Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a printer cartridge having a cartridge barrel for containing print material, an extruder having a nozzle and a lever arm, the lever arm including a plunger, the plunger having an inlet port, and a pneumatic system including a pneumatic piston, a solenoid valve and a Y-connector, wherein the pneumatic piston is configured to receive pressurized air from (1) the Y-connector to lower the lever arm to align the inlet port with an entry point of the extruder enabling print material to flow into the extruder through the inlet port, and (2) the solenoid valve to raise the lever arm to misalign the inlet port and the entry point to prevent additional print material to flow into the extruder. The apparatus further includes a build platform, and a plurality of rods and screws for guiding the extruder to dispense print material on the build platform.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer system is disclosed. The 3D-printer system comprises an extruder, a housing configured to house the extruder, a 3D-printer base including a print bed, the print bed configured to receive material extruded from the extruder, and a first sensor configured to detect a location of an object on the print bed. In some embodiments, the 3D-printer system further comprises a plurality of sensors coupled to the housing or to the extruder, the plurality of sensors including the first sensor, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to obtain data for detection of the location of the object. In yet some embodiments, the 3D-printer system of claim further comprises a processor and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium having stored thereon logic, the logic when executed performs operations including receiving data from the first sensor and detecting the location of the object on the print bed based on the data.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer is disclosed. The 3D printer can print viscous material such as plastisol, polymer clay, melted sugar and melted chocolate. The 3D printer utilizes an extruder that can prevent dripping of viscous material from a nozzle. The 3D printer includes a control circuit for controlling the movement of the extruder and the air flow within a pneumatic system.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional (3D) printing edible objects, the system including: a first 3D printer including: a first processor; one or more cartridges for storing ingredients used in printing a 3D printed edible object, a plurality of extruders for extruding the ingredients during printing of the 3D printed edible object and a plurality of relays coupled to the plurality of extruders. A first cartridge stores a first ingredient while a second cartridge stores a second ingredient that may be different from the first ingredient. A first extruder extrudes the first ingredient and a second extruder extrudes the second ingredient in a synchronized motion. A first subset of the plurality of relays is configured to control the first extruder and a second subset of the plurality of relays is configured to control the second extruder.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer system is disclosed. The 3D-printer system comprises an extruder, a housing configured to house the extruder, a 3D-printer base including a print bed, the print bed configured to receive material extruded from the extruder, and a first sensor configured to detect a location of an object on the print bed. In some embodiments, the 3D-printer system further comprises a plurality of sensors coupled to the housing or to the extruder, the plurality of sensors including the first sensor, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to obtain data for detection of the location of the object. In yet some embodiments, the 3D-printer system of claim further comprises a processor and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium having stored thereon logic, the logic when executed performs operations including receiving data from the first sensor and detecting the location of the object on the print bed based on the data.

Abstract: The print system includes a 3D-printer system having a housing, a CNC robot having food silos for storing toppings, an electronic device may be coupled to the 3D-printer system and the CNC robot and receive input via a user interface. The print system also includes a cart that may include a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the print system. The cart is also configured to support the 3D-printer system, the CNC robot and the electronic device. The interior of the cart may also house an air compressor as well as a water and food residue receptacle that receives water and food residue resulting from an auto-cleaning process of the print system, which is discussed below in detail. The cart may (i) house a coupling to a clean water source and as containers for storing cleaning solution, and (ii) be configured to support a cleaning compartment.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional (3D) printing edible objects, the system including: a first 3D printer including: a first processor; one or more cartridges for storing ingredients used in printing a 3D printed edible object, a plurality of extruders for extruding the ingredients during printing of the 3D printed edible object and a plurality of relays coupled to the plurality of extruders. A first cartridge stores a first ingredient while a second cartridge stores a second ingredient that may be different from the first ingredient. A first extruder extrudes the first ingredient and a second extruder extrudes the second ingredient in a synchronized motion. A first subset of the plurality of relays is configured to control the first extruder and a second subset of the plurality of relays is configured to control the second extruder.

Abstract: The print system includes a 3D-printer system having a housing, a CNC robot having food silos for storing toppings, an electronic device may be coupled to the 3D-printer system and the CNC robot and receive input via a user interface. The print system also includes a cart that may include a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the print system. The cart is also configured to support the 3D-printer system, the CNC robot and the electronic device. The interior of the cart may also house an air compressor as well as a water and food residue receptacle that receives water and food residue resulting from an auto-cleaning process of the print system, which is discussed below in detail. The cart may (i) house a coupling to a clean water source and as containers for storing cleaning solution, and (ii) be configured to support a cleaning compartment.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer is disclosed. The 3D printer can print viscous material such as plastisol, polymer clay, melted sugar and melted chocolate. The 3D printer utilizes an extruder that can prevent dripping of viscous material from a nozzle. The 3D printer includes a control circuit for controlling the movement of the extruder and the air flow within a pneumatic system.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for ammunition handling, including identifying and locating selected ammunition rounds in a magazine and then rapidly transferring the selected rounds to a weapon for firing. An ammunition handling system according to embodiments of the invention provides a smart or smart-capable, self-indexing ammunition handling and transfer system utilizing precision sensors and actuation mechanisms. Particular embodiments can index loaded rounds in a magazine by type and location, build an inventory of remaining munitions accessible by the system, locate selected rounds in the magazine and rapidly deploy the selected rounds to a weapon for firing. Other capabilities preferably include stores management and sorting for munitions deployment optimization. Preferred embodiments are also compatible with legacy weapons platforms.

Abstract: A 3D food printing system, which can deposit macro- and micro-nutrients in an additive process to prepare a wide variety of different types of food. According to embodiments described herein, a 3D printed food system can be used to rapidly and efficiently prepare meals on demand, rather than in advance, while also allowing nutritional content, flavor, and taste to be customized for individual crew members. In some embodiments, the food can also be prepared in a largely or even completely automated fashion.

Abstract: A method for rapidly adhering thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material to a void in a metallic surface, the method comprising placing a solid volume of a TPU over metallic surface; directing a laser toward the TPU; applying pressure on the TPU; and irradiating the TPU material until the material melts and adheres to the metallic surface. Some embodiments make use of a hand-held near-infrared radiation laser tool to irradiate the TPU material, the laser tool comprising a laser optics and fiber; a housing for holding said laser optics and fiber and maintaining a desired distance and orientation of the laser relative to the fastener to be filled; electronics for controlling said laser; a collimator; a beam expander; a laser shield; and a conformal dome or a flat pressure head for holding a solid portion of a filler material in place while the beam is used to melt the material and for applying pressure to the melted filler material.