Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to cutting tool assemblies, cutting tool mounting assemblies, material-removing machines that include cutting tool assemblies and/or cutting tool mounting assemblies, and methods of use and operation thereof. In some embodiments, the various assemblies described herein may be used in material-removing machines that may remove target material.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method of designing a mold, the mold being at least part of a unitary body to be formed from a plurality of layers by 3D printing, the method including defining an inner surface of the mold corresponding to at least part of an outer surface of an object to be molded in the mold; selecting a first material from which at least part of the mold is to be printed; and selecting a second material from which at least another part of the mold is to be printed, the second material having a higher thermal and/or electrical conductivity than the first material, wherein at least one of the layers from which the mold is to be formed by 3D printing includes areas to be printed from each of the first and second materials.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method of molding an object by infiltrating a matrix material with an infiltration material, the method including providing first and second zones of respective different first and second matrix materials arranged substantially adjacent to each other in a mold, including forming a transition region between the two zones through which the composition of the material in the transition region is gradually varied from the composition of the first matrix material adjacent the first zone to the composition of the second matrix material near the second zone.

Abstract: A reaming tool includes a tubular body having an axial cavity and a plurality of housings. Each of the housings has an opening through a periphery of the tubular body. A cutter element is positioned in each of the housings, and the cutter element is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A drive mechanism is positioned within the tubular body and is movable relative to the tubular body to extend or retract each cutter element. A gap is defined between the drive mechanism and the tubular body. A carbon nanotube forest is coupled to one of the drive mechanism and the tubular body to reduce or prevent accumulation of particles in the gap.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method of designing a mold, the mold being at least part of a unitary body to be formed from a plurality of layers by 3D printing, the method comprising: defining an inner surface of the mold corresponding to at least part of an outer surface of an object to be molded in the mold; selecting a first material from which at least part of the mold is to be printed; and selecting a second material from which at least another part of the mold is to be printed, the second material having a higher thermal and/or electrical conductivity than the first material, wherein at least one of the layers from which the mold is to be formed by 3D printing includes areas to be printed from each of the first and second materials.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method of designing a mold, the mold being at least part of a unitary body to be formed from a plurality of layers by 3D printing, the method comprising: defining an inner surface of the mold corresponding to at least part of an outer surface of an object to be molded in the mold; selecting a first material from which at least part of the mold is to be printed; and selecting a second material from which at least another part of the mold is to be printed, the second material having a higher thermal and/or electrical conductivity than the first material, wherein at least one of the layers from which the mold is to be formed by 3D printing includes areas to be printed from each of the first and second materials.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method of printing a printed body to be formed from a plurality of layers by 3D printing, the method comprising: depositing a plurality of layers of material, the material in the layers being bonded to form a body from the layers, the body including a mold that at least partially defines a mold cavity having an inner surface substantially corresponding to at least a portion of the external surface of an object to be molded in the mold cavity, wherein: the object to be molded is to be formed by infiltrating a matrix material held in the mold cavity with an infiltration material; and the body includes at least a portion of the matrix material to be held in the mold cavity, the at least a portion of the matrix material being deposited and bonded in the plurality of layers during printing of the body.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method of molding an object by infiltrating a matrix material with an infiltration material, the method including providing first and second zones of respective different first and second matrix materials arranged substantially adjacent to each other in a mold, including forming a transition region between the two zones through which the composition of the material in the transition region is gradually varied from the composition of the first matrix material adjacent the first zone to the composition of the second matrix material near the second zone.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method of designing a mold assembly including a container (300) and a mold (200), at least portions of an outer surface of the mold corresponding to an inner surface of the container such that the container will support the mold therein, in use of the mold for molding an object, the mold assembly defining a mold cavity (252) substantially corresponding to the outer shape of the object to be molded, wherein one or more portions of the mold cavity are defined by the inner surface of the container.