Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a melting unit configured to plasticize a material into a shaping material; a nozzle configured to discharge the shaping material toward a stage; a moving mechanism configured to change a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; a control unit configured to control the moving mechanism; and an air blowing unit having a plurality of air outlets that are disposed around the nozzle and through which warm air is blown toward the shaping material discharged from the nozzle.

Abstract: A clamping device for fastening an injection mold to a tool plate comprises an upper part and a lower part, said lower part having a mounting surface arranged flat against the tool plate. First, second, third and fourth side surfaces upstand from said mounting surface, said upper part having first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. Said upper and lower parts are connected by a first bolt having an axis of symmetry defining an axis. A resilient member is arranged in connection with the first bolt between the upper and lower parts concentrically with the bolt's axis. The first bolt has a non-threaded section such that the lower part or upper part may move along the bolt in the direction of the axis.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a composite product, the method comprising: forming a core structure having a plurality of layers, each layer being build by an additive manufacturing process; wherein the core structure has a shell substantially enclosing an internal chamber of the core structure, wherein the shell is fluid-impermeable, and wherein the outer surface of the shell has a predefined shape; introducing a fluid into the chamber of the core structure; arranging the core structure and reinforcement fibers in a mould, wherein the mould is arranged to accommodate the core structure including the reinforcement fibers, and wherein the reinforcement fibers and the outer surface of the shell are arranged in contact with each other; providing the reinforcement fibers and a resin on the outer surface of the shell of the core structure; and solidifying the resin to form the composite product inside the mould at a moulding pressure Pm, while controlling the fluid pressure PF of the fluid in the core structur

Abstract: The present disclosure makes it possible to appropriately shape a three-dimensional object with high precision. A three-dimensional object shaping system of the present disclosure for shaping a three-dimensional object includes: inkjet heads that discharge ink droplets using an ink jet method; a shaping platform that is a platform-shaped member on which the three-dimensional object being shaped is supported at a position facing the inkjet heads; a main scanning driver that causes the inkjet heads to perform a main scanning operation in which ink droplets are discharged while moving relative to the shaping platform in a pre-set main scanning direction; and an airflow generator that generates airflows that flow from the inkjet heads toward the shaping platform.

Abstract: A system for use in additively manufacturing an object. The system includes a powder bed configured for containment within a build chamber, wherein the powder bed is formed from a mixture of a build material and a bonding agent. The system also includes a heat source configured to selectively heat the powder bed to a temperature such that the build material is at least partially sintered together by the bonding agent. The heat source also selectively heats the powder bed to the temperature that maintains the build material in a solid state.

Abstract: Disclosed are a 4D printing method using thermal anisotropy and thermal transformation, and the resulting product. The method includes (a) artificially planning transverse printing paths and longitudinal printing paths on a specimen to impose a thermal anisotropy to the specimen, (b) sequentially and alternately forming transversely printed layers and longitudinally printed layers on the specimen by printing a thermoplastic polymer in transverse and longitudinal directions to build a 3D printed product, (c) heating the 3D printed product so that the 3D printed product thermally transforms in a specific direction, and (d) controlling heating time to obtain a 4D printed product having a desired final shape which is formed through the transformation of the 3D printed product over the heating time.

Abstract: A support assembly includes a part and a tension support rod. The part is additively manufactured on a base plate and includes a series of stacked layers of material fused together. The tension support rod is attached to the base plate at a first attachment location and is attached to the part at a second attachment location. At least one of the first attachment location or the second attachment location comprises a pivot joint to enable movement of the tension support rod at the pivot joint.

Abstract: A lyocell material for a cigarette filter and a method of manufacturing the same are disclose. The lyocell material which is biodegradable and eco-friendly can be manufactured by crimping lyocell multifilaments to obtain a crimped tow.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a supporting liquid or a film disposed within a container, in addition to the build platform, a liquid photopolymer, and/or a previously formed layer of a material. The additive fabrication apparatus may comprise a container and a leveling element, wherein the leveling element is configured to move across a liquid-liquid interface to promote or create a flat interface between the two liquids. According to some aspects, the additive fabrication comprises a film disposed between two liquids, wherein the film maintains or provides a flat surface at the interface of the two liquids.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for fabricating 3D structures from biomaterial. The system includes a printer assembly having a dual-arm assembly including an upper arm, and a lower arm connected by an elbow joint to the upper arm. A disposable barrier encloses a printing surface from an external environment and from components of the printer assembly. The upper arm and lower arm are inserted into an inlet of the barrier, so as to be isolated from the print surface. The lower arm is provided with an extruding system, and the extruding system includes an actuator-driven syringe configured to deposit biomaterial on the print surface. The biomaterial is deposited on the print surface to carry out 3D fabrication in an aseptic environment.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator outputs modulated light including: modulated first light when the spatial light modulator receives first light; and modulated second light when the spatial light modulator receives second light. Projection optics project the modulated light onto: a first pixel region when a component or the spatial light modulator has a first position; and a second pixel region when the component or the spatial light modulator has a second position. The first and second pixel regions partially overlap. A pixel shifter moves the component or the spatial light modulator between: the first position when the spatial light modulator outputs the modulated first light; and the second position when the spatial light modulator outputs the modulated second light.

Abstract: Building cylinders, for use in machines for the layer-by-layer production of 3D objects by sintering or melting powdered material by a high-energy beam, and having a main body and a piston part movable on an inner side of the main body along a cylindrical axis, are disclosed. The piston part has a base element for the growth of a 3D object, and a powder seal bearing against the inner side of the main body for sealing the powdered material. The piston part has a seal carrier on which the powder seal is mounted, and an insulator, e.g., a circumferential insulation ring, mounted on the seal carrier. The base element is mounted on the insulator and is arranged at a distance from the seal carrier and from the powder seal.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) system includes a housing defining a chamber, a build platform disposed within the chamber, and an upper gas inlet configured to supply an upper gas flow in a first direction parallel to the build platform. The AM system includes a lower gas inlet disposed in the chamber and configured to supply a lower gas flow in a second direction toward a bottom wall of the chamber, and a flow directing system configured to receive the lower gas flow and redirect the lower gas flow in the first direction parallel to the build platform. The AM system includes one or more gas delivery devices fluidly coupled to the upper and lower gas inlets and configured to regulate one or more flow characteristics of the upper and lower gas flows and a gas outlet configured to discharge the upper and lower gas flows from the chamber.

Abstract: A solid object printing system includes: a print table for mounting a solid object to be subjected to printing; a detection unit for detecting a position and an orientation of the solid object mounted on the print table; a print data generation unit for generating print data corresponding to the solid object on a basis of a detection result of the position and the orientation of the solid object performed by the detection unit; a print unit for performing printing on the solid object by the print data generated by the print data generation unit; and a control unit for controlling the operations of the detection unit, the print data generation unit, and the print unit.

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: Systems and methods for thermally processing composite components are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a system includes a thermal system, a mover device, and a control system. The system also includes a plurality of vessels in which one or more components may be placed. The vessels are similarly shaped and configured. A vessel containing the one or more components therein may be mounted into a chamber defined by the thermal system during thermal processing. The thermal system and vessels include features that allow components to be thermally processed, e.g., compacted, burnt-out, and densified via a melt-infiltration process, a polymer impregnation and pyrolyzing process, or a chemical vapor infiltration process. utilizing the same thermal system and common vessel design. The control system may control the thermal system and mover device to automate thermal processing of the composite components.

Abstract: A material delivery device for an additive manufacturing device (AMD) adapted for manufacturing objects through deposition of additive material over a build surface. The material delivery device comprises an inner funnel having a large aperture and a small aperture whereby the additive material is guided from the large aperture to the small aperture; wherein the inner funnel is electrically conductive and, upon applying an electrical current to the inner funnel, heat is generated thereby heating the additive material travelling in the inner funnel.

Abstract: A system including a powder bed recoater blade, defining a longitudinal axis, for spreading powder of a powder bed including at least one wire interior thereof.

Abstract: A sweep gas system for an additive manufacturing machine can include a gas manifold having an outlet configured to effuse gas into a build area of the additive manufacturing machine. The gas manifold can be moveable across at least a portion of the build area. The sweep gas system can include a controller configured to control a position of the gas manifold.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for printing an article by additive manufacturing comprising providing an additive manufacturing system and a support plate having a block engagement location; engaging a support block having an article-printing surface with the support plate at the block engagement location; engaging the support plate with the additive manufacturing system; additive manufacturing an article on the article printing surface of the support block engaged with the support plate; and disengaging, from the support plate, the support block having the article printed thereon. There is also disclosed corresponding additive manufacturing support assembly, additive manufacturing kit and additive manufacturing assembly.