Abstract: A method for fabrication of a composite structure including providing a mold configured for forming a composite structure, providing at least one magnetic anchor, the at least one magnetic anchor disposed within the mold, providing at least one optical marker, the optical marker magnetically coupled to the at least one magnetic anchor, providing an optical projector, the optical projector projecting at least one optical beam directed towards at least one optical marker, receiving at least one reflective beam from the at least one optical projector to identify the location of the optical marker disposed on the mold, calibrating the optical projector by comparing a predetermined virtual optical marker location to the identified optical marker location.

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: A materials kit for three-dimensional (3D) printing can include a powder bed material including from about 60 wt % to 100 wt % composite fibers including glass fibers coated with an encapsulating polymer, wherein the composite fibers have an average length of from about 100 ?m to about 700 ?m and an average diameter of from about 20 ?m to about 70 ?m. The materials kit for 3D printing can also include a fusing agent including an energy absorber to absorb electromagnetic radiation to produce heat.

Abstract: A 3D printed GRIN device, the formulation and the method for making the GRIN device are disclosed. The GRIN (graded-index) device comprises i) a first phase comprising at least one polymer; ii) a second phase comprising at least one first component; and, optionally, iii) an interface between the first phase and the second phase, wherein the interface has a concentration gradient of the at least one first component, whereby the concentration of the at least one first component decreases with distance away from the second phase towards the first phase, wherein the at least one first component comprises at least one functional component, at least one functional precursor component, or combinations thereof, and wherein the GRIN device is a functional GRIN device, a functional precursor GRIN device, or a combination of a functional and functional precursor GRIN device.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to three dimensional (“3D”) printers having a configuration that prepares a three-dimensional object by using a feedstock comprising a metal or a polymer compound and a carbon coating formed on a surface of the compound. This disclosure also relates to such feedstocks and their preparation methods. This disclosure further relates to 3D composite objects prepared by using such printers and feedstocks. This disclosure also relates to carbon containing photocurable formulations and methods for their preparation. This disclosure further relates to electrically conducting 3D polymer composites prepared by using such carbon containing photocurable formulations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for additive manufacture of an article corresponding with an energy transmissibility image. The article may include a contact lens or intraocular lens. The improvements are directed to repeated application of a monomer according to a pattern corresponding with the energy transmissibility image, such as grayscale image. The method may include intermittent pinning of deposited polymerizable mixture, partial cure, and final cure of the deposited polymerizable mixture. A pattern of multiple defined areas may be manufactured, with each area representing an amount of energy transmissibility associated with that area.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bulked continuous carpet filament from recycled polymer. In various embodiments, the method includes: (1) reducing recycled polymer material into polymer flakes; (2) cleansing the polymer flakes; (3) melting the flakes into a polymer melt; (4) removing water and contaminants from the polymer melt by dividing the polymer melt into a plurality of polymer streams and exposing those streams to pressures below 5 millibars; (5) recombining the streams; and (6) using the resulting purified polymer to produce bulked continuous carpet filament.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from particulate material.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a structure includes a supporting frame assembly moveable in a vertical direction of the structure. Further, the system includes an additive printing assembly secured to the supporting frame assembly. The additive printing assembly includes at least one printer head configured to dispense a first cementitious material. The system also includes a reinforcement dispensing assembly supported by the supporting frame assembly. Thus, the reinforcement dispensing assembly is configured to automatically and continuously dispense a plurality of reinforcing members as the structure is printed and built up via the at least one printer head and as the supporting frame assembly moves in the vertical direction.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for cleaning powder residues of an additive layer build-up method away from an at least partly additively manufactured component by a cleaning device, wherein a machine plate and the component arranged thereon are excited to mechanical oscillation during a cleaning process by a vibration actuator of the cleaning device with a set resonant frequency of the machine plate. According to the invention, before the cleaning process is carried out, a resonant frequency of the machine plate is set to the set resonant frequency by an arrangement of a mass element on a securing element of the machine plate.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, methods, and systems related to 3D printing a reactive vaterite cement composition, comprising feeding a composition comprising reactive vaterite cement through a 3D printing machine; printing a 3D printed reactive vaterite cement product; and curing the 3D printed reactive vaterite cement product by transforming reactive vaterite cement in the 3D printed reactive vaterite cement product to aragonite and/or calcite during and/or after the curing.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a method for repairing a damage to a thermoplastic composite element, in particular an aircraft component, wherein a socket is milled at the site of damage to the thermoplastic composite element. Then, in the socket a patch is formed from a thermosetting material containing a reinforcing phase of fabric layers and a matrix of thermosetting resin, the patch having a shape and size corresponding to the socket geometry. In the next step, the patch is cured, and finally the cured patch is glued into the socket by means of an adhesive.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a delivery system are described. Each method uses a first and second printing materials. The second printing material contains an active material such as a fragrance, flavor, malodor counteracting agent, and mixture thereof.

Abstract: A support structure of a 3D printer may include a printable surface that receives a heated bead of material and can support one or more extruded layers of material from the 3D printer. The support structure may include at least one inlet adjacent to the printable surface and one or more outlets that exit onto the printable surface. The one or more outlets are hermetically sealed to the inlet. The support structure may also include an injection mechanism operatively coupled to the at least one input.

Abstract: Methods for additive manufacture of an article corresponding with one or more arrays of data values. The article may include, for example, an optical lens, such as a contact lens or an intraocular lens. The methods include generating an array of data values and emitting droplets of polymerizable mixture in a pattern corresponding with the arrays of data values. After receiving the droplets of polymerizable mixture on a receiving surface, the droplets are integrated and pinned via exposure to actinic conditions. Two or more patterns of droplets may be combined on the receiving surface to form a combined volume of polymerizable mixture and cured.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for additive manufacture of an optical element corresponding with an energy transmissibility image. The optical element may include a contact lens or intraocular lens. The optical element may be formed via intermittent pinning of deposited polymerizable mixture, partial cure, and final cure of the deposited polymerizable mixture. A pattern of multiple defined areas may be manufactured, with each area representing an amount of energy transmissibility associated with each respective area.

Abstract: Described are biocomposites comprising melanin. Uses of melanin biocomposites in methods of heat generation and radiation protection are also described. 3D printed filaments comprising melanin and methods and making and using thereof are further described.

Abstract: An improved method of making, manufacturing and/or producing engineered orthopedic soft tissue including cartilage, meniscus, annulus fibrosus, and tendon/ligaments which results in engineered soft tissue in which the fibers are aligned the same or nearly the same as naturally occurring tissue. The present invention also includes molds and other apparatus for carrying out the methods of the invention and kits.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus includes a laser oscillator configured to emit a laser beam, a slit configured to narrow a width of the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator to a width corresponding to a dividing groove to form the dividing groove of a predetermined width, a slit moving mechanism configured to move the slit in a direction corresponding to a width direction of the dividing groove, and an adjusting unit configured to make the center of the slit and the cross-sectional center of the laser beam entering the slit coincide with each other in a direction in which the slit moving mechanism moves the slit.

Abstract: A transfer device designed to extract an amorphous or semi-solid structure, tissue, or construct from supporting media while maintaining the spatial integrity/organizational architecture thereof. The transfer device can include a controller, an actuator assembly, a plunger, and a needle. The controller can move the transfer device and the plunger independently.