Abstract: A series of fused pentacyclic imidazole derivatives, being potent modulators of human TNFa activity, are accordingly of benefit in the treatment and/or prevention of various human ailments, including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders; neurological and neurodegenerative disorders; pain and nociceptive disorders; cardiovascular disorders; metabolic disorders; ocular disorders; and oncological disorders. In particular, the present invention is concerned with 6, 7-dihydro-7, 14-methanobenzimidazo[1, 2-b][2,5]benzodiazocin-5(14H)-one derivatives and analogs thereof.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system includes a resin vessel, a light engine, a movement mechanism, a fixture, and a controller. The resin vessel is for containing a photocurable resin and has a lower portion with a transparent sheet. The light engine is configured to selectively project radiation up through the transparent sheet and over a build plane. The fixture is coupled to the movement mechanism and has a lower face that faces the transparent sheet. The controller is configured to operate the light engine to solidify a particle trapping sheet proximate to the build plane thereby trapping particles that extend upwardly from the transparent sheet into the build plane.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system includes a resin vessel, a light engine, a movement mechanism, a fixture, and a controller. The resin vessel is for containing a photocurable resin and has a lower portion with a transparent sheet. The light engine is configured to selectively project radiation up through the transparent sheet and over a build plane. The fixture is coupled to the movement mechanism and has a lower face that faces the transparent sheet. The controller is configured to operate the light engine to solidify a particle trapping sheet proximate to the build plane thereby trapping particles that extend upwardly from the transparent sheet into the build plane.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system includes a print engine, a fixture, and a controller. The print engine further includes a vessel, a light engine, and a movement mechanism. The vessel is for containing a photocurable resin and has a lower portion with a transparent sheet defining a lower surface of the vessel. The light engine is configured to project radiation up through the transparent sheet over a lateral build plane which defines a maximum addressable lateral range of the light engine. The fixture has a lower face that faces downwardly. The controller is configured to: (1) position the lower face of the fixture at the build plane, and (2) operate the light engine and movement mechanism to solidify a particle trapping sheet proximate to the transparent sheet and substantially spanning the build plane and to thereby trap particles that are present along the build plane.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system includes a controller that is configured to (1) receive an incoming slice data array that defines an initial two dimensional object having an initial outer boundary; (2) process the incoming slice data array to define a simple outer boundary whereby if the object has two portions defining a channel therebetween, the channel is reduced or eliminated thereby reducing a perimeter of the outer boundary. In one embodiment the object is two objects. If the channel is defined between the two objects, then the processing merges the two objects. If the channel is a concave recess within one object, then the processing reduces the depth of or eliminates the concave recess.

Abstract: Methods of 3D printing an object with reduced curl on at least one surface that contacts a print plate are described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a method of 3D printing an object comprises depositing build material to form a first layer of a 3D printed object and depositing build material in a predetermined pattern to form a first layer of a skirt in contact with the 3D printed object. Depositing build material to form the first layer of the skirt comprises 3D printing a first layer of a sidewalk that substantially surrounds at least a portion of a perimeter of the 3D printed object and 3D printing a first layer of a perforated interface between the sidewalk and the perimeter of the skirt.

Abstract: In one aspect, adhesives for use with a 3D printer are described herein. In some embodiments, an adhesive for use with a 3D printer comprises a first polymeric component comprising a poly(vinyl alcohol) and a second polymeric component. The poly(vinyl alcohol), in some embodiments, comprises amorphous poly(vinyl alcohol). In some embodiments, the second polymeric component comprises a water-soluble polymer. Further, in some embodiments, an adhesive described herein further comprises a solvent, a surfactant, and/or a preservative.

Abstract: There is provided a support structure for use with 3D printing of objects from computer-aided designs. The support structures include fine points that contact the down-facing surfaces of the 3D object being printed in order to adequately support the 3D object while also being adapted for easy removal after the 3D print process is complete. The fine points are possible by controlling the operation of the dispenser to provide a precise amount of material in a precise location. The dispenser jumps from a first fine point to a second fine point by retracting the print material after the first fine point is printed and then moving the dispenser vertically relative to the first fine point before the dispenser is moved horizontally to the second fine point.

Abstract: Methods of 3D printing an object with reduced curl on at least one surface that contacts a print plate are described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a method of 3D printing an object comprises depositing build material to form a first layer of a 3D printed object and depositing build material in a predetermined pattern to form a first layer of a skirt in contact with the 3D printed object. Depositing build material to form the first layer of the skirt comprises 3D printing a first layer of a sidewalk that substantially surrounds at least a portion of a perimeter of the 3D printed object and 3D printing a first layer of a perforated interface between the sidewalk and the perimeter of the skirt.

Abstract: In one aspect, adhesives for use with a 3D printer are described herein. In some embodiments, an adhesive for use with a 3D printer comprises a first polymeric component comprising a poly(vinyl alcohol) and a second polymeric component. The poly(vinyl alcohol), in some embodiments, comprises amorphous poly(vinyl alcohol). In some embodiments, the second polymeric component comprises a water-soluble polymer. Further, in some embodiments, an adhesive described herein further comprises a solvent, a surfactant, and/or a preservative.

Abstract: There is provided solid imaging methods and apparatus for making three-dimensional objects from solid imaging material. A tray with a film bottom is provided to hold solid imaging material that is selectively cured into cross-sections of the three-dimensional object being built. A coater bar is moved back and forth over the film to remove any uncured solid imaging material from a previous layer and to apply a new layer of solid imaging material. A sensor is provided to measure the amount of resin in the tray to determine the appropriate amount of solid imaging material to be added, from a cartridge, for the next layer. A shuttle, which covers the tray when the exterior door to the solid imaging apparatus is opened for setting up a build or removing a three-dimensional object, can also be used to move the coater bar and to selectively open one or more valves on the cartridge to dispense the desired amount of solid imaging material.

Abstract: In one aspect, adhesives for use with a 3D printer are described herein. In some embodiments, an adhesive for use with a 3D printer comprises a first polymeric component comprising a poly(vinyl alcohol) and a second polymeric component. The poly(vinyl alcohol), in some embodiments, comprises amorphous poly(vinyl alcohol). In some embodiments, the second polymeric component comprises a water-soluble polymer. Further, in some embodiments, an adhesive described herein further comprises a solvent, a surfactant, and/or a preservative.

Abstract: There is provided solid imaging methods and apparatus for making three-dimensional objects from solid imaging material. A tray with a film bottom is provided to hold solid imaging material that is selectively cured into cross-sections of the three-dimensional object being built. A coater bar is moved back and forth over the film to remove any uncured solid imaging material from a previous layer and to apply a new layer of solid imaging material. A sensor is provided to measure the amount of resin in the tray to determine the appropriate amount of solid imaging material to be added, from a cartridge, for the next layer. A shuttle, which covers the tray when the exterior door to the solid imaging apparatus is opened for setting up a build or removing a three-dimensional object, can also be used to move the coater bar and to selectively open one or more valves on the cartridge to dispense the desired amount of solid imaging material.

Abstract: In one aspect, adhesives for use with a 3D printer are described herein. In some embodiments, an adhesive for use with a 3D printer comprises a first polymeric component comprising a poly(vinyl alcohol) and a second polymeric component. The poly(vinyl alcohol), in some embodiments, comprises amorphous poly(vinyl alcohol). In some embodiments, the second polymeric component comprises a water-soluble polymer. Further, in some embodiments, an adhesive described herein further comprises a solvent, a surfactant, and/or a preservative.

Abstract: There is provided a support structure for use with 3D printing of objects from computer-aided designs. The support structures include fine points that contact the down-facing surfaces of the 3D object being printed in order to adequately support the 3D object while also being adapted for easy removal after the 3D print process is complete. The fine points are possible by controlling the operation of the dispenser to provide a precise amount of material in a precise location. The dispenser jumps from a first fine point to a second fine point by retracting the print material after the first fine point is printed and then moving the dispenser vertically relative to the first fine point before the dispenser is moved horizontally to the second fine point.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a frame and a maintenance sled movably coupled to the frame. The maintenance sled includes a carrier engagement member. A printhead carrier is coupled to the frame. A carrier motor is drivably coupled to the printhead carrier. A controller is coupled to the carrier motor. The controller controls the carrier motor to drive the printhead carrier at a first velocity and at a second velocity. The second velocity is lower than the first velocity. The printhead carrier is controlled to move at the first velocity toward the maintenance sled, wherein prior to the printhead carrier contacting the carrier engagement member of the maintenance sled, the printhead carrier is decelerated from the first velocity to the second velocity.

Abstract: A method of performing periodic maintenance on a printhead in an ink jet printer, includes the steps of: applying electrical power to the ink jet printer at a start time; determining an elapsed time since the start time; comparing the elapsed time with a determinate time period; and performing a printhead maintenance routine, after the elapsed time reaches the determinate time period, and independent of usage of the printhead.

Abstract: A method of performing printhead maintenance firing in an ink jet printer that has a printhead carrier that carries an ink jet printhead, the ink jet printer having a waste ink receptacle, includes the steps of decelerating the printhead carrier from a first velocity after printing print data; and controlling a firing of the printhead during the decelerating in accordance with maintenance data so that ink droplets ejected from the printhead during the decelerating are received by the waste ink receptacle.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a housing having a cartridge exchange opening, and a printhead carrier system contained in the housing. The printhead carrier system has a printhead carrier. A cover is pivotably attached to the housing. The cover has an engagement surface. When the cover is in a closed position the cartridge exchange opening is not exposed. A switch unit has a switch actuator and a switch. The engagement surface of the cover is positioned to engage the switch actuator when the cover is in the closed position. The switch actuator is configured with a button that is accessible by a user to facilitate manual manipulation of the switch actuator by a force applied to the button by the user. The printhead carrier is positioned based on an output of the switch.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a maintenance station mounting a printhead wiper having a waste ink collection surface. A printhead carrier carries a printhead and a printhead wiper cleaning mechanism for cleaning the printhead wiper. The printhead wiper cleaning mechanism includes a hook member for contacting the waste ink collection surface of the printhead wiper for removing residual waste ink from the waste ink accumulation surface as the printhead wiper cleaning mechanism moves relative to the printhead wiper.