Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a stack of pre-stripped layers of substrate. Each object layer is formed by (i) providing substrate comprising waste portion(s) and substrate-retained portion(s) that are attached to each other and separated from one another by cut(s) within the substrate; (ii) subsequently, subjecting the subject of each layer to a stripping process which selectively strips away substrate-waste portion(s) from the substrate-retained portion(s). After stripping, the object layer is added to a stack of previously-stacked object layers to grow the stack. This process is repeated to further grow the stack. Object layers of the stack are bonded to each other to build the three-dimensional object therefrom. Apparatus and methods for stripping are also described—any teaching or combination of teaching(s) related to stripping substrate may be employed in any additive-manufacturing process described herein.

Abstract: An automatic-adjustable stacker for controlling the movement of a media, such as cardboard, through a media handling system. The stacker includes a media receiver positioned proximate a feed of the media that receives a leading edge of the media and a controller that causes the media receiver to move from a first position for receiving the media, to a second position for depositing of the media at a desired location. The media receiver is configured to prevent the media from coming into contact with other media already located at the desired location until the media has arrived at the desired location, while creating a concave-like shape to the media while conveying it.

Abstract: An automatic-adjustable stacker for controlling the movement of a media, such as cardboard, through a media handling system. The stacker includes a media receiver positioned proximate a feed of the media that receives a leading edge of the media and a controller that causes the media receiver to move from a first position for receiving the media, to a second position for depositing of the media at a desired location. The media receiver is configured to prevent the media from coming into contact with other media already located at the desired location until the media has arrived at the desired location, while creating a concave-like shape to the media while conveying it.

Abstract: A Surface-adhesive-rule counter die that comprises a base associated to a flexible-counter film. Wherein the flexible-counter film may comprise one or more types of polymers and has resilience attribute. Wherein the SAR counter die acts as a counter die for pre-treating a plurality of cardboard.

Abstract: A multiple laser-beam scanner system for applying pre-treatment to a cardboard item. While maintaining a substantially uniform velocity of conveying the cardboard item through the system, the cardboard item is logically divided into areas and one or more laser-beam scanners are assigned to the areas. As such, the complex areas of the cardboard can be made smaller and/or multiple laser-beam scanners can be assigned to the complex areas to help ensure that dwell time on the cardboard is not increased.

Abstract: A pretreated-cardboard stripper that obtains a cardboard item and strips or blanks the cardboard item using laser cutting, die cutting or other techniques. The cardboard item may be a single item or multiple sections that are jointed together. After stripping or blanking, the stripper operates to sort the sections and joints from the waste by a vacuum sorter. The vacuum sorter includes a vacuum chamber with openings along its surface or certain areas of the surface and a peeler. After stripping, the pre-treated cardboard is transferred by the peeler along the surface of the vacuum chamber. The waste of the cardboard (areas between the sections and joints) may be coupled to the vacuum chamber surface while the pre-treated cardboard is being transferred by the peeler along the surface of the vacuum chamber, which has the advantage of operating to disconnect and thus sort the waste from the sections.

Abstract: A cardboard-handling system with a rule-die associated to a first drum and a counter die associated to a second drum for pre-treating cardboards. A cardboard-alignmentor on a first side of the rule-die and counter-die aligns and conveys a cardboard together with one or more synchronized-cardboard transferors toward a side-gripper conveyor. The side-gripper conveyor transfers the cardboard toward and through the rule-die and counter-die drums for pre-treatment of the cardboard. Next the side-gripper conveyor conveys the cardboard toward and through a laser-treatment module to be further pre-treated. The side gripper conveyor movement is synchronized with a laser-treatment module for which a base with a plurality of protruding elements has moving capabilities and is synchronized with the side-gripper conveyor (via a timing belt for example).