Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a 3D object from a plurality of media layers including processing a media layer to define a layer of the 3D object, said processing including: cutting the media layer to define the profile of the layer; printing the media layer to define the colour of the layer. The processing including the cutting and printing of the media layer is done in a common reference plane and a plurality of media layers are processed and assembled at the build location to form the object.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing device, for use in layered object manufacturing (LOM) systems for rapid prototyping of a 3 dimensional (3D) object, for the application of adhesive to a target substrate S defining a layer of a 3D object, the device comprising an adhesive applicator wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart recesses for receiving adhesive, the adhesive dispensing device being movable relative to the target substrate to deposit adhesive at selected locations thereon, wherein the adhesive dispensing device is mounted for translation relative to the target substrate via a pivot mount configured such that the wheel aligns with its direction of translation relative to the target substrate to deposit adhesive at the selected locations.

Abstract: Provided is an adhesive dispensing device for use in a Layered Object Manufacturing (LOM) system for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object, the device configured to apply adhesive to a plurality of object media layers each comprising a temporary region and a permanent region. A first adhesive is applied to the temporary regions and a second adhesive is applied to the permanent regions. Further provided are first and second adhesive formulations, a bonding module for bonding a plurality of individual object media layers using the first and second adhesives, and a LOM system comprising the bonding module. Also provided is a method for self-weeding of a LOM object.

Abstract: A desktop printing apparatus (100) for 3-D printing an object comprising: a print module (200) and a build module (300) provided in-line in a unitary housing. The print module comprising one or more print heads (230, 230?) for printing a portion of a medium (500) to define a media layer (701) of the object. The build module a build plate (310), and cutting means (321), bonding means and adhesive dispensing means (320) for building the 3D object from a plurality of media layers. The apparatus further comprising a medium transport passage defined in the housing between a medium input and medium output, and a transport means (160) to continuously transport the medium from the medium input along the medium transport passage through the print module for printing and subsequently to the build module for profiling and bonding to define a media layer of the object.

Abstract: A layered object manufacturing (LOM) system and method that provide controlled application of an adhesive onto multiple layers of a paper substrate to effect generation of a three dimensional object. The LOM system includes an adhesive reservoir, an adhesive dispenser, a paper feed mechanism, and a substrate grabber. The dispenser dispenses the adhesive from the reservoir onto the paper substrate at a build location. The paper feed mechanism feeds individual sheets of paper. The substrate grabber transports the sheets from the paper feed mechanism to a build object location to form layers of the paper substrate. The method successively binds individual paper sheets to one another using a water based adhesive applied to specific locations on each individual paper sheet. The method also includes separating scrap material from the three dimensional model and discarding the scrap material.

Abstract: A layered object manufacturing system is described. The system is one arrangement provides for the use of water based adhesives to bind successive layers of paper in generation of a three dimensional model. The paper can be provided in conventional paper sizes and is moveable within the system from a storage stack to a build object location, individual pages at a time. The system typically effects the application of adhesive onto the paper using an adhesive applicator wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart recesses for receiving adhesive. The wheel is rotatable to convey adhesive filled in one or more recesses to a target substrate and to deposit controlled amounts of adhesive at discrete points thereon.

Abstract: Provided is a Layered Object Manufacturing, LOM, system configured to assemble a plurality of individual media layers to form a colored three-dimensional (3D) object, the system comprising a printer configured to color print at least a portion of a first surface of each of a plurality of media layers, and color print a corresponding portion of a second surface of the media layer, the second surface being opposite to the first surface, such that on operably printing the second surface a print-through region in the media layer is provided, and a collator configured to assemble the plurality of the individual media layers to form the 3D object. Also provided is a color 3D object media layer printing module for providing a print-through region in a 3D object media layer. Also provided is an ink for use in a Layer Object Manufacturing (LOM) system including the printing module.

Abstract: Provided is an adhesive dispensing device for use in a Layered Object Manufacturing (LOM) system for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object, the device configured to apply adhesive to a plurality of object media layers each comprising a temporary region and a permanent region. A first adhesive is applied to the temporary regions and a second adhesive is applied to the permanent regions. Further provided are first and second adhesive formulations, a bonding module for bonding a plurality of individual object media layers using the first and second adhesives, and a LOM system comprising the bonding module. Also provided is a method for self-weeding of a LOM object.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing device, for use in layered object manufacturing (LOM) systems for rapid prototyping of a 3 dimensional (3D) object, for the application of adhesive to a target substrate S defining a layer of a 3D object, the device comprising an adhesive applicator wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart recesses for receiving adhesive, the adhesive dispensing device being movable relative to the target substrate to deposit adhesive at selected locations thereon, wherein the adhesive dispensing device is mounted for translation relative to the target substrate via a pivot mount configured such that the wheel aligns with its direction of translation relative to the target substrate to deposit adhesive at the selected locations.

Abstract: According to the disclosure there is provided a printing apparatus for 3-D printing an object. The 3D object comprises a layered object. The apparatus has a build module, having a build platform, an application head, and a print module. The application head forming an object layer and the print module including at least one printhead for applying colour to the layer of the build object. A method of manufacturing a 3D object comprising a plurality of layers is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a 3D printing apparatus (100) comprising: a printing module (200) comprising a print head for effecting printing of media layers at a print location; a build module (300) for receiving printed media layers (501A, 501B) from the print module and building the printed media layers to form a 3D object; and transport means (160) configured to transport media layers to the print location for effecting a printing of the media layers and to transport the printed media layers from the print location to the collator module. The printing and build modules are provided integrated in-line. The transport means provides continuous in-line transport of the media through the printing module to the build module.

Abstract: A desktop printing apparatus (100) for 3-D printing an object comprising: a print module (200) and a build module (300) provided in-line in a unitary housing. The print module comprising one or more print heads (230, 230?) for printing a portion of a medium (500) to define a media layer (701) of the object. The build module a build plate (310), and cutting means (321), bonding means and adhesive dispensing means (320) for building the 3D object from a plurality of media layers. The apparatus further comprising a medium transport passage defined in the housing between a medium input and medium output, and a transport means (160) to continuously transport the medium from the medium input along the medium transport passage through the print module for printing and subsequently to the build module for profiling and bonding to define a media layer of the object.

Abstract: Provided is a Layered Object Manufacturing, LOM, system configured to form a colored three-dimensional (3D) object, the system comprising: a 3D object gamut mapping module configured to define a 3D object formed from a plurality of surfaces and provide a printing regime consistent with the defined 3D object, wherein the 3D object gamut mapping module is configured to analyze the orientation of a surface of each of a plurality of media layers to be printed in order to adaptively modify the color printed to that layer; and a printer configured to color print at least a portion of a first surface of each of the plurality of layers in accordance with the printing regime. Also provided is a color 3D object media layer printing module for providing a print-through region in a 3D object media layer. Also provided is a 3D object gamut mapping method, and ink for use in a Layer Object Manufacturing (LOM) system including the printing module.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a 3D object from a plurality of media layers including processing a media layer to define a layer of the 3D object, said processing including: cutting the media layer to define the profile of the layer; printing the media layer to define the colour of the layer. The processing including the cutting and printing of the media layer is done in a common reference plane and a plurality of media layers are processed and assembled at the build location to form the object.

Abstract: According to the present specification there is provided a printing apparatus (100) for 3-D printing an object, the apparatus comprising a build module (200), having a build platform (300) and a print module (240). The print module comprises an input opening (210) for receiving a medium (110) and an output opening (220) through which the medium is applied to the object (500) being made on the build platform (300). The medium comprises a metal material, the metal material being provided in bead or wire form. The print module further comprises an application head (240) operable to directly join the medium to the build object, wherein the application head comprises an ultrasonic head operable to weld the medium to the build object.

Abstract: A layered object manufacturing system is described. The system is one arrangement provides for the use of water based adhesives to bind successive layers of paper in generation of a three dimensional model. The paper can be provided in conventional paper sizes and is moveable within the system from a storage stack to a build object location, individual pages at a time. The system typically effects the application of adhesive onto the paper using an adhesive applicator wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart recesses for receiving adhesive. The wheel is rotatable to convey adhesive filled in one or more recesses to a target substrate and to deposit controlled amounts of adhesive at discrete points thereon.

Abstract: A layered object manufacturing system is described. The system in one arrangement provides for the use of water based adhesives to bind successive layers of paper in generation of a three dimensional model. The paper can be provided in conventional paper sizes and is moveable within the system from a storage stack to a build object location, individual pages at a time. The system typically effects the application of adhesive onto the paper using an adhesive applicator wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart recesses for receiving adhesive. The wheel is rotatable to convey adhesive filled in one or more recesses to a targetsubstrate and to deposit controlled amounts of adhesive at discrete points thereon.

Abstract: A method of forming a flexible or resilient 3D object, the method including: providing a 3D object, the 3D object comprising a plurality of media layers assembled together to form the object, wherein the media layers are of a porous material; providing a post treatment post; applying a post treatment formulation to the object or portions of the object to render the object or portions of the object resilient or flexible.

Abstract: A layered object manufacturing system is described. The system in one arrangement provides for the use of water based adhesives to bind successive layers of paper in generation of a three dimensional model. The paper can be provided in conventional paper sizes and is moveable within the system from a storage stack to a build object location, individual pages at a time. The system typically effects the application of adhesive onto the paper using an adhesive applicator wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart recesses for receiving adhesive. The wheel is rotatable to convey adhesive filled in one or more recesses to a targetsubstrate and to deposit controlled amounts of adhesive at discrete points thereon.

Abstract: A layered object manufacturing system is described. The system in one arrangement provides for the use of water based adhesives to bind successive layers of paper in generation of a three dimensional model. The paper can be provided in conventional paper sizes and is moveable within the system from a storage stack to a build object location, individual pages at a time. The system typically effects the application of adhesive onto the paper using an adhesive applicator wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart recesses for receiving adhesive. The wheel is rotatable to convey adhesive filled in one or more recesses to a target substrate and to deposit controlled amounts of adhesive at discrete points thereon.