Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus builds a part by selectively consolidating flowable material in a layer-by-layer building process. The apparatus has an inert gas vessel having a build chamber a layering device for depositing layers of material in the build chamber; a scanner for delivering an energy beam to selected areas of each layer to consolidate flowable material of the layer, a gas flow circuit for generating an inert gas flow through the build chamber and a cooling device arranged to cool an internal surface of the gas flow circuit to generate cooled inert gas. The gas flow circuit is arranged such that the cooled inert gas can be delivered into the build chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a 3D printer 10 having a coating device 30 and a coating device cleaning device 50, wherein the coating device 30 comprises a container 32 which defines an inner cavity 34 for receiving particulate construction material and an elongated output region 36 for outputting the particulate construction material and can be moved into a cleaning position in which it is arranged above the coating device cleaning device 50, wherein the coating device cleaning device 50 comprises a wiping member 54 and a driving device for moving the wiping member, and wherein the driving device is configured to move the wiping member 54 for cleaning the output region 36 along the same when the coating device 30 is located above the coating device cleaning device 50.

Abstract: The three-dimensional molding device includes a recoater configured to discharge a granular material from a discharge port onto the molding table such that the granular material is superimposed in layer, an solidification device configured to solidify a partial region of the granular material in a plane solidification device direction of an upper surface of the molding table, a moving mechanism configured to cause the recoater to reciprocate in a plane direction parallel to the upper surface of the molding table, and at least one plug member configured to close a part of an opening in at least one location in a longitudinal direction of the discharge port of the recoater and limit a discharge range of the granular material.

Abstract: Method of three-dimensionally printing an article onto a surface comprising a composition, the composition comprising: a binder and a mixture. The mixture comprises nanoparticles in at least two groupings of size ranges.

Abstract: An embedded material and an embedding apparatus and method. A compatible solute can be dissolved in a solvent. The object to be embedded can be coated with the solvent/plastic solution using, for example, addition and/or condensation polymerization. The solvent can be removed. The coated object can be inserted, snap fit, or submerged into a partially 3D printed substrate with or without the aid of ultrasonic embedding, thermal energy, joule heating, and/or the use of adhesives, and the 3D printing process resumes in order to fully embed the coated object within the 3D printed substrate. The coated object can be inserted, snap fit, or submerged into a partially 3D printed substrate with or without the addition of ultrasonic embedding, thermal energy, joule heating, and/or adhesives, and the 3D printing process resumes in order to fully embed the coated object within the 3D printed substrate.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing apparatus is provided.

Abstract: According to at least one illustrative embodiment, a computer device and a corresponding method of enabling customization and 3-D prototyping of a 3-D representation of an object illustrated by an interactive content item comprise providing, by the computer device, an interactive content item including a representation of a three-dimensional (3-D) object to a client device. Upon an end user of the client device interacts with the interactive content item and provides one or more customization parameters for a 3-D representation of the 3-D object, the computer device receives the one or more customization parameters from the client device. The computer device then cause a 3-D representation of the 3-D object to be printed by a 3-D printer associated with the client device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional workpiece, said apparatus comprising: a carrier being arranged in a process chamber of the apparatus and adapted to receive a layer of raw material powder; an irradiation device for selectively irradiating electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the raw material powder applied onto the carrier in order to produce the workpiece from said raw material powder by an additive layer construction method; and a shielding gas supply system adapted to supply a shielding gas to the process chamber, wherein the apparatus further comprises a shielding gas control system that is adapted to control the temperature of the shielding gas.

Abstract: An infill apparatus and method for an output of a 3D printer, including a unit block generating part which slices a 3D model by using three planes orthogonal to each other to generate unit blocks; a unit block classifying part which classifies the unit blocks into boundary unit blocks and internal unit blocks according to positions thereof and classifies the boundary unit blocks into flat roof unit blocks and non-flat roof unit blocks according to whether or not a flat roof region is included; a combined block generating part which merges the internal unit blocks and generates a combined block; a flat roof point discriminating part which discriminates flat roof points in the combined block; a combined block dividing part which divides a part of the combined block including the flat roof points; and an infill shape determining part which determines a divided surface (or contact surface) of the combined block divided by the combined block dividing part as infill shape and outputs a printing material to the infi

Abstract: A maple sap line system and method for spin welding provides secure, unobstructed lines for collecting sap by creating a hermetically sealed connection between a lateral line and a mainline. A fitting connects the mainline to the lateral line. The fitting is spin welded to the mainline at a contact interface. The fitting comprises a protruding member that easily melts to create the frictional weld. The fitting has an elongated body comprising barbs that receive the lateral line. The fitting has a channel that enables fluid communication between the mainline and the lateral line. The flanges in the fitting register with a chuck to rotate the fitting against the main line at a high rpm. Molten debris formed in the channel is dislodged by drilling with a collared drill. The drilling provides fluid communication and creates a smooth inner surface in the mainline, and cuts off flanges from the fitting.

Abstract: A bonding preparation patch for application to a resin treated surface is provided. The patch includes a strip having first and second portions, each of which has corresponding first and second sides. The strip is formed of resin porous material and is foldable such that the respective first sides of the first and second portions face each other. The patch further includes a resin barrier interposable between corresponding portions of the respective first sides and a tape including at least one adhesive side, which is securable relative to the first portion and disposable in contact with the second side of the second portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sonotrode for an ultrasound welding system for welding workpieces (20, 30), comprising a pressure element (2) which has a contact surface, which pressure element can be applied to carry out the welding process with said contact surface on one of the workpieces (20) to be welded to each other, wherein the contact surface has an annular design. A centering pin axially projecting over the contact surface is arranged inside the annular contact surface. The invention also relates to a method for welding a connection element (20), in particular an adapter for a PDC sensor, to a component (30), in particular an exterior add-on part of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: In order to provide a bonded part capable of reducing deformation caused by injection pressure of bonding resin and preventing an increase in cost, the bonded part includes a first part, a second part, and a third part, wherein the first part includes a wall portion and a hollow portion surrounded by the wall portion, wherein a first shape portion formed of bonding resin is arranged at a position between the second part and the wall portion, wherein a second shape portion formed of the bonding resin is arranged at a position between the wall portion and the third part, and wherein a third shape portion formed of the bonding resin which connects the first shape portion and the second shape portion is arranged on the wall portion.

Abstract: An 3D printer has a gantry configured to move in a plane substantially parallel to a build plane. The system includes a platen configured to support a part being built in a layer by layer process, wherein the platen is configured to move in a direction substantially normal to the build plane. The system includes a head carriage carried by the gantry wherein the head carriage includes a first support member supporting a retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism includes at least one member extending from the support member and a camming member rotatably attached to the support member and movable about an axis of rotation. The camming member has arcuate camming surface with an increasing radial distance from the axis of rotation. The system includes at least one print head having a housing with a first side surface configured to engage the at least one member and a second side surface configured to engage the arcuate camming surface.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes at least one consumable loading bay configured to supply filament from a consumable supply assembly to a print head and at least one drive assembly that is configured to advance filament to the print head from the consumable supply. Each drive assembly includes a follower wheel rotatable about a follower axis and a drive wheel spaced apart from the follower wheel. The drive wheel is rotatable about a drive axis and is located on an opposing side of a filament path from the follower wheel such that the follower axis and the drive axis are substantially parallel. The drive wheel further includes an outer surface extending between two ends and has at least one engaging portion that is configured to engage with the filament and at least one disengaging portion that is configured to disengage from the filament.

Abstract: A 3D printer has a gantry configured to move in a plane substantially parallel to a build plane, and a platen configured to support a part being built. The platen is configured to move in a direction substantially normal to the build plane. A head carriage is carried by the gantry, and a print head is carried by and retained in the head carriage. A material container has a material container body and a material container cover configured to allow loading of a spool containing a supply of a consumable filament for printing with the 3D printer, the spool mounted on an axle containing a spool chip and electrical contacts. The material container body includes a first and second axle channels configured to accept first and second ends of the axle. The first axle channel has a number of electrical contacts and is tapered to orient the axle to align the axle contacts with the first axle channel contacts.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to the three-dimensional (3D) printing of build structures including a plurality of 3D objects embedded within a support matrix are provided.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing prints a part by adding layers to the part. The heights of the layers are determined by determining an orientation of at least one surface of a model of the part and setting a layer height for a layer to be added to the part based on the determined orientation of the at least one surface of the model of the part.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method using the apparatus provides heated air in an additive manufacturing process for building a three-dimensional part. The method comprises providing a stream of flowable part material at an initial build level, the initial build level being positioned in and defining a horizontal plane wherein the stream of flowable material is being initially disposed on previously deposited part material. Heated air is provided at a selected temperature corresponding to the temperature of the stream of flowable part material such that the stream of flowable part material deposits on previously deposited part material in an adhering fashion thereby forming the three-dimensional part where in the heated air is provided in the horizontal plane of the initial build level.

Abstract: A system and a method for printing an object includes a display module arranged to display a two-dimensional representation within a two-dimensional space, the two-dimensional representation being arranged to represent a two-dimensional view of a three-dimensional object within the two-dimensional space; a processing module arranged to transform the two-dimensional representation into a plurality of two-dimensional expressions arranged to individually represent a portion of the three-dimensional object; and a printing module arranged to form the three-dimensional object from a fluid medium arranged to transform its physical state in response to a manipulated illumination exposed thereto, wherein the manipulated illumination exposed to the fluid medium is associated with the plurality of two-dimensional expressions disposed therebetween, and with the inner surface of the printed three-dimensional object being arranged to match the outer surface of a real-world object inserted therein.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize a computer aided design (CAD) model of a part to develop a layer representation of the part. The method includes: determining a build layer thickness of an additive manufacturing apparatus; identifying a feature of the part within the model; determining that the feature is not aligned along the z-axis based on the build layer thickness; and moving the feature within the model along the z-axis by a feature offset such that the feature is aligned along the z-axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for structurally analyzing and/or three-dimensional printing a part. The method may comprise receiving a model of the part for three-dimensional printing from a material comprising a matrix, receiving one or more properties for the material, and using the model, determining a print head tool path for use during the three-dimensional printing of the part. The method may also comprise determining a trajectory of at least one stiffness-contributing portion of the material based at least in part on the print head tool path, determining a performance of the part based at least in part on the one or more properties and the trajectory, and electronically outputting the performance of the part.

Abstract: A platen assembly for use in a 3D printer includes a frame and a platen supported by the frame. The platen is configured to receive a removable build tray. A lever release mechanism of the platen assembly is coupled to the frame and is configured to both secure the build tray to the platen for printing of the part, and to eject the build tray from the platen after printing of the part.

Abstract: The present invention describes a prepreg for the manufacture of fibre reinforced resin matrix composite materials, the prepreg comprising: a surface film comprising a thermosetting resin and a particulate filler material dispersed therein, and a fibrous layer on which the surface film is disposed, the fibrous layer comprising a plurality of non-woven carbon fibres which are substantially randomly oriented, wherein the fibrous layer has interstices between the carbon fibres dimensioned for absorbing at least a portion of the thermosetting resin during a resin infusion step and filtering at least a portion of the particulate filler material in the surface film to remain in the surface film during the resin infusion step.

Abstract: A fibre reinforced composite product can be made by first forming a scaffold structure (400) with a set of tubes (408) running within the product interior, using a digital printing process. Using a carrier fluid, the tube lumens are invested with fibres and then matrix material. The carrier fluid may enter through the end of a tube connecting with an input manifold (920) and exit the tube radially via a capillary (904, 908) which runs alongside the tube.

Abstract: A composite reinforcement structure including a first skin having a first end and a second end and a second skin having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first skin and the first end of the second skin are coupled. A corrugated spar is disposed between the first skin and the second skin and is bonded to the first skin and the second skin.

Abstract: A bond assembly includes a fixture having a first section movably coupled to a second section. The first section and the second section are disposed opposite one another. A bladder assembly is mounted to at least one of the first section and the second section. The bladder assembly is configured to apply controlled, localized pressure and heat to a component receivable between the first section and the second section.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for Architectural shells and/or Panels (AP) of desired shapes, sizes, and curvatures that can be manufactured onsite or offsite. The disclosed Architectural shells and Panels, which use resin-impregnated fabrics in combination with spacer sheets, are easy to manufacture, inexpensive, fast to produce, and can easily be repaired, reinforced and refurbished.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a method comprising: providing a mold apparatus comprising at least a first compression mold apparatus member, at least a second compression mold apparatus member, a preform, and a resin, wherein at least one of the first compression mold apparatus member or the second compression mold apparatus member comprises at least one ultrasound emitter; introducing at least one of the preform or the resin into at least one of the first compression mold apparatus member or the second compression mold apparatus member; contacting the first compression mold apparatus member to at least the second compression mold apparatus member to form a closed mold cavity; pressurizing and heating the mold cavity; and curing at least one of the resin or preform using the ultrasound emitter to form a molded component within the mold cavity.

Abstract: A composite structural article (100) includes a polymeric body (35) having a first major surface (24) and an opposing second major surface (22) and a rib element (30) extending away from the first major surface. A reinforcing member (10) is embedded within a free end portion (34) of the rib member (30). The reinforcing member includes an elongated polymer rod having a rod length and a plurality of co-extending continuous fibers (20), embedded and distributed within the elongated polymer rod. The fibers are under tension and may have a helical or twisted configuration along the rod length.

Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes an impeller mill defibrating, in a dry process, a raw material containing a fiber, a mixer mixing a defibrated material and a resin, using an air stream to produce a mixture of the defibrated material and the resin, a sieve having an opening through which the mixture passes, a belt, a heater, and a nozzle. The mixture is accumulated on an upper side of the belt to form a web. The heater heats the web to form a sheet so that the fiber is bonded by the resin. The nozzle is arranged between the belt and the heater and applies a liquid to a partial portion of the web so that bonding between the fiber and the resin in a first portion of the sheet is weaker than bonding between the fiber and the resin in a second portion of the sheet.

Abstract: In manufacturing a functional plastic lens by loading a functional sheet S having a difference in the accuracy of bending in directions, into a mold 50 and by performing insert molding to integrally mold a lens body with the functional sheet S, a direction in which the accuracy of the bending to the functional sheet S is high is made to be a reference axis A, and the functional sheet S is loaded into the mold 50 to inhibit a filling direction of resin and the reference axis A from being orthogonal to each other. With this arrangement, the functional plastic lens having high quality is provided.

Abstract: A system of power transmission to a contact lens comprises a contact lens and a magnetic component. The contact lens comprises at least a physiological signal sensing component, an induction coil, and an energy storage component. When the magnetic component has a motion relative to the induction coil, an induced voltage is produced in the induction coil for charging the energy storage component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels is provided. The exemplary method and apparatus allow for the use of the same molding system to manufacture wheels with different hub constructions. Different configurations of removable mold elements are utilized within the same molding system to provide wheels with different hub constructions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a preform for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The method comprises the steps of providing at least one semifinished textile product on at least one roll, applying a binder onto the semifinished textile product and/or heating the semifinished textile product, draping the at least one semifinished textile product from the at least one roll onto a core, and curing the semifinished textile product after the draping on the core. The draping is in this case carried out by means of rotating the core.

Abstract: A press system includes: a detection unit configured to detect a press load applied for pressing a workpiece; a reference waveform generation unit configured to generate a reference waveform for comparison, based on a load waveform of the press load detected by the detection unit; and a determination unit configured to determine whether a press abnormality is present, based on the load waveform of the press load detected by the detection unit and the reference waveform. The press system generates the reference waveform, and therefore, the state of press working can be determined by a simple method.

Abstract: A bulk bin forming system configured as a container forming cell includes a multi-axis robot to which is attached a multifunction tool. One or more collapsed card board boxes are located at a first station of the container forming cell adjacent the robot. The robot and multifunction tool are configured to operate to grasp and move an individual box, orient and pre-form the box by folding flaps at a second station of the cell, and then move the box to a third station of the cell to mount the box to a support configured as a pallet to thereby form a bulk bin or bulk box container referred to as a gaylord container. The tool may include vacuum grippers for grasping the boxes and staplers for securing the formed box to the pallet, and may also be used to fold the bottom flaps prior to mounting the box to the pallet.

Abstract: A protective article for a horse includes a protective member and a replaceable securing member. The protective member includes a body portion extending between a pair of opposing ends and dimensioned to be wrapped around and secured to a horse's body part, and further includes a first engagement member coupled to the body portion adjacent one end, and a second engagement member coupled to the body portion adjacent the other end. The replaceable securing member is adapted to be selectively engaged with the engagement members in a manner that urges the engagement members towards one another. The replaceable securing member includes a first securing assembly adapted to be manually reversibly secured to the first engagement member, and a second securing assembly adapted to be manually reversibly secured to the second engagement member, the first securing assembly securing to the first engagement member independently of the second securing assembly.

Abstract: Resilient members having near-surface architectures including microstructures for controlling friction are provided. A film-terminated array of fibrils having a sharp film/fibril juncture exhibits an unexpectedly large enhancement of adhesion, static friction and sliding friction. The enhancement is provided against rough indenters. A film-terminated array of elongated ridges and valleys unexpectedly exhibits low adhesion, and an unexpectedly large enhancement of sliding friction. The film-terminated ridge/valley design provides an anisotropic structure with direction-dependent frictional properties. The increase in sliding friction force varies as a function of interfibrillar spacing, and corresponds to a mode in which buckling of the terminal film occurs. The near surface architectures may be designed with varying scales and varying parameters to provide performance characteristics tailored to various applications.

Abstract: Provided is a decorative sheet which can impart, to molded resin articles, excellent design attractiveness and an excellent touch both due to a rugged shape. The decorative sheet comprises, superposed in the following order, a base layer, a surface layer which is constituted of a cured object obtained from a curable resin composition and has the rugged shape, and a removable thermoplastic resin film.

Abstract: A single-foil ribbed sheet product includes a single-foil ribbed sheet formed from an opposed-foil panel having first and second spaced apart planar foils and a plurality of support members affixed to and defining a height between opposed interior surfaces of the spaced apart first and second planar foils, by severing at least the second planar foil from the opposed-foil panel along a plane parallel with a plane defined by the first and second planar foils to produce the single-foil ribbed sheet comprising the first planar foil and some or all of the height of the plurality of support members extending away from the interior surface thereof, and a product made from one or more such single-foil ribbed sheets.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes melamine laminate products capable of retaining a wood stain or colorant. The unique melamine formulations and products include porosity-promoting agents that result in the melamine having a porous surface capable of being stained with a wood stain or other colorant, while still having the favorable properties of traditional laminate products. The methods of the invention produce a melamine laminate product that can be stained with a variety of stains and colorants after manufacturing to suit the individual builder's or homeowner's preference. The stainable melamine laminate products may include a decorative paper layer sandwiched between a backing layer and a melamine layer embedded with a porosity agent, such as, silica, wax, mica, calcium carbonate, silane, kaolin clay, crystalline silica, corn starch, feldspar, talc, or combinations thereof. The stainable melamine layer optionally has a textured top surface.

Abstract: Provided is an oriented multilayer porous film comprising at least one layer comprising: a heat, solvent, and degradation resistant matrix polymer; a plurality of interconnecting pores; and a porosity less than 90%. The film is made by a dry and/or wet method, with its multilayer structure constructed by coextrusion, lamination, and coating. The film of this disclosure finds a wide range of applications as a permselective medium for use in energy harvesting and storage, filtration, separation and purification of gases and fluids, CO2 and volatile capture, electronics, devices, structural supports, packaging, labeling, printing, clothing, drug delivery systems, bioreactor, and the like. The film is preferably used as a separator of lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, lithium-air, metal-air, and nonaqueous electrolyte batteries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component made of thermoplastic composite material, comprising a core K and at least one coating G, wherein: the coating G at least partially surrounds the core K, the core K is made of a first thermoplastic moulding compound M1, the first thermoplastic moulding compound M1 contains multiple shaped bodies F, and the coating G is made of a second thermoplastic moulding compound M2. The invention also relates to a method for producing the component.

Abstract: A heat insulating glass unit for vehicle includes a laminated glass in which a first glass plate and a second glass plate are bonded to each other via an intermediate film; a color tone compensation film arranged on at least one surface of the laminated glass; a transparent conductive layer mainly including an ITO arranged on the color tone compensation film; and an upper part layer arranged on the transparent conductive layer. A refraction index of the upper part layer for a light with a wavelength of 630 nm is 1.7 or less. The color tone compensation film has at least first and second layers. The first layer is arranged at a position closer to the laminated glass than the second layer. A refraction index of the first layer for a light with a wavelength of 630 nm is greater than a refraction index of the second layer.

Abstract: An adhesive sheet includes: a carbon nanotube sheet including a plurality of carbon nanotubes aligned preferentially in one direction within a plane of the sheet; and an adhesive agent layer including an adhesive agent, the adhesive agent layer being curable.

Abstract: Provided is an electrically activated shape memory polymer composite capable of thermal shape reformation using electric power to heat the composite through its matrix glass transition temperature. The composite includes an adaptable polymer matrix component using a diglycidyl ether resin, at least one substantially well-dispersed conductive or magnetic nano-filler component, and at least one elastic, laminated layer. Also provided are methods of preparing the composite and methods of activating the composite. A shape reformation of the composite is triggered by applying an electric field at DC and/or at a frequency above about 1 ?Hz for a sufficient time.

Abstract: A heat insulating glass unit for vehicle includes a glass plate; a color tone compensation film arranged on at least one surface of the glass plate; a transparent conductive layer arranged on the color tone compensation film, and mainly including an indium tin oxide (ITO); and an upper part layer arranged on the transparent conductive layer, a refraction index for a light with a wavelength of 630 nm being 1.7 or less. The color tone compensation film has at least a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is arranged at a position closer to the glass plate than the second layer. A refraction index of the first layer for a light with a wavelength of 630 nm is greater than a refraction index of the second layer for a light with a wavelength of 630 nm.

Abstract: A polymer interlayer comprising a layer comprising a poly(vinyl acetal) resin having a residual hydroxyl content and a residual acetate content, and a plasticizer, wherein the residual hydroxyl content, the residual acetate content and the plasticizer are selected such that the polymer interlayer has at least one glass transition temperature less than about 20° C. and a peak tan delta of greater than 1.33, and a glass panel having a configuration of 2.3-mm glass//interlayer//2.3-mm glass and at 20° C. has a transmission loss, TLw, of greater than 42 decibels as measured by weighted average sound transmission loss at 2000 to 8000 Hz, and a transmission loss, TLc, of greater than 38 decibels at the coincident frequency is disclosed.

Abstract: An optical layered body including a substrate layer and a first surface layer, wherein the substrate layer includes a polymer containing an amorphous alicyclic structure, and the first surface layer includes a polymer containing a crystallizable alicyclic structure; a polarizing plate including such an optical layered body and a polarizer; and a liquid crystal display device including such a polarizing plate. Preferably, the optical layered body has a specific retardation, the first surface layer has a specific thickness, and the polymer containing a crystallizable alicyclic structure is a hydrogenated product of a ring-opened polymer of dicyclopentadiene.