Abstract: A digital linear measuring device that digitizes the length of the extended tape and displays this measurement on a primary display screen that continually updates to a current measurement. The user can decide when to save a measurement, at which point the saved measurement will appear on a secondary screen (either a portion of the primary display, or a secondary adjacent display) as a previously taken measurement. These measurements can account for both an external measurement read from the tape measure, as well as an internal measurement, and the measurement may be adjusted where necessary to take into consideration the length of the device body. In use, there is no need to write down or remember a previous measurement, as they are displayed and easily accessible.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a device for measuring length of feedstock being fed to a tool operated directly by a user. The device includes a body, configured to be removably attached to the tool. The device also includes a display, mounted in the body, and visually accessible to the user. The device also includes a measurement wheel mechanically mounted to the body and configured to be mechanically biased to the feedstock under a condition wherein the body is attached to the tool. The device also includes an encoder coupled to the measurement wheel and configured to generate a signal indicative of angular position of the wheel. The device further includes a processor, disposed in the body, coupled to the encoder and the display and configured to cause the display to show a measure indicative of a length of the feedstock that has been fed to the tool.

Abstract: A digital linear measuring device that digitizes the length of the extended tape and displays this measurement on a primary display screen that continually updates to a current measurement. The user can decide when to save a measurement, at which point the saved measurement will appear on a secondary screen (either a portion of the primary display, or a secondary adjacent display) as a previously taken measurement. These measurements can account for both an external measurement read from the tape measure, as well as an internal measurement, and the measurement may be adjusted where necessary to take into consideration the length of the device body. In use, there is no need to write down or remember a previous measurement, as they are displayed and easily accessible.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.

Abstract: Techniques for film tensioning in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, a film forming part of a container in an additive fabrication device may be tensioned by different forces along different axes. According to some embodiments, an adjustable tensioning system may be provided within an additive fabrication device that may couple to one or more components of a removable container comprising a film. The tension of the film may be adjusted by the additive fabrication device via the adjustable tensioning system and its coupling to the container.

Abstract: Multi-film containers for use in additive fabrication devices are provided. According to some aspects, a container may include multiple films that are at least partially detached from one another. In some embodiments, the multiple films may include films formed from different materials. As one example, an upper film may be formed so as to be relatively impermeable to substances within a source material of an additive fabrication device, whereas a lower film may be formed so as to provide desirable mechanical properties. In some cases, the multiple films may be commonly tensioned while being unattached to one another.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a device for measuring length of feedstock being fed to a tool operated directly by a user. The device includes a body, configured to be removably attached to the tool. The device also includes a display, mounted in the body, and visually accessible to the user. The device also includes a measurement wheel mechanically mounted to the body and configured to be mechanically biased to the feedstock under a condition wherein the body is attached to the tool. The device also includes an encoder coupled to the measurement wheel and configured to generate a signal indicative of angular position of the wheel. The device further includes a processor, disposed in the body, coupled to the encoder and the display and configured to cause the display to show a measure indicative of a length of the feedstock that has been fed to the tool.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a mixer for detection and/or removal of material in an undesired location of an additive fabrication device is provided. For instance, in an inverse stereolithography device, liquid photopolymer may adhere and cure or partially cure to a surface of the additive fabrication device in a location that may interfere with the additive fabrication process and/or cause the additive fabrication process to be unsuccessful. The mixer may be coupled to a movable structure within the additive fabrication device so that the mixer, when coupled to the movable structure, may be moved along at least one axis within the additive fabrication device. The mixer may be configured to detect and/or remove undesired material from a surface within the additive fabrication device.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a mixer for detection and/or removal of material in an undesired location of an additive fabrication device is provided. For instance, in an inverse stereolithography device, liquid photopolymer may adhere and cure or partially cure to a surface of the additive fabrication device in a location that may interfere with the additive fabrication process and/or cause the additive fabrication process to be unsuccessful. The mixer may be coupled to a movable structure within the additive fabrication device so that the mixer, when coupled to the movable structure, may be moved along at least one axis within the additive fabrication device. The mixer may be configured to detect and/or remove undesired material from a surface within the additive fabrication device.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a mixer for detection and/or removal of material in an undesired location of an additive fabrication device is provided. For instance, in an inverse stereolithography device, liquid photopolymer may adhere and cure or partially cure to a surface of the additive fabrication device in a location that may interfere with the additive fabrication process and/or cause the additive fabrication process to be unsuccessful. The mixer may be coupled to a movable structure within the additive fabrication device so that the mixer, when coupled to the movable structure, may be moved along at least one axis within the additive fabrication device. The mixer may be configured to detect and/or remove undesired material from a surface within the additive fabrication device.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.

Abstract: Techniques for film tensioning in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, a film forming part of a container in an additive fabrication device may be tensioned by different forces along different axes. According to some embodiments, an adjustable tensioning system may be provided within an additive fabrication device that may couple to one or more components of a removable container comprising a film. The tension of the film may be adjusted by the additive fabrication device via the adjustable tensioning system and its coupling to the container.

Abstract: Multi-film containers for use in additive fabrication devices are provided. According to some aspects, a container may include multiple films that are at least partially detached from one another. In some embodiments, the multiple films may include films formed from different materials. As one example, an upper film may be formed so as to be relatively impermeable to substances within a source material of an additive fabrication device, whereas a lower film may be formed so as to provide desirable mechanical properties. In some cases, the multiple films may be commonly tensioned while being unattached to one another.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.