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: 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: 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: A method and an apparatus for extrusion of fiber-reinforced plastic material for the additive manufacture of a component is disclosed. The fiber-reinforced plastic material is supplied to the extrusion apparatus and heated in a heating zone of the extrusion apparatus in order to then supply the fiber-reinforced plastic material to an extrusion nozzle of the extrusion apparatus, at which a material thread comprising fiber-reinforced plastic material is extruded for the component to be manufactured. In order to convey the fiber-reinforced plastic material through the heating zone, a screw conveyor of the extrusion apparatus is utilized, which has a length-diameter ratio of less than a set value. In the heating zone a maximum volume is provided for the fiber-reinforced plastic material and a rotational speed of the screw conveyor is limited to a maximum of speed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes multi-fluid kits for three-dimensional printing, three-dimensional printing kits, and methods of making three-dimensional printed objects. In one example, a multi-fluid kit for three-dimensional printing can include a fusing agent and a chemical functionalization agent. The fusing agent can include water and an electromagnetic radiation absorber. The electromagnetic radiation absorber can absorb radiation energy and convert the radiation energy to heat. The chemical functionalization agent can include water and an amine-containing polymer. The amine-containing polymer can be a branched or unbranched polymer that includes a polymer backbone and multiple pendant side chains. The individual side chains can include —NH2, —NH—, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to pattern replication, imprint lithography, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for creating a large area imprint without a seam. Methods disclosed herein generally include filling seams between pairs of masters with a filler material such that the seams are flush with a surface of the masters having a plurality of features disposed thereon.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing support device includes: a variable table which includes an installation surface, and has a configuration configured to enable a shape of the installation surface to be freely modified; a drive unit for: (i) driving the variable table to change the shape of the installation surface; and a control unit for acquiring shape data relating to a shape of a printed article, which is a printing target; and (ii) controlling the drive unit based on the shape data such that the shape of the installation surface corresponds to the shape of the printed article.

Abstract: A 3D printing apparatus including a tank, a print platform, a motor, a force sensor, and a controller is provided. The tank is configured to accommodate a photocurable resin. The print platform is arranged adjacent to the tank. The motor is mechanically connected to the print platform. The motor is configured to drive the print platform to move. The force sensor includes a position encoder. The controller is electrically connected to the force sensor and the motor. The controller is configured to confirm whether the print platform is configured to reach a target position through a value of the position encoder.

Abstract: The disclosure is of and includes at least an apparatus, system and method for a print head for additive manufacturing. The apparatus, system and method may include at least two proximate hobs suitable to receive and extrude therebetween a print material filament for the additive manufacturing, each of the two hobs comprising two halves, wherein each of the hob halves comprises teeth that are offset with respect to the teeth of the opposing hob half; a motor capable of imparting a rotation to at least one of the two hobs, wherein the extrusion results from the rotation; and an interface to a hot end capable of outputting the print material filament after at least partial liquification to perform the additive manufacturing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a core-sheath filament. The core-sheath filament includes an adhesive core and a non-tacky sheath, wherein the sheath exhibits a melt flow index of less than 15 grams per 10 minutes. The present disclosure also provides a method of printing an adhesive. The method includes a) melting a core-sheath filament in a nozzle to form a molten composition, and b) dispensing the molten composition through the nozzle onto a substrate. Steps a) and b) are carried out one or more times to form a printed adhesive. The core-sheath filament includes an adhesive core and a non-tacky sheath. Further, methods are provided, including receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a digital object comprising data specifying an article; and generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process using a core-sheath filament, the article including a printed adhesive based on the digital object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a biodegradable resin expanded sheet, by which a biodegradable resin expanded sheet immediately after extrusion is brought into a predetermined cooled state in an extrusion expansion method, whereby good formability can be exerted.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes and systems of rapid prototyping and production. Its features includes flexible material deposition along tangential directions of surfaces of a part to be made, thereby eliminating stair-shape surface due to uniform horizontal layer deposition, increasing width of material deposition to increase build up rate, applying the principles of traditional forming/joining processes, such as casting, fusion welding, plastic extrusion and injection molding in the fabrication process so that various industrial materials can be processed, applying comparatively low cost heating sources, such as induction heating and arc-heating. Additional features include varying width and size of material deposition in accordance with geometry to be formed and applying a differential molding means for improved shape formation and surface finishing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for three-dimensional printing using microwave assisted deposition are disclosed herein. An example device includes a reservoir of carbonaceous nanocomposite thermoset, a microwave resonance cavity that cures the carbonaceous nanocomposite thermoset, and a sensor to measure the extrusion temperature of the resin when curing the carbonaceous nanocomposite thermoset at the point of deposition during extrusion-based 3D printing.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for adding a new layer to a stack of previously processed layers. In an example, a method is provided for mounting the previously processed layer on a build platform, mounting the new layer on a substrate, aligning the new layer with the previously processed layer, moving the new layer and the previously processed into contact with one another, and applying energy to the new layer from an energy source through the substrate to simultaneously process the new layer and bond the new layer to the previously processed layer to form a bonded processed multilayer stack on the build platform. A flexible compliant pressure conveyance media is moved into contact with the substrate to apply pressure to the new layer while the energy is being applied.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides oriented multilayer films including a first layer, a second layer disposed on the first layer and a third layer disposed on the second layer, where the first layer and the third layer include a polyethylene independently selected from (i) a polyethylene having a density of about 0.94 g/cc or greater; (ii) a polyethylene copolymer including ethylene and a C4-C12 alpha-olefin and having a density 7 from about 0.927 g/cc to about 0.95 g/cc; or (iii) a mixture thereof, and at least one of the first layer or the third layer includes the polyethylene copolymer, the second layer includes a polyethylene composition having a density of about 0.91 g/cc or greater and the oriented multilayer film has a haze of about 10% or less and a 1% secant modulus in the direction of stretching of about 500 MPa or greater.

Abstract: Spunbond fiber nonwoven webs (and methods for making the same) comprising small diameter filaments at high rates of production and with high process stability.

Abstract: Modular additive manufacturing systems, related methods for simultaneously building three-dimensional parts in successively bonded layers, and related computer readable storage medium. A plurality of build assemblies is laid out along at least one direction of a manufacturing path defining a loop, and at least one build assembly is functioning to build a three-dimensional part from build material according to build instructions. A guidable module is guided via a guiding assembly along the manufacturing path to repeatedly perform at least one step necessary to build the three-dimensional part on each functioning build assembly.

Abstract: A method for 3D printing a prefabricated modular building includes rotating an intermediate module (300) by 90 degrees to obtain a fabricated module (400), so that two originally vertical walls (A, C) become horizontal walls, and the other two walls (B, D) become supporting walls. This enables the building to be able to receive stresses as a whole, improving the stability of the building.

Abstract: Provided is an insert adapter for direct ink writing printers (DIW) and methods of fiber alignment in direct ink writing. The insert adapter is sized to fit snugly inside a print barrel DIW 3D printer. The adapter includes channels. The DIW printer with insert adapter, can be used in a passive method for microfiber alignment in DIW printing. The method includes feeding a non-Newtonian ink including microfibers through the print barrel such that the ink flows into the channels of the insert adapter before exiting through a print nozzle, causing the microfibers to align along the direction of ink flow.

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.