Abstract: An example apparatus includes a first 3D printer head configured to form a spiral structure around a hub and a second 3D printer head configured to form a boom extending between the second 3D printer head and the hub. The apparatus further includes one or more actuators coupled to the first 3D printer head and the second 3D printer head to control a distance between the first 3D printer head and the second 3D printer head.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lens creations are disclosed. The method includes initiating light transmission from a light source through a diffuser into a container holding resin and a substrate. The light transmission is performed according to an irradiation pattern wherein each point in the resin is illuminated by at least 10% of the diffuser. This causes a lens to be formed. To achieve this illumination, at least 15% of the diffuser receives light from the light source. Further, a diameter of the diffuser is greater than or equal to a diameter of the substrate. The system performing the methods includes a polymerization apparatus and may include a resin conditioning and reservoir apparatus, a metrology unit, a resin drainage apparatus and an optional postcuring apparatus.

Abstract: A method for 3D printing a part in a layer-wise manner includes providing a pool of polymerizable liquid in a vessel over a build window and positioning a downward-facing build platform in the pool, thereby defining a build region above the build window. The method includes selectively curing a volume of polymerizable liquid in the build region by imparting electromagnetic radiation through the build window to form a printed layer of the part adhered to the build platform and scanning at least a portion of the build window with monochromatic, polarized light along a plane of incidence. The method includes measuring a change in intensity and polarity of the light to obtain information about the printed layer. The method includes raising the build platform to a height of a next layer to be printed and modifying the electromagnetic energy imparted into the next layer based upon the obtained information to print a next layer.

Abstract: A bioprinter (1) comprising at least one printhead (4a, 4b, 4c) with nozzle (5), a printbed (20) onto which the printhead (4a, 4b, 4c) is arranged to print an ink, an ultrasonic sensor arrangement arranged at the printbed (20), a controller (7) arranged to control movement of the printhead/nozzle (4a, 4b, 4c; 5) and to perform calibration of the printhead/nozzle (4a, 4b, 5 4c; 5) based on information from the ultrasonic sensor arrangement.

Abstract: A nylon tube automatic thermoforming apparatus includes a main body, a conveying assembly, a heating assembly and a tube bending assembly. The heating assembly includes an oven communicated with the conveying assembly and an electrically heated cylinder arranged between the oven and the tube bending assembly. A heating coil is arranged in the electrically heated cylinder. A nylon tube is conveyed from the conveying assembly and enters the tube bending assembly via the oven and the heating coil. The electrically heated cylinder and the tube bending assembly are arranged outside the main body. A nylon tube shaping process includes the steps of drawing, heating inside a main body, heating outside the main body, bending, staying, feeding, angle adjusting, repeating the above steps until the length and the curvature of the nylon tube meet the requirements, and cutting off.

Abstract: A composite material includes a laminate in which fiber sheets are laminated. The laminate has a bendable portion that is to be bent along a mold. In a region of the laminate from an end edge on a bent side to the bendable portion, the laminate is divided into layers along a plate thickness direction of the laminate.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are provided to remove powder from a web, for example, in a 3D printing apparatus. A flexible blade is provided to contact and move across a first portion of the web located between adjacent portions of the web to scrape powder from the first portion without removing powder deposited on the adjacent portions. A pair of edge vacuum nozzles and a central vacuum nozzle are also provided to move with the flexible blade to remove powder from both edges of the first portion and a central region of the first portion.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the field of functional fibrous materials, and discloses a magnetic fibrous material and a preparation method and application thereof. A polymer and a magnetic load raw material are dissolved in a solvent to obtain a uniform spinning solution; a solute component that reacts with the magnetic load raw material is added into a coagulation bath solvent to obtain a reactive coagulation bath solution; the spinning solution is electrospun, and the produced fiber is collected with the reactive coagulation bath solution, so that the magnetic load raw material in the fiber reacts in situ with the solute in the reactive coagulation bath solution to obtain the magnetic fibrous material.

Abstract: Items may be packaged for shipping or storage using additive manufacturing techniques, also known as three dimensional (3-D) printing. Packages made by such processes may be referred to as 3-D printed packages. The 3-D printed packages may be customized based on one or more items contained in the package, a recipient of the package, a sender of the package, and/or a destination location of the package. The customizations may include two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional customizations on an interior and/or exterior of the 3-D printed packages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of polymer fibers from polymers dissolved in ionic liquids by means of an air gap spinning process, characterized in that a) a spinning solution that contains an ionic liquid and a dissolved polymer is produced; b) said spinning solution is guided through an extruder before it is divided into fibers via a die; and c) the obtained fibers are guided via an air gap through a coagulation bath.

Abstract: A device is provided for radially strengthening a polylactic acid tube, which includes a tubular mold, a rotating blade and a distal blade, wherein a rotating shaft of the rotating blade is arranged at an axial position of the tubular mold, a first end of the distal blade is movably connected to the rotating blade, and a second end of the distal blade is controlled by a control rod so as to open and close the distal blade. A strengthening method is provided, in which the device for radially strengthening a polylactic acid tube is used.

Abstract: A method includes curing a photopolymer resin disposed between a first build surface and a flexible film layer to form a print layer of a printed part. Here, the print layer of the printed part defines a second build surface attached to the flexible film layer. The method also includes translating a peeling mechanism between the second build surface and the flexible film layer to detach the flexible film layer from the second build surface.

Abstract: A lipstick (13, 17, 19, 21, 23) with external lateral surface having a tridimensional design is obtained by a process comprising laser-working the external lateral surface of a head part (2), previously mirror-polished, of a rough tap (1). The process may include the final pearling of the lipstick (13, 17, 19, 21, 23) by means of a cyclone system (14) to obtain a pearled lipstick (16, 18, 20, 22, 24).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide molds made by additive manufacturing coupled with electrodeposition. Such methods comprise subjected a workpiece to one or more deposition process(es), such as electrodeposition, that provide a coating that possesses desirable chemical, physical, and/or mechanical properties. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise forming at least one workpiece for the mold by, for example, an additive manufacturing process such as three-dimensional printing (3D printing). Additionally, the present disclosure provides methods for the use of a mold for molding polymerizable, settable, thermoplastic, or thermoset materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is a deposition data collection apparatus including: a printing unit including: an extruder for ejecting a material supplied from an external material source; and a printer head for moving the extruder in a predetermined direction such that the material ejected from the extruder are sequentially deposited along an arbitrary deposition path on an XYZ coordinate system to form a target three-dimensional object; and a scanning unit including: a sensing module for sensing movement of at least one of the extruder and the printer head; and a data collection module for chronologically collecting material deposition data including the arbitrary deposition path, based on the movement sensed by the sensing module.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating separation of 3D-printed objects from build platforms. The principle of separation in the present invention involves a build platform configured to be removable or flexible or partially deformable, such that at least a portion of the build platform may be bent or tilted to separate the build platform from the 3D-printed object once the 3D-printing is completed. In some embodiments, a base assembly is adapted to magnetically move a build plate along a surface of the base assembly such that the build plate automatically self-aligns along a boundary of the base assembly and magnetically couples to the base assembly. In some embodiments, a build platform includes a flexible layer with a printable surface and a rigid layer coupled to the flexible layer so that applying a force on the flexible layer deforms a localized portion of the printable surface without deforming the rigid layer.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed towards a system and a method for selectively post-curing a three-dimensional (3D-printed) object to attain variable properties. The system comprises a selective post-curing chamber coupled to a computer in communication with a database for accessing a digital model or data concerning the 3D-printed object. The chamber comprises a movable light source assembly and a mounting platform for supporting at least one 3D-printed object thereon. The computer includes one or more executable instructions for selectively emitting a curing light onto the 3D-printed object along a predetermined curing toolpath based on the digital model. The curing of the 3D-printed object along the predetermined curing toolpath generates variable properties along different regions of the 3D-printed object.

Abstract: A print head comprising two shafts disposed in opposite sides of a filament to drive the filament to a heated chamber for delivering a molten material. The shafts are actively driven, for example, by two independent motors. The two shaft configuration of the print head can improve a control of the filament movement rate, especially for soft filament materials.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system, and a method for improvements in fused filament fabrication (FFF). Characteristics of a filament may be measured during production of the filament and the characteristics stored in a memory for retrieval by a 3D printer. The 3D printer adjusts print settings as necessary based on the measured characteristics, thereby resulting in better print quality.

Abstract: An enclosure for a three-dimensional printing system comprises a plurality of walls and a glass panel. The walls define an inner chamber for receiving the three-dimensional printing system and an opening that provides access to the inner chamber from outside the walls. The glass panel is shiftable between a closed position in which the panel blocks access to the inner chamber and an open position in which the panel allows access to the inner chamber via the opening.