Abstract: An additively manufactured component that includes a tool with a region having a plurality of overlying metal layers each derived from a metal powder filament. The region has a predetermined yield point selected based on an operation to be performed with the tool.

Abstract: An organic microgel system as support material for 3D printing of soft materials such as silicone and methods for manufacturing and using the organic microgel system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the organic microgel system comprises a plurality of microgel particles formed by blending a di-block copolymer and a tri-block copolymer in an organic solvent. The organic microgel system may allow high precision 3D printing of silicone objects with complex shapes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a 3D printer. The 3D printer includes a first feeder containing a metallic powder first print material, a second feeder containing a metallic powder second print material, delivery means that sprays the print materials, a holder holding a substrate, and a controller. As the print materials are sprayed from the delivery means the controller, which is computerized, adjusts the relative disposition of the delivery means and substrate, and the controller controls the first and second feeders to each feed their print material to the delivery means, so that the print materials form a 3D article on the substrate wherein different parts of the 3D article have different characteristics due to the different print materials or proportions thereof being used for different portions of the 3D article.

Abstract: A method includes mixing a solvent with a dry cathode mixture to form a slurry. The dry cathode mixture includes a cathode active material, a conductive diluent, and a polymeric binder. The method further includes removing the solvent from the slurry to form a composition and calendering, in a first calendering step, the composition to form a sheet. The calendering the composition includes passing the composition between calender rollers.

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a build platform and a tray, into which the build platform can be immersed, wherein at the bottom in or on the tray a light-transmissive film is formed or arranged and is elastically deformable, having a light source or energy source underneath the film, the tray can be filled with flowable printing material, a control apparatus controls the movement of the build platform relative to the film and the control apparatus superimposes, during the substantially vertical release movement between a slice of a structure, produced by stereolithography, on the build platform from the film, upon the release movement a substantially horizontal, in particular translational, transverse movement which transverse movement extends at an angle between 60 and 120° relative to the release movement and has alternating, in particular reciprocating, movement directions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the temperature of powders in a powder-based additive manufacturing system using spatial light modulation. Powder layer temperatures can be measured and selectively controlled using a radiation source comprising a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator applies a visible light radiation and/or IR radiation. In addition to controlling the pre-fused temperature of the powder in the image plane, the spatial light modulator can also apply the radiation to fuse the powder.

Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus, especially a personal vaporizer device such as an electronic smoking article, generates an aerosol from a source of aerosol-forming substance. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a receiving portion configured to receive a consumable unit, such as a charge or cartridge including a source of aerosol-forming substance, and at least one locating member for locating the consumable unit within the receiving portion. The at least one locating member is configured to locate or position the consumable unit within the receiving portion such that an airflow path extends along outer sides of the consumable unit and through the consumable unit entering at one end region thereof and exiting from an opposite end region thereof, with the outer sides of the consumable unit being arranged between the one end region and the opposite end region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating at least one hollow body made of thermoplastic material, such as a preform or a cap, the treatment process successively including at least the following steps: a first step, consisting in treating at least the inside of the hollow body using hydrogen peroxide; a second step, consisting in heating the hollow body; a third step, consisting in treating the hollow body with plasma in order to reduce the concentration of hydrogen peroxide residues. Also disclosed is a plant for manufacturing containers in which the process is carried out in particular by way of a unit for the plasma treatment of the preforms.

Abstract: To provide a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object in which a three-dimensional shaped object is manufactured by discharging a shaping material from a discharge unit toward a stage to stack a layer, the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object includes: a first step of generating path data having a plurality of partial paths through which the discharge unit moves while discharging the shaping material; a second step of determining a line width of the shaping material in each of the partial paths and generating line width information for implementing the line width; a third step of generating shaping data including the path data and the line width information; and a fourth step of shaping the three-dimensional shaped object according to the shaping data. In the second step, the line width in a target path that is one of the partial paths is determined in accordance with a distance between a first wall and a second wall separated by the target path.

Abstract: An apparatus arranged to heat smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material has a housing. The housing has a first opening at a first end through which smokable material can pass so as to be received within and removed from the apparatus in use. The housing has a second opening at a second end opposed from the first end. The housing further has a chamber between the first and second openings. At least one heater is arranged within the housing for heating smokable material removably received within the chamber in use. A user can access the chamber through at least the second opening to clean within the apparatus.

Abstract: A method may include fused filament fabricating a fused filament fabricated component by delivering a softened filament to selected locations at or adjacent to a build surface. The softened filament may include a binder and a primary material. The binder is configured to release a secondary material upon heating at or above a conversion temperature. The method also may include heating the fused filament fabricated component to a temperature at or above the conversion temperature to sinter the primary material to form a sintered part and cause the binder to release the secondary material within the sintered part.

Abstract: A composition includes a polycarbonate resin formed via an interfacial polymerization process and from 0.05 ppm to 50 ppm of a sulfonic acid. A molded article formed from the composition may exhibit a yellowness index that is less than that of a reference molded article formed from substantially similar polycarbonate composition comprising the polycarbonate resin but in the absence of the sulfonic acid. Methods for forming the molded article in accordance with the above are also described.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sacrificial support material for use in printing a three-dimensional (3D) article includes providing a water-soluble thermoplastic polymer composite including a water-soluble thermoplastic polyethylene oxide graft polymer having a polyethylene oxide polymer backbone, and from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the polyethylene oxide polymer backbone of at least one polar vinyl monomer grafted to the polyethylene oxide polymer backbone. One or more nanoscopic particulate processing aids may be uniformly dispersed in the graft polymer in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the water-soluble thermoplastic polymer composite. The water-soluble thermoplastic polymer composite may have a viscosity in the range of about 100 to about 10,000 Pa-sec. The method may also include forming the water-soluble thermoplastic polymer composite into the 3D printable sacrificial support material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inhalable composition, suitable for use in an electronic cigarette device, comprising at least 1 g/L of nicotine and carbon dioxide dissolved or dispersed in a solvent.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus is disclosed including an additive manufacturing platform; a material feeding unit configured to feed a material onto the additive manufacturing platform; a laser generating unit configured to generate a laser beam with a linear light spot for projecting onto the material on the additive manufacturing platform; and a movement driving unit configured to drive at least one of the laser generating unit, the additive manufacturing platform and the material feeding unit to move in at least one direction. An additive manufacturing method is also disclosed. With the additive manufacturing apparatus and method, an additive manufacturing process can be performed efficiently, and are particularly suitable for an additive manufacturing process of large-size components.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a curing process for fiber reinforced composite materials that includes positioning an actuator on uncured composite material at a first location. At least one sensor is positioned at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location. The actuator excites waves in the composite part at the first location. At least one sensor is positioned at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location. The actuator excites waves in the composite part at the first location. The waves propagate through the composite part due to internal reflection. At least one wave metric is measured at the second location utilizing the sensor. At least one parameter of the curing process may be adjusted based, at least in part, on a wave metric measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A ceramic vaporizer and atomizer system, method and computer program product, including a ceramic vaporizer case; and a ceramic atomizer removably coupled to the ceramic vaporizer case. The ceramic vaporizer case includes external cooling fins for heat dissipation. The ceramic atomizer includes a mouthpiece portion with external cooling fins for heat dissipation. The ceramic atomizer includes a chamber for housing a heating element and that is configured as an insulator for heat retention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to cast a sheet (2) of a material containing alkaloids, the method comprising: Providing a container (6) having an aperture; providing a casting blade (9); Providing a movable support (3) running below the aperture of the container (6); Filling the container (6) with slurry (5); Casting the sheet (2) of tobacco material containing alkaloids material by means of the casting blade (9) onto the movable support (3); Sensing variations in a height of the movable support (3); and changing a height of the casting blade (9) if such variations in the height of the movable support (3) are present.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to unwind a sheet of material wound in a bobbin, the method comprising: providing a bobbin of a coiled sheet, the bobbin defining an outer surface and comprising a free portion of the sheet unwound from the bobbin; arranging a compressing element on the outer surface of the bobbin, so as to define a contact line, the contact line being the line separating the free portion of the sheet from the rest of the bobbin; pressing by means of the compressing element the outer surface of the coiled sheet at the contact line with a force comprised between about (4) Newton and about (16) Newton; and unwinding the sheet from the bobbin pulling the sheet in the unwinding direction.

Abstract: A method for micro-molding a polymeric membrane and including pouring a predetermined volume of curable polymer unto a micro-fabricated mold having a post array with pillars, and overlaying the polymer with a support substrate. A spacer, such as a rubber spacer, is placed in contact with the support substrate and a force is applied to an exposed side of the spacer to compress the support substrate and the polymer together. While applying the force, the polymer is cured on the mold for a predetermined time period and at a predetermined temperature to form a polymeric membrane having a pore array with a plurality of pores corresponding to the plurality of pillars of the post array. The polymeric membrane is removed from the support substrate.