Selective Resistive Sintering - A New Additive Manufacturing Method

Abstract

A system and method for selective heating and/or sintering of a material including first and second substrates, an array of one or more resistive heating elements arranged on a planar surface of a substrate and material to be heated located on the other substrate.

1 . A printhead for selective heating of a material comprising:
 a substrate;   an array of one or more resistive heating elements arranged on a planar surface of said substrate;   each heating element in electrical communication with a pair of interconnects; and   said interconnects contact said heating elements and then extend away from said planar surface.   
     
     
         2 . The printhead of  claim 1  wherein said interconnects extend along a portion of said planar surface before extending away from said planar surface. 
     
     
         3 . The printhead of  claim 1  wherein said interconnects extend through vias located in said substrate. 
     
     
         4 - 27 . (canceled)