Patent ID: 6830643
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: B33Y,B41M,H05K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an item comprising the steps of:controlling a printer (2) to print a layer (9) of retaining material in a predetermined pattern onto a substrate (10) which has registration aids for allowing mechanical indexing apparatus (66) to align the substrates (10) in the X and Y directions; applying a powder manufacturing material to be retained by the retaining material in substantially the predetermined pattern; treating the manufacturing material so that it forms a continuous solid piece (7) in substantially the predetermined shape of the pattern, or, where the pattern is made up of distinct parts, in substantially the predetermined shape of each distinct part of the pattern; and the assembly comprising the solid piece (7) or pieces and the substrate (10) on which it or they is or are formed being used again as the substrate in a subsequent use of the method; or the solid piece (7) or pieces being separated from the substrate (10).