Abstract: Method of spray-drying a high-viscosity fluid, e.g. comprising a food product. The method comprises providing a nozzle plate wherein at least one nozzle is provided, said nozzle plate having an inner main surface and an outer main surface. The method comprises providing the high-viscosity fluid in a reservoir that is in fluidum connection with the at least one nozzle. The method comprises pressurizing the high-viscosity fluid in the reservoir, wherein the fluid flows, as a result of said pressurizing, towards the nozzle plate, thus creating a pressure difference over the at least one nozzle so that the fluid flows out of the at least one nozzle, thereby passing the outer main surface after passing the inner main surface. A cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the inner main surface exceeds a cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the outer main surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a production line for making tangible products by layerwise manufacturing. The production line comprises (i) a first and a second building platform (102, 112) for carrying a tangible product, (ii) a deposition head (101) for providing a layer of construction material onto the building platforms, (iii) a conveyor (103) for conveying the building platforms in a conveying plane towards and away from the deposition head repeatedly, (iv) height adjustment means (107) to adjust the distance between the deposition head and the building platforms by displacing the building platforms relative to the conveyor in a direction (104) perpendicular to the conveying plane. The production line may further comprise a picking unit (106) for picking a product from the building platforms. The method allows making different tangible products in a continuous process by layerwise manufacturing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are for printing a fluid material by a continuous jet printing technique. The apparatus includes a flow restricting structure arranged near an outflow opening for restricting a flow of the material between a reservoir and the outflow opening by a restricted passage through the flow restricting structure. Furthermore, the flow restricting structure, an actuating surface, and a nozzle are arranged to bind a micro volume directly adjacent an inside of the outflow opening for the purpose of guiding or reflecting pressure variations generated by the pressure regulating mechanism towards the outflow opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet break up device (1) comprising: a chamber (2) for containing a pressurized printing liquid (3) comprising a bottom plate; at least one outlet channel (4, 4?) having a central axis, provided in said chamber for ejecting the printing liquid; and an actuator for breaking up, a fluid jetted out of the outlet channel. The actuator comprises a revolving, member (5) comprising a surface deformation (7, 7?) shaped to provide a pressure pulse near the outlet channel. Accordingly, a simple mechanism is provided for providing multiple printing nozzles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet break up device comprising: a chamber for containing a printing liquid comprising a bottom plate; a pump for pressurizing the printing liquid; an outlet channel having a central axis, provided in said chamber for ejecting the printing liquid; and an actuator for breaking up a fluid jetted out of the outlet channel. The actuator is provided around the outlet channel, arranged to symmetrically impart a pressure pulse central to the outlet channel axis. Accordingly, smaller droplets can be delivered at higher frequencies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are for printing a fluid material by a continuous jet printing technique. The apparatus includes a flow restricting structure arranged near an outflow opening for restricting a flow of the material between a reservoir and the outflow opening by a restricted passage through the flow restricting structure. Furthermore, the flow restricting structure, an actuating surface, and a nozzle are arranged to bind a micro volume directly adjacent an inside of the outflow opening for the purpose of guiding or reflecting pressure variations generated by the pressure regulating mechanism towards the outflow opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination system for use in a stereolithography apparatus. The illumination system includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), each LED having at least a first light-emitting surface and a second surface, at least one of the first and the second surface being substantially flat. The illumination further includes a plurality of electrical pathways, selectively connected to the respective LEDs, such that each LED can be individually controlled and a leveling surface. The leveling surface is substantially flat and in leveling contact with the at least one substantially flat surface of each LED, such that a two-dimensional array of LEDs extends in a plane parallel to the leveling surface.

Abstract: A system and method of layerwise production of a tangible object (5), they system comprising a construction shape (6) to form a liquid layer to be brought in contact with the tangible object; solidifying means (9) for solidifying a predetermined area of a layer (10) of the liquid (3), so as to obtain a solid layer (14) of the tangible object (5), the solid layer thus having a predetermined shape, separating means (18; 19?; 19?) for separating said solid layer from said construction shape; moving means (18) for moving, relative to one another, the construction shape (6) to a predetermined position relative to the tangible object (5), for carrying out a successive such method cycle for solidifying a predetermined area of a successive such liquid layer; the system is arranged to provide a limited volume of liquid adhered to the construction shape to form a liquid layer of limited height that does not contact the tangible object; wherein said moving of said construction shape and said solidifying of said predeter

Abstract: Method of spray-drying a high-viscosity fluid, e.g. comprising a food product. The method comprises providing a nozzle plate wherein at least one nozzle is provided, said nozzle plate having an inner main surface and an outer main surface. The method comprises providing the high-viscosity fluid in a reservoir that is in fluidum connection with the at least one nozzle. The method comprises pressurizing the high-viscosity fluid in the reservoir, wherein the fluid flows, as a result of said pressurizing, towards the nozzle plate, thus creating a pressure difference over the at least one nozzle so that the fluid flows out of the at least one nozzle, thereby passing the outer main surface after passing the inner main surface. A cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the inner main surface exceeds a cross-sectional area of the at least one nozzle in the outer main surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns an illumination system for use in a stereolithography apparatus, comprising a planar support supporting a two-dimensional array of individually controllable wide-angle light-emitting diodes (LEDs); and a multilens projector array arranged relative to the array, and adapted to project a focused image of the LEDs onto a work area. The multilens projector array is arranged to project light from the LED array having a light emitting edge area image spot size which is smaller than or equal to a light emitting central area image spot size.

Abstract: The invention concerns an illumination system for use in a stereolithography apparatus, comprising: a planar support; a multilens projector array mechanically supported on the planar support over the array on a plano side, and having a work surface arranged to receive a resin applying device for applying a resin layer, the projector array comprising a stack of optical elements, including a plurality of lenslets adapted to project the LEDs onto the work surface, and a two-dimensional array of individually controllable light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged between the planar support and the multilens projector. According to an aspect, the planar support and the plano side are supported on contact zones arranged over substantially the entire plano side; the illumination system thus forming a rigid body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating a ‘multicomponent particle comprising: and a multicomponent particle generating system comprising: a first nozzle constructed to generate at least one isolated particle; a second nozzle arranged to generate a generally uninterrupted fluid jet without breaking up, —said first and second nozzles arranged to have said isolated particle collide with the fluid jet so as to combine said particle with fluid of the second fluid jet, for providing a multicomponent particle; and a collector by which said isolated particles can be captured after collision with the fluid jet.

Abstract: A system and method for layer-by-layer production of an object is provided. The system includes a construction shape having a carrying surface adapted for carrying a layer of build material, a plate having a holding surface adapted for holding an object in an object build area, a moveable reservoir having a plurality of containment surfaces defining a containment area adapted for containing a volume of build material within the moveable reservoir, and an exposure unit adapted for exposing at least a portion of the layer of build material in the object build area so that the portion of the layer of build material solidifies to form a solidified layer of the object.

Abstract: A system and method for layer-by-layer production of an object is provided. The system includes a construction shape having a carrying surface adapted for carrying a layer of build material, a plate having a holding surface adapted for holding an object in an object build area, a moveable reservoir having a plurality of containment surfaces defining a containment area adapted for containing a volume of build material within the moveable reservoir, and an exposure unit adapted for exposing at least a portion of the layer of build material in the object build area so that the portion of the layer of build material solidifies to form a solidified layer of the object.

Abstract: There is provided a three-dimensional interconnect structure for micro-electronic devices and a method for producing such an interconnect structure. The method comprises a step wherein a backbone structure is manufactured using an additive layer-wise manufacturing process. The backbone structure comprises a three-dimensional cladding skeleton and a support structure. The cladding skeleton comprises layered freeform skeleton parts that will form the electric interconnections between the electric contacts of the interconnect structure after a conductive material is applied on the backbone structure. The support structure supports the layered freeform skeleton parts. Parts of the support structure may be removed to isolate and/or expose the electric interconnections. The cladding skeleton can be embedded by an insulating material for providing a further support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating a multicomponent particle comprising: and a multicomponent particle generating system comprising a movable support constructed to accelerate particles supplied on the movable support; a particle supply system for supplying the particles to the movable support; at least one nozzle arranged to generate a generally uninterrupted fluid jet along at least part of a circumference of the movable support without breaking up; to have said accelerated particles collide with the fluid jet so as to combine said particles with fluid of the fluid jet, for providing a multicomponent particle; and a collector arranged in the trajectory of said particles, by which said particles can be captured after collision with the fluid jet.

Abstract: A system and method for layer-by-layer production of an object is provided. The system includes a construction shape having a carrying surface adapted for carrying a layer of build material, a plate having a holding surface adapted for holding an object in an object build area, a moveable reservoir having a plurality of containment surfaces defining a containment area adapted for containing a volume of build material within the moveable reservoir, and an exposure unit adapted for exposing at least a portion of the layer of build material in the object build area so that the portion of the layer of build material solidifies to form a solidified layer of the object.

Abstract: A system and method of layerwise production of a tangible object (5), they system comprising a construction shape (6) to form a liquid layer to be brought in contact with the tangible object; solidifying means (9) for solidifying a predetermined area of a layer (10) of the liquid (3), so as to obtain a solid layer (14) of the tangible object (5), the solid layer thus having a predetermined shape, separating means (18; 19?; ·?) for separating said solid layer from said construction shape; moving means (18) for moving, relative to one another, the construction shape (6) to a predetermined position relative to the tangible object (5), for carrying out a successive such method cycle for solidifying a predetermined area of a successive such liquid layer; the system is arranged to provide a limited volume of liquid adhered to the construction shape to form a liquid layer of limited height that does not contact the tangible object; wherein said moving of said construction shape and said solidifying of said predeterm

Abstract: An illumination system (30), comprising: a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (34), each LED having at least a first, light-emitting surface (36) and a second surface (37), at least one of the first and the second surface being substantially flat; a plurality of electrical pathways (56), selectively connected to the respective LEDs, such that each LED can be individually controlled; and a levelling surface (46, 52), wherein the levelling surface is substantially flat and in levelling contact with the at least one substantially flat surface (37, 36) of each LED, such that a two-dimensional array of LEDs extends in a plane parallel to the levelling surface.

Abstract: A multicomponent particle generating system may include a first nozzle constructed to generate at least one isolated particle, and a second nozzle arranged to generate a generally uninterrupted fluid jet without breaking up. The first and second nozzles are arranged to have the isolated particle traverse the fluid jet from one side to the other side so as to combine the particle with fluid of the second fluid jet, for providing a multicomponent particle. A collector is arranged on the other side of the fluid jet by which the isolated particles can be captured after collision with the fluid jet. The system includes a modulator, for modulating the second fluid jet so as to provide an undulated jet having thicker and thinner portions.