Abstract: An apparatus for automated chemical vapor processing. The apparatus includes a chemical vapor processing chamber to treat articles with surface-smoothing chemical vapor and an article loading chamber to receive articles pending treatment by the chemical vapor processing chamber. The apparatus further includes an automated conveyor to move the articles between the article loading chamber and the chemical vapor processing chamber. The apparatus further includes an air lock to connect the article loading chamber to the chemical vapor processing chamber, and a controller to control the automated conveyor to move the articles between the article loading chamber and the chemical vapor processing chamber, and to control the air lock to seal the chemical vapor processing chamber from the article loading chamber when the automated conveyor is not moving articles between the article loading chamber and the chemical vapor processing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for automated chemical vapor processing. The apparatus includes a chemical vapor processing chamber to treat articles with surface-smoothing chemical vapor and an article loading chamber to receive articles pending treatment by the chemical vapor processing chamber. The apparatus further includes an automated conveyor to move the articles between the article loading chamber and the chemical vapor processing chamber. The apparatus further includes an air lock to connect the article loading chamber to the chemical vapor processing chamber, and a controller to control the automated conveyor to move the articles between the article loading chamber and the chemical vapor processing chamber, and to control the air lock to seal the chemical vapor processing chamber from the article loading chamber when the automated conveyor is not moving articles between the article loading chamber and the chemical vapor processing chamber.

Abstract: A fused filament fabrication three dimensional printing system includes a build platform, an extruder for one or more deposition materials, the extruder including at least one nozzle movable relative to the build platform, and a controller configured to control the relative movement between the build platform and the nozzle, and to cause material to be extruded out of the nozzle to form a 3D object on the build platform. The build platform includes a first plate on which the 3D object is formed, a second plate that is positioned vertically below the first plate and defines at least one gap between the first and second plates, and a heating element that is configured to heat the second plate. The first plate defines at least one opening that is configured to allow passage of material extruded from the nozzle into the at least one gap between the first and second plates.

Abstract: A fused filament fabrication three dimensional printing system includes a build platform, an extruder for one or more deposition materials, the extruder including at least one nozzle movable relative to the build platform, and a controller configured to control the relative movement between the build platform and the nozzle, and to cause material to be extruded out of the nozzle to form a 3D object on the build platform. The build platform includes a first plate on which the 3D object is formed, a second plate that is positioned vertically below the first plate and defines at least one gap between the first and second plates, and a heating element that is configured to heat the second plate. The first plate defines at least one opening that is configured to allow passage of material extruded from the nozzle into the at least one gap between the first and second plates.