Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a resin vessel for containing a volume of photocurable resin having a resin upper surface, an imaging system configured to define a build plane, a build plate having a build plate upper surface, a build plate positioner, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a fluid-related vertical position of one or more of the resin upper surface and a component of a volume compensator (VC), and a controller. The controller is configured to (1) operate the build plate positioner to vertically translate build plate upper surface, (2) concurrent with operating the build plate positioner, receiving the signal from the sensor, (3) analyze the signal to determine a build plate geometric signature, and (4) determine or suspend a build plan for building the 3D article based upon the determined geometric signature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable 3D printer cartridge for inserting into an exposure device for producing an object which is constructed in additive layers, wherein the cartridge contains at least one polymerizable liquid, or a polymerizable liquid can be filled into the cartridge. The cartridge comprises: a first lower housing part, a second upper housing part which can be removed from the first housing part, a support platform which forms the lower face of the second housing part, the object constructed in additive layers being arrangeable on the exterior of the support platform during the construction of the object, and a construction element which corresponds to the base of the first housing part. The layers of the object can be polymerized on the inner face of the construction element, and the inner face of the construction element has a non-stick coating.

Abstract: A filament feeder (1) for use in a fused filament fabrication printer comprises a feeder body (2) which comprises a channel (3) for guiding a filament (F) there through. A first and a second driven grip roller (4, 5) are arranged on opposing sides of the channel (3) for clamped engagement with the filament (F), wherein the first grip roller (4) is rotationally arranged about a first roller axis (4a) and the second grip roller (5) is rotationally arranged about a second roller axis (5a). The feeder comprises a first drive gear (6) for driving the first grip roller (4), the first drive gear (6) being rotatably arranged about the first roller axis (4a), a second drive gear (7) for driving the second grip roller (5), the second drive gear being rotatably arranged about the second roller axis (5a), and a suspension system (S) for suspension of the first and second grip roller (4,5) and of the first and second drive gear (6,7).

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method of producing a metal alloy article may involve: Providing a supply of a metal alloy in powder form; providing a supply of a nucleant material, the nucleant material lowering the nucleation energy required to crystallize the metal alloy; blending the supply of metal alloy powder and nucleant material to form a blended mixture; forming the blended mixture into a first layer; subjecting at least a portion of the first layer to energy sufficient to raise the temperature of the first layer to at least the liquidus temperature of the metal alloy; allowing at least a portion of the first layer to cool to a temperature sufficient to allow the metal alloy to recrystallize; forming a second layer of the blended mixture on the first layer; and repeating the subjecting and allowing steps on the second layer to form an additional portion of the metal alloy article.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-material photocuring 3D printer and a 3D printing method, wherein multi-material photocuring 3D printer comprises: a frame; a printing platform, arranged on frame; a lifting device, arranged on printing platform; a rotary motor, arranged on lifting device; a printing plate, arranged on rotary motor; wherein a bottom surface of printing plate is a printing plane; a plurality of resin slots, arranged on frame and located below printing plate; an optical engine, arranged on frame and located below printing plate. The present disclosure connects printing plate with rotary motor, after finishing printing with one material, it is possible to remove residual liquid resin on printed piece and printing plane by a method of high-speed centrifugation, to avoid any contaminations to printed piece, thereby ensuring printed piece in multi-material having a high precision and a high resolution.

Abstract: A post-processing system includes a rinse tank, a robot arm, a locking fixture, and a controller. The robot arm is configured to engage and move a workpiece. The locking fixture includes a platform support structure and a clamping assembly. The controller is in communication with the robot arm and the platform locking fixture. The controller is configured to instruct the robot arm to move the workpiece from a workstation to the rinse tank, instruct the robot arm to move the workpiece from the rinse tank to the platform support structure, and instruct the clamping assembly to secure the workpiece onto the platform support structure after the workpiece has been moved to the platform support.

Abstract: A fabrication table includes a separable portion and a supporter. The separable portion is formed of a heat-resistant member on which a three-dimensional fabricated object is to be placed. The supporter is formed of a rigid material and configured to support the separable portion.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for 3D printing using a stationary build platform. Resin (e.g., a photopolymer) may be dosed into a vat in volumes required to create one layer at a time. An image projector may cure the top-most layer of the resin in the vat to create one layer at a time to fabricate a three-dimensional (3D) object from the bottom up, right side up, and/or layer-by-layer over the build plate.

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 method, apparatus, and system are provided for the printing and maturation of living tissue in an Earth-referenced reduced gravity environment such as that found on a spacecraft or on other celestial bodies. The printing may be three-dimensional structures. The printed structures may be manufactured from low viscosity biomaterials.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for creating a pattern (7) of a first fluid in a second fluid, the density of which is adapted, as a function of the viscosity thereof, to the density of the first fluid, and wherein the two fluids are immiscible or are miscible only with difficulty, said device comprising a storage container (1) for the first fluid and an injector which is connected to the storage container (1) and is associated with a positioning unit (5).

Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing an object. The system may include a support, and a print head having an outlet and being connected to and moveable by the support in a normal travel direction during discharge of material from the print head. The system may also include a first device operatively connected to the print head at a trailing location relative to the normal travel direction. The first device may be configured to expose the material to a cure energy. The system may further have a second device operatively connected to the print head at a location trailing the first device relative to the travel direction. The second trailing device configured to expose the material to a cure energy.

Abstract: A midsole and a method of manufacturing it includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Abstract: A droplet discharge apparatus includes a discharge head including a nozzle, a nozzle surface observation device, and processing circuitry. The discharge head including the nozzle is configured to discharge a droplet onto a discharge receiving medium formed of powder. The nozzle surface observation device is configured to observe a nozzle surface of the nozzle of the discharge head. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate an adhesion amount of attached matter to the nozzle surface based on an observation result of the nozzle surface observation device. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on a calculation result of the adhesion amount of the attached matter, an operation on a control target that controls at least one of a mass and a discharge speed of the droplet.

Abstract: A method of making a physical object by additive manufacturing. The method has the steps of providing a light hardenable primary material (11), building up the object (100) by successively hardening portions of the light hardenable primary material (11) by irradiating the portions with light, coating at least a part of the object (100) with a light permeable coating or oxygen protective material; and irradiating the coated object (100) with light and thereby post-hardening any light hardenable material (11).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coupler for an air suspension includes: preparing a topping cord sheet and a rubber band; connecting the topping cord sheet and the rubber band to each other by attaching the rubber band to an outer circumferential surface of the topping cord sheet; and vulcanizing an intermediately formed body made by the connecting of the topping cord sheet and the rubber band to each other.

Abstract: There is provided a powder feeder (10, 10?) comprising a main chamber (12, 12?) with a gas inlet (14, 14?) and a powder outlet (16), at least one secondary chamber (20, 20?) configured to receive powder and a shaver element (22, 40, 50), wherein the shaver element (22, 40, 50) is positioned directly above an opening (26, 26?) in the at least one secondary chamber (20, 20?). The secondary chamber (20, 20?) further comprises a piston (28, 28?) movable towards the shaver element (22, 40, 50) so as to urge powder upwards. Examples of a shaver element include a rotatable screw (22), a conveyor belt (40) and a rotating disc (50) with protrusions (54).

Abstract: Device for a system for layer-by-layer construction of a body (K) from a substance (S) which can be hardened by radiation, comprising a vat having a vat base for receiving the substance (S) which can be hardened by radiation, comprising a building platform which is arranged above the vat base and which is height-adjustable in relation to the vat base and comprising a sensor cooperating with the vat base, wherein the vat base is configured to be at least partially flexible, wherein a chamber is provided wherein the chamber is delimited by an underside of the vat base, wherein the sensor is adapted to detect a volume change of the chamber and to provide a sensor signal from which a sign of the volume change can be determined.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) device for biomaterials comprises a reservoir, a shaft, and a material delivery head. The device can be used for intracorporeal additive manufacturing. Material within the reservoir can be expelled by a mechanical transmission element, for example a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, an air pressure pump, or a hydraulic pressure pump. The reservoir can be a barrel, a cartridge, or a cassette. The reservoir can narrow into the shaft, and the shaft can terminate into the nozzle. The shaft can house an inner tube. The device can have an actuator joint capable of being mechanically linked to a robotic surgical system. The actuator joint can have a motor that drives the mechanical transmission element.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of fusing layers of 3D parts includes forming a layer of build material, and selectively applying a liquid agent onto the layer of build material to define a part layer of a 3D part and a sacrificial layer of a sacrificial part. The method includes, in a single pass of a thermal energy source over the layer of build material, applying fusing energy to the sacrificial layer, sensing a temperature of the sacrificial layer, adjusting a power level of the thermal energy source based on the sensed temperature, and applying fusing energy to the part layer with the adjusted power level of the thermal energy source.