Patent attributes
According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a method comprising forming a shrinking platform of model material above a build plate, the model material including sinterable metal particles and a first binder, forming a support structure of the model material extending up from the shrinking platform, forming a first portion of the part from successive layers of the model material above the support structure, forming a release layer intervening between a surface of the part and an opposing surface of the support structure or between a surface of the shrinking platform and an opposing surface of the build plate, the release layer including a dispersed ceramic powder and a second binder, and supporting the part, the release layer, and the support structure upon the shrinking platform to form a platform-integrating part assembly, the support structure being configured to prevent the first portion from distorting from gravitational force during sintering.
