Hybrid additive manufacturing

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs stored on a computer-readable storage medium, for performing hybrid additive manufacturing. In some implementations, a hybrid additive manufacturing system causes a three-dimensional printer to print a sheet of material that includes printed features on one side of the sheet, each printed feature having a structural characteristic that is different from structural characteristics of a majority of the sheet. The system causes a molding machine to form the sheet using a mold, where at least one printed feature corresponds with an area of the mold at which the sheet deforms while being formed.

1 . A hybrid additive manufacturing system comprising:
 one or more processors; and a data store coupled to the one or more processors having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:   causing a three-dimensional printer to print a sheet of a material, the sheet comprising printed a feature on one side of the sheet, each printed feature having a structural characteristic that is different from structural characteristics of a majority of the sheet; and   causing a molding machine to form the sheet using a mold, wherein at least one printed feature corresponds with an area of the mold at which the sheet deforms while being molded.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural characteristic of the at least one printed feature includes an increased thickness of the material compared to the majority of the sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one printed feature includes more printed layers of the material than the majority of the sheet.