Abstract: Example methods and systems are disclosed for on-demand packaging of one or more items. According to one example, a system includes a actuatable mold having a plurality of movable segments and at least one actuator coupled to the movable segments. The actuator(s) individually and independently move each of the movable segments between a plurality of positions, which determine a shape of a molding surface. At least one controller receives an input indicating a desired configuration of a protective structure and cause the actuator(s) to move one or more of the movable segments such that the shape of the molding surface corresponds to the desired configuration. While the moveable segments are positioned to provide the molding surface corresponding to the desired configuration of the protective structure, the controller(s) cause the packaging material to engage the molding surface to reshape the packaging material according to the molding surface.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a cylindrical, nanoimprint lithography master includes, in one embodiment, a flat master coated with a first layer of compliant photopolymer material, a cylindrical master with an outer sleeve formed from a second layer of compliant photopolymer material, and a light source. The cylindrical master is disposed in tangential contact against the flat master such that the first and second layers of compliant material exhibit 5%-20% compressive strain within the region of contact. Through such pressure, the feature pattern in the flat master is imprinted into the first layer of material. Light from the light source is acutely focused into a narrow curing zone within the contact region. Curing causes the first layer of photopolymer material to bond to the outer sleeve. Through geometric matching and synchronized movement between the flat and cylindrical masters, the cylindrical master can be patterned about its periphery without creating a seam.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite fluid conduit includes providing an inner pipe having a variation in cross-section between at least two different longitudinal sections thereof and applying a fiber reinforced composite material to the inner pipe. In some disclosed examples the variation in cross section may be provided intermediate opposing ends of the inner pipe. In other disclosed examples the variation in cross section may be provided at an end region of the inner pipe.

Abstract: A method of creating a three-dimensional object includes generating a spray from a fluid by stretching the fluid between two diverging surfaces into a fluid filament until the fluid filament breaks into a plurality of droplets and forms the spray, entraining the spray in a carrier gas flow, directing the carrier gas flow toward a target surface through a multi-nozzle array, and repeatedly applying the carrier gas flow on a target surface to form the three-dimensional object by controlling the direction of the carrier gas flow toward the target surface.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that forms a three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure through 3D printing. During operation, the system performs a 3D printing operation that uses multiple passes of a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip to deliver an ink to form the 3D nanostructure, wherein the ink includes both a positively charged polyelectrolyte (PE) and a negatively charged PE. While delivering the ink, the SPM tip is loaded with the ink and moved to a target location to deposit the ink. Finally, after the multiple passes are complete, the system cures the 3D nanostructure to remove excess positive or negative charges from the 3D nanostructure.

Abstract: In sterile, additive manufacturing wherein one lamella is successively built upon an underlying lamella until an object is completed, a sterile manufacturing environment is provided. A major chamber large enough to accommodate the manufactured object has sterile accordion pleated sidewalls and a sterile top closed with flap valves. A minor chamber for supporting the nozzles positioned above the major chamber has similar valves in corresponding positions. Nozzles for material deposition penetrate the pair of valves to block air and particles from entry into the major chamber where the nozzles make layer by layer deposition of the object using XY areawise nozzle motion relative to the object as well as Z nozzle vertical motion with the major chamber explanding as the object is formed.

Abstract: Methods of printing an object via a 3-dimensional printer include provide for printed objects having a higher density. A printer head is operated to deposit build material in lines under controlled parameters including lateral position, height, extrustion rate, extrusion temperature, and/or extrusion material. The printer may print first lines forming channels at a given layer, and then second lines to fill those channels. The printer may operate with other approaches to fill gaps between printed lines, such as offset and/or smaller lines aligned with those gaps. The resulting object has greater density while maintaining an accurate object shape.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object by bottom-up three-dimensional fabrication by irradiating a polymerizable liquid to produce the three-dimensional object, is described. In the method: (i) a Lewis acid or an oxidizable tin salt (e.g., stannous octoate) is included in said polymerizable liquid in an amount effective to accelerate the formation of said three-dimensional object during said fabrication; and/or (ii) the three-dimensional object is irradiated after forming to further polymerize unpolymerized material remaining in the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: An object of this invention to perform positioning between the obverse surface and the reverse surface of a sheet and shape a pattern on each of the two surfaces of the sheet. A pattern manufacturing apparatus includes a shaping base, a light beam irradiation window, an optical engine, a lifting head, a head feed mechanism, and a stepping motor. A pattern forming sheet is a sheet in which an admixture containing a conductive material and a photo-curing resin is applied to both of the obverse surface and the reverse surface. The pattern forming sheet is provided with at least one positioning reference hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder application unit (8) for a PBLS system (1), wherein the powder application unit (8) comprises an application medium which is movably mounted parallel to a working plane of the PBLS system (1) in order to be able to move powder along the working plane, wherein a distance of the application medium to the working plane can be modified in that the application medium is mounted about a swivel axis (S) in a swiveling manner in order to be able to swivel the application medium away from the working plane.

Abstract: A powder application apparatus is provided for use in a device for manufacturing work pieces by exposing powder layers to electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation. The powder application apparatus comprises a first powder storage provided in a first part of the powder application apparatus and configured to receive and store raw material powder. The powder application apparatus further comprises a first powder supply channel provided in a second part of the powder application apparatus and configured to discharge raw material powder from the first powder storage onto a carrier located below the apparatus. A first channel opening/closing element is configured to be moved between a first position to allow the discharge of raw material powder from the first powder storage onto the carrier, and a second position in which the discharge of raw material powder from the first powder storage onto the carrier is presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a powder for layer manufacturing including non-hydratable matrix particles, and water-soluble adhesive particles. The powder for layer manufacturing includes, as the water-soluble adhesive particles, polyvinyl alcohol resin particles with a saponification degree of 86.5 mol % to 89.0 mol %, an average degree of polymerization of 400 to 600, a viscosity of a 4 mass % aqueous solution at 20° C. of 4.6 mPa to 5.4 mPa, and an average particle diameter of 20 ?m to 60 ?m.

Abstract: A build box associated with a powder bed fabrication system may comprise a housing defining a housing cavity, and a powder print bed disposed within the housing cavity. The powder print bed may be characterized by state information. The build box may further comprise a medium configured to facilitate access to the state information, and a coupling interface for removably engaging the build box with at least one subsystem of the powder bed fabrication system. The state information may comprise one or more state information elements of object identification, object location, current processing state, next subsystem processing step, previous subsystem processing step, object model information, object material composition, and current powder print bed temperature profile. The medium may comprise a memory device coupled with a transceiver. The medium may alternatively comprise an RFID device, or an optically perceivable designator, such as a bar code or QR code.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional imaging apparatus for modeling a colored three-dimensional object on a layer-by-layer basis in accordance with a computer aided design (CAD) image of the object.

Abstract: An additive lathe integrates the advantages of additive manufacturing (also called 3d printing) with the cylindrical motion of a lathe to reduce material waste, print times, and increase creative potential. A post-processing system allows for an improved surface finishing on parts. The additive lathe no longer prints in cartesian (X, Y, Z) coordinates as other 3D printers and instead prints using cylindrical (R, Theta, Z) coordinates. The traditional bed or build plate is replaced with a horizontal cylindrical starter bar, on which 3D printed material is deposited along and around the bar. Essentially, the additive lathe works like a conventional lathe, but in reverse. Instead of taking a cylinder and slowly removing material as the part spins, the additive lathe adds material along and around the bar iteratively building up the part. The finishing mechanism allows for the creation of a smooth outer finish on printed parts while still in the printer.

Abstract: A system for printing three dimensional objects using a liquid-matrix support includes a motor, a resin, a stage, oil, and a light projecting source. The motor is an operating interface that is adapted to move the stage in an upward or in a downward direction. The resin in the system comprises a light polymerizable liquid. The light from the light projecting source is projected onto the resin to provide a shape to the three dimensional objects. The stage is adapted to move in the upward or in the downward direction to support the growing layers of the printed three dimensional objects. The oil is a non-aqueous hydrophobic and oleo-phobic component that is coupled at an interface with the resin by a liquid-matrix support which includes an additive. The light projecting irradiates the resin, and, in a preferred embodiment, irradiation passes through the oil to the resin.

Abstract: The device for creating functional 3D models consists of a casing of the device which houses an extruder and a drive mechanism, as well as display units and control units, all interconnected and the casing (1) of the device is provided with a mechanism (2) for inserting and fastening individual attachments (3) on its front side, which are provided with a chip (4) for transmitting information to a connector (5) located on the casing (1) of the device. The control unit can be equipped with a Bluetooth unit to receive and transmit wireless signal and the casing (1) can be provided with magnets (6) for fastening an external power supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bottom-up powder conveying mechanism for a laser powder-bed fusion (L-PBF) system (1), comprising a reservoir (5b, 5c) with a floor that can be moved like a piston, said reservoir being operated as a powder reservoir, to convey powder in the direction of a top opening of the reservoir (5b, 5c) opposite the floor and/or through the top opening of the reservoir (5b, 5c) and thus towards a working plane of the L-PBF system (1). The bottom-up powder conveying mechanism comprises an external reservoir (9) that can be closed in a gas-tight manner and that is connected to a gas-tight conduit to conduct powder in a gas-tight manner via said conduit from the reservoir (9) into the reservoir that is operated as a powder reservoir.

Abstract: A system for separating objects within a stacked powder print bed of nested objects comprises a build box configured to contain the powder print bed. The build box has a build box top and a build box floor. The system further includes an elongated aperture formed in a side wall of the build box, and a de-powdering subsystem configured to mechanically and electrically engage the build box. A separating blade associated with the de-powdering subsystem is configured to be inserted through the elongated aperture and into the powder print bed between a top-most print bed layer of the nested objects and a second print bed layer directly below and contiguous with the top-most layer, thereby forming an isolated powder print bed between the separating blade and the build box top. The unbound powder may be agitated by various techniques and subsequently removed from the objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasing a 3D stereolithographic printed layer from a vat of resin includes a vat having a release layer and configured to contain solidifiable resin; and one or more release mechanisms including a build plate which is configured to adjust the position of the object being printed with respect to a release layer. In order to separate the release layer from solidified resin in contact with the release layer, the apparatus may control the build plate based on a force measurement and/or activate secondary release mechanisms such as vibrating the release layer.

Abstract: An agent distributor may be to selectively deliver agent at a first contone density and at a second contone density different from the first contone density respectively onto an interior portion and a surface portion of successive layers of build material in respective first and second patterns in accordance with data representing a three-dimensional object to be generated, so that the build material is to solidify to form slices of the three-dimensional object in accordance with the first and second patterns, and so that the three-dimensional object is to achieve a target surface roughness as a result of the second contone density of the second pattern.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention may be related to a system and method of printing a three-dimensional (3D) object and a support construction for the 3D object. The system may include a printing unit and a supply system for supplying a body material and a support material to the printing unit. The system may further include a controller be configured to: generate 3D cross sectional digital data comprising a set of horizontal slices, to manipulate the 3D digital data to create a set of shifted slices by performing vertical shifts between body regions and support regions of a same horizontal slice to create printing digital data and to control the printing unit to deposit, in layers, the body material and the support material based on the printing digital data, wherein in a single scan, droplets of the support material and droplets of the body material travel different distances.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are introduced for controlling an output flow of a build material from an extrusion assembly used for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. Control of the output flow is based on an input control value that may be a function of a hydraulic capacitance and a hydraulic resistance, representing hydraulic capacitance values and hydraulic resistance values, respectively, associated with the build material, the extrusion assembly, or a combination thereof at one or more locations of the extrusion assembly relative to a melting zone of an extrusion head of the extrusion assembly as well as a target output flow. The input control value enables the output flow to match the target output flow. The hydraulic capacitance and resistance values account for interaction of the build material and a mechanical mechanism of the extrusion assembly driving extrusion of the build material.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus, and corresponding method, determine a mass (or volume) output flow rate of extrudate used in three-dimensional (3D) printing, and such determination is insensitive to rheological properties of a material of the extrudate being printed. A thermal energy balance on a liquefying extrusion head enables a load on a heater, used to heat the extrusion head, to be related to the output flow rate of extrudate. Based on the thermal energy balance, the output flow rate may be determined based on a duty cycle of the heater. The output flow rate may be employed to affect the 3D printing to prevent over- or under-extrusion of the extrudate and to identify a fault condition.

Abstract: An extruder for automatically adjusting a temperature for optimal viscosity of materials extruded through a three-dimensional printer. The extruder includes a nozzle configured to extrude a material at a set viscosity; a thermal regulator located adjacent to the nozzle through which the material is extruded, where a temperature of the thermal regulator is adjustable within a predetermined range of temperatures suitable for the material; a motor configured to advance the material through the thermal regulator and the nozzle; a motion sensor configured to detect a speed of the motor as the material passes through the extruder; a current sensor configured to detect a resistance operating against the motor as the material passes through the extruder; and a controller configured to adjust the temperature of the thermal regulator for optimal viscosity of the material based on the detected speed of the motor and the detected resistance operating against the motor.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a support structure for an object are provided. In some embodiments, one or more regions of the object are identified as one or more regions to which mechanical support is to be provided and one or more support points within at least a first region of the one or more regions are identified. A support structure may be generated for the object that comprises one or more support tips coupled to the object at the one or more support points, where the support tips being generated based at least in part on a direction normal to the surface of the object at the respective support point. Techniques for providing visual feedback to a user relating to an amount of support that a support structure is expected to provide during fabrication are also provided.

Abstract: A method for joining primary and secondary members includes providing a primary member, a secondary member and a heating element which is joined to one of the primary and secondary members. The heating element includes an electrically insulating matrix material and an electrically conductive reinforcing clement extending through the matrix material. The method further includes bringing the other of the primary and secondary members and the heating element into engagement and controlling a flow of electrical current in the reinforcing element so as to resistively heat and fuse at least some of the matrix material of the heating element with a matrix material of the other of the primary and secondary members. The method may be used to join a primary member such as a composite tubular and a secondary member such as a component for terminating the composite tubular.

Abstract: A composite housing and a method of assembling a composite housing for a scanning assembly. A body of the housing defines an opening of a first perimeter. A polymethylpentene scanning plate is provided which has lip with a marginally larger perimeter than the first perimeter. During assembly of the composite housing, at least a part of scanning plate is thermally contracted to allow it to be positioned within the opening such that the peripheral side surface of the scanning surface faces the edge of the body. When the scanning plate returns to ambient temperature and expands at least a portion of the side surface of the scanning plate engages the edge of the body.

Abstract: A welding head comprises a welding element (51) for welding a lid (1) to an opening device of a container (10). The welding head (43) further comprises a 5 compensating device (62) operable for compensating a misalignment between the welding element (51) and the lid (1), thereby centering the welding element (51) relative to the lid (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a composite filler. A composite ply is folded. The composite ply comprises fibers arranged at an angle relative to a central axis of the composite ply such that the composite filler has a varying cross-sectional orientation of fibers. A force is applied to the folded composite ply after folding to form a desired shape for the composite filler.

Abstract: Build plates for additive manufacturing systems are disclosed. The build plates of the additive manufacturing systems may include a body including a build surface, and a bottom surface positioned opposite the build surface. The build plates may also include a first conduit formed through the body and extending between the build surface and the bottom surface. The first conduit may be configured to be in fluid communication with a first aperture formed through a surface of a first component that may be built on the build surface of the body of the build plates.

Abstract: A wire material for an elastic member includes: inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers that are wound in a spiral form; outer circumferential-side reinforced fibers that are provided on an outer circumference of the inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers; and thermosetting resin that is provided in at least a part of the inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers and the outer circumferential-side reinforced fibers and firmly fixes the reinforced fibers with each other. An angle formed by a winding direction of the inner circumferential-side reinforced fibers and a center axis of the winding is 70° to 110°. A winding direction of the outer circumferential-side reinforced fibers with respect to a center axis of the winding is along a direction of a tensile load applied to the wire material for the elastic member in accordance with a load applying torsional stress to the wire material for the elastic member as an externally applied load.

Abstract: A system for forming stacked material is provided. The system may include a housing defining an interior space and comprising a bottom wall and a side wall coupled to said bottom wall; at least one tool configured to shape the stacked material, said at least one tool disposed within said interior space; a membrane extending at least partially over said bottom wall and spaced a distance from said bottom wall, said membrane configured to move towards said bottom wall; and at least one intensifier mechanism disposed in said interior space and configured to induce a force against a portion of the stacked material and against said at least one tool as said membrane is moved towards said bottom wall. Methods are also providing for forming such a stacked material.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite part (10) having a skin (12) and at least one elongated stiffener (14) extending from the skin (12), the method comprising: providing a mold (20) having a mold surface (22, 26) and a respective elongated compaction cavity for each stiffener (14), each compaction cavity (24) opening into the mold surface (22, 26); for each stiffener (14): placing a bagged insert (30) including an insert (40) received in a tubular bag (42) in the respective compaction cavity (24), supporting the stiffener (14) with the bagged insert (30), the stiffener (14) having a first part extending in the compaction cavity (24) snuggly between a side surface of the bagged insert (30) and an adjacent side surface of the mold (20) bordering the compaction cavity (24), the stiffener (14) having a second part connected to the first part and extending over at least one of the mold surface (22, 26) and a top surface of the bagged insert (30); placing a skin (12) over and in contact with the mold surface (22, 26),

Abstract: An object is to provide a device and method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic molded article, whereby two members can be accurately positioned with respect to each other upon integral molding of the members via a VaRTM method. A device for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic molded article includes a skin mold in which a skin, which is a cured fiber-reinforced composite member, is mounted; a stringer mold that is configured to accommodate a stringer, which is a fabric to be joined to the skin; and a folded plate that is configured to accommodate the stringer mold and includes a positioning portion for positioning with respect to a positioning portion provided on the skin.

Abstract: A method for forming a matrix composite layer on a workpiece and a workpiece with a matrix composite layer are disclosed. In an embodiment the method includes forming a wall around a metallic surface such that the wall extends in a vertical direction from a plane formed by the metallic surface, and depositing a filler material in a walled area on the metallic surface. The method further includes depositing a plastic material on the filler material and performing a vacuum treatment of the filler material and the plastic material thereby forming a matrix composite layer disposed on the metallic surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the microbiological loading of container products consisting at least partially of at least one plastic material, in which, as part of a first production process, a plastic granulate (29) is fed to an extruder device (19), which melts the granulate (29), which, as part of a further subsequent production process, is forwarded onto a blow¬molding, filling and sealing machine for obtaining the respective container product, characterised in that, at least in parts of the first production process, the respective used plastic material undergoes at least one of the following treatment steps: high-energy radiation and/or plasma treatment and/or a gas having a sterilizing effect.

Abstract: A puncture repair liquid holding container is formed from: a container main body provided with a holding portion and an opening portion; and a cap attached to the opening portion, including a second flow channel for the cap to discharge the puncture repair liquid inside the container, wherein a tube extending toward an inner side of the container main body is attached to the second flow channel, the tube is provided with a sealing film that blocks inflow of the puncture repair liquid to the second flow channel, and a closed condition where the sealing film blocks the second flow channel can be switched to an opened condition where the sealing film is broken by container internal pressure such that the second flow channel is opened.

Abstract: A method may comprise applying a first adhesive to a cavity of a bond panel, the cavity defined by a raised body portion of the bond panel, inserting an acoustic insert assembly in the cavity, the acoustic insert assembly being secured in the cavity by the first adhesive, and securing edges of the acoustic insert assembly to the raised body portion of the bond panel with a second adhesive to create a seamless interface between the edges and the raised body portion.

Abstract: The liming element for a tire mould comprises a body 12 delimiting a moulding surface 14 intended to at least partially mould a rolling surface of the tire, at least one injection nozzle 26 arranged on the body and provided with at least one outlet orifice 26a, at least one supply duct extending inside the body and the injection nozzle while being in communication with the said outlet orifice, and at least one shut-off member 30 mobile with respect to the injection nozzle between an outlet orifice closed position and an outlet orifice open position. The body 12, the injection nozzle 26 and the shut-off member 30 are manufactured by the deposition and selective melting of stacked layers of powder.

Abstract: A slit forming part can be easily formed on a parting surface of a split mold and a change in a slit vent formed by the slit forming part can be suppressed. Parting surfaces including slit forming parts are formed on the split mold. Plating is applied to the parting surfaces of the split mold so as to coat the parting surfaces in which the slit forming part is formed, with a plating film. A plurality of split molds are combined together such that their parting surfaces opposed to each other, to mold a rubber article. The slit forming parts of the parting surfaces form a slit vent between the split molds.

Abstract: A segmented tire mold includes a device for controlling the expansion of the mold segments during the vulcanization of a tire. The expansion control device may be a cable or a ring that is wrapped around the outer circumference of the segmented tire mold and placed into tension in order to retain the mold segments in the proper position while the tire is vulcanized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural mat for reinforcing a wind turbine blade structure. The structural mat comprises two or more groups of bonded fibres, the fibres being bonded by a matrix substantially preventing relative movement of said fibres and wherein said groups are connected to each other by connection means limiting the relative movement of said groups. The invention further relates to a wind turbine blade and a method for manufacturing a wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A press is used to extract juice from food matter contained within a cartridge. The cartridge is compressible by the press and juice can be expelled through a cartridge outlet extendible through the press region.

Abstract: A press is used to extract juice from food matter contained within a cartridge. The cartridge is compressible by the press and juice can be expelled through a cartridge outlet extendible through the press region.

Abstract: Embodiments related to press machines, including presses to extract juice from food matter contained within a cartridge. The cartridge is compressible by the press and juice can be expelled through a cartridge outlet extendible though the press region.

Abstract: Embodiments related to press machines, including presses to extract juice from food matter contained within a cartridge. The cartridge is compressible by the press and juice can be expelled through a cartridge outlet extendible though the press region.

Abstract: Embodiments related to press machines, including presses to extract juice from food matter contained within a cartridge. The cartridge is compressible by the press and juice can be expelled through a cartridge outlet extendible though the press region.

Abstract: A graphic arts support assembly is operable to be used with a graphic arts plate assembly in a press. The graphic arts support assembly and the plate assembly are configured for removable association with a lift mechanism including a shiftable lift element. The support assembly includes a graphic arts magnetic support structure operable to removably support the graphic arts plate assembly. The magnetic support structure includes a support plate, a magnet fixed relative to the plate, and an alignment element projecting from the support plate. The support assembly is operable to be mounted on the lift mechanism so that the lift element is aligned with a lift opening of the support plate, with the lift element shiftable through the lift opening to locate at least part of the graphic arts plate assembly away from the support plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding belt, which can be used, for example, in a folding machine. By means of an improved profile of the folding belt, the quality of the folding is improved and, in particular, undesired “fishtailing” is reduced.