Abstract: Calibration and control of a 3D printing device is disclosed. In one aspect, sensor-based feedback may be used to iteratively determine and align line height calibration settings of the 3D printing device. In another aspect, the 3D printing device may include an instruction pre-processor to detect placeholder data in received machine instructions and to replace the placeholder data with instructions that are executable by the 3D printing device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to three-dimensionally printed articles for use in footwear and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a closed-cell foam. The closed-cell foam may have a gradient in and/or may be a single integrated material. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a sensor. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the production of improved articles of footwear and/or customized articles of footwear.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the printing of materials, using 3-dimensional printing and other printing techniques, including the use of one or more mixing nozzles, and/or multi-axis control over the translation and/or rotation of the print head or the substrate onto which materials are printed. In some embodiments, a material may be prepared by extruding material through print head comprising a nozzle, such as a microfluidic printing nozzle, which may be used to mix materials within the nozzle and direct the resulting product onto a substrate. The print head and/or the substrate may be configured to be translated and/or rotated, for example, using a computer or other controller, in order to control the deposition of material onto the substrate.

Abstract: Calibration and control of a 3D printing device is disclosed. In one aspect, sensor-based feedback may be used to iteratively determine and align line height calibration settings of the 3D printing device. In another aspect, the 3D printing device may include an instruction pre-processor to detect placeholder data in received machine instructions and to replace the placeholder data with instructions that are executable by the 3D printing device.

Abstract: A method include obtaining model data specifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. The method also includes generating first machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a first portion of a physical model of the object by depositing material using a syringe extruder. The first machine instructions indicate a first value of a pressure setting, the pressure setting indicating a pressure to be applied to the syringe extruder. The method also includes generating second machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a second portion of the physical model of the object by depositing material using the syringe extruder. The second machine instructions indicate a second value of the pressure setting, the second value different from the first value.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer device includes a first extruder configured to deposit a material on a deposition platform, an actuator coupled to at least one of the first extruder or the deposition platform, and a controller coupled to the actuator. The controller is configured to cause the first extruder to deposit a first portion of the material corresponding to a first portion of a physical model. The controller may be configured to cause the first extruder to be cleaned, purged, or both, after the first extruder deposits the first portion of the material. The controller may be configured to cause the first extruder to deposit a second portion of the material after the first extruder is cleaned. The second portion of the material corresponds to a second portion of the physical model.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining first model data specifying a first three-dimensional (3D) model of a first object and obtaining second model data specifying a second 3D model of a second object. The first model data indicates a location of the first 3D model relative to a model space and the second model data indicates a location of the second 3D model relative to the model space, where the second 3D model intersects the first 3D model in the model space. The method further includes processing the first model data and the second model data to generate machine instructions executable by a 3D printing device to generate a physical model of the first object, the physical model defining a void region to receive a physical instance of the second object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer device includes an extruder configured to deposit a material on a deposition platform, an actuator coupled to at least one of the extruder or the deposition platform, and a controller coupled to the actuator. The controller is configured to cause the extruder to deposit a first portion of the material corresponding to a first line, and after depositing a second portion of the material corresponding to a first end of the first line, to cause relative motion of the extruder and the deposition platform such that the extruder moves back along the first line while the extruder concurrently moves away from the deposition platform.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise methods and systems for modifying the geometry data of a CAD object through modification of an arbitrary cross section, the CAD object being stored within a computer aided design modeling system. The method includes receiving, from a user the position and orientation of a cross section plane, the cross section plane being arbitrarily positioned relative to the orientation of a CAD object, and wherein the arbitrarily positioned and oriented plane is intersecting the CAD object. The CAD system generates a user modifiable two dimensional cross section from the intersection of the cross section plane and the CAD object, the cross section having a plurality user modifiable control elements. Changes to the control elements are correspondingly made to the cross section plane and the CAD object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise methods and systems for modifying the geometry data of a CAD object through modification of an arbitrary cross section, the CAD object being stored within a computer aided design modeling system. The method includes receiving, from a user the position and orientation of a cross section plane, the cross section plane being arbitrarily positioned relative to the orientation of a CAD object, and wherein the arbitrarily positioned and oriented plane is intersecting the CAD object. The CAD system generates a user modifiable two dimensional cross section from the intersection of the cross section plane and the CAD object, the cross section having a plurality user modifiable control elements. Changes to the control elements are correspondingly made to the cross section plane and the CAD object.