Abstract: A modular textile printing apparatus is made up of multiple modules which are combined together. Each module has one rail for bearing a printing functional unit such as a print head. A second rail perpendicular to the first rail faces the first rail, and carries a printing tray or platen holding items to be printed. The tray moves along the rail. A third rail parallel to said second rail and facing away from the printing functional unit, is also for carrying the tray. The modules are connected together and the apparatus provides a starting point for loading and unloading the trays. The second rails are aligned with each other to form a continuous printing feed along the modules and the third rails are aligned to provide a return path after printing to the starting point for reloading.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine and associated method for making a part layerwise by firstly using additive manufacture to make a mold to define a space for the layer, and secondly filling the space with a paste to make a layer of the part. The machine comprises a first mold forming station with inkjet nozzles to form the mold using standard 3D printing, and a second paste dispensing station distanced from the first station, with a dispensing die slot for dispensing paste into the space to form a layer. The machine operates on multiple parts simultaneously, each being conveyed along a path through the stations.

Abstract: A layering device for preparation of layers being formed in additive manufacture, each layer formed by printing a mold wall to define a mold space and filling the mold space with a paste to form the layer. The layering device comprises a roller to press the mold wall from above to form a mold layer surface in a plane, a paste applicator and a blade to spread the paste to fill the mold space. The blade is aligned into the plane to smooth the paste flush with the mold layer surface.

Abstract: A novel process for printing high quality, high resolution, multi-color images on fibrous or porous materials or other ink absorbing materials, or on materials having high surface tension with a liquid ink, and especially over garments, is disclosed. The process is effected by applying a wetting composition, prior to, concomitant with and/or subsequent to applying an ink composition and formation of the images. Pre-printing and printing systems for executing the above process are further disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a product or a part for a product wherein the product or part is made in a process using additive manufacture and requires sintering, the method comprising producing a support component with a shape complementary to the product or part, in an associated process, also using additive manufacture; and supporting the product or part during sintering by fitting the product or part into the complementary shape prior to placing in the furnace for sintering.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for hardening a paste within walls of a mold, comprises a sealing hood that opens to a first position allowing paste to be applied within the mold and then closes to provide an airtight seal around the mold and the paste applied within the mold. Then a vacuum source evacuates air from the sealing hood in its closed position to apply a vacuum to the paste. The vacuum causes liquids to evaporate from the paste, and thus hardens the paste.

Abstract: A modular textile printing apparatus is made up of multiple modules which are combined together. Each module has one rail for bearing a printing functional unit such as a print head. A second rail perpendicular to the first rail faces the first rail, and carries a printing tray or platen holding items to be printed. The tray moves along the rail. A third rail parallel to said second rail and facing away from the printing functional unit, is also for carrying the tray. The modules are connected together and the apparatus provides a starting point for loading and unloading the trays. The second rails are aligned with each other to form a continuous printing feed along the modules and the third rails are aligned to provide a return path after printing to the starting point for reloading.

Abstract: A modular textile printing apparatus is made up of multiple modules which are combined together. Each module has one rail for bearing a printing functional unit such as a print head. A second rail perpendicular to the first rail faces the first rail, and carries a printing tray or platen holding items to be printed. The tray moves along the rail. A third rail parallel to said second rail and facing away from the printing functional unit, is also for carrying the tray. The modules are connected together and the apparatus provides a starting point for loading and unloading the trays. The second rails are aligned with each other to form a continuous printing feed along the modules and the third rails are aligned to provide a return path after printing to the starting point for reloading.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing a molded layered product comprises: printing a first mold to define one layer of the product; filling the first mold with a cast material, thereby forming a first layer; printing a second mold on top of the first layer to define a second layer; and filling the second mold, over the first layer, with a cast material. The cast material may be a paste. The alternative mold printing and casting are continued until a molded layered product or part product is formed.

Abstract: A novel process for printing high quality, high resolution, multi-color images on fibrous or porous materials or other ink absorbing materials, or on materials having high surface tension with a liquid ink, and especially over garments, is disclosed. The process is effected by applying a wetting composition, prior to, concomitant with and/or subsequent to applying an ink composition and formation of the images. Pre-printing and printing systems for executing the above process are further disclosed.

Abstract: A modular textile printing apparatus is made up of multiple modules which are combined together. Each module has one rail for bearing a printing functional unit such as a print head. A second rail perpendicular to the first rail faces the first rail, and carries a printing tray or platen holding items to be printed. The tray moves along the rail. A third rail parallel to said second rail and facing away from the printing functional unit, is also for carrying the tray. The modules are connected together and the apparatus provides a starting point for loading and unloading the trays. The second rails are aligned with each other to form a continuous printing feed along the modules and the third rails are aligned to provide a return path after printing to the starting point for reloading.

Abstract: A modular textile printing apparatus is made up of multiple modules which are combined together. Each module has one rail for bearing a printing functional unit such as a print head. A second rail perpendicular to the first rail faces the first rail, and carries a printing tray or platen holding items to be printed. The tray moves along the rail. A third rail parallel to said second rail and facing away from the printing functional unit, is also for carrying the tray. The modules are connected together and the apparatus provides a starting point for loading and unloading the trays. The second rails are aligned with each other to form a continuous printing feed along the modules and the third rails are aligned to provide a return path after printing to the starting point for reloading.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for digital printing of textiles with application of immobilization compound on the textile prior to printing. The method comprises, finding failed printing nozzles; carrying out immobilization of the textile without using at least some of the nozzles neighboring a failed printing nozzle; and printing the textile. The immobilization generally prevents the printing ink from running, so leaving out immobilization around the failed nozzle allows ink to seep into the unprinted gap. The immobilization however also stabilizes the ink, so one embodiment keeps some of the neighboring nozzles on during the immobilization.

Abstract: A modular textile printing apparatus is made up of multiple modules which are combined together. Each module has one rail for bearing a printing functional unit such as a print head. A second rail perpendicular to the first rail faces the first rail, and carries a printing tray or platen holding items to be printed. The tray moves along the rail. A third rail parallel to said second rail and facing away from the printing functional unit, is also for carrying the tray. The modules are connected together and the apparatus provides a starting point for loading and unloading the trays. The second rails are aligned with each other to form a continuous printing feed along the modules and the third rails are aligned to provide a return path after printing to the starting point for reloading.

Abstract: A printing machine and method for using the same, for printing seamless fabrics provided in tube form, the printing machine comprising a drum on which a tube of the fabric is fitted; and a print head placed in proximity to said drum to print onto the tube fabric as it rotates on the drum. The print head moves axially on the drum to advance the printing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for digital printing of textiles with application of immobilization compound on the textile prior to printing. The method comprises, finding failed printing nozzles; carrying out immobilization of the textile without using at least some of the nozzles neighboring a failed printing nozzle; and printing the textile. The immobilization generally prevents the printing ink from running, so leaving out immobilization around the failed nozzle allows ink to seep into the unprinted gap. The immobilization however also stabilizes the ink, so one embodiment keeps some of the neighboring nozzles on during the immobilization.

Abstract: A printing machine and method for using the same, for printing seamless fabrics provided in tube form, the printing machine comprising a drum on which a tube of the fabric is fitted; and a print head placed in proximity to said drum to print onto the tube fabric as it rotates on the drum. The print head moves axially on the drum to advance the printing.

Abstract: Novel processes for printing high quality, high resolution, multi-color images on darkly colored fibrous or porous materials or other ink absorbing materials, is disclosed. The processes are effected by digitally printing a layer of an opaque, lightly colored ink composition, followed by digitally printing the colored image thereon, and optionally further involve applying a wetting composition prior to and/or subsequent to these printings. Processes utilizing wetting compositions and/or liquid ink compositions which can interact therebetween so as to effect a chemical and/or physical change in one or more of these compositions are further disclosed.

Abstract: A wet on wet garment printing device for printing on a textile surface comprises: an ink holder; a printing head mounted for printing onto the textile surface using ink from the ink holder; a wetting applicator for wetting the locations prior to printing using a wetting composition; and an ink regulator configured to identify compatibility of ink in the holding unit with the wetting composition and to operate the wetting applicator only upon successful identification of compatibility.

Abstract: A textile printing machine includes a plurality of printing modules arranged in an m×n matrix, the matrix having m first rails in a transverse direction for supporting printing functional units such as print heads, and n second rails in a longitudinal direction for supporting printing trays that carry textiles to be printed, each module defining a meeting point for a textile printing related operation to take place. The matrix size is at least two by two and provides flexible linear printing sequences that are able to share resources such as print heads.