Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical element (100) from a curable material (50) using an additive manufacturing technology comprising steps of: providing a first portion of curable material (50), forming a first part of the optical element by irradiating the surface (55) of the curable material with a first curing surface energy, the first curing surface energy being strictly lower than a first predetermined energy threshold and higher than a second predetermined threshold, and forming, after the irradiation of the first part with the first curing surface energy, at least a second part of the optical element, distinct from the first part of the optical element, by irradiating, with at least a second curing surface energy, the surface of the curable material, the second curing surface energy irradiating both the second part of the optical element (100) and at least a portion of the first part of the optical element, the sum of the first curing surface energy and the at least second curing surface energy being

Abstract: A device for the lithography-based additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures may comprise a building platform defining a building plane, a light engine designed for the dynamic patterning of light in an exposure field of said light engine, a material transport unit comprising a first drive mechanism for transporting a material layer across the exposure field, a second drive mechanism for causing relative movement of the light engine and the building platform along a displacement path extending parallel to the building plane, a linear encoder for sensing a position and/or a velocity of the light engine relative to the building platform, and/or one or more control units configured to adjust the feeding rate of a pattern data feeder based on the position or the velocity sensed by the linear encoder.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a part from powder relates to the electrical engineering field. In particular, to the processing of materials and the production of flat or three-dimensional products from both metal and plastic, ceramics, metal-plastic and metal-ceramics using microwave heating. The purpose is a method that uses the means of heating due to microwave radiation to sinter or melt the materials, both ceramic and plastic materials and metal powders.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shape data generation apparatus includes: a processor configured to obtain three-dimensional shape data in which a three-dimensional shape is represented by plural three-dimensional elements and an attribute is assigned to each of the plural three-dimensional elements, and divide the three-dimensional shape into plural partial shapes according to the attributes to generate plural pieces of three-dimensional shape data.

Abstract: Methods and systems (100) of printing a 3D object (101) comprising: depositing material, layer by layer, via printing heads (72) comprising one or more nozzle arrays; and activating each of said printing heads (72) to dispense a building material (50) at least once within a specified period of time during printing.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes a gantry configured to move in a plane substantially parallel to a x-y build plane and a print head configured to extrude molten material to print a 3D part in a layer-by-layer process. The 3D printer includes a platen configured to support the part being printed in the layer by layer process and positionable with a primary Z positioner along a z-axis substantially normal to the x-y build plane. The 3D printer includes a local Z positioner moved by the gantry, the local Z positioner comprising a linear motor configured to move the print head in the z-direction and having an operable range of motion extending from a nominal build position at which a nozzle of the print head is positioned in the x-y build plane to a raised position above the x-y build plane.

Abstract: A method of hydraulically blow molding a container from a preform using a liquid end product as a liquid blow medium. The method includes the steps of hydraulically blow molding a formed and filled container from a preform using the liquid blow medium and engaging a fluid tight seal with the container while the container is retained within a mold in the forming station. The engaging of the seal includes engaging an axially extending ring of the seal in one of a press-fit or frictional engagement with an inner surface of the container such that the seal is retained on the container by that engagement.

Abstract: A 3D printer comprises a platform, a dispenser and a light source. A heating element heats a material and a nozzle extrudes the heated material onto the platform to form a first layer, having a first shape specified by one or more digital files. The first shape corresponds to a first minimum line width based on a diameter of the nozzle. The light source emits a light beam that is directed onto the first layer according to the one or more digital files to cure a portion of the first layer to create a first cured layer that corresponds to a second shape of a 3D object specified by the one or more digital files. The light beam has a beam diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle, and the second shape has a second minimum line width that is smaller than the first minimum line width.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object includes providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface. The carrier and the build surface define a build region therebetween. The method further includes filling said build region with a polymerizable liquid; continuously or intermittently irradiating said build region with light through said optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from said polymerizable liquid; applying a reduced pressure and/or polymer inhibitor-enriched gas to the polymerizable liquid through the optically transparent member to thereby reduce a gas content of the polymerizable liquid; and continuously or intermittently advancing (e.g., sequentially or concurrently with said irradiating step) said carrier away from said build surface to form said three-dimensional object from said solid polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an intraocular lens, including the steps of providing a container which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation and in which a liquid that is curable by the electromagnetic radiation is arranged; irradiating the liquid with a set of images formed by the electromagnetic radiation, which each depict an intraocular lens, with each of the images of the set being radiated into the liquid at a different angle of incidence with respect to a reference plane that extends through the liquid, as a result of which the liquid is cured and the cured liquid forms the intraocular lens, an actuator, a solar module and/or a sensor being arranged in the liquid and the intraocular lens being formed around the actuator, the solar module and/or the sensor.

Abstract: The material feeding device is configured so that in the state in which a hopper having an opening part and containing a material is attached to a coupling member configured so that the hopper is detachably attached to the coupling member, when the hopper is located in a first area, a first member configured to be able to make a sliding displacement on a slide surface having the first area where a feed hole is disposed makes the sliding displacement to a third area different from the first area to make it possible to take a communicated state in which the opening part and the feed hole are communicated with each other, and when the hopper is located in a second area, the first member makes a sliding displacement to the first area to make it possible to take a non-communicated state in which the first member covers the feed hole.

Abstract: A variety of techniques are used to manage temperature in and around an extruder for a three-dimensional printer.

Abstract: A press base assembly, a strengthening ring for use with press bases and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a press base assembly includes a press base having a body that includes a piston cavity at one end. The body, at a second end opposite that of the piston cavity, may exhibit a desired geometry. A strengthening ring may be shaped, sized and configured to substantially mate with the geometry of the second end of the body and be placed thereover. For example, the geometry of the second end may be substantially circular exhibiting a particular diameter and circumference. The strengthening ring may have substantially circular internal surface sized and configured such that the strengthening ring is positioned on the second end of the body in a manner that results in an interference fit between the two components.

Abstract: A method for controlling a control surface multirod actuator arrangement and the arrangement including: a first and a second multirod actuator configured to move or clamp around a first set of piston rods; a third multirod actuator configured to move or clamp around a second set of piston rods; a control unit configured to control motion of the first set of piston rods in a first motion mode and to control motion of the second set of piston rods in a second motion mode. Steps are moving at least one piston rod of first set of piston rods and/or clamping in parked position at least one piston rod of the second set of piston rods.

Abstract: A probe for an additive manufacturing system includes a probe body having a first air port therethrough between an inlet and an outlet, and a location sensing probe extending from the probe body. The location sensing probe includes a probe end and a probe bar, the probe bar coupled between the probe body and the probe end, and a channel surrounding the probe bar, the channel having an inner tube having an inlet proximate the probe body and an outlet proximate the probe end. A method of determining a position of an item being printed in an additive manufacturing system, includes probing the position with a location sensing probe having a resolution finer than a print resolution of the print head.

Abstract: Provided are: a method for manufacturing a molded article having high compressive strength and excellent appearance by compressing a shaped article obtained using a 3D printer, and a material containing another resin; and a manufacturing device for the same. The method for manufacturing a molded article includes: shaping a filament containing a resin and continuous reinforcing fibers using a 3D printer; and manufacturing a molded article by compressing a second material containing resin against a shaped article formed by the shaping, wherein the shaped article has a void ratio of from 5 to 30%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional printing apparatus using a digital light processing (DLP) projector with a laser scanner, the apparatus comprising: a resin storage unit storing a photocurable resin; a DLP projector unit projecting light to the resin storage unit; a molding stage unit provided to be capable of being lifted and lowered in a vertical direction from a bottom of the resin storage unit; a laser scanner unit performing scanning of light for the resin storage unit; a scanner transfer unit allowing the laser scanner unit to move in an x-axis direction; an image processing unit dividing one sectional image of a sculpture into a core portion and a shell portion; and a controller receiving data on the core portion and the shell portion from the image processing unit, controlling the DLP projector, the laser scanner unit, the scanner transfer unit, and the molding stage unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to medicine and biology, particularly to the means for artificial manufacturing of biological tissues and organs, and can be used in biotechnology, bioengineering, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and in the 3D-printing of biological tissues and organs. Technical character of the invention consists in the development of a method of printing living tissues and organs as well as of the apparatus for its implementation.

Abstract: A method of three-dimensional (3D) printing includes heating a photo-curable material and extruding the photo-curable material from a nozzle to form a first layer of an object according to a digital file, wherein the first layer has a first shape specified by the digital file, and wherein the first shape has a first minimum line width based on a diameter of the nozzle. The method further includes directing a light beam onto the first layer according to the digital file or an additional digital file to cure a portion of the first layer, wherein the cured portion of the first layer has a second shape, wherein the second shape may comprise features that are smaller than the first shape.

Abstract: A combined additive manufacturing method applicable to parts and molds relates to moldless-growth manufacturing of parts and molds, which includes steps of: S1: layering and slicing a three-dimensional CAD (computer-aided design) model of a workpiece to be formed according to shape, thickness and dimensional accuracy requirements of the workpiece, so as to obtain a plurality of layered slice data; S2: planning a forming path according to the layered slice data, and generating layered slice numerical control codes for forming; and S3: deposition-forming a powder material on a substrate layer-by-layer and performing pressure forming or milling forming according to the layered slice numerical control codes in the step S2, which uses a numerically controlled high-speed cold spray gun to spray the powder material to a determined position for deposition-forming. The method of the present invention overcomes thermally induced adverse effects of hot processing and drawbacks of cold spray deposition.

Abstract: A specially-equipped ship is configured for environmental cleanup to collect plastic waste floating in the ocean. A method of using the ship is described. The specially-equipped ship can retrieve floating plastic waste in the ocean, shred it, melt it, and cool it to form a solidified block that is usefully employed to form an artificial reef on the ocean floor to house aquatic biota. The ship is outfitted with a conveyor belt fixed to the ship; a furnace to make molten plastic; a davit to drop the solidified block into the ocean to form a reef on the ocean floor. Optionally the ship includes a mold to contain molten plastic; a shredder; a storage compartment to receive plastic particles from the shredder; a fish escape; a vertical wall; a boring machine; photovoltaic cells and/or windmills to produce electric energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing rotomolded products, and to an installation for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A three dimensional printer includes a projector, an adaptive support apparatus, a resin support apparatus, and a plurality of vertical struts. The projector includes a projection lens module which includes an optical housing that contains a series of lenses for projecting an image from the projector onto a build plane. The projection lens module includes a laterally extending flange having an upwardly facing flange surface. The adaptive support apparatus includes a downward facing surface in facing relation with the upward facing flange surface. The resin support apparatus is configured to contain resin and includes a transparent sheet and a downward facing surface. The transparent sheet defines a lower bound for the resin proximate to a build plane. The plurality of vertical struts couple an upward-facing surface of the adaptive support apparatus to the downward-facing surface of the resin support apparatus.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a moulded cladding panel. The panel may comprise: a hollow plastic body formed by rotational moulding, the body having a length, a width and a depth, a first end, an opposite second end, an upper section, an opposite lower section, a first major face defined by a front wall extending from the first end to the second end and from the upper section to the lower section, and a second major face defined by a back wall opposite the first major face, the second major face extending from the first end to the second end and from the upper section to the lower section. The upper section defines a plurality of first mounting formations to facilitate mounting of the panel to a structure to be clad. The lower section defines a plurality of second mounting formations to facilitate mounting the panel to the structure.

Abstract: A pressing machine comprising a base, wherein a first inner edge side plate and a second outer edge side plate are arranged on the base; a clamping chamber with sealed inner and outer end surfaces is reserved between the outer wall of the first inner edge side plate and the inner wall of the of the second outer edge side plate; the interior of the clamping chamber is used for preparing sandwich panels; the first inner edge side plate comprises a first side plate assembly, a second side plate assembly, a third side plate assembly and a fourth side plate assembly, wherein the four groups of the side plate assemblies are arranged in parallel in pairs; each side plate assembly is formed by assembling a plurality of side plate units along the length direction of the corresponding side plate assembly.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic object may include a robotic arm configured to dispense thermoplastic material, a support apparatus, a computing device and an imaging system. The imaging system may scan thermoplastic material dispensed by the first robotic arm and create a three-dimensional scan model. The model may be compared to a computer model profile to determine if the dispensed material requires adjustment. If the dispensed material requires adjustment, the computing device may adjust the robotic arm or the support apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a part made from composite material, having a body and one or more continuous fibre bundles in its interior, characterised in that it comprises the stages of: a) obtaining a body that includes one or more tubular cavities in its interior that extend between a first end, disposed on the outer surface of the body and which comprises an inlet orifice, and a second end, opposite to the first end; b) introducing resin in the liquid state and a continuous fibre bundle in the interior of at least one tubular cavity through its inlet orifice; and c) curing the resin until it solidifies, adhering to the body and fixing the continuous fibre bundle. The invention also relates to a system for manufacturing a part made from composite material and to the part made from composite material obtained.

Abstract: A machine for producing additive printed parts having a print head attached to a gantry, including a frame having a plurality of side walls that define an interior space, a build table positioned within the interior space and including a print bed for supporting the additive printed part, a plurality of bellows attached at a first end to the gantry and at a second end to at least one of the plurality of side walls, a build volume defined by the plurality of side walls, the plurality of bellows and the build table, and an infrared heater disposed on the build table for heating an additive printed part positioned on the build table.

Abstract: A coating device arrangement 1 for a 3D printer 100 is described, comprising a coating device 3 having a carrier structure 21a to 21c and a container 17 fixed to the carrier structure, defining an inner cavity for receiving particulate construction material, which leads to an opening for outputting the particulate construction material, a vibration device 23 configured to vibrate particulate construction material received in the container and thereby to influence the discharge of construction material from the opening, and a stroking member 15a attached to the coating device, configured to stroke particulate construction material output from the opening to thereby level and/or compress the output particulate material, and/or a closing device 31 configured to selectively close the opening and comprising a closing member 31a attached to the coating device 3, wherein the stroking member 15a and/or the closing member 31a are fixed to the carrier structure to be vibration-decoupled from the vibration generated by

Abstract: A laser machining apparatus has a workpiece holding unit, a laser irradiation unit, a machining feed unit that moves the holding unit and the laser irradiation unit in a machining feed direction, an indexing feed unit that moves the holding unit and the laser irradiation unit in an indexing feed direction, and a control unit that controls the operation of each component. The time required to stop the laser irradiation unit relative to the holding unit can be denoted by ‘ta’ and that required to index the irradiation position of the laser beam at the next scheduled division line can be denoted by ‘tb.’ When tb>ta, the control unit initiates the stopping and indexing simultaneously after a machining step and takes advantage of remaining time (tb?ta) following the end of the stopping to start to accelerate the laser irradiation unit relative to the holding unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional molding device which makes it possible to reduce molding time by decreasing the inkjet head waiting time during the molding step.

Abstract: To provide a cotton candy preparing device for preparing cotton candy in a good condition at all times irrespective of different heating conditions for granulated sugar and sugar candy, a cotton candy preparing device having a rotary pot formed of a pot upper portion and a pot bottom portion is provided, and the pot upper portion has a loading port at an upper end thereof and further tubular inner walls below the loading port, lower ends of the inner walls have a conically shaped expanded inclined portion that expands downwards, a plurality of plate-shaped ribs are provided on the expanded inclined portion so as to project towards a center of the rotary port, and lower ends of the ribs are brought into contact with a heating plate provided on an upper surface of the pot bottom portion or forms a slight gap between the heating plate and themselves.

Abstract: Molding methods and molds for making a synthetic resin molded product include disposing a curable liquid resin mixture in a recess of a female mold. The curable liquid resin mixture is then simultaneously agitated and degassed by a mixer while under a partial vacuum. More specifically, at least the female mold is orbited around an orbital axis while being rotated about a rotational axis that is eccentric to the orbital axis. After being thoroughly mixed and degassed, the liquid mixture is then cured in the mold unit.

Abstract: A molding system includes a mold having a mold cavity; a molding machine configured to fill the mold cavity with a composite molding resin including a polymeric material having a plurality of fibers; a computing apparatus connected to the molding machine; and a controller connected to the computing apparatus. The computing apparatus includes a processor configured to generate a previous orientation distribution of the fibers in the mold cavity based on a molding condition for the molding machine, a rotary diffusional distribution of the fibers based on the previous orientation distribution of the fibers, and an updated orientation distribution of the fibers based on the rotary diffusional distribution of the fibers. The controller is configured to control the molding machine to perform an actual molding with the molding condition for injecting the composite molding resin into at least a portion of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method of filling a mold with a settable material, such as a cementitious mixture, is disclosed. The mold includes a plurality of cavities that open to a top face of the mold, and is suitable for forming building elements, such as pavers, for covering surfaces. The method includes providing an additional volume per unit area of settable material to at least part of selected ones of the cavities, and compacting the settable material in at least part of all of the cavities, including the additional volume per unit area of settable material provided to the selected ones of the cavities, to substantially the same thickness. A mold and a scraper suitable for use in the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method and system for operating an injection molding machine. For example, a molding system (100) to manufacture a molded article (103) in a mold-cavity system (200) by using a molding material (101) is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers includes a conveying device which conveys the pre-forms along a pre-set path. The conveying device has a movable station carrier arranged at least indirectly on a stationary base carrier on which are arranged a plurality of shaping stations which have in each case blow moulding devices which have cavities, inside which the pre-forms are shaped. The apparatus has a changing device for removing the blow moulding devices from the blow mould carriers and/or for arranging blow moulding devices on the blow mould carriers. The changing device has a first control device for controlling a removing and/or an arranging movement of the blow moulding devices on the blow mould carriers, and a second control device for controlling a blow moulding procedure, wherein the first control device and the second control device preferably co-operate at least for a time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device and contourless object data is shown and described. A voxel matrix is superimposed over an object model defined by three-dimensional object data to determine active voxels that intersect at least a portion of the object model. The active voxels are related to a path generation reference frame of an apparatus for making a three-dimensional object to generate solidification energy source event data that defines scanning (y) axis locations and/or solidification times at which a linear solidification device supplies solidification energy to a solidifiable material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an additive manufacturing device, comprising: a vessel for containing a material which is polymerisable on exposure to radiation; a build platform having a build surface, the build platform being mounted or mountable for movement relative to the vessel; and a programmable radiation module comprising an array of individually addressable radiation emitting or transmitting elements, the array being configurable to produce radiation having a predetermined pattern by selective activation of elements of the array; wherein the programmable radiation module is positioned or positionable to irradiate uncured material adjacent the build surface, or adjacent a previously cured structure on the build surface, with the predetermined pattern without magnification. Also disclosed is an additive manufacturing method which employs the additive manufacturing device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed that facilitate part layer curing by an additive manufacturing device wherein each element of the part layer is exposed to light from a light source until the element receives sufficient energy to cure. In an aspect, received energy is calculated based on both the light received directly from the light source and light received from surrounding elements due to dispersion and other effects. The present disclosure enables consistent curing across a part layer, facilitate the creation of sharp outer structures, and allow fragile structures to be built alongside larger structures without a loss of quality, clarity, or resolution.

Abstract: An insulator, especially a sound insulator, can be manufactured by introducing and mixing constituent compounds of a basis material for the insulator with masses to form an insulator mixture. The insulator mixture is formed into the insulator by a suitable mold or tool so that the masses are distributed within the insulator mixture. A catalyst can be included to control curing characteristics of the insulator.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for tube nozzle electrospinning. In one example, among others, is a system including a nozzle tube with an array of nozzles configured to produce a plurality of electrospun nanofibers and a positioning stage configured to control deposition of the plurality of electrospun nanofibers on a substrate to form a layer of nanofibers. Another example is a method including generating a plurality of electrospun nanofibers from an array of nozzles positioned over a substrate and controlling movement of the substrate to form a layer of electrospun nanofibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for uniformly curing resin is described herein. The apparatus includes at least a lamp system that is to emit ultraviolet (“UV”) light. The lamp system is to emit the UV light from a light-emitting diode (“LED”) light source, which is to be energized and controlled by an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may be provided as part of a circuit board which has power delivered thereto from a power cord. The lamp system can further include a handle having an attachment device so that the lamp system may be securely engaged with a glass surface. The lamp system may be adapted to be coupled with a resin injection system. When engaged with the resin injection system, the lamp system can deliver UV light to the injected resin so that the injected resin may be quickly and uniformly cured.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing apparatus includes a shaping head to discharge a resin material, a table to retain the discharged resin material, a carriage mechanism fitted to the shaping head and moving the shaping head relative to the table, a rotatable member disposed outward of the table, a first horizontal rotary shaft rotatably supporting the table, a first motor to rotate the first horizontal rotary shaft, a second horizontal rotary shaft fitted to the rotatable member and extending in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal rotary shaft, a second motor to rotate the second horizontal rotary shaft so as to rotate the table, the first horizontal rotary shaft, and the first motor, along with the rotatable member, around the second horizontal rotary shaft, and a microcomputer configured or programmed to control the shaping head, the first motor, and the second motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing plastic containers includes a heating module that heats plastic preforms and a molding module for molding the preforms into containers. The heating module includes a first transport unit that transports the preforms during the heating and a first interface. The molding module is downstream of the heating module in the transport direction and includes a blow molding unit for applying a flowable medium onto the preforms for expansion thereof, a second transport unit that transports the preforms during the expansion, and a second interface. The first and second interfaces allow a mechanical connection and an electrical connection between the modules such that the molding module may be disposed on the heating module and at least one further module integrated between the heating and molding modules. The further module treats the preforms following the heating and prior to the molding.

Abstract: A valve device for controlled introduction of a blowing medium into plastic parisons, includes at least one controllable valve body, at least one actuating device, and a control device for controlling the actuating device. The actuating device is at least indirectly operatively connected to the valve body, and includes at least one piezoelectric actuator, wherein by actuation of the actuating device and control of the piezoelectric actuator, which is associated therewith, by the control device in dependence on the current impressed into the piezoelectric actuator and/or the voltage applied thereto, the valve body can be moved from an open position into a closed position and vice versa, and in the closed position a main flow path for introduction of the blowing medium into the plastic parisons is closed.

Abstract: A device for operating a machine equipped with a handling device, particularly an injection moulding machine, includes a first stationary operating device secured to the machine, and a second mobile operating device. The operating devices can be designed to be touch screen. The stationary operating device is designed for operating both the machine and the handling device and the mobile operating device is likewise designed for operating both the handling device and the machine. Each operating device is fully equipped for comprehensive configuration or programming and for operating the machine and the handling device. The screen of the mobile operating device is smaller than the screen of the stationary operating device, and predefinable regions of a screen page of the screen of the stationary operating device can be shown successively on the screen of the mobile operating device.

Abstract: The invention is a stereolithography machine (1) comprising: a container (2) for a fluid substance (15); a source (3) of predefined radiation (3a) suited to solidify the fluid substance (15); an optical unit (4) suited to direct the radiation (3a) towards a reference surface (5) in the fluid substance (15); a logic control unit (6) configured so as to control the optical unit (4) and/or the source (3) so as to expose a predefined portion of the reference surface (5). The optical unit (4) comprises two micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS) (7, 8) arranged in series, each one of which is provided with a mirror (9) associated with actuator means (12) suited to set it rotating around a rotation axis (X1, Y1), said two micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS) (7, 8) being arranged in such a way as to allow the radiation (3a) to be directed towards each point of the reference surface (5) through a corresponding combination of the rotations of the respective mirrors (9) around the two axes (X1, Y1).

Abstract: A three-dimensional object fabrication apparatus. A housing encloses a work area. An interface is provided in the housing permit a processor within the housing to receive digital data defining geometry for a three-dimensional object to be fabricated. A fabrication mechanism forms a portion of the object by addition of material substantially consistent with the digital data for a corresponding portion of the geometry received by the processor. A camera to images a portion of the fabrication process, e.g., molding or assembly. The images are transmitted via an interface over a wide area network to permit a user to monitor the process imaged. A user interface is provided to permit the user to send commands to the fabrication apparatus from various devices that access the wide area network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for automatically fabricating arbitrary materials and objects from raw components, using a combination of simple chemical, electrical, and mechanical operations. The invention will automatically generate machine control instructions for controlling automated fabrication devices and equipment from simple instructions in natural language. The invention also allows the sharing, remote execution, scheduling, and automatic ingredient ordering for such instructions to allow the creation of new materials and professional object fabrication with little or no human intervention.