Patent Publication Number: US-2022234284-A1

Title: 3d printer with pressure-assisted fluid extraction

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/198,570, entitled “JETTED MATERIAL PRINTER WITH PRESSURE-ASSISTED FLUID EXTRACTION,” filed on Mar. 11, 2021, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/122,944 entitled “JETTED MATERIAL PRINTER WITH PRESSURE-ASSISTED FLUID EXTRACTION,” filed Dec. 15, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/034,317 entitled “FLUID EXTRACTION DEVICE FOR JETTED MATERIAL PRINTER,” filed Jun. 3, 2020, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates to three-dimensional (3D) printing using inkjet printers, particularly to the use of vacuum to extract liquid vehicle from printed layers for assembly. In alternative implementations, this application relates to 3D printing apparatuses and methods using a liquid dispersion printer to deposit particulate material prior to using an inkjet printer to deposit liquid binder for assembly of printed layers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Three-dimensional (3D) printing has generated a high degree of interest in the potential for a faster and more economical manufacturing approach since the first patents were granted over 30 years ago. To date, however, that potential has largely gone unfulfilled. Today, the majority of 3D printers are used to make demonstration parts or nonfunctional prototypes, most from a plastic material that is chosen primarily for compatibility with the printer rather than the materials requirement of the final part. 
     While jetted binder 3D printers are arguably the most efficient technology for creating a 3D printed object, one of their attributes, the ability to deposit relatively thick layers, limits its usefulness when precise thin layers are needed. Inkjet printing, while rapidly depositing large areas of ink, is restricted to layer thicknesses in the range of a few microns. The trade-off is that printed resolution is significantly finer than is possible with jetted binder printing. 
     While inkjet-based 3D printers have been the subject of study and development, the approach has not been commercially deployed in significant breath. Inkjet technology in 3D printing applications, as suggested above, offers limited deposition rates, which limit the economic practicality. Notwithstanding the slow build rates possible with pure inkjet technology, inkjet-based 3D printers possess major advantages. Specifically, inkjet printers are readily adapted to printing multiple different materials (colors) into a single printed layer. Inkjet printers can be easily controlled with respect to the amount of material in each drop and can achieve pixel sizes as small as 0.010 mm. Additionally, inkjet printers can print a complete layer very quickly, as fast as 1 second for an “A4” size sheet. 
     On the negative side, while inkjet printers can cover a lot of area per second, the volume per unit time, particularly in the context of a 3D printer, is very low. Currently available 3D printers based on inkjet technology are capable of depositing a few hundred cubic centimeters of active material per hour, which may be compared to jetted binder deposition rates as high as tens of liters per hour. 
     A need remains for a 3D printing system that can preserve the fine resolution of inkjet technology which substantially improving speed of printing. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a three-dimensional (3D) printer includes a receiver device including a substrate, an inkjet print head configured to deposit an ink including a suspension of a particulate material in a liquid vehicle onto the substrate to form a printed layer, a removal system configured to use a pressure differential to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the printed layer to form a dried layer; and a transfer system configured to transfer the dried layer to a build station. 
     In another aspect, a method of three-dimensional (3D) printing includes depositing an ink onto a substrate with an inkjet print head to form a printed layer, the ink including a particulate material and a liquid vehicle, transporting the printed layer away from the inkjet print head, using a pressure differential to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the printed layer to form a dried printed layer, and transferring the dried printed layer to a build station to form a stack of printed layers. 
     In another aspect, an inkjet printer includes a receiver device including a substrate, an inkjet print head configured to deposit an ink including a suspension of a particulate material in a liquid vehicle onto the substrate to form a printed layer, and a removal system configured to use a pressure differential to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the printed layer. 
     In another aspect, a three-dimensional (3D) printer includes a receiver device including a substrate, a liquid deposition device configured to deposit a liquid dispersion including a suspension of a particulate material in a liquid vehicle, the liquid vehicle including a solvent but devoid of a binder material, onto the substrate to form a non-patterned layer on the substrate, a solvent removal device configured to remove at least a portion of the solvent from the liquid vehicle from the non-patterned layer to form a dried non-patterned layer, and a liquid binder print head configured to deposit a liquid binder onto the dried non-patterned layer to form a printed pattern on the dried non-patterned layer. 
     In another aspect, a method of three-dimensional (3D) printing includes depositing, via a liquid deposition device, a liquid dispersion including a suspension of a particulate material in a liquid vehicle, the liquid vehicle including a solvent but devoid of a binder material, onto a substrate to form a non-patterned layer on the substrate, transporting the non-patterned layer away from the liquid deposition device, removing, via a solvent removal device, at least a portion of the solvent from the liquid vehicle from the non-patterned layer to form a dried non-patterned layer, and depositing, via a liquid binder print head, a liquid binder onto the dried non-patterned layer to form a printed pattern on the dried non-patterned layer. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. Furthermore, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. 
         FIG. 1  is a control flow for a 3D inkjet printer. 
         FIG. 2  is a drawing of a 3D inkjet printer. 
         FIG. 3  is a drawing of layers of a receiver/carrier device as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top-down view of a receiver device as shown in  FIG. 3  including a plurality of apertures. 
         FIG. 5  is a top-down view of a receiver device as shown in  FIG. 3  including a fibrous material. 
         FIG. 6  is a drawing of a pressure-assisted system for solvent removal. 
         FIG. 7  is a drawing of a pressure plate for solvent removal. 
         FIG. 8  is a drawing of a pressure cuff for solvent removal. 
         FIG. 9  is a drawing of a roller transfer device. 
         FIG. 10  is a drawing of an articulating transfer device. 
         FIG. 11  is a drawing of a flat pressing transfer device. 
         FIG. 12  is a drawing of a curved pressing transfer device. 
         FIG. 13  is a drawing of a multi-method 3D printer system. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram of a computer system that may control a 3D inkjet printer. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic of a print station controller for use with a 3D inkjet printer. 
         FIG. 16  is a block diagram of an example computing device, which may be used to provide implementations of the systems and methods described herein. 
         FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating components of an example machine configured to read instructions from a machine-readable medium. 
         FIG. 18  is a drawing of a 3D liquid dispersion printer in accordance with an alternative implementation of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart of operations using the 3D liquid dispersion printer shown in  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. 
     Inkjet print heads work most effectively with low-viscosity ink, for example ink with a viscosity of no more than about 40 centipoise (cP), which can dictate a very low loading of insoluble materials such as metals, ceramics or polymers. Typically, the volumetric loading of insoluble materials in inkjet ink is 20% or less. Binders may also make up 5% to 20% of the total volume of the ink, leaving 60% to 75% or more as liquid vehicle, much of which must be removed in order to achieve practical green density of at least 40% by volume of the active materials. 
     Jetted material printers can be used with inks that include materials that may be polymerized to a solid mass after deposition, an approach that is useful for making parts built largely of organic materials. While it may theoretically be possible to formulate a virtually 100% polymerizable material that may be jetted, it is unlikely that inks comprising solutions of inorganic materials will ever exceed around 20% by volume of persistent material. Therefore, if jetted material printers are ever to be practical for high speed 3D printing, they must be provided with a means of removing the majority of the liquid vehicle deposited during the printing cycle much more rapidly than can be accomplished by evaporation alone. The printer described herein provides just such a tool, augmenting or replacing evaporation by using an applied pressure differential drying technique, and in some implementations, enabling printing of successive layers while previous layers are drying. 
     The 3D inkjet printers described herein are designed to create printed objects, printed layers and printed parts using combinations of materials not typically associated with inkjet printing. These materials may be high performance engineering materials designed specifically to meet the engineering requirements of the final printed part, incorporated in inks specifically designed for use in inkjet print heads. These materials may include ceramic and metals as well as organic materials that may be included as particles suspended in a liquid vehicle. 
     Printing Process 
     A basic process for manufacturing a 3D printed part typically begins with a CAD file fully defining the structure, materials and specifications of the desired part. The part described in the CAD file may be sliced into print pattern layers, the thickness each layer determined by specifications for each position within the printed part, such as final thickness and pattern tolerance. Each layer may then be separated into regions, which may require different materials. Printer control instructions for each of the regions of different material requirement may then be transferred from the design file via input device and central processing unit and interface bus to appropriate print station control units of the jetted material printer system. As used herein, a “printed part” includes any assemblage of printed subparts or layers which may be fused together to form the part. Such an assemblage may be referred to as a “printed part” before or after fusing together its constituent parts. As used herein, a “printed layer” includes a layer of one or more materials, one voxel thick, which may have a horizontal design conforming to a design of a predetermined location within a desired printed part. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a method  100  of creating a 3D printed part at a highly abstracted level. Details of each step of the depicted method will be expanded as subsequent figures are described below. The method  100  begins by depositing inkjet ink onto a substrate (step  104 ) in a patterned layer using an inkjet print head as further described below. The deposited patterned layer is then transported away from the inkjet print head (step  106 ), and a pressure differential is applied in order to rapidly dry the printed layer (step  108 ). Optionally, the printed layer may also be conditioned, cured, and/or further dried (step  110 ). Once processing steps for the single printed layer are complete, the printed layer is transported to a build station, where it is transferred to a stack of previously printed layers (or, for the first layer printed, begins a new stack on the build station) (step  112 ). This process is repeated until all layers of the desired printed part have been transferred to the build station (conditional step  114 ). For some implementations, after all of the layers have been stacked at the build station, postprocessing on the printed part may be completed (step  116 ), for example by sintering together the stacked layers or by applying heat or another energy input in order to activate an adhesive from the conditioning step. Finally, the completed printed part may be removed from the build station (step  118 ). 
     Three-Dimensional Jetted Material Printer 
     With reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , deposition of the patterned layer (step  104 ) starts by providing inkjet inks appropriate for each of the plurality of inkjet print heads  202  of the 3D inkjet printer  200  onto receiver device  204  (also referred to herein as carrier  204  or as receiver  204 ), depicted in  FIG. 2  as a continuous belt. In other implementations, receiver device  204  may take other forms, such as individual carrier plates or an extended length of carrier material that may be cycled through the printer one time before being reconditioned or disposed of. Each one of the plurality of inkjet print heads  202  deposits ink in the predetermined pattern of a printed layer according to instructions received from a control system in communication with a computer, as further described below in connection with  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 . The deposited inks form printed layer  304 , visible in  FIG. 3  atop receiver device  204  and permeable membrane  302 , which will be further described below. Each of the plurality of inkjet material print heads  202  may be supplied with inkjet ink containing a same or different building material, each material conforming to a predetermined physical specification. Each of the plurality of inkjet print heads may be of the types known in the art and supplied by companies such as Xaar, Hewlett Packard and Konica Minolta (e.g., piezo heads, thermal heads, or valve-based heads). The plurality of print heads may all be of the same type, or each of the plurality of print heads may be of a type that is different from one or more of the other ones of the plurality of print heads. Print heads  202  may be configured to print directly to a receiver device  204  in order to create a 3D printed layer thereon, or onto a permeable membrane  302  placed on receiver device  204  as further discussed below. 
     Each one of print heads  202  deposits a predetermined quantity of inkjet ink onto receiver device  204  in a predetermined pattern of voxels, as directed by a print station controller described below in connection with  FIG. 15 . The predetermined pattern of voxels of each one of the plurality of print heads  202  may be separated from all of the voxel patterns from any other ones of the plurality of print heads  202 , or it may partially or completely overlap the voxel pattern of any other one or all of the rest of the plurality of print heads  202 . The result may be a complete printed layer  304  of a predetermined pattern of a plurality of ink types on the receiver device  204 . It will be understood that a “complete” pattern of ink may not cover 100% of receiver device  204 , depending on the part to be printed and any subsequent processing of the layer. 
     Receiver device  204  may be moved in a direction of travel using printer drive motor  256  (step  106 ) such that printed layer  304  may be juxtaposed with vacuum liquid extraction device  206 . Vacuum liquid extraction device  206  may then be evacuated to cause low viscosity constituents of ink making up printed layer  304  to be partially or completely removed from printed layer  304 , thereby drying the layer. Fluid pressure may also be applied in the optional upper portion of liquid extraction device  206  to assist liquid removal, as further discussed below in connection with  FIG. 6 - FIG. 8 . 
     As shown at step  110  in  FIG. 1 , receiver device  204  may be moved in a direction of travel such that printed layer  304  may be juxtaposed with conditioning device  208 , further described below. Before, after, or instead of conditioning printed layer  304 , receiver device may also move printed layer  304  adjacent to curing device  210 , which may be used to cure printed layer  304  as described below. Before or after either of these steps, printed layer  304  may be moved to additional fluid removal device  212 , which may remove further carrier fluid not extracted during previous steps. 
     After printed layer  304  has been dried and optionally conditioned and/or cured, receiver device  204  may move it to build plate  214 , where transfer device  216  may be used to transfer it to build plate  214 . As used herein, a “transfer device” includes any apparatus for moving a printed layer to an assembly apparatus. The first printed layer  304  may be transferred directly to build plate  214 , while subsequent layers may be placed atop it to create a stack  218  of printed layers. 
     Receiver device  204  may be provisioned with a printer drive motor  256  such that (under control of a print station control unit), the receiver device  204  may be moved in a direction of travel. The plurality of print heads  202  may be positioned such that the nozzles of each one of the plurality of print heads  202  form one or more substantially straight lines, and that the straight lines of the nozzles in all of the plurality of print heads  202  are juxtaposed parallel to each other. In an implementation of the present application, the plurality of print heads may be aligned such that the parallel rows of nozzles are aligned perpendicular to the direction of travel of the receiver device  204  and that the nozzles may extend substantially the full width of receiver device  204 . The plurality of print heads  202  may be provisioned with a transport device to allow the plurality of print heads  202  to traverse a length of receiver device  204  to create a predetermined pattern of voxels on receiver device  204 . 
     In some implementations of the present application, the plurality of print heads may be fixed across the width of receiver device  204  and receiver device  204  may be caused to move in a direction of travel such that the plurality of print heads may deposit a predetermined pattern of ink, in voxels, on a length of receiver device  204 . In other implementations, the parallel rows of nozzles may be aligned parallel to the direction of movement of the receiver device  204 . In such a case, the plurality of print heads  202  may be provisioned with a transport device to allow the plurality of print heads  202  to traverse the width of the receiver device  204  to create a predetermined pattern of a plurality of inks, in voxels, on receiver device  204 . Whatever the configuration of print heads  202 , they may collectively deposit a layer of ink which will be referred to as printed layer  304 . 
     Receiver device  204  may include a permeable membrane  302 , illustrated in  FIG. 3 , at least partially permeable to low viscosity liquids, for example liquids with viscosity less than about 2 cP, 4 cP, 6 cP, 8 cP, 10 cP, or 12 cP. As may be seen in  FIG. 4 , permeable membrane  302  may include a metal, metal alloy, or other material that further includes an array of penetrating apertures  402  that may communicate between two major surfaces of the permeable membrane  302 . For convenience in the following description, the surface of membrane  302  upon which ink is deposited will be referred to as the “top,” and the opposite surface will be referred to as the “bottom,” but it will be understood that receiver device  204  and permeable membrane  302  may be oriented in any convenient direction. Penetrating apertures  402  are illustrated as cylinders in  FIG. 4  but may have another regular or irregular shape. 
     In other implementations, permeable membrane  302  may also include a woven or nonwoven fibrous material which may exhibit a porous characteristic to liquids with lower viscosities but a nonporous characteristic to higher viscosity liquids and particles. For example, in one implementation, liquids with viscosities of less than about 12 cP may pass through membrane  302  while liquids with higher viscosities do not substantially pass through the membrane. It will be understood that another threshold value for liquid viscosity may be used as described above. Receiver device  204  may also include a support frame  502  as shown in  FIG. 5 , which may provide mechanical support to permeable membrane  302 . Support frame  502  may include a metal such as an iron alloy or a copper alloy. Support frame  502  may also include a polymeric material or a composite of a polymeric material and a fibrous material, such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or an organic fiber. Support frame  502  may include a composite of polymeric materials and a metal or metal alloy. In some implementations, support frame  502  may exhibit a continuous sheet like structure which may be provided with apertures in which permeable membrane  302  may be installed. In other implementations, support frame  502  may be a discrete window frame like structure which surround permeable membrane  302 . In any of these implementations, support frame  502  may be a separate structure or it may be affixed to permeable membrane  302 . 
     Receiver device  204  may be configured to move permeable membrane  302  away from print heads  202  after a printed layer  304  has been deposited thereon, for example through the action of printer drive motor  256 . Printed layer  304  may be moved to a solvent extraction device  206 , where a pressure differential may be used to dry printed layer  304 . By moving printed layer  304  away from print heads  202  before drying, the 3D printer may print another printed layer in parallel with the drying process. 
     Solvent extraction device  206  may include a vacuum chamber  310 , which may include a vacuum tight enclosure and a liquid-permeable support  312 . In some implementations, solvent extraction device  206  may also be provided with a connection to a vacuum source (not shown). In some implementations, for example as shown below in  FIG. 6 - FIG. 8 , instead of or in addition to applying a vacuum to the bottom of printed layer  304 , a solvent extraction system may apply a pressure differential by applying a positive pressure to a top surface of printed layer  304 . 
     Immediately after printed layer  304  has been deposited on permeable membrane  302 , it may include a substantial amount of low viscosity liquid, for example as much as 90% by volume. After printed layer  304  (on permeable membrane  302 ) has been positioned in contact with vacuum liquid extraction device  206 , vacuum chamber  310  may be evacuated by an attached vacuum source to create a pressure differential across printed layer  304 . The pressure differential across printed layer  304  may cause a substantial amount (for example as much as 90%) of the low viscosity liquid in the layer to be forced through permeable support  312  and into vacuum chamber  310 , thereby transforming printed layer  304  into a dried layer for subsequent processing as described below. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 - FIG. 8 , in certain implementations of the present teachings, liquid extraction may be augmented by a pressure device  602 ,  700 ,  800  positioned opposite liquid extraction device  206  at the top of printed layer  304 , opposite permeable membrane  302 . 
     Pressure Chamber Assisted Fluid Extraction 
       FIG. 6  illustrates fluid pressure device  602  to apply a fluid pressure to the surface of printed layer  304  opposite permeable membrane  302  to enhance the extraction of low viscosity liquid from printed layer  304 . Fluid pressure device  602  may include a pressure chamber wall  604  and compliant seal  606  to contain an elevated pressure within pressure chamber  608  relative to ambient pressure. After printed layer  304  on permeable membrane  302  has been positioned in contact with vacuum liquid extraction device  206  with a seal created by compliant seal  606 , the pressure within pressure chamber  608  may be elevated above ambient in coordination with the pressure in vacuum chamber  310  being reduced below ambient, thus increasing the total force to remove low viscosity liquids from printed layer  304 . The fluid used to apply pressure to printed layer  304  in fluid pressure device  602 , may include a gas such as air, nitrogen, argon, oxygen, steam, or gaseous compounds or combination of gasses. In some implementations, the fluid used to apply pressure to printed layer  304  in fluid pressure device  602 , may include a liquid rather than a gas. Whether it is liquid, gaseous, or a mixture, the fluid used to apply pressure to printed layer  304  in the fluid pressure device  602  may also facilitate modification of the constituents of printed layer  304  in order to adjust the final properties of the printed materials, for example by reacting with materials at the surface or below the surface of printed layer  304 . 
     Pressure Plate Assisted Fluid Extraction 
     In another implementation of the present application, a pressure plate device  700 , illustrated in  FIG. 7 , may be employed to enhance the removal of low viscosity liquid from printed layer  304 . When printed layer  304  is positioned in contact with vacuum liquid extraction device  206 , pressing device  702  may be applied with a pressure against printed layer  304  in coordination with evacuating vacuum chamber  310  to enhance the force applied to extract low viscosity liquid from printed layer  304 . 
     Pressure Cuff Assisted Fluid Extraction 
     In another implementation of the present application, a pressure cuff device  800 , illustrated in  FIG. 8 , may be employed to enhance the removal of low viscosity liquid from printed layer  304 . Pressure cuff device  800  may include an inflatable pressure cuff  802  and a cuff mounting  804 . When printed layer  304  is positioned adjacent to vacuum liquid extraction device  206  (opposite receiver device  204 ), pressure cuff  802  may be inflated to exert a pressure against printed layer  304  in coordination with evacuating vacuum chamber  310  to enhance the force applied to extract low viscosity liquid from printed layer  304 . 
     Conditioning Device 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after liquid has been partially or completely removed from printed layer  304  by the actions of vacuum liquid extraction device  206 , receiver device  204  may be caused to transport printed layer  304  on permeable membrane  302  in a direction of travel (driven by printer drive motor  256 ) to an optional conditioning device  208 . The exact steps for conditioning a specific material may vary depending on the physical and chemical properties of the powder component of the ink and the target properties of the material after any post printing step. In some implementations, conditioning may include a compaction step, for example to increase the density of the printed layer to 30% to 70% of theoretical density. In some implementations, compaction may include a settling step such as a vibratory action applied to the layer to cause particles to settle and pack together. In another implementation, compaction may include pressing particles together with a force normal to the layer surface. 
     Conditioning device  208  may include a compaction device, such as illustrated calender rolls, or alternatively another means of applying pressure such as a pressure cuff device (not shown). Conditioning device  208  is configured to increase the compacted density of the materials of dried printed layer  304 , for example to at least 30% of theoretical density. Conditioning device  208  may also include apparatus to enhance or enable other processes to be carried out by later stages of the printing system, such as applying a coating to enhance the effectiveness of curing device  210  described below. Conditioning device  208  may also perform a surface conditioning action on dried printed layer  304  to enhance the transfer of dried printed layer  304  to a stack of previously transferred layers  218 , as described below in connection with  FIG. 9 - FIG. 12 , or to enhance adhesion of successive layers. Conditioning device  208  may further include a heater device, which may in some implementations act to evaporate a remaining portion of liquid vehicle from the printed layer. 
     Conditioning may also include an action to improve the properties of printed layer  304  such as robustness or uniformity or the ability of printed layer  304  to adhere to build plate  214  or to the top of the stack of previously transferred layers  218 . Conditioning may also include a step of reducing a packing density of particles of printed layer  304 . Such actions may include heating or cooling printed layer  304 . In a further implementation, the nature of conditioning device  208  may be selected to suit a conditioning requirement of printed layer  304 . For example, conditioning device  208  may apply a radiation such a RF radiation, X-ray radiation, or ultraviolet radiation to effect a change in a property of a binder phase of unconditioned printed layer  304 , thereby controlling the physical properties of the printed layer  304 . Printed layer  304  may be further conditioned by changing the electrostatic state of printed layer  304  to improve the ability to transfer printed layer  304  receiving device  204  to build plate  214 , or to the top of the stack of previously transferred layers  218 . Such an electrostatic exposure may cause the adhesion of printed layer  304  to be modified such that when printed layer  304  is brought into contact with build plate  214 , or to the top of the stack of previously transferred layers  218 , the adhesion of printed layer  304  to receiving device  204  is lower than the adhesion of printed layer  304  to build plate  214 , or to the top of the stack of previously transferred layers  218 . Thus the transfer of printed layer  304  to build plate  214 , or to the top of the stack of previously transferred layers  218  may be facilitated. 
     Curing Device 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an optional curing device  210  may be provided. Curing device  210  may be positioned downstream from the conditioning device  208  and/or downstream from solvent extraction device  206  along the direction of travel. Curing device  210  may be configured to solidify binding material in the ink, thereby fixing the ink into a functionally robust solid pattern. Curing device  210  may include a source of radiant energy that may interact with the binding material to cause it to become solid. In some implementations, the radiant energy can be IR radiation, UV radiation, electron beam, or other known radiation types. Alternatively or in addition, curing device  210  may include a heat source. It should be understood that the curing device  210  does not need to be limited to the disclosed radiation types, as this list is presented for exemplary implementations and not intended to be exhaustive. 
     Additional Fluid-Removal Device 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an optional fluid removal device  212  may be provided. Fluid removal device  212  may include a heating device or other fluid removal device such as the vacuum chamber described above in connection with  FIG. 6  to completely or partially remove any remaining low viscosity liquid from the dried printed layer. 
     Downstream of fluid removal device  212  in the illustration of  FIG. 2 , a transfer device  216  may be provided. Transfer device  216  serve to transfer dried printed layer  304  from receiver device  204  directly to a build plate  214  or to the top of a stack of previously transferred dried printed layers  218 , as further discussed below in connection with  FIG. 9 - FIG. 12 . 
     Roller Transfer Device 
     In one implementation of the transfer device  216  as shown in  FIG. 9 , the transfer device  216  includes a roller  902  and a carrier  904  to support and move roller  902  vertically. In some implementations, the carrier may be a two-axis carrier  904  to move roller  904  vertically and horizontally relative to receiver device  204 . Vertical movement of the two-axis carrier  904  may deflect receiver device  204  and cause printed object  304  to make pressure contact with build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . A horizontal movement of two-axis carrier  904  may then cause a progressively moving line contact moving in a predetermined direction from a one end of printed layer  304  to another end of printed layer  304 . The moving line contact across printed layer  304  can transfer printed layer  304  to build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . 
     Articulating Transfer Device 
     In another implementation, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the transfer device  216  may be provided with a shaped pressing device  1002  and an articulating device  1004 . Transfer device  216  can also be provided with a two-axis carrier  1006  which may provide horizontal and vertical movement of shaped pressing device  1002 . Under the control of print station control unit (described below), the vertical and horizontal movement of shaped pressing device  1002  may cause receiver device  204  to be deflected vertically and for printed layer  304  to come into contact, with a pressure, to build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . Coordinating further vertical and horizontal movement of two-axis carrier  1006  with articulating device  1004  can cause the entire shaped surface of shaped pressing device  1002  to progressively come into line contact, with pressure, to receiver device  204 . The progressive line contact to receiver device  204  may cause deflection of receiver device  204  to cause progressive line contact between printed layer  304  and with build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . The progressive line contact between printed layer  304  and build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218  being sufficient to transfer printed layer  304  to build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . 
     Pressing Device 
     In another implementation, transfer device  216  may include a pressing device  1100 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Pressing device  1100  can be provided with single-axis carrier  1102  to provide vertical movement of pressing device  1100 . The vertical movement of pressing device  1100  may cause receiver device  204  to be deflected vertically and for printed layer  304  to come into contact, with a pressure, to build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . 
     Shape Modifier Device 
     In another implementation, as shown in  FIG. 12 , transfer device  216  may be provided with a pressing device  1202  and a shape modifier device  1204 . Transfer device  216  can also be provided with a single-axis carrier  1206  which may provide vertical movement of pressing device  1202 . The vertical movement of pressing device  1202  may cause receiver device  204  to be deflected vertically and for printed layer  304  to come into contact, with a pressure, to build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . Shape modifier  1204  may include a preformed shaped structure which may include an elastic material that may be flattened by mechanical pressure applied normal to the shaped surface. As single axis carrier  1206  brings printed object into contact with build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 , shape modifier  1204  can progressively flatten and thus progressively bring printed object  304  into contact with build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . The progressively moving contact between build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218  may assure a uniform attachment between printed object  304  and build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . 
     Adhesion Modifier Device 
     Any of the above-described transfer devices  216  shown in  FIG. 9 - FIG. 12  may further include an adhesion modifier device. The adhesion modifier device may adjust the adhesion strength of printed layer  304  to receiver device  204  to facilitate the release of printed layer  304  to build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . The adhesion modifier device may further modify the adhesion of printed layer  304  to the surface of build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218  such that the adhesive strength between a printed layer  304  and receiver device  204  is less than the adhesive strength between a printed layer  304  and build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred printed layers  218 . Adhesion modifier device may act upon the interface between receiver device  204  and printed layer  304  by applying a stimulus to receiver device  204  or printed layer  304 , or both. The application of the stimulus can facilitate a reduction in adhesion of printed layer  304  to receiver device  204 . The stimulus causing an adjustment of adhesion from adhesion modifier may be, but is not limited to a thermal stimulus, an electrical stimulus, a radiation stimulus, a magnetic stimulus, a mechanical stimulus or a particle beam stimulus. 
     Assembly Apparatus 
     An assembly apparatus  262 , portions of which are illustrated in  FIG. 2 , may include an X-Y positioner device  230  and a build station  260 . As used herein, an “assembly apparatus” includes any system capable of receiving printed objects from a plurality of transfer modules in such a way as to assemble printed layers and printed parts according to a predetermined design. Build station  260  may include a build plate  214 . A Z axis positioner device  264  may be provided which may adjust the vertical position of build plate  214  to maintain the level of the top of previously transferred printed layers  218  at a predetermined vertical position to facilitate proper transfer of a printed layer  304  to build plate  214  or the top of a stack of previously transferred layers  218 . 
     Build plate  214  may include an adhesion reducing device (not shown) to facilitate removal of the completed stack of printed objects from the build plate  214  in step  118 . The adhesion reducing device may be activated to reduce the adhesion of the stack of previously transferred layers  218  by an applied stimulus. The stimulus which may cause adhesion reducing device to release the stack of previously transferred layers  218 , may be a thermal stimulus, a radiant stimulus, a magnetic stimulus a chemical stimulus an electrical stimulus or a mechanical stimulus. 
     Alignment System 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 - FIG. 12 , build plate  214  may further include an alignment sensor  906 . Printed layer  304  may include one or more alignment fiducials  908  which may interact with one or more alignment sensors  906  to precisely align the printed object  304  with the build plate  214  or with the top of a stack of previously transferred printed objects. Alignment sensor  906  may interact with alignment fiducial  908  in the UV spectrum, in the visual spectrum, in the IR spectrum, magnetically, or mechanically. In some implementations, in conjunction with computer system  1400 , alignment sensors  906  may detect the position of alignment fiducials  908  to within 0.01 mm of actual position and cause build plate  214  to be positioned within 0.01 mm of a predetermined position relative to alignment fiducials  908 . 
     Assembly Apparatus Positioner 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an assembly apparatus may include an X-Y positioner device  230  and a build station  260 . Build station  260  may also include a Z positioner device and build plate  214 . In some implementations, build station  260  may interact with build plate  214  and X-Y positioner device  230  to cause build plate  214 , at the command of computer system  1400 , to be positioned to within 0.01 mm of a predetermined position relative to transfer device  216  of any one of the plurality of transfer devices comprising a multi-material multi-module printer system. 
     X-Y positioner device  230  may include a computer-controlled X-Y movement system. The movement system may be but is not limited to an orthogonally connected pair of linear actuators or a planar X-Y linear motor. Build station  260  may be in communication with the X-Y movement system such that build station  260  may be moved to any point within the limits of the X-Y positioner device  230 . The X-Y movement system may be scaled such that assembly station  260  may be moved to, and accurately positioned to accept a printed layer transferred from transfer apparatus  216  of any of the plurality of transfer devices associated with the printer system. The X-Y positioner device  230  may further be scaled to allow assembly station  260  to move to an unload position, clear of all printer modules associated with the printer. The clearance from associated modules may be provided in the X-Y plane or by separation orthogonal to the X-Y plane. Build station  260  can further be provided with a rotational movement system to provide rotational alignment of build plate  214  with transfer device  216 . 
     In another implementation, precise location of build plate  214  may be provided by a hexapod that can provide movement along the X, Y and Z axis as well as rotation about at least one axis. 
     Once all printed layers have been transferred to the assembly apparatus, in some implementations, the 3D printer may apply heat, radiation, pressure, or other appropriate methods to cause the stacked layers to adhere to one another to form the printed part. For example, heat may be applied at the final stage (or before the final stage) to sinter adjacent layers to one another. In other implementations, the stacked layers may adhere to one another to form the finished part without such post-processing treatment, or the part may be sintered into its final form after being removed from the assembly apparatus. 
     Multi-Method 3D Printer System 
       FIG. 13  illustrates one implementation of a multi-method 3D printer system  1300 .  FIG. 13  shows four printer modules  1302 ,  1304 ,  1306  and four transfer apparatus associated with an assembly apparatus. As used herein, a “printer module” includes a patterning and deposition system capable of creating a printed object on a receiver device. The four printer modules may all implement different patterning and deposition techniques. A jetted material printer module  1302  such as an inkjet printer module may include the components discussed above, for example in  FIG. 2 . Printer module  1304  is represented as an electrophotographic 3D printer, and printer modules  1306  are represented as jetted material printers. Multi-method printer system  1300  may include printer modules based on 3D printing technology other than those illustrated, such as laminated object manufacturing or selective laser melting, fused deposition modeling, or other suitable 3D printing methods. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a printer system with four printer modules/transfer apparatus aligned at right angles to adjacent modules, with their proximal ends toward the center of the X-Y positioner device  230 . It is understood that this configuration is not limited to four printer modules A and could include two printer modules, three printer modules, or more than four printer modules. It is further understood that a printed part removal area may be provided by horizontal separation at any open space on X-Y positioner device  230  or may be provided by vertical separation of assembly station  260  from printer modules A and transfer modules B. It is further understood that alignment of adjacent modules may be parallel rather than orthogonal. Other potential configurations will be clear to those skilled in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the multi-material multi-method 3D printer  1300  includes a plurality of printer modules with associated transfer apparatus integrated by an assembly apparatus. Each printer module may be capable of adjustment of operating parameters such as print thickness, binder concentration, binder type, and material type. While adjustment of operating parameters may significantly affect properties of the final printed object, each printer module typically creates printed objects based on one specific method. A non-exhaustive list of examples of potential methods includes jetted binder printing, electrophotographic printing, off-set printing, and jetted material printing. The method to create a given printed object may be chosen based on the capabilities of the separate methods such as practical thickness range, minimum feature size, precision, and print rate. While most printing methods may be compatible with one or more material, the basic materials may require specific preparation for use with specific methods. 
     In practice, a multi-material, multi-method 3D printer may be configured with one printer module for each combination of printer method and materials required in a final manufactured part. In one implementation, at least one of the plurality of printer modules making up a multi-method 3D printer system may be quickly and easily replaced with another module, as required for a specific final part. In another implementation, a multi-method 3D printer may be integrated into one combined unit capable of using different methods to print different layers of any given part. 
     As explained above, implementations of the present disclosure are directed to 3D printer systems include a plurality of printer modules that may each be associated with one of a plurality of transfer devices, all of which may be coordinated with an assembly apparatus. A central computer system may coordinate the operation of all the components of the 3D printer system, as shown below in  FIG. 14 . The plurality of printer modules may include printer modules employing at least two different deposition and patterning techniques, and each one of the plurality of printer module may be configured to create printed objects either of one material or of multiple materials. Each printer module may create printed objects with a different material, some printer module may use the same material, or all of the printer modules of a 3D multi-method printer system may use the same material. Printer modules, with associated transfer devices, may be configured to be easily joined with or removed from assembly apparatus, allowing for easy custom configuration of the printer to match the build requirements. 
     When a multi-method 3D printer as shown in  FIG. 13  is used, jetted material 3D printing module  1302  may have a build plate  214  where successive inkjet printed layers may be stacked as described above, or, alternatively, a central build plate may be used for stacking layers from multiple printing modules. Jetted material module  1302  may coordinate with other printer modules  1304 ,  1306  to assemble a printed part including portions made of stacked inkjet printed layers and other portions made by other methods, such as jetted binder portions produced by printer modules  1306 . 
     In one implementation, an inkjet 3D printing module  1302  may include a receiver device including a substrate, an inkjet print head configured to deposit an ink including a suspension of a particulate material in a liquid vehicle onto the substrate to form a printed layer, a removal system configured to use a pressure differential to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the printed layer to form a dried layer, and a transfer system configured to transfer the dried layer to a build station. 
     Material Types 
     The material types for printing may be broadly classified in two basic categories: robust materials and fugitive materials. 
     Robust materials are those that survive a post printing processing step to become the non-compressible voxels of the final printed part. The robust materials may survive a post processing step identical in composition and structure to the material as it was when printed. 
     Examples of such materials include ceramics such as alumina that start as Al 2 O 3  powder and survive a post printing sintering process as a high density mass of Al 2 O 3 , or a metal such as stainless steel alloy powder which survives a post printing sintering process as a solid mass with the same alloy content as it started with. 
     A robust material may also start as precursors of the final material. A post printing process may cause the precursors of a robust material to react to create a new chemical compound or to change the phase or to change crystal types of the precursors. An example of such a material is aluminum powder that may be converted to alumina during a post printing heat treatment in a controlled oxidizing atmosphere, or powdered glasses used in ceramming processes, where the glass is converted to a crystal during a sintering process. 
     A fugitive material is one that can occupy voxels within a printed part that are designed to be occupied by a gas or a vacuum immediately after a post processing step. A fugitive material may include a solid or semi-solid material during the printing process, and during the process of assembling printed layers into a printed part. During a post processing step, a fugitive material is converted into a format that can easily escape from a printed part such as a gas or a liquid. The result of including a contiguous mass of voxels of fugitive material within a volume of robust material is a cavity of a predetermined configuration, after a post processing step. The cavity may be in communication with the outside of the printed part via a predesigned passage or may be completely sealed. A sealed cavity may be occupied by a predetermined gas or a vacuum. Examples of fugitive materials include organic materials such as polyethylene or polyethylene oxide, which decompose into CO 2  and water at temperatures below 450° C., or carbon powders, which can be oxidized to CO 2  at substantially higher temperatures by controlling the heat treat atmosphere. As the fugitive materials are converted to gas, the gases may escape the structure prior to the robust materials sintering into a dense mass. 
     Pattern Generation 
     As described above, inkjet 3D printing module  1302  is configured to create structures of one or more materials in complex three-dimensional patterns wherein the structure is built up in layers, each layer including one or more materials. The pattern of each material in each layer may be generated in a manner similar to pattern generation for each layer of a conventional 3D printer. Specifically, the patterns for each layer may be derived from a slice of the whole structure through the use of CAD software like SolidWorks. Unlike conventional 3D printers, the computer system  1400  may separate the pattern included in design file  1406 , input into computer system  1400  via input device  1404 , of each layer into more than one material. 
     Computer system  1400  for controlling the 3D inkjet printer of  FIG. 2  is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Central processing unit (CPU)  1402  communicates with input device  1404 , which may be supplied with a design file  1406 . In some implementations, a user may create design file  1406  using CAD software or the like, either on computer system  1400  or on another computer. In other implementations, a user may receive a design file from a file repository, such as Thingiverse, Pinshape, or other file-sharing sites, or from a commercial vendor of 3D designs. CPU  1402  may store design file  1406  or intermediate calculations for control of the print station control units  1408  in memory  1410 , and may communicate with the user via output device  1412 . 
     CPU  1402  may communicate through interface bus  1414  with a plurality of print station control units  1408  to control dispensing of ink from inkjet print heads  202  as discussed above and other functions of the print station control units  1408 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , print station control units  1408  may communicate via a device controller  1502  with receiver device  204 , inkjet print heads  202 , pressure device  602 , conditioning device  208 , curing device  210 , solvent extraction device  212 , alignment sensor  906 , transfer device  216 , and assembly apparatus  262  (which may include X-Y positioner  230  and build station  260 ), controlling each of these devices in order to deposit ink as specified by design file  1406  as interpreted by CPU  1402 . CPU  1402  may receive state information and sensor information, and may send control signals, to any of these devices using control signaling systems that are known in the art, in order to facilitate printing as described herein. 
       FIG. 16  is a block diagram  1600  illustrating an example software architecture  1602 , various portions of which may be used in conjunction with various hardware architectures herein described, which may implement any of the above-described features.  FIG. 16  is a non-limiting example of a software architecture and it will be appreciated that many other architectures may be implemented to facilitate the functionality described herein. The software architecture  1602  may execute on hardware such as the central processing unit  1402  that may include, among other things, document storage, processors, memory, and input/output (I/O) components. A representative hardware layer  1604  is illustrated and can represent, for example, the devices described herein. The representative hardware layer  1604  includes a processing unit  1606  and associated executable instructions  1608 . The executable instructions  1608  represent executable instructions of the software architecture  1602 , including implementation of the methods, modules and so forth described herein. The hardware layer  1604  also includes a memory/storage  1610 , which also includes the executable instructions  1608  and accompanying data. The hardware layer  1604  may also include other hardware modules  1612 . Instructions  1608  held by processing unit  1608  may be portions of instructions  1608  held by the memory/storage  1610 . 
     The example software architecture  1602  may be conceptualized as layers, each providing various functionality. For example, the software architecture  1602  may include layers and components such as an operating system (OS)  1614 , libraries  1616 , frameworks  1618 , applications  1620 , and a presentation layer  1644 . Operationally, the applications  1620  and/or other components within the layers may invoke API calls  1624  to other layers and receive corresponding results  1626 . The layers illustrated are representative in nature and other software architectures may include additional or different layers. For example, some mobile or special purpose operating systems may not provide the frameworks/middleware  1618 . 
     The OS  1614  may manage hardware resources and provide common services. The OS  1614  may include, for example, a kernel  1628 , services  1630 , and drivers  1632 . The kernel  1628  may act as an abstraction layer between the hardware layer  1604  and other software layers. For example, the kernel  1628  may be responsible for memory management, processor management (for example, scheduling), component management, networking, security settings, and so on. The services  1630  may provide other common services for the other software layers. The drivers  1632  may be responsible for controlling or interfacing with the underlying hardware layer  1604 . For instance, the drivers  1632  may include display drivers, camera drivers, memory/storage drivers, peripheral device drivers (for example, via Universal Serial Bus (USB)), network and/or wireless communication drivers, audio drivers, and so forth depending on the hardware and/or software configuration. 
     The libraries  1616  may provide a common infrastructure that may be used by the applications  1620  and/or other components and/or layers. The libraries  1616  typically provide functionality for use by other software modules to perform tasks, rather than rather than interacting directly with the OS  1614 . The libraries  1616  may include system libraries  1634  (for example, C standard library) that may provide functions such as memory allocation, string manipulation, file operations. In addition, the libraries  1616  may include API libraries  1636  such as media libraries (for example, supporting presentation and manipulation of image, sound, and/or video data formats), graphics libraries (for example, an OpenGL library for rendering 2D and 3D graphics on a display), database libraries (for example, SQLite or other relational database functions), and web libraries (for example, WebKit that may provide web browsing functionality). The libraries  1616  may also include a wide variety of other libraries  1638  to provide many functions for applications  1620  and other software modules. 
     The frameworks  1618  (also sometimes referred to as middleware) provide a higher-level common infrastructure that may be used by the applications  1620  and/or other software modules. For example, the frameworks  1618  may provide various graphic user interface (GUI) functions, high-level resource management, or high-level location services. The frameworks  1618  may provide a broad spectrum of other APIs for applications  1620  and/or other software modules. 
     The applications  1620  include built-in applications  1640  and/or third-party applications  1642 . Examples of built-in applications  1640  may include, but are not limited to, a contacts application, a browser application, a location application, a media application, a messaging application, and/or a game application. Third-party applications  1642  may include any applications developed by an entity other than the vendor of the particular platform. The applications  1620  may use functions available via OS  1614 , libraries  1616 , frameworks  1618 , and presentation layer  1644  to create user interfaces to interact with users. 
     Some software architectures use virtual machines, as illustrated by a virtual machine  1648 . The virtual machine  1648  provides an execution environment where applications/modules can execute as if they were executing on a hardware machine. The virtual machine  1648  may be hosted by a host OS (for example, OS  1614 ) or hypervisor, and may have a virtual machine monitor  1646  which manages operation of the virtual machine  1648  and interoperation with the host operating system. A software architecture, which may be different from software architecture  1602  outside of the virtual machine, executes within the virtual machine  1648  such as an OS  1650 , libraries  1652 , frameworks  1654 , applications  1656 , and/or a presentation layer  1658 . 
       FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating components of an example machine  1700  configured to read instructions from a machine-readable medium (for example, a machine-readable storage medium) and perform any of the features described herein. The example machine  1700  is in a form of a computer system, within which instructions  1716  (for example, in the form of software components) for causing the machine  1700  to perform any of the features described herein may be executed. As such, the instructions  1716  may be used to implement modules or components described herein. The instructions  1716  cause unprogrammed and/or unconfigured machine  1700  to operate as a particular machine configured to carry out the described features. The machine  1700  may be configured to operate as a standalone device or may be coupled (for example, networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine  1700  may operate in the capacity of a server machine or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a node in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. Machine  1700  may be embodied as, for example, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), a gaming and/or entertainment system, a smart phone, a mobile device, a wearable device (for example, a smart watch), and an Internet of Things (IoT) device. Further, although only a single machine  1700  is illustrated, the term “machine” includes a collection of machines that individually or jointly execute the instructions  1716 . 
     The machine  1700  may include processors  1710 , memory  1730 , and I/O components  1750 , which may be communicatively coupled via, for example, a bus  1702 . The bus  1702  may include multiple buses coupling various elements of machine  1700  via various bus technologies and protocols. In an example, the processors  1710  (including, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, or a suitable combination thereof) may include one or more processors  1712   a  to  1712   n  that may execute the instructions  1716  and process data. In some examples, one or more processors  1710  may execute instructions provided or identified by one or more other processors  1710 . The term “processor” includes a multi-core processor including cores that may execute instructions contemporaneously. Although  FIG. 17  shows multiple processors, the machine  1700  may include a single processor with a single core, a single processor with multiple cores (for example, a multi-core processor), multiple processors each with a single core, multiple processors each with multiple cores, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the machine  1700  may include multiple processors distributed among multiple machines. 
     The memory/storage  1730  may include a main memory  1732 , a static memory  1734 , or other memory, and a storage unit  1736 , both accessible to the processors  1710  such as via the bus  1702 . The storage unit  1736  and memory  1732 ,  1734  store instructions  1716  embodying any one or more of the functions described herein. The memory/storage  1730  may also store temporary, intermediate, and/or long-term data for processors  1710 . The instructions  1716  may also reside, completely or partially, within the memory  1732 ,  1734 , within the storage unit  1736 , within at least one of the processors  1710  (for example, within a command buffer or cache memory), within memory at least one of I/O components  1750 , or any suitable combination thereof, during execution thereof. Accordingly, the memory  1732 ,  1734 , the storage unit  1736 , memory in processors  1710 , and memory in I/O components  1750  are examples of machine-readable media. 
     As used herein, “machine-readable medium” refers to a device able to temporarily or permanently store instructions and data that cause machine  1700  to operate in a specific fashion. The term “machine-readable medium,” as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals per se (such as on a carrier wave propagating through a medium); the term “machine-readable medium” may therefore be considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a non-transitory, tangible machine-readable medium may include, but are not limited to, nonvolatile memory (such as flash memory or read-only memory (ROM)), volatile memory (such as a static random-access memory (RAM) or a dynamic RAM), buffer memory, cache memory, optical storage media, magnetic storage media and devices, network-accessible or cloud storage, other types of storage, and/or any suitable combination thereof. The term “machine-readable medium” applies to a single medium, or combination of multiple media, used to store instructions (for example, instructions  1716 ) for execution by a machine  1700  such that the instructions, when executed by one or more processors  1710  of the machine  1700 , cause the machine  1700  to perform and one or more of the features described herein. Accordingly, a “machine-readable medium” may refer to a single storage device, as well as “cloud-based” storage systems or storage networks that include multiple storage apparatus or devices. 
     The I/O components  1750  may include a wide variety of hardware components adapted to receive input, provide output, produce output, transmit information, exchange information, capture measurements, and so on. The specific I/O components  1750  included in a particular machine will depend on the type and/or function of the machine. For example, mobile devices such as mobile phones may include a touch input device, whereas a headless server or IoT device may not include such a touch input device. The particular examples of I/O components illustrated in  FIG. 17  are in no way limiting, and other types of components may be included in machine  1700 . The grouping of I/O components  1750  are merely for simplifying this discussion, and the grouping is in no way limiting. In various examples, the I/O components  1750  may include user output components  1752  and user input components  1754 . User output components  1752  may include, for example, display components for displaying information (for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a projector), acoustic components (for example, speakers), haptic components (for example, a vibratory motor or force-feedback device), and/or other signal generators. User input components  1754  may include, for example, alphanumeric input components (for example, a keyboard or a touch screen), pointing components (for example, a mouse device, a touchpad, or another pointing instrument), and/or tactile input components (for example, a physical button or a touch screen that provides location and/or force of touches or touch gestures) configured for receiving various user inputs, such as user commands and/or selections. 
     In some examples, the I/O components  1750  may include biometric components  1756 , motion components  1758 , environmental components  1760 , and/or position components  1762 , among a wide array of other possible sensor components. The biometric components  1756  may include, for example, components to detect body expressions (for example, facial expressions, vocal expressions, hand or body gestures, or eye tracking), measure biosignals (for example, heart rate or brain waves), and identify a person (for example, via voice-, retina-, and/or facial-based identification). The motion components may include, for example, acceleration and/or rotation sensors for various components of the 3D printer. The environmental components may include, for example, light sensors (for example, photodiodes, photoresistors, or phototransistors), acoustic sensors (for example, piezoelectric sensors or acoustic wave sensors), or temperature sensors (for example, thermocouples or thermistors), which may sense environmental conditions for various locations in the 3D printer. The position components  1762  may include, for example, location sensors (for example, a Global Position System (GPS) receiver), altitude sensors (for example, an air pressure sensor from which altitude may be derived), and/or orientation sensors (for example, magnetometers). 
     The I/O components  1750  may include communication components  1764 , implementing a wide variety of technologies operable to couple the machine  1304  to network(s)  1770  and/or device(s)  1780  via respective communicative couplings  1772  and  1782 . The communication components  1764  may include one or more network interface components or other suitable devices to interface with the network(s)  1770 . The communication components  1764  may include, for example, components adapted to provide wired communication, wireless communication, cellular communication, Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth communication, Wi-Fi, and/or communication via other modalities. The device(s)  1780  may include other machines or various peripheral devices (for example, coupled via USB). 
     In some examples, the communication components  1764  may detect identifiers or include components adapted to detect identifiers. For example, the communication components  1764  may include Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag readers, NFC detectors, optical sensors (for example, one- or multi-dimensional bar codes, or other optical codes), and/or acoustic detectors (for example, microphones to identify tagged audio signals). In some examples, location information may be determined based on information from the communication components  1762 , such as, but not limited to, geo-location via Internet Protocol (IP) address, location via Wi-Fi, cellular, NFC, Bluetooth, or other wireless station identification and/or signal triangulation. 
     As discussed above, binder jetting 3D printing possesses higher deposition rate but low resolution, whereas inkjet printing possesses higher resolution but lower deposition rate.  FIGS. 18 and 19  provide an alternative implementation of a 3D printing apparatus and a methodology to address the trade-offs between binder jetting 3D printing and inkjet printing. In particular, the disclosed apparatus and methodology shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19  include a combination of jetted liquid material printing and binder jetting, enabling printing of fine powders at high deposition rate with a high packing density. As noted above, the combination of high deposition rate and high packing density cannot typically be achieved by either binder jetting printing since the fine powder has a poor flowability, or inkjet printing as its deposition rate is low. The ability to achieve high packing density with fine powders in accordance with the implementation of  FIGS. 18 and 19  allows for a finer resolution to be realized compared with utilizing conventional binder jetting printing techniques. 
     More specifically, existing binder jetting 3D printing technologies are based on deposition of a dry powder layer on a powder bed or a substrate followed by jetting a liquid binder onto the deposited powder layer to define the printed pattern. Typically, the powder used in the binder jetting 3D printing includes relatively large particles, e.g. 20 μm or larger particle size. While a large particle size powder can possess better printability, printing with such a powder produces relatively thick layers and rough surfaces, which limits the printing resolution. Printing with large particle size powders may also create large voids which prevent full densification during sintering processes. Printing resolution and sintering may be improved using fine powder including smaller particles. However, fine powder including smaller particles (e.g. smaller than 5 μm) has poor printability in dry form due to increased inter-particle forces, rendering binder jetting printing impossible when powder particle size approaches 1 μm or smaller (nano-size). 
     Inkjet printing, on the other hand, using a liquid ink that includes both the powder and a binder, is capable of printing nano-sized particles, allowing for a thinner printed layer and a finer printing resolution than that achieved by binder jetting printing. One of the main drawbacks of inkjet printing is that the deposition rate in terms of printed solid volume per hour (e.g. liter per hour) is very low—for example, two orders of magnitude lower than the deposition rate of binder jetting printing. The inkjet printing arrangements described herein, for example with regard to  FIGS. 1-17 , provide improvement over prior inkjet printing arrangements. The alternative 3D printing apparatus and methodology shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19  and described below enables printing of fine powders (smaller than 5 μm) while maintaining the high deposition rate associated with binder jetting technology and the fine resolution associated with inkjet technology. 
     As discussed above with regard to  FIGS. 1-17 , an inkjet 3D printing system is presented wherein the 3D printing system includes a liquid removal system which replaces the conventional slow evaporation system, thus significantly accelerating the drying process. Also, the liquid removal system is separated from the inkjet printing station and is configured to operate in parallel with the inkjet printing station, thus further improving the printing throughput. One possible problem with the inkjet 3D printing system including the liquid removal system is that binder in the liquid may be removed excessively. In the above-discussed implementations regarding  FIGS. 1-17 , the printed pattern is formed by direct patterning printing. Despite the advantages offered by these disclosures, the proposed inkjet printing system is most efficient for printing only nano-sized particles (smaller than 1 μm) and the volume deposition rate is expected to be lower than that of binder jetting printing. The low deposition rate is a consequence of patterning printing and the use of low viscosity ink which limits the volumetric loading of the printed solid to 20% or less in the presence of binder. 
     The alternative implementation shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19  provides a 3D printing apparatus and a methodology to address the various limitations described above, and particularly the trade-offs between binder jetting 3D printing, which possesses higher deposition rate but low resolution, and inkjet printing, which possesses higher resolution but lower deposition rate. The disclosed apparatus and methodology include a combination of jetted liquid material printing, without binder material, and subsequent binder jetting. This enables printing of fine powders at high deposition rate with a high packing density, which cannot typically be achieved by either binder jetting printing, since the fine powder has a poor flowability, or inkjet printing, since its deposition rate is low. The ability to achieve high packing density with fine powders allows for a finer resolution to be realized than can be achieved utilizing conventional binder jetting printing techniques. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , like numbered elements to those in  FIG. 2  perform the same or similar functions as described above with regard to  FIG. 2 . However,  FIG. 18  includes two elements  1802  and  1809  which differ from the implementation shown in  FIG. 2  and provide for a substantially different operation from that of the apparatus shown  FIG. 2 , as will be discussed below with regard to  FIG. 19 . 
     Specifically, the elements identified by the numeral  1802  in  FIG. 18  are liquid deposition devices, for example coating or print heads, which are configured to deposit a liquid dispersion including a suspension of a particulate material (e.g., powder) in a liquid vehicle, the liquid vehicle including a solvent but being devoid of a binder material, onto the carrier  204  to form a non-patterned coated layer (simply called non-patterned layer) on the carrier  204 . In a manner similar to that discussed above with regard to  FIG. 2 , the liquid extraction device  206  may then be evacuated to cause low viscosity constituents of the liquid dispersion, particularly the solvent in the liquid vehicle making up the non-patterned layer, to be partially or completely removed from the non-patterned layer, thereby drying the layer. Following this drying operation by the liquid extraction device  206 , and optional further densification and/or drying by the conditioning device  208 , element  1809  is a liquid binder printer configured to deposit a liquid binder onto the dried non-patterned layer to form a printed pattern on the dried non-patterned layer. It is noted that, although a plurality of liquid dispersion print heads  1802  are shown, a single liquid dispersion print head can be used if preferred. Similarly, a plurality of liquid binder printers  1809  can be utilized, if desired, for example, to deposit different binder materials in sequence on the non-patterned layer. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the deposition of a fine powder (smaller than 5 m) includes process steps of formulating the powder into a printing ink, slurry or dispersion, collectively termed “liquid dispersion,” that is devoid of binder material (Step  1902 ) and depositing the liquid dispersion onto a substrate by a high-speed coating method to form a non-patterned layer using the liquid deposition device  1802  (Step  1904 ). Next at least a portion of the solvent, including the liquid dispersion, is removed to form a dried non-patterned layer using the solvent extraction device  206  (Step  1906 ). During removal of solvent, the deposited layer is densified (Step  1906 ), and, optionally further densification can be provided to the dried non-patterned layer by the conditioning device  208  comprising a compaction system (Step  1908 ). After the densification of the deposited layer, a liquid binder is deposited to form the printed pattern using a liquid binder printer  1809  (Step  1910 ). 
     In some implementations of the present disclosure, the liquid dispersion is formulated using techniques known in the art, with only the particles dispersed in a solvent assisted with a dispersant, thus increasing the loading of printed solid and facilitating solvent removal. The absence of binder in the liquid dispersion can help increase the volumetric loading of the printed solid from 20% in a typical inkjet ink to 40% or greater. The presence of dispersant improves the rheological properties of the liquid dispersion and aids in enabling a uniform distribution of the particles. The absence of binder in the liquid dispersion also provides flexibility for the selection of a solvent which is more environmentally friendly and has a lower boiling point facilitating drying. The solvent used in an inkjet ink typically has a high boiling point to prevent nozzle drying and clogging, and therefore is difficult to dry after printing. As such, by not including binder material in the liquid dispersion dispensed from the liquid dispersion print heads  1802 , a wider range of solvents, including environmentally friendly solvents, can be utilized. 
     In some implementations, the liquid dispersion dispensed from the liquid deposition device  1802  can be formulated with a powder including mono-sized particles or, alternatively, multiple-sized particles. The multiple-sized particles may be mono-distributed, bimodal-distributed or multi-modal distributed. In one implementation, a series of liquid dispersions may be formulated with powders including particles of different sizes and distributions for achieving optimal results. For example, a liquid dispersion dispensed from the liquid deposition device  1802  including large particles may help in achieving high volume deposition rate of a first coated layer on the carrier  204 . A second liquid dispersion can then be dispensed from the liquid deposition device  1802  including smaller particles to be coated as a second coated layer over the first coated layer formed with the liquid dispersion including large particles. Advantageously, with this implementation, the smaller particles from the second liquid dispersion fill in gaps or cavities formed between the large particles from the first liquid dispersion, thus increasing the particle packing density which leads to higher density in the final printed object after post-printing process(es), e.g. sintering. 
     In some implementations, the liquid dispersion is deposited by high speed coating techniques from the liquid deposition devices  1802  including but not limited to aerosol spraying coating, ultrasonic spray coating, blade coating, curtain coating, slot die coating, etc. These dispensing or depositing techniques are known to cover a significant area and deliver a significant volume of the printed solid in the coated layer dispensed by the liquid dispersion dispensing device  1802  in a relatively short time. 
     Post liquid deposition from the liquid deposition device  1802 , a liquid extraction device  206  is operated to remove solvent from the coated layer. As described above with regard to  FIGS. 1-17 , the liquid extraction device  206  may be configured to remove the solvent by using one or more techniques of a pressure differential, a pressure plate, a pressure cuff, a vacuum, and employing a semi-permeable membrane. Alternatively, heat may be applied by the liquid extraction device  206  to extract the solvent via evaporation when solvent of low boiling point or fast drying is used in the liquid dispersion. After the solvent has been removed from the non-patterned layer, the packing density of the coated particles increases significantly. 
     In alternative implementations, post solvent removal by the liquid extraction device  206 , optionally a compaction mechanism (e.g., conditioning device  208 ) is operated to further increase the packing density of the printed layer. As described in 63/299,838, calendering rollers can be employed to compact the printed powder layer achieving higher packing density. In some implementations, the solvent in the liquid dispersion is deliberately only partially removed and the remaining solvent in the printed layer serves as a lubricant or wetting agent facilitating the compaction. 
     After the solvent removal and optional compaction processes described above, a liquid binder is deposited by the liquid binder printer  1809  using inkjet printing known in the art to form a printed pattern on the dried non-patterned layer at the output of the conditioning device  208 . The process continues with solidifying the liquid binder with a curing device (Step  1912  in  FIG. 19 ), and transferring the printed pattern to a build station or a build platform for stack assembly (Step  1914  in  FIG. 19 ), as described above with regard to  FIGS. 1-17 , and the above process steps shown in  FIG. 19  are then repeated to build a multi-layer printed product. 
     In summary, the various features described above with regard to  FIGS. 18 and 19  to formulate the liquid dispersion of fine powder with a high solid loading and fast drying solvent, without the need of binder and other additives, print the liquid dispersion at a high volume deposition rate, and precisely form the printed pattern by binder jetting, makes the above-described method a desirable manufacturing method providing for a fast, high throughput and yet accurate printing process. 
     In the following, further features, characteristics and advantages of the instant application will be described by means of items: 
     Item 1: A three-dimensional (3D) printer, including a receiver device including a substrate; an inkjet print head configured to deposit an ink including a suspension of a particulate material in a liquid vehicle onto the substrate to form a printed layer; a removal system configured to use a pressure differential to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the printed layer to form a dried layer; and a transfer system configured to transfer the dried layer to a build station. 
     Item 2: The 3D printer of item 1, wherein the substrate is permeable, and the removal system is configured to evacuate a space on a side of the substrate opposite to the printed layer. 
     Item 3: The 3D printer of items 1 or 2, wherein the substrate includes a perforated metal. 
     Item 4: The 3D printer of any of items 1-3, wherein the substrate includes a fibrous material. 
     Item 5: The 3D printer of any of items 1-4, wherein the removal system is configured to apply a pressure to a surface of the printed layer opposite the substrate. 
     Item 6: The 3D printer of any of items 1-5, wherein the removal system includes a pressure chamber. 
     Item 7: The 3D printer of any of items 1-6, wherein the removal system includes a pressure cuff. 
     Item 8: The 3D printer of any of items 1-7, wherein the removal system includes a pressure plate. 
     Item 9: The 3D printer of any of items 1-8, wherein the receiver device is configured to transport the printed layer away from the inkjet print head before removal of the liquid vehicle from the printed layer. 
     Item 10: The 3D printer of any of items 1-9, wherein the removal system is configured to remove the liquid vehicle during transport of the printed layer to the build station. 
     Item 11: The 3D printer of any of items 1-10, wherein the transfer system is configured to transfer the dried layer to a stack of printed layers in the build station. 
     Item 12: The 3D printer of any of items 1-11, wherein the ink includes a binder liquid, and the printer further comprises a curing system configured to cure the binder liquid to solidify it. 
     Item 13: The 3D printer of any of items 1-12, further including a conditioning device configured to condition the printed layer to increase a density of the particulate material in the printed layer. 
     Item 14: The 3D printer of any of items 1-13, wherein the conditioning system is configured to mechanically compress the particulate material in the printed layer. 
     Item 15: The 3D printer of any of items 1-14, wherein the conditioning system is further configured to apply a surface conditioning material to the dried printed layer. 
     Item 16: The 3D printer of any of items 1-15, wherein the build station includes an X-Y controller. 
     Item 17: The 3D printer of any of items 1-16, wherein the build station includes a Z-axis controller. 
     Item 18: The 3D printer of any of items 1-17, further comprising an additional printing module configured to form a printed layer on the substrate using a method other than inkjet printing. 
     Item 19: A method of three-dimensional (3D) printing, including depositing an ink onto a substrate with an inkjet print head to form a printed layer, the ink including a particulate material and a liquid vehicle, transporting the printed layer away from the inkjet print head, using a pressure differential to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the printed layer to form a dried printed layer, and transferring the dried printed layer to a build station to form a stack of printed layers. 
     Item 20: The method of item 19, wherein using a pressure differential to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the printed layer includes evacuating a space adjacent to the substrate opposite a side of the substrate upon which the printed layer has been deposited. 
     Item 21: The method of items 19 or 20, wherein using a pressure differential to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the printed layer includes applying pressure to a surface of the layer opposite the surface deposited onto the substrate. 
     Item 22: The method of any of items 19-21, wherein the step of transporting the printed layer away from the inkjet print head occurs before the step of using a pressure differential to form the dried printed layer. 
     Item 23: The method of any of items 19-22, further including conditioning the printed layer to increase a density of particulate material in the printed layer. 
     Item 24: The method of any of items 19-23, wherein the ink includes a liquid binder, the method further including curing the binder to transform it into a solid. 
     Item 25: An inkjet printer, including a receiver device including a substrate, an inkjet print head configured to deposit an ink including a suspension of a particulate material in a liquid vehicle onto the substrate to form a printed layer, and a removal system configured to use a pressure differential to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the printed layer. 
     Item 26: A three-dimensional (3D) printer, including: a receiver device including a substrate; a liquid deposition device configured to deposit a liquid dispersion including a suspension of a particulate material in a liquid vehicle, the liquid vehicle including a solvent but devoid of a binder material, onto the substrate to form a non-patterned layer on the substrate; a solvent removal device configured to remove at least a portion of the solvent from the liquid vehicle from the non-patterned layer to form a dried non-patterned layer; and a liquid binder print head configured to deposit a liquid binder onto the dried non-patterned layer to form a printed pattern on the dried non-patterned layer. 
     Item 27: The 3D printer of item 26, wherein the particulate material comprises at least 40% by volume of the liquid dispersion. 
     Item 28: The 3D printer of items 26 or 27, wherein the particulate material is comprised of particles that are less than 5 μm in diameter. 
     Item 29: The 3D printer of any of items 26-28, wherein the particulate material is comprised of mono-sized particles. 
     Item 30. The 3D printer of any of items 26-29, wherein the particulate material is comprised of multiple-sized particles. 
     Item 31: The 3D printer of any of items 26-30, wherein the liquid deposition device is configured to deposit a first liquid dispersion including a suspension of a particulate material having particles having a first diameter and to deposit a second liquid dispersion including a suspension of a particulate material having particles having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. 
     Item 32: The 3D printer of any of items 26-31, wherein the liquid vehicle of the liquid dispersion includes a dispersant comprised of a material configured to improve rheological properties of the liquid dispersion and to enable uniform distribution of the particulate material on the substrate. 
     Item 33: The 3D printer of any of items 26-32, further including a curing device configured to solidify the liquid binder in the printed pattern after the liquid binder print head has deposited the liquid binder onto the dried non-patterned layer to form the printed pattern on the dried non-patterned layer. 
     Item 34: The 3D printer of any of items 26-33, wherein the solvent removal device is configured to densify the non-patterned layer during solvent removal. 
     Item 35: The 3D printer of any of items 26-34, further including a conditioning device configured to further densify the dried non-patterned layer following solvent removal. 
     Item 36: The 3D printer of any of items 26-35, wherein the solvent removal device is configured to densify the non-patterned layer during solvent removal using a pressure differential applied to a surface of the non-patterned layer opposite the substrate to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the liquid dispersion to form the dried non-patterned layer. 
     Item 37: The 3D printer of any of items 26-36, wherein the solvent removal device includes a pressure plate. 
     Item 38: The 3D printer of any of items 26-37, wherein the solvent removal device is configured to leave a portion of the solvent in the liquid dispersion as a lubricant in the dried non-patterned layer. 
     Item 39: The 3D printer of any of items 26-38, wherein the solvent removal device includes a vacuum chamber and a liquid-permeable support, both the vacuum chamber and the liquid-permeable support being on an opposite side of the substrate from the liquid dispersion print head. 
     Item 40: The 3D printer of any of items 26-38, further including a transfer device configured to transfer the printed pattern to a build station. 
     Item 41: A method of three-dimensional (3D) printing, including: depositing, via a liquid deposition device, a liquid dispersion including a suspension of a particulate material in a liquid vehicle, the liquid vehicle including a solvent but devoid of a binder material, onto a substrate to form a non-patterned layer on the substrate; transporting the non-patterned layer away from the liquid deposition device; removing, via a solvent removal device, at least a portion of the solvent from the liquid vehicle from the non-patterned layer to form a dried non-patterned layer; and depositing, via a liquid binder print head, a liquid binder onto the dried non-patterned layer to form a printed pattern on the dried non-patterned layer. 
     Item 42: The method of item 41, wherein the particulate material comprises at least 40% by volume of the liquid dispersion and the particulate material is comprised of particles that are less than 5 μm in diameter. 
     Item 43: The method of items 41 or 42, wherein the particulate material is comprised of multiple-sized particles and the liquid dispersion print head is configured to deposit a first liquid dispersion including a suspension of a particulate material having particles having a first diameter and to deposit a second liquid dispersion including a suspension of a particulate material having particles having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. 
     Item 44: The method of any of items 41-43, further comprising solidifying the liquid binder in the printed pattern, via a curing device. 
     Item 45: The method of any of items 41-44, wherein the solvent removal device is configured to densify the non-patterned layer during solvent removal using a pressure differential applied by a pressure plate to a surface of the non-patterned layer opposite the substrate to remove a portion of the liquid vehicle from the liquid dispersion to form the dried non-patterned layer. 
     While various implementations have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting, and it is understood that many more implementations and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the implementations. Although many possible combinations of features are shown in the accompanying figures and discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are possible. Any feature of any implementation may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other implementation unless specifically restricted. Therefore, it will be understood that any of the features shown and/or discussed in the present disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Accordingly, the implementations are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims. 
     While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings. 
     Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain. 
     The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed. 
     Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. 
     It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed example. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.