Abstract: The present invention refers to a printed three-dimensional optical component built up from layers of printing ink characterized in that the three-dimensional optical component comprises at least one foil between two consecutive layers. The present invention further relates to a corresponding manufacturing method.

Abstract: A frame is injection molded onto a group of panels to form a container. The panels extend at least partially around, and at least partially define, a cavity of the container.

Abstract: The molding die of the invention includes: a first die having a through-hole; a second die inserted into the through-hole and capable of moving relative to the first die; and a first punch and a second punch each insertable into the through-hole. A cavity surrounded by the second die, the first punch, and the second punch to compression-mold a molding object is formed in the through-hole. An undercut molding part is formed in the surface of the second die facing the cavity. The second die is formed so as to be splittable into two or more split bodies.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a support plate and a resin vessel. The support plate defines a central opening and an upper surface. The resin vessel is disposed upon the upper surface of the support plate and includes a substructure and a transparent sheet. The substructure includes a vertical wall and a tension ring that extends inwardly and downwardly from the vertical wall. The tension ring impinges downwardly upon an upper surface of the transparent sheet and tensions the transparent sheet.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for calibrating a 3D printer are disclosed. A 3D printer toolhead may include mechanisms for detecting when a portion of the toolhead comes into contact with a build surface. A process for detecting the distance from the toolhead to the build surface is disclosed using these mechanisms. A further method of calibrating a 3D printer by measuring a plurality of points on a build surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods relating to three dimensional printing. One embodiment relates to a three dimensional printer comprising a printer base including a rail portion, and a moveable print surface including a plurality of track members coupled to form a loop and configured to move along the rail portion of the printer base. The printer also includes a print head and a print head positioning system configured to move the print head in multiple directions over the print surface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A transport unit for transporting an additively manufactured three-dimensional component including a transfer interface which can be closed in a substantially gastight manner for the three-dimensional component and/or a container containing the three-dimensional component and/or a platform carrying the three-dimensional component, which transfer interface is configured and disposed so that it cooperates with an output interface of an additive manufacturing machine which has manufactured the three-dimensional component within the framework of a component transfer as intended and when a connection is made as intended between the transfer interface and output interface a substantially gastight connection can be produced, and a storage chamber for storing the component and/or the container and/or the platform in a substantially gastight sealed state towards the outside.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a base, a layer forming portion configured to form a powder layer having a predetermined thickness by moving in a space above the base, an irradiation portion configured to irradiate the powder layer with an energy beam, a detection portion configured to detect a projecting portion formed on a solidified portion and a position of the projecting portion, and a control unit. The solidified portion is formed by irradiating the powder layer with the energy beam from the irradiation portion. A height of the projecting portion is larger than the predetermined thickness. The layer forming portion includes a high-rigidity thickness-determining portion and a low-rigidity thickness-determining portion. The control unit is configured to control operation of the high-rigidity thickness-determining portion and the low-rigidity thickness-determining portion, depending on a detection result by the detection portion.

Abstract: A reusable mold for injection molding and molding method includes a reusable mold member, a mold cavity defined in the mold member, and at least one heat sink recess defined in the mold member for accommodating a heat sink material therein for rapidly removing heat from the mold cavity when the mold member is used to injection mold a molded part. The reusable mold injection molds a molded part and rapidly removes heat from the mold cavity via a heat sink material accommodated in the at least one heat sink recess.

Abstract: A method of forming a component having grooves formed into an outer surface of a component includes the steps of applying at least one mold to an outer surface of a component preform. The mold is forced into contact with the outer surface to form a detent into the outer surface.

Abstract: Collimators and other components for use in neutron scattering experiments or to provide neutron shielding in nuclear reactors or accelerator based neutron sources are produced by additive manufacturing from neutron absorbing material, such as boron carbide (B4C) or isotopically enriched boron carbide (10B).

Abstract: Techniques for directing light from a movable stage in an additive fabrication device are provided. According to some aspects, the movable stage may include a parabolic mirror onto which light may be directed at various different incident angles to produce light along different positions along an axis. In some cases, this axis may be perpendicular to a direction of motion of the movable stage.

Abstract: An article has a curved surface. Disposed upon the curved surface is a plurality of patterns. Each pattern is defined by a plurality of spaced apart features attached to or projected into the curved surface. The plurality of features each have at least one neighboring feature having a substantially different geometry, wherein an average spacing between adjacent features is about 1 nanometer and about 1 millimeter in at least a portion of the curved surface. The plurality of spaced apart features are represented by a periodic function.

Abstract: The present invention and its variations provide a method of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing at a high rate of speed, much higher than that of a conventional 3d printer (e.g. 5 meters per second travel, depositing 3 cubic centimeters of material per second). The invention uses a closed loop brushless motor control system to rapidly move a carriage to a precise position. This carriage contains on itself a high-flow-rate hot end, which is a device which can liquify material at a high flow rate, which in turn is used to deposit material onto a heated bed. The printer contains a high-flow-rate extruder, which is a device designed to maximize the friction between a belt and a pulley in order to drive a large amount of material filament through the high-flow-rate hot end onto a bed without slipping.

Abstract: Clean chamber technology for 3D printers and bioprinters is described. An airtight chamber or enclosure is provided so that positive pressure can be created inside the chamber. Unfiltered air is sucked in from outside into the chamber through a high efficiency filter such as a HEPA filter, using an electrically powered fan or blower, filtering out at least about 99% of particles and contaminants. The filtered air is then pushed into a 3D printing area inside the chamber and out through vents within the frame of the chamber. The technology provides a clean environment for 3D bioprinting of human tissue models and organs and 3D cell culturing without requiring clean room facilities.

Abstract: Techniques for flexible, on-site additive manufacturing of components or portions thereof for transport structures are disclosed. An automated assembly system for a transport structure may include a plurality of automated constructors to assemble the transport structure. In one aspect, the assembly system may span the full vertically integrated production process, from powder production to recycling. At least some of the automated constructors are able to move in an automated fashion between the station under the guidance of a control system. A first of the automated constructors may include a 3-D printer to print at least a portion of a component and to transfer the component to a second one of the automated constructors for installation during the assembly of the transport structure. The automated constructors may also be adapted to perform a variety of different tasks utilizing sensors for enabling machine-learning.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping device includes a nozzle that discharges a shaping material, a stage that includes a stacking surface on which the shaping material is stacked, a moving mechanism that changes a relative position between the nozzle and the stage, a distance measurement mechanism that is disposed at a position facing the nozzle, a cleaning mechanism that cleans a tip end surface of the nozzle, and a control unit that controls the moving mechanism while discharging the shaping material from the nozzle towards the stacking surface so as to shape a three-dimensional shaped object. The control unit measures a first value relating to a distance between the tip end surface of the nozzle and the stacking surface after the tip end surface of the nozzle is cleaned, and controls the moving mechanism based on the first value to adjust the distance between the stacking surface and the tip end surface of the nozzle to a predetermined distance to shape the three-dimensional shaped object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping device includes a nozzle that discharges a shaping material from a discharge port formed on a tip end surface, a stage that includes a stacking surface on which the shaping material is stacked, a distance measurement mechanism that is disposed at a position facing the nozzle, a cleaning mechanism that cleans the tip end surface of the nozzle, and a control unit that controls the distance measurement mechanism to measure a value relating to a facing distance between the nozzle and the stacking surface after the cleaning mechanism cleans the tip end surface of the nozzle.

Abstract: A retaining unit includes: a movable ejector pin; a ring-shaped member used in a fixed state; and a ball plunger directly attached to the ejector pin or fixed to a fixing member attached to the ejector pin. The ball plunger is configured to press the ring-shaped member and engage the ejector pin with the ring-shaped member. When a force at a predetermined level or higher is applied to the ejector pin in a movement direction of the ejector pin, the engagement with the ring-shaped member is released so that the ejector pin is allowed to move. The ball plunger is incorporated into the ejector pin or the fixing member so as to be unitized together.

Abstract: A method for embedding a line in a substrate. A line embedding head in positioned relative to a surface of the substrate. The line from an output port in the line embedding head is output at an angle relative to the embedding head such that the line is embedded in the substrate.