Abstract: A system (100) for building a three dimensional object includes a powder delivery station (10) for applying a layer of powder material on a building tray (200), a digital printing station (30) for printing a mask pattern on the layer, a sintering station (50) for selectively sintering the portion of the layer that is defined by the mask to be sintered and a stage (250) for repeatedly advancing the building tray (200) to each of the powder delivery station, digital printing station and sintering station to build a plurality of layers that together form the three dimensional object. The mask pattern defines a negative portion of the layer to be sintered. Optionally, the system includes a die compaction station (40) for compacting per layer of powder material.

Abstract: A printing process is disclosed which comprises directing droplets of an ink onto an intermediate transfer member to form an ink image, the ink including an organic polymeric resin and a coloring agent in an aqueous carrier, and the transfer member having a hydrophobic outer surface so that each ink droplet in the ink image spreads on impinging upon the intermediate transfer member to form an ink film. The ink is dried while the ink image is being transported by the intermediate transfer member by evaporating the aqueous carrier from the ink image to leave a residue film of resin and coloring agent. The residue film is then transferred to a substrate.

Abstract: A method of 3D printing to achieve a desired surface quality on at least one surface of a 3D printed object comprising selecting a base surface having the desired surface quality; and printing the 3D printed object on the base surface, so that the desired surface quality is imparted to one surface of the 3D printed object during printing. The surface quality may be glassiness, roughness, smoothness and texture in general. Objects may thus be manufactured in which electronic components are integrated in or under a glass-like surface.

Abstract: A method for dynamically controlling layer thickness during an additive manufacturing process of building a block including an object with layers of powder material, detecting a height of the block after each layer is compacted, determining a delta between the detected height and a height in a computer model defining slices of the block and compensating for the determined delta in subsequent cycles. A cycle in the additive manufacturing process includes selectively printing a layer pattern, spreading a powder layer over the layer pattern with a spreader and compacting the powder layer with the layer pattern.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to printing system is described that has an intermediate transfer member (ITM) in the form of a seamed endless belt for transporting an ink image from an image forming station, at which an ink image is deposited on ITM, to an impression station, where the ink image is transferred onto a printing substrate. Two drive members are provided for movement in synchronism with one another. Rotation of the drive members during installation of a new ITM serves to thread the strip through the printing system by pulling the strip from its leading end. Alternatively or additionally, indirect printing system comprising the ITM and an image forming station at which droplets of ink are applied to the ITM to form ink images thereon is disclosed. One or more blowing mechanisms (e.g. associated with the image forming station) are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A direct inkjet printing system for fabricating a part by an additive manufacturing process includes an ink delivery system operative to circulate the ink, a printhead associated with the ink delivery system, the printhead operative to dispense ink from the ink delivery system through a plurality of nozzles and based on a defined pattern, a building table for receiving the dispensed ink one layer at a time based on the defined pattern, wherein the part is formed from a plurality of layers of the ink dispensed from the printhead and a drying station operative to perform a drying process on layers of the ink dispensed from the printhead on a per layer basis.

Abstract: A system for building a three dimensional green compact comprising a printing station configured to print a mask pattern on a building surface, wherein the mask pattern is formed of solidifiable material; a powder delivery station configured to apply a layer of powder material on the mask pattern; a die compaction station for compacting the layer formed by the powder material and the mask pattern; and a stage configured to repeatedly advance a building tray to each of the printing station, the powder delivery station and the die compaction station to build a plurality of layers that together form the three dimensional green compact.

Abstract: An indirect printing system comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and an image forming station at which droplets of ink are applied to the ITM to form ink images thereon, the image forming station including a first print bar including a first plurality of print heads and having mounted thereon a first blowing mechanism for introducing a first gas flow, having a first flow rate, into a gap between the first plurality of print heads and the ITM, and a second print bar including a second plurality of print heads and having mounted thereon a second blowing mechanism for introducing a second gas flow, having a second flow rate, into a gap between the second plurality of print heads and the ITM, the second print bar being disposed downstream of the first print bar, the second flow rate being greater than the first flow rate.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for building a green block including a three dimensional green usable model includes a printing station, a powder delivery station, a compacting station and a stage. The printing station prints a pattern on a building tray by selectively depositing a solidifiable non-powder material that forms a partition by tracing a perimeter of a usable model to be printed per layer and tracing a plurality of discrete sections of a support area around the usable model. The powder delivery station applies a layer of powder material over the pattern. The compacting station compacts per layer of powder material and includes a die for receiving the layer. The stage repeatedly advances the building tray to each of the printing station, the powder delivery station and the compacting station to build a plurality of layers that together form the green block.

Abstract: A printing system and method are provided. The printing system includes an image forming station for temporarily deposit an image on an intermediate transfer member when the intermediate transfer member in the image forming station is in a first temperature range. The system further includes a drying station configured to increase a temperature of the intermediate transfer member from a first temperature in the first temperature range to a second temperature in a second temperature range, the second temperature being substantially higher than the first temperature. The system further includes an impression station configured to transfer the temporarily deposited image from the intermediate transfer member onto a substrate when the intermediate transfer member in the impression station is in the second temperature range. The system further includes a cooling station for retaining a coolant configured to revert the intermediate transfer member to a temperature in the first temperature.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional model via additive manufacturing includes building a green block in a layerwise manner with a powder material and a solidifiable non-powder material. The green block includes a green usable model. The solidified non-powder material is removed from the green block to extract the green usable model from the green block and the density of the green usable model is increased by applying Cold Iso static Pressing (CIP). The green usable model is then sintered to produce a three-dimensional model.

Abstract: A printing process is disclosed which comprises directing droplets of an ink onto an intermediate transfer member to form an ink image, the ink including an organic polymeric resin and a coloring agent in an aqueous carrier, and the transfer member having a hydrophobic outer surface so that each ink droplet in the ink image spreads on impinging upon the intermediate transfer member to form an ink film. The ink is dried while the ink image is being transported by the intermediate transfer member by evaporating the aqueous carrier from the ink image to leave a residue film of resin and coloring agent. The residue film is then transferred to a substrate.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed which includes a plurality of rollers configured to support and move a loop-shaped, flexible intermediate transfer member of at least 10 meters in length along a printing system path. The printing system further includes an image forming station configured to form an image on a portion of the intermediate transfer member, and an impression station configured to enable substantial transfer of the deposited image to a substrate. The printing system also includes at least one high-speed motor associated with the plurality of rollers and configured to move the loop-shaped flexible intermediate transfer member at a speed of at least about one meter per second. Moreover, the printing system includes guiding channels configured for exerting a lateral tensioning force on the loop-shaped intermediate transfer member as it is received within the guiding channels and circulates at the speed of at least about one meter per second.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of building trays, a printing station, a powder delivery station, a powder spreading station, a process compaction station and a stage. The printing station prints a mask pattern on each of the plurality of building trays. The powder delivery station applies a dose of powder material on each of the plurality of building trays. The powder spreading station configured to spread the dose of powder material on each of the plurality of building trays. The process compaction station compacts the powder material. The stage concurrently advances the plurality of building trays to each of the stations to concurrently build a single layer on each the plurality of building trays and repeats the advancing to build a plurality of layers on each of the plurality of building trays. A three dimensional object is formed in each of the building trays.

Abstract: A system and method for determining FRC, TGV, TLC, and RV includes a hand-held unit with a shutter assembly designed to minimize measure air displacement due to shuttering. Measurement of flow and pressure are used to derive the lung parameters.

Abstract: A system for building a three dimensional green compact comprising a printing station configured to print a mask pattern on a building surface, wherein the mask pattern is formed of solidifiable material; a powder delivery station configured to apply a layer of powder material on the mask pattern; a die compaction station for compacting the layer formed by the powder material and the mask pattern; and a stage configured to repeatedly advance a building tray to each of the printing station, the powder delivery station and the die compaction station to build a plurality of layers that together form the three dimensional green compact.

Abstract: A printing process is disclosed which comprises directing droplets of an ink onto an intermediate transfer member to form an ink image, the ink including an organic polymeric resin and a coloring agent in an aqueous carrier, and the transfer member having a hydrophobic outer surface so that each ink droplet in the ink image spreads on impinging upon the intermediate transfer member to form an ink film. The ink is dried while the ink image is being transported by the intermediate transfer member by evaporating the aqueous carrier from the ink image to leave a residue film of resin and coloring agent. The residue film is then transferred to a substrate.

Abstract: Aqueous inkjet ink formulations comprising a solvent including water and a co-solvent, a water soluble or water dispersible polymeric resin and a colorant, and a method for facilitating the use of such an aqueous inkjet ink in an indirect printing system in which the ink is jetted onto a hydrophobic release layer of an intermediate transfer member before having the solvent removed therefrom and being transferred to a substrate, wherein prior to the jetting of the ink the release layer is brought into contact with an aqueous solution of a positively charged polymeric chemical agent. Other aspects are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for determining FRC, TGV, TLC and RV includes a hand-held unit with a shutter assembly designed to minimize measured air displacement due to shuttering. Measurements of flow and pressure are used to derive the lung parameters.

Abstract: An indirect printing system comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and an image forming station at which droplets of ink are applied to the ITM to form ink images thereon, the image forming station including a first print bar including a first plurality of print heads and having mounted thereon a first blowing mechanism for introducing a first gas flow, having a first flow rate, into a gap between the first plurality of print heads and the ITM, and a second print bar including a second plurality of print heads and having mounted thereon a second blowing mechanism for introducing a second gas flow, having a second flow rate, into a gap between the second plurality of print heads and the ITM, the second print bar being disposed downstream of the first print bar, the second flow rate being greater than the first flow rate.