Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses for distributing build powder in powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) and for the collection of particulates of the build powder that have become suspended in the gaseous atmosphere in the vicinity of the build platform of the three-dimensional printer. These apparatuses include recoaters (20) that are particularly useful in providing uniform distribution of fine build powder across the width of the build platform or powder bed. The present invention also includes powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) which comprise such apparatuses for distributing build powder and/or apparatuses for collecting such suspended particulates. The improved fine powder recoater (20) uses an ultrasonic transducer (30) to move powder through a sheet screen (28). The sheet screen (28) may be presented to the powder fed onto it in a narrow dispensing slot to limit the flow rate of powder from the dispenser and to provide control over the amount of powder dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) having a discrete supply hopper (340) and a recoater (20). The discrete supply hopper (340) is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater (20) in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (20). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) system includes a housing defining a chamber, a build platform disposed in the chamber at a first elevation, and a lower gas inlet disposed at a second elevation and configured to supply a lower gas flow. The AM system includes a contoured surface extending between the lower gas inlet and the build platform to direct the lower gas flow from the second elevation at the lower gas inlet to the first elevation at the build platform, where the contoured surface discharges the lower gas flow in a direction substantially parallel to the build platform. The AM system also includes one or more gas delivery devices coupled to the lower gas inlet to regulate one or more flow characteristics of the lower gas flow, and a gas outlet configured to discharge the lower gas flow.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to processing machines and methods for producing three-dimensional components by irradiating powder with a processing beam, the machines including a container with a moveable support for the powder, as well as an irradiating device with a scanner device for aligning the processing beam on a processing field at an opening of the container. The irradiating device includes a heating device that includes a heating radiation source for generating a heating beam for heating the powder from above and including a beam shaping optical unit configured to convert a first beam profile of the heating beam into a second beam profile, e.g., a ring-shaped beam profile, of the heating beam.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system and reservoir assembly for three-dimensional (3D) printing. The reservoir assembly includes a top frame that may be filled with liquid material, and a tensioned film being held underneath the top frame. The tensioned film may be air permeable and flexible, wherein surfaces of the tensioned film may be micro textured. A bottom frame is coupled to the top frame and secures a transparent or semi-transparent rigid substrate. A permeable substrate is sandwiched between the tensioned film secured to the top frame and the transparent or semi-transparent rigid substrate secured to the bottom frame.

Abstract: A method of formfree printing a three-dimensional object in layers with at least one printing material includes outputting printing material in at least one printing material string in string-shape via at least one printing head; receiving, via a printing platen, at least one printing material string output by the at least one printing head; providing a rod-shaped heating device movably arranged over the printing platen; controlling the rod-shaped heating device, via a heat controller, to emit a heat irradiation directed to the printing platen to heat the at least one printing material string to a reaction temperature to trigger a chemical reaction of the at least one printing material of the at least one printing material string; providing at least one motor coupled to the rod-shaped heating device to move it over the printing platen; and controlling the at least one motor, via a motor controller, to move the rod-shaped heating device over the printing platen to harden the at least one printing material stri

Abstract: A method for making an article for application to the human body. Data from measurement of pressures across an area of a person's body is obtained, which is then corresponded to a two-dimensional pressure map of a model of an article for application to that body area and identifying pressure-point locations and a pressure value for identified pressure-point location within the pressure map. Each different pressure value has a compression unit structure corresponding to that pressure value. The article is formed by generating the assigned respective structures in an integrated one-piece construct through layerwise build up in an additive manufacture system, where the build up includes a process that forms a joinder in an interface between adjacent contiguous structures which differ in geometry from one another so as to bond those contiguous structures together across the interface.

Abstract: A resin cassette for an additive manufacturing apparatus includes (a) a light transmissive window; (b) a circumferential frame connected to and surrounding the window, the window and frame together forming a well configured to receive a light polymerizable resin; and (c) a fluorophore layer in or on the window.

Abstract: In one example, a system for loading build material into a portable build unit having a platform on which objects are printed and a build material supply container next to the platform. The system includes a build material dispenser, a conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser, and a controller operatively connected to the dispenser and the conveyor. The controller is programmed to, with the build unit and the dispenser in a fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material into the supply container, cause the conveyor to move the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, and, while the conveyor moves the build unit and/or the dispenser to and/or from the fill position, cause the dispenser to dispense build material on to the platform.

Abstract: Curable compositions contain at least one polymerizable ionic species and, when cured (for example, by photocuring), provide cured compositions which are thermoplastic and yet fragmentable by a protic liquid medium such as water. The polymerizable ionic species corresponds to Formula (I) A+B? wherein A+ is a cationic species having a cationic functional group and a first polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional group; and B? is an anionic species having an anionic functional group and a second polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional group which is the same as or different from the first polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional group. The curable compositions are useful for forming sacrificial or temporary articles, for example by three-dimensional printing methods.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating a physical object. The method may include the steps of: (1) encoding a feed material with randomized information; (2) forming the object with the feed material such that one or more portions of the object have respective randomized signatures based upon at least some of the randomized information of the feed material; (3) reading the respective randomized signatures at the one or portions of the object; (4) creating a profile of the respective randomized signatures at the one or more portions of the object based upon information from the reading; (5) transporting the physical object to an authenticator, and transmitting the profile to the authenticator; (6) reading the respective randomized signatures at the one or more portions of the object by the authenticator; and (7) comparing the reading by the authenticator to the profile received by the authenticator to thereby authenticate the physical object.

Abstract: A solidification substrate assembly for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material includes a solidification substrate assembly. In certain examples, the solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the solidification substrate, and the tilting of the substrate and/or or the use of a peeling member facilitates separation of the substrate from the solidified material. In other examples, the solidification substrate assembly includes a film that is adjacent to a rigid or semi-rigid layer. The solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the film, and a peeling member peels the film away from the solidified material. Intelligent solidification substrate assemblies are also described in which a force sensor determines when to expose the solidifiable material to solidification energy and/or whether to use a peeling member to separate the solidification substrate from a solidified objection section.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus may include a process chamber, a coating device, a shielding device, and a guiding device. The process chamber may include first and second working plane areas. The first working plane area may include a construction plane, and the second working plane area may house at least a part of the guiding device. The coating device may include a coating element assembly group that is, movably supported relative to the construction plane by the guiding device, and at least one coating element configured to form construction material layers in the construction plane. The shielding device may shield the second working plane area from intrusion of construction material or impurities from the first working plane area. The shielding device may include a shielding band, and the shielding band may be coupled for movement with the coating element assembly group.

Abstract: An additive printing apparatus and method for printing an object. The additive printing apparatus includes a print area having a movable build plate and a light projector. The apparatus includes a first movable tray with a first resin and second movable tray with a second resin When the first movable tray is positioned in the print area, the build plate is moved toward the first resin and the light projector is activated to cure a portion of the first resin to form a first layer of the object. When the second movable tray is positioned in the print area, the build plate is moved toward the second resin and the light projector is activated to cure a portion of the second resin to form a second layer of the object.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and systems for depositing a material or manufacturing a product, such as a pharmaceutical dosage form, by additive manufacturing. Further provided are methods of using the devices and systems, as well as methods of manufacturing a product, such as a pharmaceutical dosage form, by additive manufacturing. In certain embodiments, the device includes a material supply system configured to melt an pressurized a material, a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the material within the device, and a control switch comprising a sealing needle operable in an open position and closed position. The sealing needle extends through a feed channel containing the material and includes a taper end, wherein the tapered end of the sealing needle engages a tapered inner surface of a nozzle to inhibit flow of the material through the nozzle when the sealing needle is in the closed position.

Abstract: An automatic calibration system for calibrating the parallelism between a printing plane of a 3D printer and a virtual plane on which the extruder of the 3D printer moves, to align the printing plane with the virtual plane on which the extruder moves, includes: at least one extruder, or a printing head on which the extruder itself is mounted, movable on a horizontal plane; at least one device for measuring the distance of the printing plane associated with the extruder or with a printing head; a movable printing plane along the vertical axis Z, the plane being equipped with at least three non-aligned actuators, which are controllable and operable independently of each other; a central control unit (MCU or PLC) of the calibration system and of all the parts thereof.

Abstract: Curable compositions contain at least one polymerizable ionic species and, when cured (for example, by photocuring), provide cured compositions which are thermoplastic and yet fragmentable by a protic liquid medium such as water. The polymerizable ionic species corresponds to Formula (I) A+B? wherein A+ is a cationic species having a cationic functional group and a first polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional group; and B? is an anionic species having an anionic functional group and a second polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional group which is the same as or different from the first polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional group. The curable compositions are useful for forming sacrificial or temporary articles, for example by three-dimensional printing methods.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a deflection member is disclosed. The method may include the steps of providing an additive manufacturing apparatus that includes at least one radiation source and a vat containing a photopolymer resin, providing a reinforcing member, contacting a surface of the reinforcing member with the photopolymer resin, and directing radiation from the at least one radiation source towards a surface of the reinforcing member to at least partially cure photopolymer resin in contact with the surface of the reinforcing member to create at least a portion of a lock-on layer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a metallic component, and corresponding methods. The apparatus may include a build plate with a build surface and an aperture. The apparatus may also include an actuator operable to translate a metallic component such that an end portion of the metallic component is positioned within the aperture of the build plate and below the build surface. The apparatus may further include a seal coupled within the aperture of the build plate and configured to engage the end portion of the metallic component. The aperture of the build plate, the seal, and the end portion of the metallic component may cooperate to form a powder bed to hold metallic powder therein. The apparatus may also include an external heat control mechanism operable to form a predetermined temperature profile of the end portion of the component to prevent cracking of the component.

Abstract: An interchangeable chamber is provided for a 3D printing device, wherein the interchangeable chamber includes a building space for receiving a building platform on which a three-dimensional object can be produced, which building space is designed to be temporarily open in the direction of a top of the interchangeable chamber, as well as optionally a storage container for storing building material and wherein the interchangeable chamber comprises a side wall and a cover, wherein the cover is adapted to close the interchangeable chamber at the top such that building material cannot get through the cover out of nor into the interchangeable chamber and the cover is coupled with the side wall.