received by the International Bureau on 07 April 2016 (07.04.2016)

CLAIMS

What is claimed is: 1-20 (canceled)

21. A method for curing a three-dimensional inkjet printed article (88) including the steps of: creating the article (88) with a three-dimensional inkjet printer (2) by applying a curable binder solution comprising a solvent to a build powder, wherein the article (88) is supported by a powder bed (90) comprising the build powder that is contained by a gas-permeable build box (54); transferring the build box (54) to a curing apparatus (50) having a chemical sensor (82); flowing a draft (92) through the powder bed (90) to controllably adjust the temperature of the article (88) to a preselected temperature; monitoring the amount of solvent in the draft (92) with the chemical sensor (82) after the draft

(92) exits the powder bed (90).

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising heating the draft (92).

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of flowing the draft (92) comprises changing the direction of the flow of the draft (92) through the bed from time to time.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of flowing the draft (92) includes recirculating the draft after it exits the powder bed (90) back through the powder bed (90) and further comprising the step of removing at least some of the solvent from the draft before it reenters the powder bed (90).

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of flowing the draft (92) includes introducing the draft (92) into the powder bed (90) through at least one of a wand (230) and a paddle (240).

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of flowing the draft (92) includes withdrawing at least a part of the draft (92) from the powder bed (90) through at least one of a wand (230) and a paddle (240).

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the build box (54) includes a floor (12) having a support surface (26), a bottom surface (30) having channels (28), and a plurality of gas-permeable disks (18), the gas-permeable disks (18) being flush with the support surface (26) and providing fluid communication between the powder bed (92) and the channels (28) of the bottom surface (30).

28. The method of claim 21, further comprising causing the gas stream (92) to flow through the powder bed (90) to controllably lower the temperature of the article (88) from the preselected temperature.

29. A curing apparatus (50) for curing a three-dimensionally inkjet printed article (88) within a powder bed (90) contained by a build box (54), the curing apparatus (50) comprising:

a cavity (68) for receiving the build box (54);

a gas propulsion device (74b) being adapted to drive a draft (92) through the powder bed (90); and

a chemical sensor (82) adapted to monitor the composition of the draft (92) after the draft (92) exits the powder bed (90).

30. The curing apparatus (50) of claim 29, further comprising a heat exchanger (76b) being adapted to at least one of heat or cool the draft (92).

31. The curing apparatus (50) of claim 29, further comprising a collection device (78a) being adapted to remove from the draft (92) at least a portion of a volatile component which enters the draft (92) from the printed article (88).

32. The curing apparatus (50) of claim 29, wherein the gas propulsion device (74b) is adapted to controllably reverse the direction of the draft (92).

33. The curing apparatus (50) of claim 29, further comprising at wand (230) adapted to be inserted into the powder bed (90) and operably connected to the gas propulsion device (74b) so as to at least one of introduce at least a part of the draft (92) into the powder bed (90) or withdraw at least a part of the draft (92) from the powder bed (90).

34. The curing apparatus (50) of claim 29, further comprising at paddle (240) adapted to be inserted into the powder bed (90) and operably connected to the gas propulsion device (74b) so as to at least one of introduce at least a part of the draft (92) into the powder bed (90) or withdraw at least a part of the draft (92) from the powder bed (90).

35. The curing apparatus (50) of claim 29, wherein the build box (54) includes a floor (12) having a support surface (26), a bottom surface (30) having channels (28), and a plurality of gas-permeable disks (18), the gas-permeable disks (18) being flush with the support surface (26) and providing fluid communication between the powder bed (92) and the channels (28) of the bottom surface (30).