Abstract: The present disclosure includes dental appliances and methods of making and using such appliances. One method for forming a dental appliance includes forming a liquid thermoset polymer material into a semi-solid first shape, thermoforming the semi-solid first shape of thermoset polymer material onto a dentition mold, and curing the thermoset polymer on the dentition mold with a curative trigger to complete a molecular cross-linking reaction.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a method of compressing an uncured man-made vitreous fibre web, the web having two opposed major faces. The method comprising the steps: passing the web along a path; and subjecting the web to thickness compression by applying compression to the two major opposed faces of the web. Compression of each of said major faces of the web is applied by passing the path between converging continuous or discontinuous compression surfaces. Further, the respective major face of the web that is being compressed is in contact with one of the converging compression surfaces, and said converging compression surface is inclined towards the path. Additionally, each inclined converging compression surface applies an amount of compression to the major face of the web with which the respective inclined converging surface is in contact, wherein the amount of compression applied to at least one of the two opposing major faces of the web is adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus for hot drape forming a part includes a plurality of pyrometers, a bladder covering a formable material, and a pyrometer control medium positioned between the plurality of pyrometers and the formable material. The plurality of pyrometers are configured to measure a temperature of the pyrometer control medium.

Abstract: A semi-crystalline thiourethane polymer. The semi-crystalline thiourethane polymer comprises a sequential chain of a first type of monomer covalently bonded to a second type of monomer via thiourethane linkages. Each of the first type of monomer includes two or more thiol functional groups and each of the second type of monomer includes two or more isocyanate functional groups. The first and second types of monomers are polymerized together in an anionic step-growth polymerization reaction that is catalyzed by a non-nucleophillic base having a pKa greater than 7, produced by photo-initiated decomposition of a photolatent base. A method of synthesizing, and polymer jetting and stereolithography methods of manufacturing a polymer part, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyolefin-perovskite nanomaterial composite which contains oriented electrically and thermally conductive pathways. The method involves milling a polyolefin with particles of a perovskite nanomaterial, molding to forma composite plate, and subjecting the composite plate to an AC voltage. The AC voltage forms oriented electrically and thermally conductive pathways by partial dielectric breakdown of the composite. The presence of the oriented electrically and thermally conductive pathways gives the polyolefin-perovskite nanomaterial electrical and thermal conductivity and dielectric permittivity higher than the polyolefin alone.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a controller for imprinting. Apply droplets of a formable material to imprint region of substrate. A partial pressure of formable material develops at a fluid-gas interface. A portion of an imprinting surface of a mesa on a template at an initial contact time is brought into contact with the droplets. The droplets merge and flow towards an imprint edge interface. A first gas flows in the imprint region prior to the initial contact time. A second gas flows into the imprint edge interface and region between the template and the substrate after the initial contact time. The template and the flow of the second gas reduces the partial pressure of the formable material below a vapor pressure of the formable material in a portion of the gap region adjacent to the fluid-gas interface at the imprint edge interface.

Abstract: Example mechanical supports or mandrels are described for composite part curing. In one example, a mandrel includes a housing, and components within the housing and positioned to create a central opening. An expander is also positioned in the central opening, and the expander has a width that increases along a length of the expander. A narrow end of the expander is positioned in the central opening. An actuator is provided to move the expander into the central opening causing the components to expand the housing, and to retract the expander from the central opening causing the components to collapse the housing.

Abstract: A method for augmenting a tissue including introducing into the tissue a first thermoplastic material at a first condition; treating the first thermoplastic material to achieve a second condition that includes an at least partially crystalline skin; and introducing a second material into the tissue whereby the first thermoplastic material and the second material are contained by the at least partially crystalline skin. Also a method of fracture reduction in a tissue including exposing to gamma radiation a mass of polycaprolactone characterized by a first shape; heating the mass of irradiated polycaprolactone above its melting temperature; introducing the heated mass of polycaprolactone into the tissue annulus to deform it from the first shape; allowing the material to return to the first shape.

Abstract: An apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises a liquid dispenser comprising a liquid outlet, the liquid dispenser being configured to generate a droplet stream. The apparatus also comprises a first fluid flow device configured to generate a confinement fluid flow for confining a trajectory of the droplet stream therein, the first fluid flow device comprising an outlet arranged to allow the droplet stream to exit therefrom, wherein the fluid outlet is arranged within the confinement fluid flow device. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a second fluid flow device configured to generate a reaction fluid flow for reacting with droplets in the droplet stream, wherein the outlet of the first fluid flow device is arranged within the second fluid flow device. A method is also described.

Abstract: A PVB film for HUD, a forming mold and a forming method thereof are presented. The accuracy error of HUD imaging achieved by the PVB film for HUD is ±0.1 mrad. The forming mold includes an upper mold and a lower mold, the two of which can form an enclosed mold cavity when clamped together, wherein protective films are disposed on inner surfaces of the upper mold and the lower mold, respectively, for supporting PVB material and preventing the PVB material from bonding with the upper mold and the lower mold, and wherein shapes of the protective films match shapes of the upper mold and the lower mold.

Abstract: A device and a method for heating and curing artificial stone with microwave are provided. The device includes a microwave curing cavity, within which an incompletely cured artificial stone is placed, and microwave is used to heat the artificial stone to completely cure the artificial stone; wherein, a frequency of the microwave is in a range of 300˜1120 MHz. The present disclosure provides a separately designed microwave curing cavity, and utilizes 300˜1120 MHz microwave having a large penetrating depth, to realize a rapid curing of a large-sized artificial stone.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing a part on a build plate includes additive manufacturing at least a first layer of the part on the build plate, supplying a series of frequencies to the build plate from a resonate probe connected to the build plate, processing a received response from an ultrasonic detector connected to the build plate, determining a series of resonant frequencies of the build plate and a corresponding series of peak intensities from the received response, comparing the resonant frequencies and the corresponding peak intensities to a set of reference resonant frequencies and a corresponding set of reference peak intensities, respectively, calculating an intensity difference between a peak intensity and a reference peak intensity or a frequency difference between a resonant frequency and a reference resonant frequency, and additive manufacturing a subsequent layer of the part if the intensity difference and the frequency difference are below a threshold.

Abstract: A layered denture having at least one of an integrated layer, balanced occlusion, and a root approximating structure is disclosed. The resulting denture may be suitable for use without an underlying reinforcement bar and may provide enhanced aesthetics by approximating natural dentition and roots both above and below the gum line.

Abstract: A pultrusion device and method are provided for producing a fiber-reinforced continuous section which has a second cross-sectional profile that is discontinuous in a direction of pultrusion with a press forming device for shaping the continuous section. The press forming device includes a first shaping device for producing the continuous section with a continuous cross-sectional profile and a second shaping device, which follows on from the first shaping device in the direction of pultrusion, for shaping the second discontinuous cross-sectional profile of the continuous section. A punching tool is arranged between the first shaping device and the second shaping device and is designed to bring about a local change in shape of the continuous cross-sectional profile, at least in a defined portion of the continuous section, in order to produce a first discontinuous cross-sectional profile of the continuous section.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite part with continuous fiber reinforcement and a polymer matrix from a composite preform. On one of the faces of the composite preform, a demarcated layer of thermoplastic polymer is deposited using an additive manufacturing method.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method of 3D printing, comprising depositing a model material in successive layers to form a part, the model material being a metal composite including greater than 50% by volume metal powder and less than 50% by volume a first removable binder, depositing the model material in successive layers to form a support structure adjacent the part, depositing a sinterable separation material between a surface of the part and a surface of the support structure, the sinterable separation material formed from 10-40% by volume ceramic powder and greater than 50% by volume a second removable binder, debinding the first removable binder of the model material and the second removable binder of the sinterable separation material, and sintering the part, the support structure, and the sinterable separation material at a temperature profile that sinters the model material and the sinterable separation material.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymerizable liquid composition useful for additive manufacturing, which composition may include: (i) a free radical photoinitiator; (ii) monomers and/or prepolymers (e.g., reactive diluents) that are polymerizable by exposure to actinic radiation or light, optionally wherein some or all of said monomers and/or prepolymers comprise one or more acid-labile or base-labile groups; (iii) a crosslinker comprising one or more acid-labile or base-labile groups; and (iv) a photoacid generator or a photobase generator, wherein said free radical photoinitiator and said photoacid generator or photobase generator are, or are selected to be, activated by light at different ranges of wavelengths or intensities. Methods of forming a three-dimensional object with the composition, and articles so formed are also provided. Methods of removing a portion of the article by dissolving in a polar or non-polar solvent are further provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer-by-layer application and selective solidification of a building material in powder form in a device. The method includes applying a powder layer of the building material to a build area on an application surface of the device by a recoater moving in a movement direction across the application surface, selectively solidifying the applied powder layer at positions corresponding to a cross-section of the object to be manufactured, and repeating the steps of applying and selectively solidifying until the object is completed. A height of the applied powder layer is varied at least across a section of the powder layer along the movement direction of the recoater.

Abstract: The invention provides novel aerated composite materials that possess excellent physical and performance characteristics of aerated concretes, and methods of production and uses thereof. These composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost raw materials by a process suitable for large-scale production with improved energy consumption, desirable carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first vertically-extending support leg, a second vertically-extending support leg, and a gantry supported on the first and second support legs. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a work table movably supported beneath the gantry, a print head supported on the gantry, and a trim head supported on the gantry with the print head.