Abstract: A system for producing a tangible object. The system has a space which can be filled with a fluid. A reference platform at least partially defines at least one side of the space. The system further has a phase-transformer which can form a layer of the object by selectively transforming the fluid into a solid in a predetermined area of the space. An actuator can separate the layer from the reference platform by moving the layer relative to the reference platform or vice versa. The system has a controller connected with an actuator control output to the actuator and/or with a transformer control output to the phase transformer. The controller can control the production of the object based on a determined value of the force exerted on the reference platform or the solid or of a parameter related to the force.

Abstract: A method and droplet selection device are provided for a continuous printer for selectively deflecting a droplet from a predetermined printing trajectory. In particular, a droplet selection device is provided for a continuous printer, comprising a droplet ejection system arranged to generate a continuous stream of droplets from a first fluid jetted out of an outlet channel; and a jet system arranged to generate a second jet for colliding the jet into the stream of droplets. The jet system comprises a deflector to selectively deflect the second jet into the continuous stream of droplets, so as to selectively deflect the droplets from a predefined printing trajectory.

Abstract: A method cycle of a method for layerwise production of a tangible object (5) comprises the successive steps of: solidifying predetermined parts of a liquid so as to obtain a solid layer (14) having a predetermined shape; separating said solid layer from a construction shape (6); and moving, relative to one another, the separated solid layer and the construction shape to a predetermined position relative to one another. Solidifying is carried out such that the solid layer and the construction shape have nonmatching shapes in the sense that all surface portions of a solid layer side (70) that are or have been in contact with a liquid contacting side (11) of the construction shape can not simultaneously be brought in full contacting engagement with the liquid contacting side.

Abstract: A method cycle of a method for layerwise production of a tangible object (5) comprises the steps of:—solidifying a predetermined area of a layer (10) of a liquid (3) when said liquid layer (10) is adjoining a construction shape, so as to obtain a solid layer (14) of the tangible object (5);—separating said solid layer from said construction shape; and—moving, relative to one another, the separated solid layer and the construction shape to a predetermined position relative to one another for carrying out a successive such method cycle, so as to obtain a successive such solid layer adhered to the solid layer. For at least one of said method cycles, said solidifying and said separating are carried out such that solidifying of certain parts of the layer (14) takes place simultaneously with separating of other, already solidified parts of the layer.

Abstract: A method and droplet selection device are provided for a continuous printer for selectively ejecting a second droplet and to have it collided with a predefined first droplet. In particular, the device comprises a first droplet ejection system arranged to generate a continuous stream of first droplets from a fluid jetted out of an outlet channel; and a second droplet ejection system arranged to generate second droplets for colliding the second droplets into the first droplets so as to selectively deflect the first droplets from a predefined printing trajectory. The second droplet ejection system comprises a control circuit to selectively eject the second droplet and to have it collided with a predefined first droplet.

Abstract: A method cycle of a method for layerwise production of a tangible object (5) comprises the successive steps of: solidifying a predetermined area of a layer (10) of a liquid (3), said liquid layer adjoining a construction shape (6), so as to obtain a solid layer (14) having a predetermined shape; separating said solid layer from said construction shape; and moving the separated solid layer and the construction shape to a predetermined position relative to one another for letting the liquid flow-in between the separated solid layer and the construction shape. Reduced pressure is applied to at least one fluid, such as the liquid (3).

Abstract: A method and droplet selection device are provided for a continuous printer for selectively ejecting a second droplet and to have it collided with a predefined first droplet. In particular, the device comprises a first droplet ejection system arranged to generate a continuous stream of first droplets from a fluid jetted out of an outlet channel; and a second droplet ejection system arranged to generate second droplets for colliding the second droplets into the first droplets so as to selectively deflect the first droplets from a predefined printing trajectory. The second droplet ejection system comprises a control circuit to selectively eject the second droplet and to have it collided with a predefined first droplet.

Abstract: A method and droplet selection device are provided for a continuous printer for selectively deflecting a droplet from a predetermined printing trajectory. In particular, a droplet selection device is provided for a continuous printer, comprising a droplet ejection system arranged to generate a continuous stream of droplets from a first fluid jetted out of an outlet channel; and a jet system arranged to generate a second jet for colliding the jet into the stream of droplets. The jet system comprises a deflector to selectively deflect the second jet into the continuous stream of droplets, so as to selectively deflect the droplets from a predefined printing trajectory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising an actuator for converting between mechanical and electrical energy comprising an electro-active polymer or electro-active polymer composition, wherein the stiffness of the actuator at or near a first surface or part thereof differs from the stiffness at or near a second surface or part thereof, or wherein the stiffness of the actuator at or near a first extremity differs from the stiffness at or near a second extremity.

Abstract: A method cycle of a method for layerwise production of a tangible object (5) comprises the steps of: —solidifying a predetermined area of a layer (10) of a liquid (3) when said liquid layer (10) is adjoining a construction shape, so as to obtain a solid layer (14) of the tangible object (5); —separating said solid layer from said construction shape; and —moving, relative to one another, the separated solid layer and the construction shape to a predetermined position relative to one another for carrying out a successive such method cycle, so as to obtain a successive such solid layer adhered to the solid layer. For at least one of said method cycles, said solidifying and said separating are carried out such that solidifying of certain parts of the layer (14) takes place simultaneously with separating of other, already solidified parts of the layer.

Abstract: A method cycle of a method for layerwise production of a tangible object (5) comprises the successive steps of: solidifying predetermined parts of a liquid so as to obtain a solid layer (14) having a predetermined shape; separating said solid layer from a construction shape (6); and moving, relative to one another, the separated solid layer and the construction shape to a predetermined position relative to one another. Solidifying is carried out such that the solid layer and the construction shape have nonmatching shapes in the sense that all surface portions of a solid layer side (70) that are or have been in contact with a liquid contacting side (11) of the construction shape can not simultaneously be brought in full contacting engagement with the liquid contacting side.

Abstract: A system for producing a tangible object. The system has a space which can be filled with a fluid. A reference platform at least partially defines at least one side of the space. The system further has a phase-transformer which can form a layer of the object by selectively transforming the fluid into a solid in a predetermined area of the space. An actuator can separate the layer from the reference platform by moving the layer relative to the reference platform or vice versa. The system has a controller connected with an actuator control output to the actuator and/or with a transformer control output to the phase transformer. The controller can control the production of the object based on a determined value of the force exerted on the reference platform or the solid or of a parameter related to the force.

Abstract: A method cycle of a method for layerwise production of a tangible object (5) comprises the successive steps of: solidifying a predetermined area of a layer (10) of a liquid (3), said liquid layer adjoining a construction shape (6), so as to obtain a solid layer (14) having a predetermined shape; separating said solid layer from said construction shape; and moving the separated solid layer and the construction shape to a predetermined position relative to one another for letting the liquid flow-in between the separated solid layer and the construction shape. Reduced pressure is applied to at least one fluid, such as the liquid (3).