Abstract: A photosensitive element having an infrared imageable layer, and a process for making a relief image from such an element are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, where high viscosity liquids, including pseudoplastic, plastic flow, and thixotropic liquids, as well as gels, semi-solid, and solid materials are viscosity reduced during coating and allowed to increase in viscosity during imaging steps, for use in Solid Imaging applications. Use of these materials and the apparatus improves coating uniformity and final object tolerances.

Abstract: A method and composition for forming investment casting patterns wherein thermally-collapsible microspheres are incorporated into the pattern composition. The patterns can be made either by conventional pattern forming techniques or by solid imaging techniques. After investing the microsphere containing pattern in the ceramic shell, the pattern and shell are heated, causing a collapse of the microspheres and thereby preventing cracking of the shell. The shell is then heated to burn-out the remaining pattern material and fire the shell, thereby creating a mold.

Abstract: A photosensitive printing element having an IR ablatable layer and at least one barrier layer as set forth within and a process for making a flexographic printing plate from such an element are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and composition for forming investment casting patterns wherein thermally-collapsible microspheres are incorporated into the pattern composition. The patterns can be made either by conventional pattern forming techniques or by solid imaging techniques. After investing the microsphere containing pattern in the ceramic shell, the pattern and shell are heated, causing a collapse of the microspheres and thereby preventing cracking of the shell. The shell is then heated to burn-out the remaining pattern material and fire the shell, thereby creating a mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating integral three-dimensional objects from successive layers of photoformable compositions by exposing the layers of the composition through a detachable flexible transparent film, one side of the film being in contact with the composition and the other side of the film with a rigid transparent plate, which guides and supports the film.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a laminate for the preparation of printed circuits by electroless plating of conductive metal thereon which comprisesa. an electrically insulative substrate bearingb. an adherent layer of crosslinked polymeric adhesive, which is insoluble in photodielectric developing solutions, having partially embedded therein finely divided particles of adsorbent which protrude from the adhesive surface away from the substrate, the protrusive surfaces of which are adsorptive with respect to electroless plating catalysts or reductive precursors thereof, andc. a solid layer of photodielectric adherently overlying the layer of adhesive and adsorbent particles.

Abstract: An integral three dimensional object is formed from a photohardenable liquid composition containing radiation deflecting matter which is a thermal insulator and having a different index of refraction from the liquid.

Abstract: A solid imaging method utilizing photoformable compositions comprising thermally coalescible materials for producing multilayer models and prototypes having improved structural properties and resolution.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object formed from a photohardenable composition containing deflecting matter of core-shell polymers. A preferred material for the polymeric core is crosslinked to an extent to be nonswellable and insoluble in solvent for noncrosslinked polymer material while the shell polymer has no pendant acid groups.

Abstract: An integral three-dimensional object is formed from a photohardenable liquid composition containing radiation deflecting matter.

Abstract: An integral three-dimensional object is formed from a photohardenable liquid composition containing radiation deflecting matter whereby a difference in an index of refraction increases by more than 0.01 after photohardening.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a laminate for the preparation of a multilayer printed circuit by electroless plating of conductive metal thereon which comprisesa. a substrate having formed on a surface thereofb. a conductive pattern, and,c. overlying the pattern and surrounding substrate areas, a layer of tonable photodielectric material having partially embedded therein finely divided particles of adsorbent which protrude from the layer surface away from the substrate, the protrusive surfaces of which are adsorptive with respect to electroless plating catalysts or reductive precursors thereof.

Abstract: Process for preparing multilayer printed circuits comprising laminating to a substrate bearing a circuit pattern or electrically conductive surface a photosensitive layer which is tacky or becomes tacky upon exposure; exposing the laminate to actinic radiation through a via image related to the underlying circuit pattern, if present; optionally removing the removable via image of the photosensitive layer in either the exposed or unexposed areas, e.g.

Abstract: Process for preparing multilayer printed circuits comprising laminating simultaneously or sequentially to a substrate bearing a circuit pattern two photopolymerizable layers, the lower layer formulated for bulk response as defined and the upper layer formulated for surface response as defined; exposing the laminate to actinic radiation through a circuit image related to the circuit pattern on the substrate; embedding finely divided metal, e.g., copper, to the tacky image areas; exposing the toned laminate to actinic radiation through an image of at least one overlying segment of the conductive circuit pattern; removing unexposed photopolymer from the two layers to form vias; embedding finely divided metal, e.g., copper, or catalyst to the side walls of the vias; optionally, curing the image by exposing to actinic radiation and/or by heating; plating to form an interconnected electrically conductive circuit.

Abstract: An improved peel apart photosensitive element for producing duplicate solvent-developed images comprising a strippable cover sheet, a photoadherent layer, a solvent-soluble, nontonable, polymeric nonphotosensitive contiguous layer and a support for photomechanical applications.

Abstract: An improved photosensitive litho element comprises, in order, a support, a non-photosensitive solvent-soluble contiguous layer having an optical density of at least 3.0 in the visible region of the spectrum and a maximum thickness of 0.015 mm, and a solvent-processable photosensitive layer. Dot-etchable contact litho negatives and positives are provided.

Abstract: An improved peel apart photosensitive element comprises a strippable cover sheet, a photoadherent layer, and a tacky, nonphotosensitive contiguous layer receptive to colorant or particulate material, and a support. The element is useful in applications such as color proofing. Such elements are capable of producing reverse toned or colored images as well as duplicate colored images with greatly improved tonal range and image fidelity.

Abstract: An improved peel apart photosensitive element comprises a strippable cover sheet, a photoadherent layer, and a tacky, nonphotosensitive contiguous layer receptive to colorant or particulate material, and a support. The element is useful in applications such as color proofing. Such elements are capable of producing reverse toned or colored images as well as duplicate colored images with greatly improved tonal range and image fidelity.

Abstract: An image reproduction process which comprises exposing a multilayer element comprising (1) cover sheet, (2) photoadherent layer, and (3) tonable contiguous layer; stripping the cover sheet with either the exposed or unexposed areas of the photoadherent layer adhered thereto while the other areas of the photoadherent layer remain on the contiguous layer; and toning the areas of the contiguous layer from which the photoadherent layer were removed. Reverse and duplicate images can be produced.