Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a structure having selectable piezoelectric properties via additive manufacturing. Such methods can include coupling an ultrasound generating device to a print head of the additive manufacturing apparatus; transmitting acoustic energy from the ultrasound generating device to the print head to vibrate the print head in an oscillatory manner; extruding a feed material from the print head; moving the print head in at least one dimension relative to a substrate on which the structure is being manufactured; and dispensing layers sequentially on top of each other to form the structure. Such systems can include an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising a print head movable in at least one dimension relative to a base configured to support the structure being produced; and an ultrasound generating device that is connected to the print head.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods utilize laser heating to improve the surface finish, dimensional tolerance, and material strength of objects constructed via fused filament fabrication,

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a structure having selectable piezoelectric properties via additive manufacturing. Such methods can include coupling an ultrasound generating device to a print head of the additive manufacturing apparatus; transmitting acoustic energy from the ultrasound generating device to the print head to vibrate the print head in an oscillatory manner; extruding a feed material from the print head; moving the print head in at least one dimension relative to a substrate on which the structure is being manufactured; and dispensing layers sequentially on top of each other to form the structure. Such systems can include an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising a print head movable in at least one dimension relative to a base configured to support the structure being produced; and an ultrasound generating device that is connected to the print head.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additive manufacturing. In some examples, a system includes a frame defining an interior volume and an overhead robotic arm suspended from a gantry on a ceiling of the frame. The system includes manufacturing subsystems located within the interior volume of the frame. The system includes a control system configured for controlling the overhead robotic arm for parts movement among additive manufacturing processes using the manufacturing subsystems. The manufacturing subsystems can include one or more of: a microassembly station, an aerosol jetting print station, an intense pulsed light (IPL) photonic sintering station, a fiber weaving station, and a 3D printing station.

Abstract: An intermittent material-tool interaction control enabling continuous deposition of solid metal voxels using local high-frequency, small-displacement oscillatory strain energy, and methods of use are presented. The present disclosure provides for a new type of manufacturing and method of additive manufacturing different from conventional three dimensional printing still capable of producing production-level parts. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a system and method for producing production-level quality parts of metal and the like, previously incapable in the state of the art or of extreme difficulty and expense.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an acoustic-energy deposition and repair system that includes at least one Directed Acoustic Energy Deposition (DAED) tool configured to apply acoustic energy to feedstock material in at least one of three vibrational modes; and a drive system to move the DAED tool in at least one of three-coordinate positions. In various examples, the acoustic-energy deposition and repair system further includes at least one in-situ metrology tool mounted proximal to the DAED tool to measure a grain size of deposited material. Other methods, devices, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an acoustic-energy deposition and repair system that includes at least one Directed Acoustic Energy Deposition (DAED) tool configured to apply acoustic energy to feedstock material in at least one of three vibrational modes; and a drive system to move the DAED tool in at least one of three-coordinate positions. In various examples, the acoustic-energy deposition and repair system further includes at least one in-situ metrology tool mounted proximal to the DAED tool to measure a grain size of deposited material. Other methods, devices, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An imprinting platform including a noble metal catalyst, a semiconductor substrate, and a pre-patterned polymer stamp, where the catalyst is attached to the stamp, and related methods and articles.

Abstract: Ultrasonic filament modeling systems and methods may be utilized to achieve room-temperature 3-D printing of solid (>95%) metal materials. A vibrating tool is applied to a metal filament to form a voxel, inducing mechanical deformation as well as inter-and intra-layer mass transport. Desired structures may be built on a voxel-by-voxel basis. Additionally, by varying the applied ultrasonic energy, the microstructure of the resulting structure may be controlled.

Abstract: An imprinting platform including a noble metal catalyst, a semiconductor substrate, and a pre-patterned polymer stamp, where the catalyst is attached to the stamp, and related methods and articles.

Abstract: A water outlet device includes a containment unit including a containment seat for containing liquid and having a water outlet hole, and a stopper movably disposed in the water outlet hole and capable of blocking the water outlet hole for preventing the liquid from flowing out thereof. A water outlet gate unit is disposed below the containment unit and includes a drive member that drives the stopper to move between a water stop position to block the water outlet hole and a water discharge position for allowing the liquid to flow through the water outlet hole. An automatic water dispenser having the water outlet device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an acoustic-energy deposition and repair system that includes at least one Directed Acoustic Energy Deposition (DAED) tool configured to apply acoustic energy to feedstock material in at least one of three vibrational modes; and a drive system to move the DAED tool in at least one of three-coordinate positions. In various examples, the acoustic-energy deposition and repair system further includes at least one in-situ metrology tool mounted proximal to the DAED tool to measure a grain size of deposited material. Other methods, devices, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Ultrasonic filament modeling systems and methods may be utilized to achieve room-temperature 3-D printing of solid (>95%) metal materials. A vibrating tool is applied to a metal filament to form a voxel, inducing mechanical deformation as well as inter-and intra-layer mass transport. Desired structures may be built on a voxel-by-voxel basis. Additionally, by varying the applied ultrasonic energy, the microstructure of the resulting structure may be controlled.

Abstract: Systems and methods for repairing a surface defect in a metallic substrate can have a transducer that generates acoustic energy and an acoustic energy coupling tool connected to the transducer. The acoustic energy coupling tool receives the acoustic energy from the transducer and oscillates at a frequency corresponding to a frequency of the acoustic energy. A filler material is provided within the surface defect and the oscillation of the acoustic energy coupling tool causes a deforming impact of the acoustic energy coupling tool with the filler material within the surface defect, such that the filler material conforms to at least a portion of an internal surface of the surface defect. Additionally, the acoustic energy coupling tool is used to irradiate the filler material while it is being deformed with the acoustic energy.

Abstract: Fused deposition modeling (FDM) systems and methods may be improved via laser pre-heating of the target substrate ahead of the extrusion nozzle. Higher interface temperatures lead to improved wetting, diffusion, and randomization, thus improving the bond between filaments and between layers, and reducing anisotropy in the resulting finished part.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a structure having selectable piezoelectric properties via additive manufacturing. Such methods can include coupling an ultrasound generating device to a print head of the additive manufacturing apparatus; transmitting acoustic energy from the ultrasound generating device to the print head to vibrate the print head in an oscillatory manner; extruding a feed material from the print head; moving the print head in at least one dimension relative to a substrate on which the structure is being manufactured; and dispensing layers sequentially on top of each other to form the structure. Such systems can include an additive manufacturing apparatus comprising a print head movable in at least one dimension relative to a base configured to support the structure being produced; and an ultrasound generating device that is connected to the print head.

Abstract: An imprinting platform including a noble metal catalyst, a semiconductor substrate, and a pre-patterned polymer stamp, where the catalyst is attached to the stamp, and related methods and articles.

Abstract: A system for producing a three-dimensional structure comprises a print head that is movable in one or more dimension and is configured to extrude a polymer melt for subsequently forming each layer of the three-dimensional structure, the polymer melt being formed from a filament; and an ultrasound generating device comprising a piezoelectric transducer and a horn coupled to the print head, the ultrasound generating device being configured to transmit acoustic energy to the print head to provide enhanced interlayer bonding between adjacent deposited layers of the three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A waterproof racket includes an annular skeleton, a receiving pocket having a pocket cavity, and a trampoline layer affixed to the receiving pocket. The annular skeleton is received in the pocket cavity to retain the receiving pocket in an annular configuration. The trampoline layer is affixed to a centerline of the receiving pocket, wherein the trampoline layer is stretched to form a trampoline surface in a tension manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for fabricating a metal or ceramic component using 3D printing. A 3D printed piece is created that includes a body of the component and a support structure. While the 3D printed piece is created using a single printing material, one or more processing parameters are adjusted while printing a first sacrificial interface region coupling the body of the component to the support structure. The body of the component is separated from the support structure by applying a chemical or electrochemical dissolution process to the 3D printed piece. The adjustment to the one or more processing parameters during printing of the first sacrificial interface region creates a localized area that is less resistant to the chemical or electrochemical dissolution process than the body of the component.