Abstract: A composite release film may be configured to separate a current cured layer from a photocuring surface during a photocuring three-dimensional (3D) printing process. The composite release film may include a plastic layer and an elastic layer. An upper surface of the plastic layer may be the photocuring surface, and a lower surface of the plastic layer may fit with an upper surface of the elastic layer. The elastic layer may include an elastic medium of the elastic layer and a reinforcing scaffold. The elastic medium of the elastic layer may be filled in pores of the reinforcing scaffold. The reinforcing scaffold in the elastic layer may include a plurality of protrusions on a lower surface of the elastic layer. In addition, a device and a method using the composite release film to prepare a 3D object through a photocuring 3D printing technique in the field of additive manufacturing are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a tower structure of a wind turbine includes an additive printing device having a central frame structure with a platform and an arm member. The arm member is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tower structure. The additive printing device also includes a plurality of robotic arms secured to the arm member of the central frame structure. Each of the robotic arms includes a printer head for additively printing one or more materials. The additive printing device further includes at least one nozzle configured for dispensing a cementitious material. Moreover, the system includes one or more molds additively printed via the additive printing device of a polymer material. As such, the mold(s) define inner and outer wall limits of the tower structure.

Abstract: An additive printing device and a method for using the same to manufacture a tower structure of a wind turbine is provided. The additive printing device includes a vertical support structure, a support ring suspended from the vertical support structure, and a printer head movably coupled to the support ring for selectively depositing cementitious material. A drive mechanism, such as a rack and pinion, moves the printer head around the support ring while selectively depositing cementitious material. The vertical support structure may be raised and/or the relative position between the vertical support structure and the printer head may be adjusted to raise the printer head to print subsequent layers. This process may be repeated to print the tower structure layer-by-layer from the ground up.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a stage configured to hold one or more cured layers of resin that form a component. A radiant energy device can be operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator can be configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A reclamation system can be downstream of the stage and can be configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a resin support. The reclamation system can include a first collection structure configured to accept a resin support therethrough along a resin support movement direction. A first scraper is positioned within the first collection structure. The first scraper has an elongation axis that is offset from the resin support movement direction by an offset angle that is less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A reclamation system for an additive manufacturing apparatus can include a collection structure configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a foil. A containment vessel can be configured to retain the resin removed from the foil. A drain can direct the resin from the containment vessel to a reservoir.

Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of 3D printers, and a sunken 3D printer and a 3D printing method are disclosed. The sunken 3D printer comprises a main platform, a first linear driving mechanism, a second linear driving mechanism, a printing platform and an optical machine scraper assembly. The main platform comprises a horizontal platform and a vertical platform which are perpendicular to each other, and a resin tank is provided in the horizontal platform; and the first linear driving mechanism and the second linear driving mechanism are installed at the two ends of the vertical platform, the first linear driving mechanism is used for driving the printing platform to move up and down, and the second linear driving mechanism is used for driving the optical machine scraper assembly to move up and down.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a stage configured to hold a component formed by one or more layers of resin. A support plate can be positioned above the stage. A radiant energy device can be positioned above the stage. The radiant energy device can be operable to generate and project energy in a predetermined pattern. A feed module can be configured to operably couple with a first end portion of a resin support and can be positioned upstream of the stage. A take-up module can be configured to operably couple with a second end portion of the resin support and can be positioned downstream of the stage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an adhesion blocking element, a three-dimensional printing device and a three-dimensional printing method. The adhesion blocking element comprises: one light-transmittable main body comprising a first surface and a second surface which are disposed opposite to each other, and side faces connecting the first surface and the second surface; and a plurality of microstructures arranged on the main body, wherein each microstructure has one cavity formed in the main body and one first open face which is arranged on the first surface of the main body and communicated to the cavity. The present invention decreases the adhesion between the adhesion blocking element and the cured layer by improving the structure of the adhesion blocking element itself, and eliminates the negative pressure adsorption between the cured layer and the adhesion blocking element, so that it is easier to peel the adhesion blocking element off from the cured layer.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method for a component, the component being produced layerwise by fused filament fabrication, includes magnetizing a substrate plate, depositing at least one first layer on the substrate plate, this first layer including a first substance that contains magnetic material, depositing at least one further layer of a second substance, and demagnetizing the substrate plate. An apparatus for producing a component by fused filament fabrication includes a substrate plate for depositing layers of the component, wherein the substrate plate is magnetized before depositing a first layer on the substrate plate, the first layer including a first substance that contains magnetic material, and further layers including a second substance that does not contain a magnetic material are deposited on the first layer, and the substrate plate is demagnetized after forming the part.

Abstract: According to some aspects, techniques that address one or more drawbacks of laser-based optical systems in additive fabrication devices are described. In some aspects, an additive fabrication device may include one or more variable focus lenses that may be operated (e.g., actuated) during fabrication to adjust the focus, and thereby the spot size, of a laser beam. In some aspects, an additive fabrication device may comprise a laser array, such as a plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), that may be operated to direct light into a build region, rather than using a single laser beam, such as a single diode laser. In some aspects, an additive fabrication device may comprise a container that includes a flexible display film, such as a flexible LCD screen, which may be operated to direct light into the container to thereby cure a liquid photopolymer therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for moulding a polymeric object, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a substantially flat horizontally positioned layer of a material, the layer being a film or sheet; (b) providing a layer of a thermoplastic powder onto the layer provided under (a); (c) subjecting a pre-defined part of the thermoplastic powder to irradiation to heat the pre-defined part of the thermoplastic powder to a temperature at which the thermoplastic fuses or sinters onto at least a part of the flat layer of material; (d) terminating the exposure to irradiation; (e) providing a further layer of the thermoplastic powder onto the layer provided under (b); (f) subjecting a pre-defined part of the thermoplastic powder of the layer provided under (e) to irradiation to heat the pre-defined part of the thermoplastic powder to a temperature at which the thermoplastic fuses or sinters onto at least a part of the flat layer of the material fused under (c); (g) terminating the exposure to

Abstract: An application system and method for applying a sealing agent to the inner surface of a pneumatic tire includes: rotating, by means of a support device, the pneumatic tire about an axis of rotation; applying a layer of sealing agent to the inner surface of the pneumatic tire by means of a dispensing head arranged within the pneumatic tire itself; pressing, by means of a pressure roller, the just applied layer of sealing agent against the inner surface of the pneumatic tire; pushing the pressure roller against the just applied layer of sealing agent by means of an actuator which generates a force having a desired value; determining, by means of a force sensor, a measured value of the force generated by the actuator; and cyclically varying the force generated by the actuator as a function of the measured value of the force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of shaping a cured thermosetting resin substrate, and more particularly to a method of shaping a cured thermosetting resin using electromagnetic radiation, said method comprises providing a cured thermosetting resin substrate; providing a confined temperature controlling environment; placing the cured thermosetting resin substrate in the confined temperature controlling environment; providing a source of electromagnetic radiation; irradiating the cured thermosetting resin substrate in the confined temperature controlling environment; and shaping the irradiated thermosetting resin substrate.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a part from powder relates to the electrical engineering field. In particular, to the processing of materials and the production of flat or three-dimensional products from both metal and plastic, ceramics, metal-plastic and metal-ceramics using microwave heating. The purpose is a method that uses the means of heating due to microwave radiation to sinter or melt the materials, both ceramic and plastic materials and metal powders.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating separation of 3D-printed objects from build platforms. The principle of separation in the present invention involves a build platform configured to be removable or flexible or partially deformable, such that at least a portion of the build platform may be bent or tilted to separate the build platform from the 3D-printed object once the 3D-printing is completed. In some embodiments, a base assembly is adapted to magnetically move a build plate along a surface of the base assembly such that the build plate automatically self-aligns along a boundary of the base assembly and magnetically couples to the base assembly. In some embodiments, a build platform includes a flexible layer with a printable surface and a rigid layer coupled to the flexible layer so that applying a force on the flexible layer deforms a localized portion of the printable surface without deforming the rigid layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a corresponding system for providing a dental prosthesis made from ceramic material having a colour matched to the patient comprising the following steps: (i) receiving a desired nominal colour for the dental prosthesis, determining a deviation between the nominal colour and actual colour of the sintered ceramic material by the control unit and defining a temperature time cycle having a cycle time suitable for compensation of the deviation, for sintering at a defined sintering temperature and creating a corresponding sintering program by the control unit; and (ii) adjusting the actual colour of the selected ceramic material to the nominal colour in the sintering furnace by the sintering program executed by the sintering furnace.

Abstract: A build chamber for a 3D printer includes a heated build space in an interior of the build chamber and a thermal isolator configured to insulate 3D printer components from the heated build space. The thermal isolator includes a first baffle section and a second baffle section. Each of the first baffle section and the second baffle section includes an accordion-pleated panel having a length, a width, a first end and a second end, wherein the panel comprises a parallel alternating top folds and bottom folds along the width forming a series of pleats, and each pleat within the series being configured to expand and contract, and wherein the panel is constructed of a heat-resistant material. Each baffle section also includes support rods affixed to the accordion-pleated panel in parallel to the pleats and at intervals along the length of the panel, the support rods substantially spanning the width of the panel.

Abstract: Systems for material deposition. One such system includes a number of containers arranged relative to one another in a conical or other shape, pointing toward a common deposition point. When not actively depositing material, the containers are held at a distance from the deposition point. Another system has a rod disposed within a container and a flexible tip on the rod seals a material exit of the container when biased closed. Pressurized gas introduced into the container forces the rod away from the material exit and material from the container. In yet another system, a container includes a barrel adapter having a one-way air valve that seals the container and creates a vacuum, preventing material from leaking from the container. Upon application of a pressurized gas, the one-way valve is forced open and material is deposited from the container. The valve closes automatically in the absence of the gas.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a deflection member is disclosed. The method may include the steps of providing an additive manufacturing apparatus that includes at least one radiation source and a vat containing a photopolymer resin, providing a reinforcing member, contacting a surface of the reinforcing member with the photopolymer resin, and directing radiation from the at least one radiation source towards a surface of the reinforcing member to at least partially cure photopolymer resin in contact with the surface of the reinforcing member to create at least a portion of a lock-on layer.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing technique uses digital mask-based illumination and a polar-based build environment for increased throughput. In one embodiment, the build environment comprises a rotating element having a surface. A coater is configured to deposit photopolymer material on the rotating element at a given flow rate. As the element rotates and the coater deposits the photopolymer material, a radiation source of an image scanning system projects an array of point sources (an image) onto the photopolymer material for an exposure time to cure a given layer. As the photopolymer material is deposited layer-upon-layer, and for each layer, a control system adjusts a relative position of the coater with respect to the surface, adjusts a speed of rotation of the rotating element, and maintains the flow rate and the exposure time constant.