Stratasys Ltd.
Method and apparatus for 3D printing by selective sintering

Abstract:

A system (100) for building a three dimensional object includes a powder delivery station (10) for applying a layer of powder material on a building tray (200), a digital printing station (30) for printing a mask pattern on the layer, a sintering station (50) for selectively sintering the portion of the layer that is defined by the mask to be sintered and a stage (250) for repeatedly advancing the building tray (200) to each of the powder delivery station, digital printing station and sintering station to build a plurality of layers that together form the three dimensional object. The mask pattern defines a negative portion of the layer to be sintered. Optionally, the system includes a die compaction station (40) for compacting per layer of powder material.