Abstract: Methods of thermoforming dynamic cross-linked polymer compositions are described.

Abstract: The separator production method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a coated article taking up step of taking up a separator original sheet by winding the separator original sheet on an outer peripheral surface of a core while oscillating the core in the rotation axis direction; a coated article winding off step of winding off the separator original sheet, which has been taken up in the coated article taking up step, from the core; and a transferring step of transferring the separator original sheet, which has been wound off in the coated article winding off step, such that a state of being distorted in a wavelike manner in the transverse direction is maintained.

Abstract: A method for forming a bi-axially stretched dielectric film having a thickness less than 5 microns is presented. The method includes stretching a dielectric material along a transverse direction to form the bi-axially stretched dielectric film having a thickness less than 5 microns. The dielectric material is heated using infrared radiation during at least a duration of the stretching step. The dielectric material includes a substantially amorphous polymer having a glass transition temperature greater than 140 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a biaxially stretched film which exhibits small heat shrinkage and has excellent dimensional stability. An unstretched thermoplastic resin film composed of at least one thermoplastic resin layer is biaxially stretched in a longitudinal direction and a width direction to manufacture the biaxially stretched film.

Abstract: In the pultrusion of reinforced plastic profiles in strand form, the strands of the reinforcement are brought together in a positioning device and subsequently embedded in the plastic. The pulling of the strands of the reinforcement through the positioning device leads to an unwanted contraction and uncontrolled positioning of the reinforcement in the plastic profile. The invention envisages forming the positioning device by multiple successive positioning means, of which at least some positioning means can be periodically moved forward in the direction of production and also moved back counter to the direction of production. As a result, there is an alternating tensioning and compression of individual regions of the reinforcement. This makes exact positioning of the reinforcement in the plastic profile possible and prevents contraction of the reinforcement.

Abstract: A stamp for micro-transfer printing includes a support having a support stiffness and a support coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A pedestal layer is formed on the support, the pedestal layer having a pedestal layer stiffness that is less than the support stiffness and a pedestal layer coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is different from the support coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A stamp layer is formed on the pedestal layer, the stamp layer having a body and one or more protrusions extending from the body in a direction away from the pedestal layer. The stamp layer has a stamp layer stiffness that is less than the support stiffness and a stamp layer coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the support coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: Foam products of a material having many voids or gas bubbles therein are marked by one or more of a plurality of devices capable of melting and/or vaporizing a desired pattern into a surface portion of the foam product, at least some doing so by movement of a hot tool, laser, flame, hot gas or other hot item, and systems and methods for making the mark or marks forming the desired pattern are disclosed along with the so marked foam products

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a shaped body (SB) comprising the preparation of a thermoplastic polyurethane, the production of a shaped body (SB*) from the thermoplastic polyurethane, the heating of the shaped body (SB*) to a temperature below the temperature of permanent deformability of the shaped body (SB*) and above the switching temperature of the thermoplastic polyurethane, the expanding of the heated shaped body (SB*) to obtain a shaped body (SB), and the cooling of the shaped body (SB) to a temperature below the switching temperature of the thermoplastic polyurethane, and to the shaped bodies obtained or obtainable by such a process. The present invention further relates to the use of a thermoplastic polyurethane for production of a shaped body having shape memory effect within a temperature range from 20° C. to 120° C.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system that includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to convert electricity to generate ultrasonic waves, wherein the waves propagate along a first direction from the transducer; and a sonotrode that includes a single-component body having nodal and anti-nodal regions, and configured to propagate ultrasonic waves received at a nodal region along a first direction; a plurality of redirecting features formed in the body and configured to cause received ultrasonic waves propagating along the first direction to propagate along a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, upon encountering one or more of the redirecting features; wherein the body is further configured to stretch and compress along the second direction based on corresponding peaks and valleys of the waves propagating along the second direction; and at least one ultrasonic welding surface at an anti-nodal region of the body configured to oscillate based on the stretching and compressing, wherein opposing ends o

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a folding mat includes: suctioning a first film onto a lower mold, in which a downwardly concave slit groove is formed at one end of a cavity such that a portion of the first film forms a unit fold part; inserting the unit filler over the first film; disposing a second film on an upper side of the lower mold to cover the unit filler; attaching the edge parts of the first and the second films together by using an upper mold mating with the lower mold; trimming an attachment part of the unit mats thus fabricated; fusing the unit fold part of the unit mat with the unit fold part of an adjacent unit mat; and fusing the attachment part of one of the two unit mats thus connected with the attachment part or the unit fold part of another unit mat.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a cushion mat and a cushion mat thus manufactured are disclosed. An apparatus for manufacturing a cushion mat may include: a lower mold that has a cavity formed in its upper surface and is configured to receive a first sheet and a inner filler sequentially, where the first sheet may be disposed such that a boundary of the first sheet is exposed at a periphery part of the cavity; an upper mold that is configured to heat-seal the first sheet and a second sheet onto both sides of the inner filler by mating with the lower mold while the second sheet is disposed between the upper mold and the inner filler; and air suction nozzles that are disposed at the periphery part of the cavity of the lower mold to remove residual air from between the second sheet and the inner filler.

Abstract: Method for bonding a sheetlike cover material to a shaped article, using an adhesive film comprising at least one layer of a heat-activatedly bondable adhesive, where the adhesive film is disposed, over the full area or a partial area, between the cover material and the shaped article, the heat-activatedly bondable adhesive as yet not adhering to the shaped article, wherein the cover material is pulled onto the shaped article under tension, so that the layer of the heat-activatedly bondable adhesive contacts the shaped article, and the activation of the heat-activatedly bondable adhesive is brought about by means of the pressure resulting exclusively from the tension, and optionally of heat introduced by means of external energy supply, whereby the heat-activatedly bondable adhesive adheres to the shaped article and a durable connection of the cover material to the shaped article is produced.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of a panel of individual cellular compartments from an elongate sheet of flexible material. The apparatus comprises first and second rod banks and a feed head reciprocally moveable longitudinally and generally parallel along the rod banks. The feed head applies the flexible material about the exterior side surfaces of the rods of one of the rod banks when moving in one direction, and applies the flexible material about the exterior surfaces of the rods of the other of the rod banks when moving in the opposite direction, to thereby apply sequential layers of the flexible material to the exterior surface of the rods of the rod banks in an alternating fashion. The sequential layers of flexible material are secured to one another at points of contact along the length of the rods to form successive rows of conjoined compartments that form a panel.

Abstract: A method of resistive implant welding carbon fiber thermoplastic composites which includes providing at least two portions of a component formed with carbon fiber material, the at least two portions of the component each have a welding surface where the at least two portions of the component are welded together. One or more conductors of copper or aluminum mesh material positioned between the welding surface of the two portions. The method includes a forming tool having at least two portions capable of moving between an open position and a closed position. The forming tool has a welding region with non-conductive metal surface areas where electric current is selectively applied to facilitate the welding together of the at least two portions of the component. The forming tool has forming regions with conductive surfaces where the two components are shaped.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thermoplastic resin composite includes laminating a matrix resin layer and a reinforcing resin layer to prepare a resin laminate, and heat-bonding the resin laminate, and prior to the step of heat-bonding the resin laminate, fixing one or more selected from the group consisting of the reinforcing resin layer and the resin laminate using a stitch resin having a draw ratio of less than 10:1 and a melting point of 150° C. or lower.

Abstract: An air adsorbing and sound absorbing structure with a first portion comprising a first material comprising an open-celled foam with an air-adsorbing material coupled to the foam, where the first portion has a first air adsorption capacity and a first density. There is a second portion fixed to or integral with the first portion, wherein the second portion comprises one or more of: a different material than the first material, a second air adsorption capacity that is different than the first air adsorption capacity, and a second density that is different than the first density.

Abstract: A panel may be formed with mandrels inside of stiffening members. The panel may be coupled to a panel holding jig. A winch may be coupled to the mandrels. The winch may pull the mandrels out of the stiffening members and into curved tracks.

Abstract: A system for welding an elongate element along a longitudinal direction to a component including a support element comprising a support surface, a magnetic field generating arrangement generating a predefined magnetic field, a carriage comprising contacts supporting an elongate element against movement along the surface of the component in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a superconducting element being fixedly connected to the carriage, an element cooling device for cooling the superconducting element below its transition temperature, a mover operable to linearly move the carriage, and a welding device for welding the elongate element to the component. The predefined magnetic field defines a linear path along the support surface for the superconducting element when the superconducting element has a temperature below its transition temperature.

Abstract: Formulations and methods employing these formulation for fabricating an object by additive manufacturing, such as three-dimensional inkjet printing are provided. The formulations comprise at least 50 weight percents of hydrophilic curable materials, and upon curing, provide a material that is characterized by water absorbance of at least 5%, and by high HDT and impact resistance values. Objects containing cured material made of these formulations are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are curable resins incorporating a radiation-cured network and a heat-cured thermoset with a cyanate ester to allow the creation of three-dimensional printed parts. These parts exhibit desirable mechanical properties, desirable thermal properties, and/or desirable dielectric properties. Methods of forming a three-dimensional object making use thereof are also described.

Abstract: A raft to support a three-dimensional object on a build platform of a three-dimensional printer can be fabricated with a controlled adhesion pattern to improve overall raft performance. For improved raft-to-build platform adhesion, an exterior portion around the perimeter of the raft may be fabricated with greater adhesion (per unit of surface area covered by the exterior portion) than an interior portion. This can be accomplished by varying the volume of build material, varying the printing height, or using different patterns of build material. At the same time, adhesion of the raft to a printed object built thereon can be controlled with a number of techniques such as using specific build patterns for the top layer of the raft or varying printing heights (e.g., z-axis position) between the top of the raft and the bottom of the object.

Abstract: Combined continuous/random fiber reinforced composite filament including a plurality of axial fiber strands extending substantially continuously within a matrix material of the fiber reinforced composite filament as well as a multiplicity of short chopped fiber rods extending at least in part randomly within the same matrix material is 3D printed via a deposition head including a conduit continuously transitioning to a substantially rounded outlet tipped with an ironing lip, which is driven to flatten the fiber reinforced composite filament against previously deposited portions of the part, as the matrix material and included therein a first proportion of the short chopped fiber rods are is flowed interstitially among the axial fiber strands spread by the ironing lip. A second proportion of the short chopped fiber rods is forced against previously deposited portions of the part.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filament for three-dimensional printer molding which includes a resin that can be molded by a three-dimensional printer in a wide temperature range and from which a crystalline soft resin molded article excellent in terms of flexible texture etc. can be produced; and a method for producing a crystalline soft resin molded article, wherein the filament for three-dimensional printer molding includes a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer wherein a durometer D hardness (JIS K6253-1993) is 40 or less and thermal properties measured with a differential scanning calorimeter satisfy the following conditions: a melting peak temperature (A) is 120 to 220° C. by heating at 10° C./min; a crystallization peak temperature (B) is 60 to 160° C. by cooling at 10° C./min; and the crystallization peak observed during cooling at 10° C./min has a half-value temperature width of 10 to 30° C.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object compensates for different rates of shrinkage during curing of dissimilar materials. The compensation is achieved by ejecting the different materials with reference to the shrinkage rates of the materials to enable the materials to be at approximately a same height following curing of the materials.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for the production of a three-dimensional object by “bottom up” additive manufacturing, in which a carrier (112) is vertically reciprocated with respect to a build surface, to enhance or speed the refilling of the build region with a solidifiable liquid. In preferred embodiments, the three-dimensional object is produced from a liquid interface by continuous liquid interface production (i.e., “CLIP”).

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object, which method includes a cleaning or washing step, is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier and a fill level, and optionally an optically transparent member having a build surface defining the fill level, the carrier and the fill level having a build region therebetween; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid comprising a mixture of (i) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (ii) a second solidifiable component that is different from the first component; (c) irradiating the build region with light, to form a solid polymer scaffold from the first component and also advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate having the same shape as, or a shape to be imparted to, the three-dimensional object and containing the second solidifiable component carried in the scaffold in unsolidified and/or uncured form; (d) washing the three-dimensional intermediate; and (e) concurr

Abstract: A fabrication method of magnetic device is provided. A magnetic material is provided. A portion of the magnetic material is selectively irradiated by an energy beam, and reactive gas is introduced simultaneously. The magnetic material being irradiated is melted and solidified to form a solidified layer. An outer layer of the solidified layer reacts with the reactive gas to form a barrier layer, so as to form a magnetic unit including the solidified layer and the barrier layer. It is determined whether the manufacturing process of the same layer is finished, if not, the energy beam is moved to the other portion of the magnetic material. The above step is repeated to overlap multiple magnetic units to form a magnetic layer. If yes, the flow returns to the 1st step to provide another magnetic material to the magnetic layer. The above steps are repeated to form a 3D magnetic device.

Abstract: A method of printing a part in an additive manufacturing system includes printing a support structure for the part, printing a boundary surrounding the support structure, and printing the part on the support structure. An additive manufacturing system for printing a three-dimensional part includes a transfer medium configured to receive and transfer imaged layers of a thermoplastic-based powder for a boundary, a thermoplastic-based powder for a support, and a thermoplastic-based powder for the part from at least two imaging engines, a heater configured to heat the imaged layers on the transfer medium to at least a fusion temperature of the thermoplastic-based powder, and a layer transfusion assembly including a build platform, the layer transfusion assembly being configured to transfuse the heated layers in a layer-by-layer manner onto the build platform to print the three-dimensional part.

Abstract: A 3D printing device for producing a spatially extended product, having at least one first laser light source (1) from which a first laser radiation (2) emerges, a working area (4) to which starting material for the 3D printing to which laser radiation (2) is applied or supplied, wherein the working area (4) is arranged in the 3D printing device such that the laser radiation (2) is incident on the working area (4), scanning arrangements (3, 7) which are designed in particular as movable mirrors, wherein the scanning arrangements are capable of supplying the laser radiation intentionally to specific locations in the working area (4), and arrangements for preheating the starting material in the working area, wherein the arrangements for preheating include at least one second laser light source (5) from which a second laser radiation (6) emerges.

Abstract: 3D printing device for producing a spatially extended product, with at least one laser light source from which a laser radiation (1, 1?, 1?) can emerge, a working area (4) to which a starting material to be exposed to laser radiation (1, 1?, 1?) is supplied, wherein the working area (4) is arranged in the 3D printing device such that the laser radiation (1, 1?, 1?) is incident on the working area (4), and scanning arrangements designed in particular as movable mirrors (2, 12, 13), wherein the scanning arrangements are able to supply the laser radiation (1, 1?, 1?) specifically to desired locations in the working area (4), wherein the at least one laser light source is designed in such a way that during operation of the device, a plurality of mutually spaced-apart points of incidence or areas of incidence of the laser radiation are generated on the working area (4).

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process. A former extending from a nozzle of the printer supplements a layer fusion process by applying a normal force on new material as it is deposited to form the object. The former may use a variety of techniques such as heat and rolling to improve physical bonding between layers.

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process. The shape of an extrusion nozzle may be varied during extrusion to control, e.g., an amount of build material deposited, a shape of extrudate exiting the nozzle, a feature resolution, and the like.

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process. The exit of the nozzle may include a number of concentric rings, where each of which may be selectively opened or closed during extrusion to control extrusion properties such as a volume of extrudate or a mixture of material exiting the nozzle.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object (17), is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier (18?) and an optically transparent member having a build surface, with the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid; (c) irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid; and (d) advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form the three-dimensional object from the solid polymer; (e) wherein the carrier has at least one channel (32) formed therein, the method further including supplying pressurized gas into the build region through the at least one channel during at least a portion of the filling, irradiating and/or advancing steps. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes: providing a three-dimensional printer including a build surface and a carrier that is movable away from and toward the build surface; advancing the carrier toward the build surface and contacting a lower surface of the carrier with the build surface or a fixture or frame member adjacent the build surface to align the carrier in an aligned position with the lower surface of the carrier parallel to the build surface; and locking the carrier in a locked state to maintain the carrier in the aligned position.

Abstract: A device for building a three-dimensional structure in layers includes at least one supply unit, at least one laser unit and one table, wherein the table comprises a circular surface and is adapted for rotating the circular surface around a central axis. The supply unit is adapted for applying a powdery material in layers on the circular surface of the table. The laser unit at the same time can partly or completely melt powdery material already applied by the supply unit while the circular surface is rotating.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing method includes providing a number of scanners with at least partially overlapping fields of view. The scanners are positioned such that respective optical axes thereof are at an angle relative to a normal part bed. The method includes positioning the fields of view such that a cumulative field of view is substantially equal to a surface area of a part bed. A layer of materials is applied to the part bed, and each scanner directs a beam from a laser emitter to the part bed to selectively fuse the material to produce a layer of a three-dimensional part.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a printing system includes an extruder with a rotating nozzle having a variable-size opening. The opening can be a non-circular opening configured to deposit wide ribbons of material with fine edge control for detailed shapes and sharp corners. During operation, the extruder can be rotated to accurately trace a path along which the material is deposited thereby reducing the number of passes needed to generate an object, such as a 3D object. Additionally or alternatively, the size of the opening can be adjusted to deposit a controlled bead of material. The printing system can advantageously enable increase in the printing speed when compared to existing printing systems.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to collecting data to generate specifications for an orthosis. In example implementations, data may be collected from a plurality of pressure sensors. Histograms may be generated that characterize collected data. Specifications for an orthosis may be generated based on the histograms.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional printing is disclosed. The system comprises: a rotary tray configured to rotate about a vertical axis; a printing head, each having a plurality of separated nozzles; and a controller configured for controlling the inkjet printing head to dispense, during the rotation, droplets of building material in layers, such as to print a three-dimensional object on the tray.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes: a supplying unit configured to supply powder to a storage unit to form a layer of the powder; a discharging unit configured to discharge shaping liquid to solidify the powder onto the powder; and a controlling unit configured to generate a control signal for controlling the supplying unit and the discharging unit based on shaping data indicating a shape of a three-dimensional shaped object. The controlling unit is configured to generate the control signal for laminating at least one sacrificial layer separable from at least one shaping layer corresponding to the three-dimensional shaped object in such a position that the at least one sacrificial layer is under the at least one shaping layer, based on the shaping data and powder information stored in advance and indicating change in thickness of a layer of the powder caused by permeation of the shaping liquid.

Abstract: An interactive platform supports multi-user participation in a shared virtual workspace to prepare and schedule virtual print trays for printing on a three-dimensional (3D) printer or other fabrication resource. Computerized models may be automatically positioned within the print tray, manually positioned within the print tray, or some combination of these. After objects are placed in the virtual workspace users may be given identity-based control of the print tray including, e.g., identity-specific capabilities for viewing, modifying or removing objects within the print tray. This permits improved control over aspects of interest to particular users including, e.g., security, object orientation, priority, fabrication speed, fabrication cost, and so forth within a shared fabrication environment.

Abstract: An interactive platform supports multi-user participation in a shared virtual workspace to prepare and schedule virtual print trays for printing on a three-dimensional (3D) printer or other fabrication resource. Computerized models may be automatically positioned within the print tray, manually positioned within the print tray, or some combination of these. After objects are placed in the virtual workspace users may be given identity-based control of the print tray including, e.g., identity-specific capabilities for viewing, modifying or removing objects within the print tray. This permits improved control over aspects of interest to particular users including, e.g., security, object orientation, priority, fabrication speed, fabrication cost, and so forth within a shared fabrication environment.

Abstract: A portable 3D printer where the upper surface plate and the lower surface plate are rotated upward and downward at an angle of 270°, respectively, and the upper surface plate, the lower surface plate and the vertical support plate are adjacent to the respective first, second, third and further oblique plates. The adjacent portion is 0-90° such that the summations of the internal angles of the adjacent portions become a right angle of 90° thereby to provide a stable 3D printer when it is used and to be folded as a thin film structure when it is carried.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional parts, the system including a print head configured to print a part material along a non-vertical printing axis, a non-horizontal print foundation configured to receive the printed part material from the print head to produce the three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer manner, a drive mechanism configured to index the print foundation along the non-vertical printing axis, and a controller operably coupled to control the print head and the drive mechanism. The controller is configured to cause the print head to print the part according to a method of printing including printing a support structure below the part on the non-horizontal print foundation, wherein the part and the support structure are physically separated, and wherein the support structure is configured to support the part during printing as the part is elongated.

Abstract: A printer apparatus and a method for continuously printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. The printer apparatus has an elongated container for containing build fluid comprising a monomer from which the 3D object is made. A means for continuous conveying a build platform has a build surface that descending down into the build fluid. A matrix of light emitting elements are disposed above the elongated container, and emit a predetermined pattern of a reactive light toward the continuously conveyed build surface and at the upper surface of the build fluid. The reactive light has a predetermined pattern that polymerizes and/or agglomerates a portion of the upper surface of the build fluid into a build material having a build pattern comprising the build material. The build platform can have a plurality of build surface segments attached in series along a continuous conveyor.

Abstract: The use of magnetic fields in the production of porous articles is generally described. Certain embodiments are related to methods of producing porous articles in which magnetic fields are applied to an emulsion to align emulsion droplets. In some embodiments, after the emulsion droplets have been aligned, the emulsion droplets and/or the medium surrounding the emulsion droplets can be removed to leave behind a porous article. According to certain embodiments, polyvinyl alcohol can be used, for example, to stabilize the emulsion droplets and/or bind together components of the porous article. In some embodiments, water-soluble liquid alcohol can be used, for example, to stabilize the suspension of electronically conductive material within a phase of the emulsion.

Abstract: A fiber composite material component has fiber bundles and a matrix of thermoplastic and/or thermosetting material. The fiber bundles are arranged such that they form a profile. Bracing structures are arranged between the fiber bundles. At least two fiber bundles are arranged in a skewed manner with respect to one another and at least one cavity is formed in the region of the intersection of the skewed fiber bundles. Furthermore, a method for producing a fiber composite material component having fiber bundles and a matrix of thermoplastic and/or thermosetting material, is provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibre composite component (10), the method comprising: providing a plurality of first fibres (102), the first fibres (102) being arranged in a plurality of layers (104a-e) with an uncured thermoset resin matrix (106) being provided therebetween. The resin matrix (106) comprises a plurality of second electrically conductive fibres (108) suspended therein having a shorter length than the first fibres (102). The method comprises then applying an energy field to the resin matrix (106) to thereby align the second fibres (108) such that they provide an electrically conductive path between adjacent layers (104a-e) of first fibres (102) to form an electrically conductive fibre network comprising the first and second fibres (102, 108). The method comprises then inducing an electric current through the electrically conductive fibre network to thereby heat and cure the resin matrix (106).

Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to a tool for laying up composite material to form a workpiece having a target contour. The tool includes a support structure including an elongated member having a longitudinal axis, and support plates connected to the elongated member and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis. The elongated member includes a metallic material. The tool also includes a non-metallic backing structure connected to the support plates, the non-metallic backing structure comprising a working surface that includes a backing contour complementary to the target contour.