Abstract: A natural and sustainable material is derived from the nut of the tagua palm tree that may be fashioned into devices for humans and animals. A pulverized and reconstituted material is disclosed herein that is also treated with a low temperature atmospheric plasma treatment. In an embodiment, a biocompatible carrier gas is ionized to form a biocompatible atmospheric plasma stream. Material, such as nano-scale powdered hydroxyapatite, is introduced into the plasma stream, which is then applied to the natural nut material.

Abstract: A block, block system and method of making a wall block. A block with multiple embodiments of a visually exposed surface having three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints that can be used to construct a patio, wall, fence or the like; the multiple embodiments creating a more random and natural appearance. A mold box having a moveable liner and a stripper shoe that impart three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints onto an exposed surface of a block. The moveable liner and stripper shoe also impart a parting line onto the exposed surface of the block.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a collagen bio-ink includes steps as follows. A first component is provided, wherein the first component is to fill a collagen powder to a first syringe. A second component is provided, wherein the second component is to fill a neutral solution or an acid solution to a second syringe. A mixing step is performed, wherein the first syringe is connected to the second syringe with a Lure lock connector and pushing back and forth to mix the first component and the second component to form a hydrogel and become a collagen bio-ink.

Abstract: A method for forming a complex shape three-dimensional ceramic article by printing a first layer of a first material having a first fraction of first ceramic particles and a first fraction of a first polymeric ceramic precursor. A second layer is printed such that it is at least partially disposed on the first layer of a second material having a second fraction of second ceramic particles and a second fraction of a second polymeric ceramic precursor. A composite of the first layer and the second layer is heated at a temperature sufficient to decompose the first and second polymeric ceramic precursors and sinter the article. During the sintering process, the first and second layers with different fractions of ceramic particles undergo different degrees of shrinkage, resulting in a tuneable mismatch of the bilayer structure and accurately achieving a targeted geometry.

Abstract: A residential or commercial building, structure, or building component can include an exterior member, interior member, and plurality of cross-members spatially disposed therebetween. Each of the exterior member, interior member, cross-members can be formed from a multi-layered stack of polymeric material made by a layered three-dimensional printing process, and all can be monolithically integrated. An exterior surface region of the exterior member can have an integrally formed surface finish. Overlying finishing or connective layers can be added. The exterior and interior members can be configured in a parallel arrangement to form a rectangular or curve shaped building block. A fill material can be disposed into openings between the exterior and interior members, and an interior surface region at the interior member can include a cavity configured for an electrical box, plumbing, or a sensing device.

Abstract: A plate denture manufacturing method includes preparing three-dimensional data for an artificial tooth impression and a plate denture, preparing a denture mold including a bottom wall, a side wall, a forming space which is surrounded by the bottom wall and the side wall and into which a denture base material is to be poured, a cutting target region to be cut by a cutting apparatus, and vent holes passing through the bottom wall, cutting a groove in the cutting target region using the cutting apparatus, placing the denture mold on a holder, placing an artificial tooth in the groove, pouring the denture base material into the forming space and curing the denture base material so as to fabricate a one-piece product including the denture mold, the artificial tooth, and a cured product of the denture base material that are integral with each other, and machining the cured product.

Abstract: A microfluidic component for a sample separation apparatus includes a component body including ceramic and at least one microfluidic structure in the component body. The component body is manufactured by additive manufacturing, in particular by three-dimensional printing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for fabricating complex mechanical shapes, and in particular to fabricating complex mechanical shapes using a pressure-assisted sintering technique to address problems relating to variations in specimen thickness and tooling, or densification gradients, by 3-D printing of a polymer model that is surrounded by and filled with sintering powder material, wherein the 3-D polymer model decomposed into a graphite interface layer and facilitates release of the cast, e.g. metal, metal-alloy, ceramic, etc., manufactured item.

Abstract: A tool for forming a composite structure may include two or more segments formed from a polymer material. The tool may further include a crush insert disposed between the two or more segments. The tool may also include a support shaft coupled between the two or more segments. A method of forming a mandrel may include forming segments of the mandrel through an additive manufacturing process. The method may further include assembling the segments relative to one another. The method may also include positioning a crush insert between each of the segments. A method of fabricating a composite structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an ink for use in additive manufacturing of a self-healing product includes providing a thiol material. The method further includes oxidizing the thiol material to form a thiol-disulfide oligomer. The method further includes applying an alkene material to the thiol-disulfide oligomer to allow a thiol-ene reaction and form a self-healing ink embedded with a disulfide bond.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of occluding fluids, such as a high-density fluid (a “z-fluid”) or a low-density fluid (an “a-fluid”), to displace resin within a vat during 3D printing. Further, an a-fluid may act as a protective boundary for a 3D printing resin wherein the a-fluid sits on top of the printing resin. Another embodiment of the disclosure provides a process of assessing which regions of a computer-aided design (CAD) model take advantage of a buoying force supplied by the occluding fluid, such that fewer support structures are needed for printing a final CAD model compared to printing the CAD model without the occluding fluid.

Abstract: A method of making a trim article includes the steps of 1) obtaining specified criteria of a target component part comprised of a plurality of materials; 2) processing the specified criteria into a design envelope that includes parameters of the target component part within which the trim article to be created is to be confined, 3) inputting the design envelope into an additive manufacturing device supplied with a single forming material; and 4) forming the trim article using the additive manufacturing device from the single material. The formed trim article includes an outer casing with an interior portion having one or more lattice matrices disposed therein and having varying density profiles to simulate the specified criteria of the target component part. The formed trim article is created as a fully integrated monolithic whole via the additive manufacturing device.

Abstract: A support apparatus for use in conjunction with an ALM system having a printing head being movable with respect to the support apparatus. The support apparatus a dynamic surface configured to support a printed 3D item thereon during fabrication thereof by the printing head, the dynamic surface being manipulable between a first position, at which the dynamic surface has a first concavity with respect to the printing head, and a second position, at which the dynamic surface has a second concavity with respect to the printing head, the second concavity being greater than the first concavity; and a manipulating mechanism operable to induce manipulation the dynamic surface at least from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Provided is an inkjet active-energy-ray-curable composition including a bisphenol-type methacrylate, a low-viscosity monomer, and an inorganic filler.

Abstract: Included is a homogeneous sheet, which excludes polyvinylchloride. The sheet includes a polyurethane, a synthetic rubber blend, and a filler. The synthetic rubber blend may include a pre-mix of a synthetic rubber and white oil.

Abstract: Additives for three-dimensional build materials or inks are described herein which, in some embodiments, can impart one or more structural enhancements to articles printed from the build materials. In one aspect, a polymerizable liquid comprises at least one additive including a plurality of cyclopolymerizable functionalities separated by an aliphatic linker or alkylene oxide linker.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure including: preparing a first structure including a fixing face; fixing a plastic layer to the fixing face of the first structure; preparing a conductive wire; and operating an ultrasonic head to apply ultrasonic waves to the conductive wire and to press the conductive wire against the plastic layer, and thereby partly embedding the conductive wire into the plastic layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic composition comprising an amorphous polyamide polymer for use in 3D printing, the respective use and methods for forming objects by 3D printing using the thermoplastic compositions described herein.

Abstract: Provided is method of making a three-dimensional object comprising polyurea, which may include: (a) dispensing a one part (1K) dual cure resin into a stereolithography apparatus, the resin comprising or consisting essentially of a photoinitiator, a reactive blocked polyisocyanate, optionally a catalyst such as a polyurethane blowing catalyst, and optionally a polyepoxide; (b) additively manufacturing from said resin an intermediate object comprising the light polymerization product of said reactive blocked polyisocyanate; (c) optionally cleaning said intermediate object; and (d) reacting said polymerization product in said intermediate with water in the presence of a catalyst such as a polyurethane blowing catalyst (which may be included in the resin, the water, or both) to generate polyamine in situ that sequentially reacts with the remainder of the polymerization product to form urea linkages and thereby produce a three-dimensional object comprising polyurea.

Abstract: In-situ polymerized polymer film facilitates improved paint film appliques with reduced defects. The paint film appliques comprise the in-situ polymerized polymer film as a carrier layer and at least one color layer assembled as a laminate, optionally further comprising at least one topcoat layer on one major surface of the laminate and an adhesive layer on the other major surface of the laminate.