Abstract: An apparatus for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic material, includes a lower support conveying and contacting electrode structure, an upper contacting electrode structure positioned above the lower support structure, and one or more DC bias voltage sources connected to one or both of the upper contacting structure and the lower support structure. A process for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic sheets or substrates includes heating the sheet or substrate, feeding the sheet or substrate continuously or continually, while applying a DC voltage bias, and cooling the sheet or substrate to within 0-30° C. of ambient temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic material, includes a lower support conveying and contacting electrode structure, an upper contacting electrode structure positioned above the lower support structure, and one or more DC bias voltage sources connected to one or both of the upper contacting structure and the lower support structure. A process for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic sheets or substrates includes heating the sheet or substrate, feeding the sheet or substrate continuously or continually, while applying a DC voltage bias, and cooling the sheet or substrate to within 0-30° C. of ambient temperature.

Abstract: A glass substrate according to one or more embodiments is disclosed. The glass substrate includes an alkali-containing bulk, at least one first alkali-depleted region, and at least one second alkali-depleted region. The alkali-containing bulk has a first surface and a second surfaces with the first and second surfaces opposing one another. The at least one first alkali-depleted region extends into the alkali-containing bulk from the first surface. The at least one second alkali-depleted region extends into the alkali-containing bulk from the second surface. The first alkali-depleted region and the second alkali-depleted region are amorphous and have a substantially homogenous composition. The first alkali-depleted region in some embodiments is a first alkali-depleted surface layer that extends across the alkali-containing bulk. The first alkali-depleted region in some embodiments is plurality of first alkali-depleted regions that are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing hot glass during 3D printing includes a crucible with a cylindrical barrel open at a proximal end and an aperture at a distal end, a holder-actuator to hold a glass rod feedstock and move the feedstock into and within the barrel, a first heater on or adjacent the outer surface of the barrel, and a second heater on or adjacent the outer surface of the barrel energized independently, and positioned proximally, of the first heater. A method of dispensing glass during 3D printing includes feeding a glass rod feedstock into the proximal, open end of a crucible having an aperture at its distal end while maintaining the crucible at a first position within a first temperature range and maintaining the crucible at second position, proximal of the first position, within a second temperature range lower than the first temperature range.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic material, includes a lower support conveying and contacting electrode structure, an upper contacting electrode structure positioned above the lower support structure, and one or more DC bias voltage sources connected to one or both of the upper contacting structure and the lower support structure. A process for continuous electro-thermal poling of glass or glass ceramic sheets or substrates includes heating the sheet or substrate, feeding the sheet or substrate continuously or continually, while applying a DC voltage bias, and cooling the sheet or substrate to within 0-30° C. of ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method of printing a 3D object includes feeding one or more preformed materials from a feed outlet into a build zone in which a hot spot is located and using the hot spot to selectively heat the one or more preformed materials to a viscous state. Object layers are formed by depositing portions of the preformed materials on a build surface, or on another object layer on the build surface, while effecting relative motion between the build surface and the feed outlet.

Abstract: A glass article manufacturing system (10) includes a crucible (38) that defines a barrel (46) and a nozzle (54). The barrel (46) accepts a glass feedstock (62). A heater 66 is in thermal communication with the nozzle (54). The heater 66 heats the feedstock (62) within the nozzle (54). An actuator (22) is positioned proximate the barrel (46) and extrudes the feedstock (62) through the nozzle (54) as extruded feedstock.

Abstract: A apparatus for making a three-dimensional object that includes: a gripping fixture having a grip surface or a pedestal having a build surface, the grip or build surface configured to hold an end of a contiguous, preformed material; a feed system having a feed outlet positioned above the grip or build surface, the feed system configured to feed the contiguous, preformed material into a build zone between the feed outlet and the grip or build surface; and a laser delivery system arranged to direct at least one laser beam through the furnace and into the build zone to form a hot spot in the build zone; and a positioning system arranged to effect relative motion between the grip or build surface and the feed outlet. In some implementations, the apparatus for making a 3D object can also include a furnace enclosing the build zone and the feed outlet.

Abstract: A apparatus for making a three-dimensional object (glass, glass ceramic or ceramic) that includes: a gripping fixture 102a having a grip surface or a pedestal 102 having a build surface 130, the grip or build surface configured to hold an end of a contiguous, preformed material 106, such as a fiber or a ribbon; a feed system 100 having a feed outlet 118 positioned above the grip or build surface, the feed system configured to feed the contiguous, preformed material into a build zone between the feed outlet and the grip or build surface; and a laser delivery system 134 arranged to direct at least one laser beam through the furnace 132 and into the build zone to form a hot spot 126 in the build zone; and a positioning system 120 arranged to effect relative motion between the grip or build surface and the feed outlet. In some implementations, the apparatus for making a 3D object can also include a furnace 132 enclosing the build zone and the feed outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fiber feeding system to deposit a fiber on an edge of the glass article and a laser system. The laser system is positioned to project a first and a second laser beam onto a first and a second side of the fiber, respectively. The laser system is positioned to project a third laser beam onto the edge of the glass article. A method includes advancing a glass article relative to a fiber; positioning the fiber in relation to an edge of the glass article, contacting a first side of the fiber with a first laser beam, contacting a second side of the fiber with a second laser beam, depositing the fiber on the edge of the glass article, and contacting the edge of the glass article with a third laser beam.

Abstract: A apparatus for making a three-dimensional object (glass, glass ceramic or ceramic) that includes: a gripping fixture 102a having a grip surface or a pedestal 102 having a build surface 130, the grip or build surface configured to hold an end of a contiguous, preformed material 106, such as a fiber or a ribbon; a feed system 100 having a feed outlet 118 positioned above the grip or build surface, the feed system configured to feed the contiguous, preformed material into a build zone between the feed outlet and the grip or build surface; and a laser delivery system 134 arranged to direct at least one laser beam through the furnace 132 and into the build zone to form a hot spot 126 in the build zone; and a positioning system 120 arranged to effect relative motion between the grip or build surface and the feed outlet. In some implementations, the apparatus for making a 3D object can also include a furnace 132 enclosing the build zone and the feed outlet.

Abstract: A method of printing a 3D object includes feeding one or more preformed materials from a feed outlet into a build zone in which a hot spot is located and using the hot spot to selectively heat the one or more preformed materials to a viscous state. Object layers are formed by depositing portions of the preformed materials on a build surface, or on another object layer on the build surface, while effecting relative motion between the build surface and the feed outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fiber feeding system to deposit a fiber on an edge of the glass article and a laser system. The laser system is positioned to project a first and a second laser beam onto a first and a second side of the fiber, respectively. The laser system is positioned to project a third laser beam onto the edge of the glass article. A method includes advancing a glass article relative to a fiber; positioning the fiber in relation to an edge of the glass article, contacting a first side of the fiber with a first laser beam, contacting a second side of the fiber with a second laser beam, depositing the fiber on the edge of the glass article, and contacting the edge of the glass article with a third laser beam.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pulling roll for drawing glass sheet in a down-draw process includes a shaft member and a compliant cover assembly positioned on the shaft member. The compliant cover assembly includes at least one traction disk positioned on the shaft member. The at least one traction disk includes an annular hub and a plurality of spring elements integrally formed with the annular hub. The spring elements project outward from the annular hub such that an end of each spring element is positioned radially outward from a base of each spring element and is circumferentially offset relative to the base of each spring element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pulling roll for drawing glass sheet in a down-draw process includes a shaft member and a compliant cover assembly positioned on the shaft member. The compliant cover assembly includes at least one traction disk positioned on the shaft member. The at least one traction disk includes an annular hub and a plurality of spring elements integrally formed with the annular hub. The spring elements project outward from the annular hub such that an end of each spring element is positioned radially outward from a base of each spring element and is circumferentially offset relative to the base of each spring element.