Abstract: A display system for sensing a finger of a user applied to the display system includes a display panel; a sensor for sensing the finger; a sensing light source configured to emit a first light having a first wavelength W1; and a reflective polarizer disposed between the display panel and the sensor. For a substantially normally incident light, an optical transmittance of the reflective polarizer versus wavelength for a first polarization state has a band edge such that for a first wavelength range extending from a smaller wavelength L1 to a greater wavelength L2 and including W1, where 30 nm?L2?L1?50 nm and L1 is greater than and within about 20 nm of a wavelength L3 corresponding to an optical transmittance of about 50% along the band edge, the optical transmittance has an average of greater than about 75%.

Abstract: A filament for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system includes an elastomeric core and a harder, non-elastomeric shell. The core compositionally comprising an elastomeric core material having a flexural modulus of less than 31,000 psi and a durometer of less than 80 Shore. The shell overlays the core portion and compositionally comprises a non-elastomeric thermoplastic shell material that is substantially miscible with the elastomeric core material, wherein the core material and the shell material have the same monomer chemistry. The non-elastomeric thermoplastic shell material has a flexural modulus that is greater than the flexural modulus of the elastomeric core material by at least a factor of five, wherein the shell provides sufficient strength or stiffness to the filament such that filament can be utilized as a feedstock in the extrusion-based additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: A consumable assembly for supplying filament to a 3D printer having two or more receptacles having different geometric configurations, the 3D printer builds parts by material extrusion. The consumable assembly includes a container configured to retain a supply of a first filament, and a first filament guide tube having a length, the first filament guide tube having an inlet end attached to the first container and an outlet end, The consumable assembly includes a key having a geometric configuration allowing the key to be plugged into only one receptacle of the two or more receptacles of the 3D printer, the key comprising a conduit having an entrance and an exit, a coupling portion, and an engagement portion, wherein the entrance to the conduit is coupled to the outlet end of the first filament guide tube to thereby form a closed filament path from the first container to the 3D printer.

Abstract: A plurality of structures that resiliently attract one another are provided for implanting in a patient around a body tissue structure of the patient. For example, the body tissue structure may be the esophagus, and the plurality of structures may be implanted in an annulus around the outside of the esophagus, the annulus being substantially coaxial with the esophagus. The attraction may be between annularly adjacent ones of the structures in the annulus, and it may be provided, for example, by magnets or springs. The array of structures is preferably self-limiting with respect to the smallest area that it can encompass, and this smallest area is preferably large enough to prevent the apparatus from applying excessive pressure to tissue passing through that area.

Abstract: A print assembly 18 for use in an additive manufacturing system 10 to print three-dimensional parts 12, which includes a coarse positioner 40, a fine positioner 42, and a liquefier assembly 20, where a portion of the liquefier assembly 20 is operably mounted to the fine positioner 42 such that the fine positioner 42 is configured to move the portion of the liquefier assembly 20 relative to the coarse positioner 40.

Abstract: A print assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system to print three-dimensional parts, which includes a coarse positioner, a fine positioner, and a liquefier assembly, where a portion of the liquefier assembly is operably mounted to the fine positioner such that the fine positioner is configured to move the portion of the liquefier assembly relative to the coarse positioner.

Abstract: A nozzle for printing three-dimensional parts with an additive manufacturing system, the nozzle comprising a nozzle body having an inlet end and a tip end offset longitudinally from the inlet end, a tip pipe for extruding a flowable material, an inner ring extending circumferentially around the tip pipe at the outlet end, an outer ring extending circumferentially around the inner ring, at least one annular recessed groove located circumferentially between the inner ring and the outer ring.

Abstract: A liquefier assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system to print three-dimensional parts. In one aspect, the liquefier assembly includes a liquefier that is transversely compressible, and having an inlet end configured to receive a consumable material in a solid or molten state and an outlet end, a nozzle at the outlet end, and an actuator mechanism configured to transversely compress and expand the liquefier in a controlled manner In another aspect, the liquefier assembly is self heating.

Abstract: A filament for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system includes an elastomeric core and a harder, non-elastomeric shell. The core compositionally comprising an elastomeric core material having a flexural modulus of less than 31,000 psi and a durameter of less than 80 Shore. The shell overlays the core portion and compositionally comprises a non-elastomeric thermoplastic shell material that is substantially miscible with the elastomeric core material, wherein the core material and the shell material have the same monomer chemistry. The non-elastomeric thermoplastic shell material has a flexural modulus that is greater than the flexural modulus of the elastomeric core material by at least a factor of five, wherein the shell provides sufficient strength or stiffness to the filament such that filament can be utilized as a feedstock in the extrusion-based additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional (3D) parts includes a print foundation, a print head, a drive mechanism, and a supporting surface that creates an air bearing for parts under construction as they move through the system. The print head is configured to print a 3D part onto the print foundation in a layer-by-layer manner in a vertical print plane. The drive mechanism is configured to index the print foundation substantially along a horizontal print axis during printing of the 3D part. The support surface is provided by a table extending along the horizontal axis. The table has a plurality of air jets forming an air platen, which generates the air bearing for supporting the 3D part as it is incremented along the print axis.

Abstract: A plurality of structures that resiliently attract one another are provided for implanting in a patient around a body tissue structure of the patient. For example, the body tissue structure may be the esophagus, and the plurality of structures may be implanted in an annulus around the outside of the esophagus, the annulus being substantially coaxial with the esophagus. The attraction may be between annularly adjacent ones of the structures in the annulus, and it may be provided, for example, by magnets or springs. The array of structures is preferably self-limiting with respect to the smallest area that it can encompass, and this smallest area is preferably large enough to prevent the apparatus from applying excessive pressure to tissue passing through that area.

Abstract: A print assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system to print three-dimensional parts, which includes a coarse positioner, a fine positioner, and a liquefier assembly, where a portion of the liquefier assembly is operably mounted to the fine positioner such that the fine positioner is configured to move the portion of the liquefier assembly relative to the coarse positioner.

Abstract: A 3D printer is configured to print a 3D part. The 3D printer includes a print head carried by a head gantry and configured to operably move the print head along planar tool paths. The 3D printer includes at least one head gantry actuator coupled to the head gantry and configured to move the print head in a plane and a print head actuator coupled to the print head and configured to move the print head in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane. A sensor is fixedly mounted to the print head and configured to output a first signal that is directly or indirectly related to an acceleration of the print head, and a gyroscope is fixedly mounted to the print head and configured to output a second signal related to a rotational position of the print head.

Abstract: A plurality of structures that resiliently attract one another are provided for implanting in a patient around a body tissue structure of the patient. For example, the body tissue structure may be the esophagus, and the plurality of structures may be implanted in an annulus around the outside of the esophagus, the annulus being substantially coaxial with the esophagus. The attraction may be between annularly adjacent ones of the structures in the annulus, and it may be provided, for example, by magnets or springs. The array of structures is preferably self-limiting with respect to the smallest area that it can encompass, and this smallest area is preferably large enough to prevent the apparatus from applying excessive pressure to tissue passing through that area.

Abstract: A print assembly 18 for use in an additive manufacturing system 10 to print three-dimensional parts 12, which includes a coarse positioner 40, a fine positioner 42, and a liquefier assembly 20, where a portion of the liquefier assembly 20 is operably mounted to the fine positioner 42 such that the fine positioner 42 is configured to move the portion of the liquefier assembly 20 relative to the coarse positioner 40.

Abstract: A consumable assembly for supplying filament to a 3D printer having two or more receptacles having different geometric configurations, the 3D printer builds parts by material extrusion. The consumable assembly includes a container configured to retain a supply of a first filament, and a first filament guide tube having a length, the first filament guide tube having an inlet end attached to the first container and an outlet end, The consumable assembly includes a key having a geometric configuration allowing the key to be plugged into only one receptacle of the two or more receptacles of the 3D printer, the key comprising a conduit having an entrance and an exit, a coupling portion, and an engagement portion, wherein the entrance to the conduit is coupled to the outlet end of the first filament guide tube to thereby form a closed filament path from the first container to the 3D printer.

Abstract: A consumable material for use in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the consumable material comprising a length and a cross-sectional profile of at least a portion of the length that is axially asymmetric. The cross-sectional profile is configured to provide a response time with a non-cylindrical liquefier of the extrusion-based digital manufacturing system that is faster than a response time achievable with a cylindrical filament in a cylindrical liquefier for a same thermally limited, maximum volumetric flow rate.

Abstract: A print assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system to print three-dimensional parts, which includes a coarse positioner, a fine positioner, and a liquefier assembly, where a portion of the liquefier assembly is operably mounted to the fine positioner such that the fine positioner is configured to move the portion of the liquefier assembly relative to the coarse positioner.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a build chamber with at least first and second side walls and top and bottom walls. A central deformable, thermal insulator has a first edge and a second edge, where a print head carriage is movably retained within the central deformable thermal insulator and is configured to move print heads within a build plane of the build chamber under control of a gantry. The system includes first and second dynamic thermal barriers each having a length between a proximal edge and a distal edge wherein the proximal edge is configured to be secured to the central deformable insulator and a distal edge is configured to be movably retained to the build chamber such that as the print head carriage moves laterally across the build plane, each dynamic thermal barrier moves with the central deformable insulator and print head carriage, and retains its length.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an indication that a 3D printer has encountered an error printing an instance of a 3D print job and selecting an idle 3D printer to print the instance of the 3D print job. Previous printing instructions for the instance of the 3D print job are changed based on the selected idle 3D printer and the changed printing instructions are provided to the selected idle 3D printer.