Multimaterial powder bed patterning for additive manufacturing method

1 . A method for additively manufacturing a part, the method comprising:

providing an excitation source configured to generate a signal;

using a reservoir to hold a granular material feedstock;

using a nozzle in communication with the reservoir to release the granular material feedstock in a controlled fashion from the reservoir to form at least one layer of the part; using a syringe located within the nozzle to receive the granular material feedstock;

arranging an elongated element within the syringe;

using the elongated element disposed within the syringe, and within the granular material feedstock, to agitate the granular material feedstock;

providing a transducer arranged adjacent to one end of the elongated element disposed within the syringe within the nozzle, the transducer responsive to the signal from the excitation source; and the signal from the excitation source exciting the transducer to cause the elongated element to induce a controlled release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle as needed to pattern the granular material feedstock as necessary to form a layer of the part.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising using a setting subsystem configured to emit at least one of:

a binder which is applied to the patterned granular material feedstock; or

an optical signal which is used to heat the patterned granular material feedstock before a new layer of granular material feedstock is deposited.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using an excitation source for applying a signal to the nozzle comprises using an excitation source to generate an acoustic signal.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the excitation source for applying a signal to the elongated element within the nozzle comprises using a mechanical signal.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongated element disposed within the nozzle comprises an elongated rod for providing a controlled, vibratory mechanical signal to the granular material feedstock to assist in controlling release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle in response to the signal generated from the excitation source.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using an excitation source comprises using a transducer operably associated with the nozzle to provide the signal which causes the controlled, vibratory mechanical signal produced by the element.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using an excitation signal comprises using s speaker to generate an acoustic signal, and wherein at least one of an amplitude, a frequency, or a direction of propagation of the acoustic signal is controlled to accomplish setting of the patterned granular material feedstock.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using an excitation source comprises using a laser.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using an excitation source comprises using a source that generates at least one of an electrostatic signal or an electromagnetic signal.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using an excitation source comprises using an excitation source that generates a thermal signal.

11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising using an electronic controller to control the excitation source to release the granular material feedstock in a manner to pattern the granular material feedstock as needed to form the layer of the part.

12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising using a motion control subsystem to move the excitation source.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising using a nozzle motion control subsystem for controlling movement of the nozzle while the granular material feedstock is being released from the nozzle.

14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a motion control subsystem for controlling motion of a table onto which the granular material feedstock is released from the nozzle while the granular material feedstock is flowing out from the nozzle.

15 . A method for additively manufacturing a part, the method comprising:

using a reservoir to hold a granular material feedstock;

using a nozzle in communication with the reservoir to release the granular material feedstock in a controlled fashion from the reservoir to form at least one layer of a part;

using an electronic controller to control an excitation source, the excitation source generating at least one least one of an electrostatic signal or an electromagnetic signal to the nozzle which induces a controlled release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle as needed to pattern the granular material feedstock as necessary to form a layer of the part; using an element disposed within the nozzle for providing a controlled, vibratory mechanical signal to the granular material feedstock to assist in controlling release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle in response to the signal generated from the excitation source;

using a syringe located within the nozzle to receive the granular material feedstock and controllably release the granular material feedstock; and

providing a transducer arranged adjacent to one end of the element disposed within the syringe within the nozzle, wherein the transducer is responsive to the signal from the excitation source;

wherein the signal from the excitation source excites the transducer to cause the element to induce the controlled release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle as needed to pattern the granular material feedstock as necessary to form a layer of the part.