Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) system manufactures composite structures having different materials in an integrated manner during a single processing process. For example, a first composite image is created on a substrate and then that image is stabilized by heat, pressure of chemical fusion not to the point of complete solid formation but enough to give the first composite image enough stability so that it is not disturbed by subsequent processing. A second image is then created on parts of the substrate not covered by the first composite image, a second powder is applied, and excess second powder that is not part of the second image is removed. The substrate may be cut into sheets that are stacked in register for consolidation and subsequent matrix removal resulting in a multi-polymer 3D object.

Abstract: A thread printing system includes a source spool containing thread. The system also includes various print heads, each of which is fluidly connected to an ink tank. The print heads are positioned to direct and apply ink to a segment of the thread as the thread travels along a transport path along from the source spool. The system also includes a fuser having one or more print rollers that are connected to a heating element. The fuser receives the dyed thread and fuses the ink to the thread. The system may include a controller that is configured to apply ink of different colors to different segments of the thread.

Abstract: A 3D printing system applies colored powders (e.g., primary colors, white, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, fluorescent colors, metallic) in printed polymer layers for forming a colored 3D object. The system may stabilize a powder layer or color sub-layers thereof, for example with one or more of heat, pressure, and/or high-intensity light. On each layer, powders of various colors may be sequentially deposited in a halftone pattern and stabilized, so as to create a part with a specified arrangement of colors throughout its structure. Benefits include more stable color than strategies involving jetting colored fluids. The arrangement of color on the interior of the part could provide functional or traceability benefits for specific applications. The examples allow for depositing a greater quantity of powder on each fiber base or substrate, decreasing the ratio of fiber to powder and increasing production speed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed to provide a guide for sand blasting a fiber-reinforced object. The proposed guide consist of three-dimensional (3D) features that will result in reflective ray-like protrusions that can be detected and displayed by Augmented Reality (AR) hardware including a head mounted display. The AR hardware determines a virtual object to be presented in a field of view, a position in the field of view, and a perspective of the virtual object in the field of view based on position information from the reflective ray-like protrusions. At least a portion of the sand blasting area is observable through the display and lens when the display is presenting the rendered virtual object.

Abstract: A printer includes a spindle that rotates a fibrous object opposite a plurality of printheads while a forced air heater directs heated air toward the surface of the fibrous object. The plurality of printheads eject drops of solid ink onto the surface of the fibrous object to form a solid ink image on the fibrous object and the heated air affixes the solid ink image to the surface of the fibrous object without requiring pressure to affix the solid ink image to the fibrous object.

Abstract: A thread printing system includes a source spool containing thread. The system also includes various print heads, each of which is fluidly connected to an ink tank. The print heads are positioned to direct and apply ink to a segment of the thread as the thread travels along a transport path along from the source spool. The system also includes a fuser having one or more print rollers that are connected to a heating element. The fuser receives the dyed thread and fuses the ink to the thread. The system may include a controller that is configured to apply ink of different colors to different segments of the thread.

Abstract: A system for printing at least one stretchable ink on a thermoformable substrate including an unwinder arranged to feed the thermoformable substrate from a first roll into a web drive subsystem, a surface energy modification device arranged to alter a substrate surface energy to enhance wetting and adhesion of the at least one stretchable ink to the thermoformable substrate, at least one printhead array arranged to deposit the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, at least one radiation curing device arranged to cure the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, a sensor array arranged to monitor the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, and a rewinder arranged to receive the thermoformable substrate and to form the thermoformable substrate into a second roll.

Abstract: A 3D printing system applies colored powders (e.g., primary colors, white, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, fluorescent colors, metallic) in printed polymer layers for forming a colored 3D object. The system may stabilize a powder layer or color sub-layers thereof, for example with one or more of heat, pressure, and/or high-intensity light. On each layer, powders of various colors may be sequentially deposited in a halftone pattern and stabilized, so as to create a part with a specified arrangement of colors throughout its structure. Benefits include more stable color than strategies involving jetting colored fluids. The arrangement of color on the interior of the part could provide functional or traceability benefits for specific applications. The examples allow for depositing a greater quantity of powder on each fiber base or substrate, decreasing the ratio of fiber to powder and increasing production speed.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) system manufactures composite structures having different materials in an integrated manner during a single processing process. For example, a first composite image is created on a substrate and then that image is stabilized by heat, pressure of chemical fusion not to the point of complete solid formation but enough to give the first composite image enough stability so that it is not disturbed by subsequent processing. A second image is then created on parts of the substrate not covered by the first composite image, a second powder is applied, and excess second powder that is not part of the second image is removed. The substrate may be cut into sheets that are stacked in register for consolidation and subsequent matrix removal resulting in a multi-polymer 3D object.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed to provide a guide for sand blasting a fiber-reinforced object. The proposed guide consist of three-dimensional (3D) features that will result in reflective ray-like protrusions that can be detected and displayed by Augmented Reality (AR) hardware including a head mounted display. The AR hardware determines a virtual object to be presented in a field of view, a position in the field of view, and a perspective of the virtual object in the field of view based on position information from the reflective ray-like protrusions. At least a portion of the sand blasting area is observable through the display and lens when the display is presenting the rendered virtual object.

Abstract: A system prints solid ink images on fibrous objects. The controller of the system is configured to operate a first motor to move an object rotating subsystem to and from a position opposite a plurality of printheads, to operate a second motor to rotate an object on a spindle of the object rotating subsystem at the position opposite the plurality of printheads, to operate a forced air heater to direct heated air onto a surface of the object as the object rotates at the position opposite the plurality of printheads, and to operate the plurality of printheads to eject a solid ink marking material onto the heated surface of the object as the object rotates in the first and/or second rotational direction. The solid ink image is affixed to the object by the heating of the object surface alone.

Abstract: A printer includes a spindle that rotates a fibrous object opposite a plurality of printheads while a forced air heater directs heated air toward the surface of the fibrous object. The plurality of printheads eject drops of solid ink onto the surface of the fibrous object to form a solid ink image on the fibrous object and the heated air affixes the solid ink image to the surface of the fibrous object without requiring pressure to affix the solid ink image to the fibrous object.

Abstract: A system for printing images on an object, the system including, a housing, a rod driven by a first motor, an object rotating subsystem positioned about the rod and arranged for reciprocal movement, an object rotating subsystem that includes a spindle and a second motor connected to the spindle and configured to rotate the object in a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction. The system further including a vacuum source connected to the spindle, a plurality of printheads, a curing lamp, and a controller connected to the plurality of printheads, the first motor, the second motor, the curing lamp, the controller configured to operate the first motor, the second motor, the plurality of printheads, and the curing lamp, wherein the plurality of printheads are configured to eject a first marking material onto the object and the second motor rotates the object in the first or second rotational direction.

Abstract: A printer includes a conveyor that feeds objects from a stack of nested objects to the printer. The conveyor includes a member having protuberances that extend from the member to hold the lips of objects in the stack except for the object closest to the printheads in the printer. A spindle mounted to a member is moved to be within an orifice of the object closest to the printheads to engage that object and pull it from the stack. The spindle rotates to facilitate the printing of the object. After the object is printed, it is released from the spindle and gravity directs the printed object along a ramp to an opening in the printer for collection.

Abstract: A system prints solid ink images on fibrous objects. The controller of the system is configured to operate a first motor to move an object rotating subsystem to and from a position opposite a plurality of printheads, to operate a second motor to rotate an object on a spindle of the object rotating subsystem at the position opposite the plurality of printheads, to operate a forced air heater to direct heated air onto a surface of the object as the object rotates at the position opposite the plurality of printheads, and to operate the plurality of printheads to eject a solid ink marking material onto the heated surface of the object as the object rotates in the first and/or second rotational direction. The solid ink image is affixed to the object by the heating of the object surface alone.

Abstract: An apparatus and process overcoats a rendered image on a substrate with a liquid material. The apparatus includes a scanning device and a marking module aligned with the scanning device. The scanning device is used to scan the substrate including the rendered image to acquire scan data. A movable transport member moves the scanned substrate including the rendered image to a location underneath the marking subsystem. A controller uses registration and image data, generated from the scan data, to overcoat the rendered image on the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and process overcoats a rendered image on a substrate with a liquid material. The apparatus includes a scanning device and a marking module aligned with the scanning device. The scanning device is used to scan the substrate including the rendered image to acquire scan data. A movable transport member moves the scanned substrate including the rendered image to a location underneath the marking subsystem. A controller uses registration and image data, generated from the scan data, to overcoat the rendered image on the substrate.

Abstract: A system for printing images on an object, the system including, a housing, a rod driven by a first motor, an object rotating subsystem positioned about the rod and arranged for reciprocal movement, an object rotating subsystem that includes a spindle and a second motor connected to the spindle and configured to rotate the object in a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction. The system further including a vacuum source connected to the spindle, a plurality of printheads, a curing lamp, and a controller connected to the plurality of printheads, the first motor, the second motor, the curing lamp, the controller configured to operate the first motor, the second motor, the plurality of printheads, and the curing lamp, wherein the plurality of printheads are configured to eject a first marking material onto the object and the second motor rotates the object in the first or second rotational direction.

Abstract: A printing system facilitates the printing of articles of manufacture. The system includes an array of printheads, a support member positioned to be parallel to a plane formed by the array of printheads, a member movably mounted to the support member, an actuator operatively connected to the movably mounted member, an object holder configured to mount to the movably mounted member, and a controller operatively connected to the plurality of printheads and the actuator. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to move the object holder past the array of printheads and to operate the plurality of printheads to eject marking material onto objects held by the object holder as the object holder passes the array of printheads. The support member and printhead array are oriented vertically to enable the printing system to be installed in a vertical cabinet that provides a small footprint in a non-production environment.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or transponder that outputs a first signal when a product or product package is sealed. During one particular use, unsealing the product or product package disables the RFID tag, such that no active second signal is output (i.e., the second signal is a passive second signal). In another particular use, unsealing the product or product package removes one or more resonators of a multiresonator such that the second signal is an active second signal that is different from the first signal. The RFID tag need not be visible to identify whether the product or product package is in a sealed state or an unsealed state.