace configured to heat said three-dimensional object. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more materials comprises a metal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more materials comprises a binding substance. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said binding substance comprises a solvent.