Abstract: Systems and methods of laser based additive manufacturing are provided, in which solid polymer material strands are continuously received and have their surfaces melted by laser source(s). Such a system may include a feeder configured to continuously feed, two or more solid polymer material strands, a first guiding unit comprising two or more conduits to continuously receive and guide the two or more solid polymer material strands from the feeder towards a connecting point, a first laser unit, comprising one or more laser sources, each source is directed to deliver a specified laser beam with respect to adjacent surfaces of two adjacent strands towards the connecting point.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is disclosed. The system comprises at least one feeder configured to feed, continuously, at least two solid polymer strands, at least one heating element, configured to simultaneously heat at least a part of adjacent surfaces of the at least two solid polymer strands, an attachment unit configured to simultaneously attach the liquified surfaces to yield attached strands; and a pressing unit configured to press the at least two solid polymer strands against each other to ensure attachment.

Abstract: Systems and methods of additive manufacturing are provided, in which solid polymer material in form of strand(s) or particles is continuously received, and its surface is heated peripherally to liquefy the surface, using specified heating-related parameters which are selected to maintain a central volume of the continuously received solid polymer material in a solid state. The surface of a polymer substrate is also liquefied, and the peripherally heated surface of the continuously received solid polymer material is attached to the liquefied surface of the polymer substrate, followed by re-solidification of the liquefied surface to yield monolithic attachment of the material to the substrate. Liquefying only the surface of the material maintains some of its strength and prevents deformation upon solidification. The monolithic attachment provides uniform and controllable industrial products.

Abstract: Systems and methods of additive manufacturing are provided, in which solid polymer material in form of strand(s) or particles is continuously received, and its surface is heated peripherally to liquefy the surface, using specified heating-related parameters which are selected to maintain a central volume of the continuously received solid polymer material in a solid state. The surface of a polymer substrate is also liquefied, and the peripherally heated surface of the continuously received solid polymer material is attached to the liquefied surface of the polymer substrate, followed by re-solidification of the liquefied surface to yield monolithic attachment of the material to the substrate. Liquefying only the surface of the material maintains some of its strength and prevents deformation upon solidification. The monolithic attachment provides uniform and controllable industrial products.

Abstract: A method for laundering textiles comprising washing the textiles using a cation solution; and bleaching and disinfecting the textiles using an anion solution.