Abstract: Techniques for illuminating a photocurable material within a build area of an additive fabrication device are described. According to some aspects, a light source is provided that can be moved alongside a build area, allowing light to be directed to any desired position within the build area by moving the light source. This configuration may also allow the distance from the light source to the build area to be substantially the same for each position across the build area by moving the light source whilst maintaining a fixed distance from the light source to the build volume. The described approach may allow for fabrication of larger parts in an additive fabrication device by expanding or eliminating the practical upper limit on the area of the build volume that can be imposed by use of a laser light source in such a device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing device of a battery case including a first mold including a first space part having a shape corresponding to a storage part formed therein; a second mold including a second space part having a shape corresponding to the storage part and a through-hole communicating with the second space part formed therein, and coupled to the first mold with a laminate sheet interposed therebetween; and an air pressure regulator mounted in the through-hole in a state in which the first space part and the second space part are isolated from the outside, and increasing or decreasing an air pressure of the second space part through the through-hole to stretch and modify the laminate sheet into a shape corresponding to the first space part or the second space part.

Abstract: A material deposition process including in situ sensor analysis of a component in a formation state is provided. The material deposition process is implemented in part by a sensor device of an additive manufacturing machine producing the component. The material deposition process includes sensing, by the sensing device, in situ physical properties of an area of interest of the component during a three-dimensional object production. Compliance to specifications or defects are then detected in the in situ physical properties with respect to pre-specified material requirements. The defects are analyzed to determine corrective actions, and an updated three-dimensional object production, which includes the corrective actions, is implemented to complete the component.

Abstract: Items may be packaged for shipping or storage using additive manufacturing techniques, also known as three dimensional (3-D) printing. 3-D printed packaging systems of one or more entities may be transmitted to an aggregator and used for, among other things, optimizing shipping and fulfillment of packages.

Abstract: An instrument produces clean and/or sterile products or compounds. The instrument includes a housing defining a clean interior. The housing has an inlet and a first HEPA filter for filtering an inflow through the inlet to create filtered air. A plurality of UV-C lights irradiate the interior. A 3D printer is in the interior to produce clean products. Preferably, the interior is CGMP compliant. The instrument may also have micro spray nozzles for spraying a sterilizing agent within the interior. A pressure pump can create a pressure differential, positive or negative, within the housing. Typically, the housing has an outlet with a second HEPA filter for filtering an outflow through the outlet to create environmentally safe air. An air circulator can create a laminar air flow through the housing.

Abstract: A undercut processing mechanism includes: a sliding piece having a molding core for molding an undercut portion; a holder having a guide for guiding the sliding piece so that a molding core is detached from the undercut portion; and a retaining piece slidably accommodated in the holder and slidably engaged with the sliding piece. One of the holders and the retaining piece can advance/retract relative to the other thereof. The retaining piece has a first engagement element and a second engagement element to be engaged with the sliding piece. The sliding piece is guided via the first engagement element and the second engagement element so that the molding core is detached from the undercut portion and moves away from the molded product.

Abstract: Systems for manufacturing bulked continuous carpet filament from polymer, where the systems are configured for: (1) melting polymer (e.g., derived from post-consumer PET bottles) to create a first single stream of polymer melt; (2) separating the first single stream of polymer melt into multiple streams of polymer melt; (3) exposing the multiple streams of polymer melt to a pressure of between about 0 millibars and about 5 millibars; (4) allowing the multiple streams of polymer melt to fall into a receiving section of a melt processing unit; (5) recombining the multiple streams of polymer melt into a second single stream of polymer melt; and (6) providing the second single stream of polymer melt to one or more spinning machines that are configured to form the second single stream of polymer melt into bulked continuous carpet filament.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing an integral 3D humic acid-carbon hybrid foam, comprising: (A) forming a solid shape of humic acid-polymer particle mixture; and (B) pyrolyzing the solid shape of humic acid-polymer particle mixture to thermally reduce humic acid into reduced humic acid sheets and thermally convert polymer into pores and carbon or graphite that bonds the reduced humic acid sheets to form the integral 3D humic acid-carbon hybrid foam.

Abstract: A carriageless print head assembly, for use in extrusion-based additive construction is disclosed. The carriageless print head features a cold end equipped with one or more timing belt attachment slots and bores for receiving bearings to achieve linear motion. The carriageless print head may be optionally equipped with some combination of an air conduit for cooling the top layer of the constructed product, a fluid channel for aiding in the regulation of the temperature of the print head cold end, and a thermal monitor for monitoring the temperature of the cold end of the print head. A computer-mediated method of monitoring the cold end of the print head to limit jams due to overheating is also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly includes a first mold component defining a first portion of a mold cavity and a first slot. The first slot corresponds to a first portion of a retention channel. The assembly also includes a second mold component defining a second portion of the mold cavity and a second slot. The second slot corresponds to a second portion of the retention channel. The assembly also includes a connector having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the retention channel. The connector has thermal expansion characteristics that are different from thermal expansion characteristics of the first and second mold components such that when the first and second mold components are in contact and the connector is inserted into the retention channel, heating the assembly causes differential thermal expansion of the connector and the mold components resulting in a clamping force between the mold components.

Abstract: A method for forming at least one three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a powder bed on a support structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one model of the three-dimensional article, lowering the support structure a predetermined distance and rotating the support structure a predetermined angle in a first direction before applying a first powder layer covering the lowered and rotated support structure, rotating the support structure the predetermined angle in a second direction opposite to the first direction before directing the at least one first energy beam from the at least one first energy beam source at selected locations of the first powder layer, the at least one first energy beam source causing the first powder layer on the stationary support structure which is stationary to fuse in the selected locations according to the model to form first portions of the three-dimensional article.

Abstract: A stereolithography system includes a tank provided with a bottom and a stereolithography machine provided with a supporting frame and with a supporting structure operatively associated with the supporting frame and defining a housing configured to accommodate the tank. The tank includes a duct made of a deformable material and having a first mouth and a second mouth in fluid-dynamic communication with the tank; the supporting structure is configured in such a way as to assume, with respect to the supporting frame, a first position and a second position in which the tank is in an inclined position with respect to the bearing plane of the supporting frame, and the stereolithography machine includes a counteracting mechanism configured to be placed into contact with the duct in that second position.

Abstract: Systems for manufacturing bulked continuous carpet filament from polymer, where the systems are configured for: (1) melting polymer (e.g., derived from post-consumer PET bottles) to create a first single stream of polymer melt; (2) separating the first single stream of polymer melt into multiple streams of polymer melt; (3) exposing the multiple streams of polymer melt to a pressure of between about 0 millibars and about 5 millibars; (4) allowing the multiple streams of polymer melt to fall into a receiving section of a melt processing unit; (5) recombining the multiple streams of polymer melt into a second single stream of polymer melt; and (6) providing the second single stream of polymer melt to one or more spinning machines that are configured to form the second single stream of polymer melt into bulked continuous carpet filament.

Abstract: Fabrication of functional polymer-based particles by crosslinking UV-curable polymer drops in mid-air and collecting crosslinked particles in a solid container, a liquid suspension, or an air flow. The particles can contain different phases in the form or layered structures that contain one to multiple cores, or structures that are blended with dissolved or emulsified smaller domains. A curing system produces ultraviolet rays that are directed onto the particles in the jet stream from one side. A reflector positioned on other side of the jet stream reflects the ultraviolet rays back onto the particles in the jet stream.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a container is provided for use in an additive fabrication device configured to fabricate parts by curing a liquid photopolymer to form layers of cured photopolymer. The container may comprise a laminated multi-material layer having an elastic first layer that aids in separation of cured photopolymer from the container in addition to a barrier layer on an upper surface that protects the first layer from exposure to substances in the liquid photopolymer that may not be compatible with the material of the first layer.

Abstract: Multi-film containers for use in additive fabrication devices are provided. According to some aspects, a container may include multiple films that are at least partially detached from one another. In some embodiments, the multiple films may include films formed from different materials. As one example, an upper film may be formed so as to be relatively impermeable to substances within a source material of an additive fabrication device, whereas a lower film may be formed so as to provide desirable mechanical properties. In some cases, the multiple films may be commonly tensioned while being unattached to one another.

Abstract: Provided is an ejection device and an imprint apparatus which can suppress ejection failures and breakage of a mold. To achieve this, a circulation mechanism including a degassing unit is provided in an ejection head.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion die (100), a method of making the same, and an apparatus for forming the same. The die (100) includes: a feed hole plate (202) comprising an input surface (202A), an opposing output surface (202B), and feed holes (108) configured to guide a batch material from the input surface (202A) to the output surface (202B); and a pin assembly (204) comprising pins (300) disposed on the feed hole plate (202). At least one of the pins includes: a tail (304); a head (302) connected to the tail (304) and comprising alignment surfaces (314) configured to align the pins (300), flow surfaces (316) disposed between the alignment surfaces (314), and a tapered portion (310) comprising a contact surface (308) adhered to the output surface (202B) of the feed hole plate (202); and a first groove (306) disposed between the head (302) and the tail (304).

Abstract: Laser 3D printer having a compartment, which has a longitudinal axis substantially vertical with respect to a supporting plane, and is delimited by a side wall extending around the longitudinal axis; and a platform, which is engaged in a sliding manner in the compartment; a feeding assembly to feed a powder material onto the platform; and a laser printing head to sinter the powder material disposed on the platform itself; the printer having a chamber configured to collect, in use, the non-sintered powder material falling from the platform; wherein the printer has a pneumatic recirculation system configured to pneumatically transport the powdered material from the chamber to the feeding assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a blow molding machine including an injection molding unit and a blow molding unit, wherein the injection molding unit includes a preform mold and an injection device configured to supply resin to the preform mold, wherein the injection device is fixed to a support plate, and wherein the support plate includes a position adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting a position of the injection device in an upper and lower direction with respect to the preform mold.