Process and apparatus for the free-forming manufacture of three dimensional components of predetermined shape

Apparatus for the free-forming manufacture of three-dimensional components of a predetermined shape, comprising:

• a process chamber having first and second ends;
• a nozzle, arranged at a first end of said process chamber, through which a plasticized or molten material is discharged;
• means for generating a temperature inside said process chamber at which a starting material is plasticized or made molten;
• means for producing a pressure sufficient to discharge said plasticized or molten material through said nozzle;
• means for programming said nozzle to discharge said plasticized or molten material for deposit;
• and
• means for receiving said plasticized or molten material;
• wherein said means for producing pressure is gas fed into said process chamber.

Process for the free-forming manufacture of three-dimensional components, comprising:

• producing one of an unmixed powder and a powder-binder mixture from a powder material with a high melting point and a binder;
• filling said mixture into a process chamber having an exchangeable nozzle disposed at an end thereof;
• melting said mixture in said process chamber by raising the temperature to produce a plasticize material;
• applying pressure to said plasticize material;
• depositing said plasticize material through said nozzle onto a base;
• and
• completing the discharge process by reducing pressure in said process chamber, whereby said processing direction and processing speed of said nozzle are programmed during the entire process.

A process for the free-forming manufacture of three-dimensional components, by the layered discharge of a material through a programmed nozzle onto a base, comprising:

• adding a powdered material to a process chamber;
• applying pressure to said powder material;
• depositing said plasticize material in layers through a nozzle arranged at one end of said process chamber, whereby the material is discharged by pressure building up in the process chamber;
• and
• completing the discharge process by reducing pressure in the process chamber, whereby the processing direction and processing speed of the nozzle is programmed during the entire process.