Abstract: A method for evaluating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a desired object based on casting system manufacturing constraints, the method may include (i) obtaining the 3D model of the desired object; wherein the 3D model comprises vertexes and angular information regarding angular relationships between the vertexes; (ii) virtually partitioning the 3D model to slices; (iii) generating a 3D model of a casting system-compliant object; wherein the generating comprises determining for each slice, based on casting system manufacturing constraints and on the 3D model of the desired object, (a) one or more mold regions associated with the slice, and (b) one or more object regions defined by the one or more mold regions, to be formed by molten metal processing; and (iv) responding to the generating of the 3D model of the casting system-compliant object

Abstract: A mold construction system is presented for use in additive manufacturing of a metal object. The system comprises: at least one mold provision device controllably operable to form one or more mold regions defining one or more respective metal object regions in a production layer; and a control system operating said at least one mold provision device in accordance with a predetermined building plan. The mold provision device operates, in accordance with said predetermined building plan, to create each mold regions by sequentially forming the following: a metal-facing zone defining a cavity forming the metal object region, and a metal-nonadjacent zone around the metal-facing zone. The metal-facing zone of the mold region is made of a ceramic-based material and is distinct from the metal-nonadjacent zone in at least one of material composition and mold deposition process parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for 3D printing includes a support configured to support a 3D object to be printed. A material dispensing nozzle is configured to move relative to the support and dispense layers of material from which the 3D object is built. Movement of the material dispensing nozzle is a function of a gap and shell weak spaces between two neighbor layers to be printed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating support structures to 3D objects. The support structure could be located in an inner space or cavity of a hollow 3D object. In some examples, where the inner structure cannot support the designated segment of the 3D object, the support structure could be implemented outwards.

Abstract: Various shielding systems to shield printer heads, extrusion nozzles and extrusion nozzle openings from direct or reflected impingement thereupon of curing radiation so that to prevent undesired inadvertent curing of material residues adhered to the external surface of the printer extrusion nozzle and/or inside the nozzle opening forming cured residues that may compromise the accuracy of the printing process.

Abstract: Various shielding systems to shield printer heads, extrusion nozzles and extrusion nozzle openings from direct or reflected impingement thereupon of curing radiation so that to prevent undesired inadvertent curing of material residues adhered to the external surface of the printer extrusion nozzle and/or inside the nozzle opening forming cured residues that may compromise the accuracy of the printing process.

Abstract: The current three-dimensional object manufacturing technique relies on the deposition of a pseudoplastic material in gel aggregate state. The gel flows through a deposition nozzle because the applied agitation and pressure shears the bonds and induces a breakdown in the material elasticity. The elasticity recovers immediately after leaving the nozzle, and the gel solidifies to maintain its shape and strength.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating support structures to 3D objects. The support structure could be located in an inner space or cavity of a hollow 3D object. In some examples, where the inner structure cannot support the designated segment of the 3D object, the support structure could be implemented outwards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of validating a test pattern for at-speed testing of at least one integrated circuit, IC, design. The method comprises calculating at least one weighted rise activity, WRA, value for at least one region of the IC design based at least partly on rising gate transitions within the at least one region of the IC design when the test pattern is applied thereto, calculating at least one weighted fall activity, WFA, value for the at least one region of the IC design based at least partly on fall gate transitions within the at least one region of the IC design when the test pattern is applied thereto, and validating the test pattern based at least partly on the WRA value and the WFA value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting data path elements for cloning within an integrated circuit (IC) design is described. The method comprises performing timing analysis of at least one data path within the IC design to determine at least one timing slack value for the at least one data path, calculating at least one annotated delay value for cloning a candidate element within the at least one data path, calculating at least one modified slack value for the at least one data path in accordance with the at least one calculated annotated delay value, and validating the cloning of the candidate element based at least partly on the at least one modified slack value.

Abstract: An apparatus for additive manufacturing of large 3D hollow objects with thin walls, includes a 3D hollow object material deposition module configured to deposit a portion of material forming at least a layer of a 3D hollow object wall; a 3D hollow object material solidifying module configured to solidify at least the portion of material forming at least a layer of the 3D hollow object wall; and a support material dispensing module configured to dispense a support material across a cross section of the 3D hollow object wall. The support material is dispensed separately prior to or concurrently with the deposition of the portion of material forming at least a layer of a 3D hollow object wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of validating a test pattern for at-speed testing of at least one integrated circuit, IC, design. The method comprises calculating at least one weighted rise activity, WRA, value for at least one region of the IC design based at least partly on rising gate transitions within the at least one region of the IC design when the test pattern is applied thereto, calculating at least one weighted fall activity, WFA, value for the at least one region of the IC design based at least partly on fall gate transitions within the at least one region of the IC design when the test pattern is applied thereto, and validating the test pattern based at least partly on the WRA value and the WFA value.

Abstract: The current three-dimensional object manufacturing technique relies on the deposition of a pseudoplastic material in gel aggregate state. The gel flows through a deposition nozzle because the applied agitation and pressure shears the bonds and induces a breakdown in the material elasticity. The elasticity recovers immediately after leaving the nozzle, and the gel solidifies to maintain its shape and strength.

Abstract: The current three-dimensional object manufacturing technique relies on the deposition of a pseudoplastic material in gel aggregate state. The gel flows through a deposition nozzle because the applied agitation and pressure shears the bonds and induces a breakdown in the material elasticity. The elasticity recovers immediately after leaving the nozzle, and the gel solidifies to maintain its shape and strength.

Abstract: The current three-dimensional object manufacturing technique relies on the deposition of a pseudoplastic material in gel aggregate state. The gel flows through a deposition nozzle because the applied agitation and pressure shears the bonds and induces a breakdown in the material elasticity. The elasticity recovers immediately after leaving the nozzle, and the gel solidifies to maintain its shape and strength.

Abstract: The current document discloses an apparatus and method that support manufacture of large 3D hollow objects or shells with thin walls including curved surfaces with high and low curvature change ratio and alleviate or significantly reduce the need for support structures. Further to this, introduction of support structures becomes a function of the curved surface curvature change ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting data path elements for cloning within an integrated circuit (IC) design is described. The method comprises performing timing analysis of at least one data path within the IC design to determine at least one timing slack value for the at least one data path, calculating at least one annotated delay value for cloning a candidate element within the at least one data path, calculating at least one modified slack value for the at least one data path in accordance with the at least one calculated annotated delay value, and validating the cloning of the candidate element based at least partly on the at least one modified slack value.