Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the printing of materials, using 3-dimensional printing and other printing techniques, including the use of one or more mixing nozzles, and/or multi-axis control over the translation and/or rotation of the print head or the substrate onto which materials are printed. In some embodiments, a material may be prepared by extruding material through print head comprising a nozzle, such as a microfluidic printing nozzle, which may be used to mix materials within the nozzle and direct the resulting product onto a substrate. The print head and/or the substrate may be configured to be translated and/or rotated, for example, using a computer or other controller, in order to control the deposition of material onto the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to three-dimensionally printed molds, and associated methods, for use in manufacturing articles such as footwear. In some embodiments, for example, a three-dimensionally printed mold may be a master mold that is used to manufacture a secondary mold. The secondary mold may be used, in certain embodiments, to provide a cured material that can be transferred to a substrate, such as a textile, thereby providing the manufactured article. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the production of improved articles of footwear and/or customized articles of footwear.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to methods for forming 3D-printed articles and associated systems. In some embodiments, a method may comprise depositing a first liquid comprising first molecules having first functional groups onto a portion of a second liquid comprising second molecules having second functional groups such that the first functional groups react with the second functional groups to form a solid material or layer. The portion of the second liquid onto which the first liquid is deposited is positioned over a platform that is at least partially submerged within the second liquid. In some embodiments, a system may comprise a nozzle configured to expel a first liquid, a vessel configured to contain a second liquid, and a platform configured to be translated through at least a portion of the depth of the vessel when the vessel comprises the second liquid.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the printing of materials, using 3-dimensional printing and other printing techniques, including the use of one or more mixing nozzles, and/or multi-axis control over the translation and/or rotation of the print head or the substrate onto which materials are printed. In some embodiments, a material may be prepared by extruding material through print head comprising a nozzle, such as a microfluidic printing nozzle, which may be used to mix materials within the nozzle and direct the resulting product onto a substrate. The print head and/or the substrate may be configured to be translated and/or rotated, for example, using a computer or other controller, in order to control the deposition of material onto the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to three-dimensionally printed articles for use in footwear and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a closed-cell foam. The closed-cell foam may have a gradient in and/or may be a single integrated material. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a sensor. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the production of improved articles of footwear and/or customized articles of footwear.

Abstract: Embodiments related to systems and methods of forming structures on substrates (e.g., flexible substrates, fabrics, textiles, leathers) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a structure on a substrate is provided. The method may involve submerging at least one surface of the substrate into a resin bath. The method may include patterning electromagnetic radiation through a window onto one or more regions of the substrate to polymerize the resin onto the one or more regions of the substrate. An alternative method may involve covering a surface of the substrate with a layer of polymeric powder. The alternative method may include directing electromagnetic radiation toward one or more regions on the surface of the substrate to heat the polymeric powder to form a layer on the surface of the substrate. A method of depositing an ultraviolet (UV)-curable material onto a substrate by a valve jetting process is also provided.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes a frame, a first calibration device coupled to the frame, a dispensing system having a cartridge holder with a sensor mounted at a location relative to the cartridge holder, and a multi-axis positioning system for moving the dispensing system relative to the frame. Methods for calibrating the 3D printer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of printing articles using three-dimensional printing and other printing techniques, and to articles formed from such techniques, including the printing of articles of footwear containing particles. Certain embodiments are generally directed to composites comprising particles (e.g., reinforcing particles), for example, rubber particles. The particles may be used, for example, to increase slip or abrasion resistance. The composites may also contain polyurethanes or other compounds, e.g., to facilitate fabrication, e.g., using three-dimensional printing and other printing techniques. Other embodiments are directed to methods of making or using such articles. For example, in some embodiments, a composite may be prepared by mixing particles (e.g., reinforcing particles) with at least a first fluid and a second fluid within a nozzle, such as a microfluidic printing nozzle, which may be used to direct the resulting product onto a substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to three-dimensionally printed articles for use in footwear and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a closed-cell foam. The closed-cell foam may have a gradient in and/or may be a single integrated material. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a sensor. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the production of improved articles of footwear and/or customized articles of footwear.

Abstract: This application is generally directed to articles including cage structures and related systems and methods. The cage structures have utility in footwear and apparel (e.g., articles of clothing, braces, accessories). In some cases, the article is a footwear article. In some cases, the article is an article of apparel. In some embodiments, the article includes a textile. In some embodiments, the article includes a cage structure (e.g., comprising a polymer) attached to a substrate (e.g., a textile). In some embodiments, the interface of attachment between the substrate and the cage structure is substantially free of an adhesive.

Abstract: Composite articles, and associated methods and systems, are generally provided.

Abstract: A textile feed for a stepped operation digital textile printer, comprises a textile feeding mechanism, and a tension storage mechanism. The textile feeding mechanism feeds the textile in a forward direction onto the printer, but is at the same time mechanically connected to a tension storage mechanism which is tensioned by the forward feeding. At the end of the feed step, the tension storage mechanism releases respectively stored tension to cause the feed mechanism to briefly reverse feed, thereby to pull the textile taut and take up any slack caused by the feeding step. The textile is thus kept taut, to allow effective digital printing by the printer.

Abstract: A textile feed for a stepped operation digital textile printer, comprises a textile feeding mechanism, and a tension storage mechanism. The textile feeding mechanism feeds the textile in a forward direction onto the printer, but is at the same time mechanically connected to a tension storage mechanism which is tensioned by the forward feeding. At the end of the feed step, the tension storage mechanism releases respectively stored tension to cause the feed mechanism to briefly reverse feed, thereby to pull the textile taut and take up any slack caused by the feeding step. The textile is thus kept taut, to allow effective digital printing by the printer.

Abstract: A textile feed for a stepped operation digital textile printer, comprises a textile feeding mechanism, and a tension storage mechanism. The textile feeding mechanism feeds the textile in a forward direction onto the printer, but is at the same time mechanically connected to a tension storage mechanism which is tensioned by the forward feeding. At the end of the feed step, the tension storage mechanism releases respectively stored tension to cause the feed mechanism to briefly reverse feed, thereby to pull the textile taut and take up any slack caused by the feeding step. The textile is thus kept taut, to allow effective digital printing by the printer.

Abstract: A wet on wet garment printing device for printing on a textile surface comprises: an ink holder; a printing head mounted for printing onto the textile surface using ink from the ink holder; a wetting applicator for wetting the locations prior to printing using a wetting composition; and an ink regulator configured to identify compatibility of ink in the holding unit with the wetting composition and to operate the wetting applicator only upon successful identification of compatibility.

Abstract: A textile printing machine includes a plurality of printing modules arranged in an m×n matrix, the matrix having m first rails in a transverse direction for supporting printing functional units such as print heads, and n second rails in a longitudinal direction for supporting printing trays that carry textiles to be printed, each module defining a meeting point for a textile printing related operation to take place. The matrix size is at least two by two and provides flexible linear printing sequences that are able to share resources such as print heads.

Abstract: A wet on wet garment printing device for printing on a textile surface comprises: an ink holder; a printing head mounted for printing onto the textile surface using ink from the ink holder; a wetting applicator for wetting the locations prior to printing using a wetting composition; and an ink regulator configured to identify compatibility of ink in the holding unit with the wetting composition and to operate the wetting applicator only upon successful identification of compatibility.

Abstract: A digital printing machine includes a rigid frame, a first linear motion X axis stage mounted on the frame, a printing table assembly movable on each linear X axis stage, a linear motion Y axis stage mounted on the frame perpendicular to the linear X axis stages, above the printing table assemblies, and an array of inkjet nozzles mounted on the linear Y axis stage for linear motion perpendicular to the X axis stage, also a second linear motion X axis stage mounted on the frame parallel to the first axis stage and arranged for operation independently of the first axis stage, and/or a curing unit located above the printing table assembly and/or a pre-printing wetting assembly, for printing over garments, by applying wetting composition on the printed material, prior to printing.

Abstract: A textile printing machine comprises a plurality of printing modules arranged in an m×n matrix, the matrix having m first rails in a transverse direction for supporting printing functional units such as print heads, and n second rails in a longitudinal direction for supporting printing trays that carry textiles to be printed, each module defining a meeting point for a textile printing related operation to take place. The matrix size is at least two by two and provides flexible linear printing sequences that are able to share resources such as print heads.

Abstract: A digital printing machine prints textiles. The machine comprises a wetting unit for wetting fabric to be printed prior to printing, a printing head for printing on said fabric and a flattening unit located between the wetting unit and the printing head for exerting pressure on the fabric to flatten outwardly extending fibers of the fabric after wetting and before printing. The flattening provides a smoothed surface for digital printing.