Abstract: A method for improving the air and/or water barrier performance of a building panel is disclosed. The building panel may be a gypsum board or cement board. In particular, the board may have improved resistance to bulk water penetration or permeation while maintaining breathability with respect to water vapor.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a mobile 3D printer layer smoothing apparatus. The apparatus utilizes a plurality of heads, the surfaces of which are coupled at their adjacent edges. The surfaces are collectively utilized to apply cosmetic features to extruded material(s), such as concrete, by manipulating the heads and applying pressure to the extruded material(s). The surfaces of each head are coupled to a joint movably coupled to a linear actuator. The operation of the linear actuators causes the heads to change position and/or orientation along flexible couplings between adjacent edges of adjacent surfaces. The apparatus may be integrated into a stand-alone, single-purpose device or integrated into a multi-purpose 3D printing machine, such as a mobile 3D printer device.

Abstract: The present disclosure embraces cementitious panels, and systems and methods of manufacturing cementitious panels. An exemplary cementitious panel includes a cementitious core material, a plurality of sheets of facing material surrounding the cementitious core material, and a radiation-cured adhesive. An exemplary method of manufacturing a cementitious panel includes conveying a slurry of cementitious core material and a plurality of sheets of facing material, applying a radiation-curable adhesive to at least one of the sheets of facing material, forming a continuous length of cementitious panel material, at least partly curing the radiation-curable adhesive with one or more beams of radiation emitting from one or more radiation-emitting devices, and cutting the continuous length of cementitious panel material laterally to a desired length, providing a cementitious panel.

Abstract: A formwork for providing a plinth with concrete frame and with exposed horizontal reinforcing bars, is disclosed. The framework has a base the shape of which in plan view corresponds to the concrete frame. Each side of the base is provided with inner and outer lateral containment walls which extend vertically from the base to make a casting chamber for the concrete. The inner walls have a plurality of openings for the insertion from above of a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing bars. At least one of the outer walls is provided with a plurality of openings for the insertion by transverse sliding of a plurality of transverse reinforcing bars. The openings are provided with inflatable elements which are configured to transition from a deflated configuration, in which the bars can freely slide in the openings, to an inflated configuration, in which the bars are locked in position. The chamber is watertight in order to prevent concrete from coming out during casting.

Abstract: Mixer bucket (1) provided with a hopper (12) having a concave bottom portion (120) provided with an opening (122) arranged between a first and a second continuous portions (124)(126); a funnel-shaped member (30) being carried by the concave portion (120) so as to face the opening (122) and define a gravity discharge for mixture; the funnel-shaped member (30) being carried by the hopper (12) by means of a guide (128) aligned with the given direction (D); actuating means (40) being carried by the hopper (12) to move the funnel-shaped member (30) along the guide (128) between a first position (P1), where it faces the opening (122), and a second position (P2)(P3), lateral with respect to the opening (122) in correspondence of one of the first and second flanks (14)(16).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a patterned floor covering is disclosed. The method includes: providing a first component a second component and a third component, manufacturing an intermediate product by mixing the first component and the second component in a mixing device, further processing the intermediate product into a web-shaped floor covering, the second intermediate product being reshaped. The present disclosure further relates to a patterned floor covering obtainable by the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for stabilizing a colloidal dispersion during transport for low defect tolerance applications. The methods involve eliminating fluid interfaces within a dispersion, storing the dispersion in an environment of inert gas, and degassing the dispersion. Several bottle closure devices are described which may be ideal for use with these methods, being able to seal a container filled with a dispersion, permit the removal of headspace and rapidly empty the contained dispersion. In one aspect, the device includes a vented cap and semi-permeable membrane, which allows the passage of gas into and out of the container, and a dispenser nozzle integrated with the device to allow a stored dispersion to be dispensed without removing the device from the container. In another aspect, the bottle closure device includes an attachment point for a removable downtube and dispenser nozzle.

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing an FRP precursor and a device for producing an FRP precursor, wherein the said FRP precursor is excellent in impregnability of a thermosetting resin as well as in heat resistance of the FRP precursor to be obtained. The method for producing the FRP precursor, wherein each of one pair of thermosetting resin films 54 are adhered to each of both surfaces 40a and 40b of an aggregate 40 in a form of a sheet, comprises: an attaching process to attach an organic solvent 13a to the both surfaces 40a and 40b of the aggregate 40; a film press-adhering process wherein under a normal pressure, each of the aggregate-side film surfaces 54a of the pair of the films 54 and 54 is press-adhered to each of the both surfaces 40a and 40b of the soaked aggregate 40 to obtain the FRP precursor 60; and an attached amount adjusting process to adjust amount of the organic solvent 13a that is attached to the soaked aggregate 40.

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing an FRP precursor and a device for producing an FRP precursor, wherein the method and the device have a good productivity, and under a normal pressure, enable filling of a resin into a bulk gap of an aggregate as well as prevent the resin from spouting out from an edge portion thereof. The method for producing the FRP precursor is to produce the FRP precursor by melt-adhering each of a pair of thermosetting resin films 54 to each of both surfaces 40a and 40b of an aggregate 40 that is in a form of a sheet, the method comprising: an aggregate's surface heating process to heat aggregate's both surfaces, i.e.

Abstract: A device is provided for layered manufacture of at least a three-dimensional product by an additive manufacturing technique based on a powder. The invention therefore relates to a device for the layered manufacturer of a product based on a powder, in particular a metal powder. This device is fitted with a build chamber with a vertically movable build platform on which said product is manufactured and contains a powder dispenser for application of the successive powder layers on the build platform in a horizontal build surface. The powder dispenser can be moved back and forth over the build surface along a horizontal dispensing direction in order to apply said powder layers. Moreover, the device contains a hopper that must contain said powder in order to supply powder to the powder dispenser. This hopper has a bottom with a dosing opening that lets out into the build chamber and that works in combination with a dosing valve.

Abstract: According to this procedure, these steps are made: a) immersing a shaped mold (4) in a dipping process in a liquid synthetic polyisoprene (IR) (synthetic latex), wherein the shaped mold (4) has previously been treated with coagulation agent (coagulants) or thermally treated, b) after the immersion, the synthetic polyisoprene layer is left on the shaped mold (4) and is freed from all salts with water, c) thereafter, the synthetic polyisoprene layer together with the shaped mold (4) is vulcanized in an oven, d) the synthetic polyisoprene layer is removed from the mold (4), e) the salts precipitated by the vulcanization on the synthetic polyisoprene molded body (11) are washed off with water and a chlorine-containing solution, f) the synthetic polyisoprene molded body (11) is halogenated to neutralize its pH and to increase its suppleness in contact with body skin with a halogenating solution, g) the synthetic polyisoprene molded body (11) is dried.

Abstract: A thin film member forming device includes a reference roll fixedly disposed while being rotatably supported by a first bearing member, a movable roll disposed movably with respect to the reference roll while being rotatably supported by a second bearing member, a roll gap adjusting mechanism which adjusts a gap between the reference roll and the movable roll and a roll opening mechanism which expands the gap. The roll gap adjusting mechanism adds a load in a direction to narrow the gap to the second bearing member, and the roll opening mechanism adds a load in a direction to expand the gap to the second bearing member.

Abstract: Aspects hereof provide methods for molding a single-phase solution comprised of a polymer composition and a gas. The polymer composition and the gas are maintained under pressure during the molding operation to prevent a cellular structure from being formed by the dissolved gas in the polymer composition coming out of solution. The mold cavity in which the single-phase solution is introduced for molding purposes is pressurized to a mold pressure that is sufficient to maintain the single-phase solution as a single-phase solution as the mold cavity is filled. Subsequent to filling the mold cavity with the single-phase solution under pressure, the resulting article may solidify entrapping the compressed gas, or the article may be exposed to a reduction in pressure causing the entrapped gas to form a cellular structure.

Abstract: Provided are a vehicle seat member in which even when a foamed resin molded body forming the vehicle seat member shrinks after being demolded, influence of the shrinkage behavior on a frame member embedded in the foamed resin molded body can be prevented, and thus a change in the position of a protrusion, which serves as a part to be anchored to a vehicle body, of the frame member can be prevented, whereby the vehicle seat member can be attached to the vehicle body side easily and reliably, and a vehicle seat including such a vehicle seat member. A vehicle seat member includes a foamed resin molded body and a frame member integrally formed therewith, the frame member including a body portion embedded in the foamed resin molded body and protrusions each protruding from the body portion and having a tip end protruding outward from the foamed resin molded body.

Abstract: A mechanism for mixing a supercritical fluid and a polymer raw material melt provided by the present invention includes a hot-melting unit, a mixing unit, and a supercritical fluid supplying unit. The mixing unit, independently of the hot-melting unit, receives a polymer melt from the hot-melting unit and a supercritical fluid from the supercritical fluid supplying unit, respectively, and mixes the polymer melt and the supercritical fluid into a homogenous single-phase solution. The hot-melting unit is provided with a pushing member for pushing a polymer raw material. The mixing unit is provided with a mixing rotor for mixing the polymer melt and the supercritical fluid.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plastic product (1) having a bottom and an upright wall extending from a periphery of the bottom in an injection mold having a bottom-forming cavity and a wall-forming cavity. The cavities of the injection mold are filled with fluid plastic while pressure is being exerted in two stages with an interruption of the supply of fluid plastic therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mold. The mold has a first mold part with a first interior surface and a second mold part with a second interior surface. The apparatus additionally includes a movable member disposed proximate the mold. The movable member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the movable member cooperates with the first interior surface and second interior surface to define a first mold cavity, and in the second position the movable member cooperates with the first interior surface and second interior surface to define a second mold cavity. The second mold cavity has a shape distinct from the first mold cavity.

Abstract: A forming device of a base material and a skin layer may include a lower mold having an upper surface on which a first forming surface is formed and including a vacuum path formed inwardly from the first forming surface to be connected to the vacuum chamber; an upper mold disposed to be movable upward and downward by a press device and having a lower surface on which a second forming surface is formed to correspond to the first forming surface of the lower mold; a pressurizing member disposed at the outside of the second forming surface of the upper mold to be movable toward the upper surface of the lower mold; and a pressurizing cylinder pushing the pressurizing member toward the upper surface of the lower mold to closely adhere the skin layer injected between the upper mold and the lower mold to the upper surface of the lower mold.

Abstract: A production method for a cover attached to an outer ring of a hub unit first prepares a first mold and a second mold which form a cavity filled with a resin material. Next, by a protrusion of the first mold, a nut is supported. Next, when viewed from an axial direction of the nut, in a state where at least a part of the gate of the second mold overlaps an inside of the nut as compared with an outer circumferential surface of the nut, the first mold and the second mold are die-matched. Then, a resin material is injected into the cavity.

Abstract: Provided are an assembly type terminal for a fuel pump capable of decreasing a process additionally required at the time of injection-molding a flange using a separation type terminal according to the related art and preventing a defect of a product that may occur at the time of injection-molding the flange, and a method of manufacturing a fuel pump flange using the same. The assembly type terminal for a fuel pump includes: a plurality of power supply terminals; a plurality of coupling bodies 100 and 200 coupling one or more power supply terminals to each other; and a coupling member 300 formed in the coupling bodies and coupling the plurality of coupling bodies 100 and 200 to each other, wherein the plurality of coupling bodies are spaced apart from each other and are coupled to each other by the coupling member.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention is directed to a method for producing a connector using injection-molding by providing at least one conductor and at least one contact pin which are electrically connected at a contact point, producing a thermoset premold from a thermoset using injection-molding, wherein the thermoset is injection-molded around at least a first section of the at least one conductor and/or around at least a second section of the at least one contact pin, and injection-molding of a thermoplast on the thermoset premold, wherein the step of injection-molding takes place before the thermoset premold has obtained a degree of curing of 90%. Another aspect of the invention is a connector comprising at least one conductor and at least one contact pin is disclosed.

Abstract: An actuating device for adjusting at least one valve needle of an injection molding apparatus with a hot runner manifold that has disposed thereon at least one hot runner nozzle with at least one valve needle extending there-through which may control the melt flow through the hot runner nozzle. The actuating device has a support plate that is connected to the at least one valve needle and movable in a first direction relative to the hot runner manifold. The actuating device further includes a reciprocating device for moving the support plate in the first direction relative to the hot runner manifold, wherein the reciprocating device includes a slider mechanism and an actuation drive that is connected to a trigger device for generating a linear motion, wherein the slider mechanism has at least one thrust rod that is disposed in a second direction at an angle relative to the first direction.

Abstract: A cooling plate for an injection molding machine includes a plate body, a plurality of sockets in the plate body for receiving respective spigot portions of a plurality of cooling tubes, and a cooling fluid conduit system in the plate body for cooling the cooling tubes. The cooling plate further includes an air conduit system in the plate body for providing air flow communication with the cooling tubes. Each socket forms a blockable flow passage between the cooling fluid conduit system and the air conduit system.

Abstract: A management device connected to a control device includes multiple interface processing units respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of display screens. A selection and execution unit selects one from the interface processing units, and the selected interface processing unit controls the display unit so as to cause the display unit of the control device to display the associated display screen and display the input information on the display screen of the display unit.

Abstract: An abnormality detection device for detecting an abnormality of a movable part provided in an injection molding machine includes: a through hole formed in the movable part or in an adjacent member arranged adjacent to the movable part; and a microphone installed inside the through hole to collect sound generated by the movement of the movable part.

Abstract: A remote control system to remotely control a take-out robot of an injection molding machine on a production site through network includes an injection molding machine to produce and convey injection molded products through the take-out robot. A remote controller transmits and receives the operation data of the take-out robot and the information data on the injection molding to and from the injection molding machine through the wireless internet. The remote controller remotely controls the injection molding machine based on the utilized operation data and information data. A control pendent connected to the injection molding machine remotely controls the take-out robot, performs three-dimensional graphic simulation for the previous operations before operating the take-out robot and for loading motions of the injection molded products, and stores and outputs the three-dimensional graphic images of the injection molded products, based on a previously stored remote control access program.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of adjusting a motion profile of a shooting pot plunger for use in a molding system, the shooting pot plunger slidably movable within a shooting pot cavity, the method comprising: sensing a characteristic at a predetermined location in an injection circuit of the molding system; determining that the sensed characteristic is outside of a threshold range; adjusting the motion profile of the shooting pot plunger to account for determining that the sensed characteristic is outside of the threshold range; and storing the adjusted motion profile in a memory.

Abstract: A three-dimensional drawing device can include a housing configured for to be held in user's hand, shaped to allow manipulation of the housing like a pen, and configured to accept a strand of thermoplastic material. The drawing device has a nozzle assembly with an exit nozzle and a motor connected to a gear train that engages the strand such that rotation of the motor causes the feed stock to be extruded out of the exit nozzle to form a three-dimensional object. The motor can be controlled using a variable speed control mechanism or first and second actuators, thereby controlling movement of the strand, for example, to advance or retract the strand relative to the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A die with alignment mechanism includes a die including a through-hole through which a traveling wire travels, a bearing member for rotationally moving the die in a circumferential direction of the traveling wire, and a movable member that moves the die so that a central axis of the through-hole is aligned with a travel direction of the traveling wire without inhibiting the rotational movement of the die produced by the bearing member when the travel direction changes in a direction orthogonal to the travel direction.

Abstract: Extrusion die systems, die changers and related methods are provided herein. The die changer for changing of dies in and out of an extrusion line can include a housing having a main supply feed bore therethrough for directing, a flowable material and a channel oriented transversely to the main supply feed bore. The die changer can include a slide plate movable through the channel and transverse to a direction of flow through the bore. The slide plate can include an elongate body having a first section and a second section. A first bore can extend through the first section of the elongate body of the slide plate and a second bore can extend through the second section of the elongate body of the slide plate.

Abstract: A direct-to-object printer includes an ultraviolet (UV) curing verification subsystem. The verification subsystem includes a ribbon that frictionally engages an image on an object that contains UV curable material. An imaging device generates image data of the ribbon that engaged the image and the image data is processed to determine whether any uncured UV material is present on the ribbon.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a 3D printer (1) for 3D printing of a construct. The 3D printer (1) has a print bed (2). The 3D printer further comprises at least one actuating tool head (3) with an extrusion element (4), wherein the extrusion element and the print bed are movable in relation to each other. The 3D printer also comprises at least one sensor (5) arranged to sense a force applied to the print bed (2) by the extrusion element (4), or vice versa. The 3D printer additionally comprises a control element (7) arranged to detect when the sensed force exceeds a predetermined value and to record a position of the print bed or extrusion element related to the detection that the predetermined value is exceeded. The present disclosure also relates to corresponding methods and computer programs.

Abstract: An injection station of an injection blow molding machine. The injection station comprises a lower die plate and an upper die plate, with lower and upper die plates being shiftable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The injection station additionally includes one or more lower mold halves rigidly secured to the lower die plate. The injection station additionally includes one or more upper mold halves floatingly secured to the upper die plate such that positions of the upper mold halves are configured to be adjusted with respect to the upper die plate. Each of the lower mold halves corresponds with an upper mold half to present one or more mold cavities when the lower and upper die plates are in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for producing a flexible pouch made of flexible thermoplastic material, including steps of: (i) preparing hot flexible thermoplastic material in a pasty state, (ii) placing a so-called “proximal” pre-molded insert onto a mounting such that the insert is arranged in a ring around the mounting, (iii) coating all or part of the insert with hot flexible thermoplastic material in the pasty state, (iv) locking the blow-mold shells around the insert, and (v) injecting a pressurized gas into the chamber so as to expand the sleeve from inside onto the inner surface of the mold or expand the sleeve from the outside by creating negative pressure inside the chamber.

Abstract: The invention is an integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container obtainable by blow-moulding an injection moulded multi-layer preform. The bag-in-container includes an inner layer forming, the bag and an outer layer forming the container, and a single opening, the mouth, fluidly connecting the volume defined by the bag to the atmosphere. The container further includes at least one interface vent fluidly connecting the interface between inner and outer layers to the atmosphere, wherein the bag is anchored to the outer layer at at least one point remote from the single opening and interface vent. The invention also relates to a process and a mould for the production of the blow-moulded bag-in-container.

Abstract: A method for fabricating containers wherein a molding apparatus is provided having a plurality of mold segments, each of which has two substantially opposite faces that form a mold cavity when abutted against an opposite face of an adjacent mold segment. A first mold segment is passed through a manipulation zone at an increased speed to open the mold cavity between the first and second mold segments. After a preform is positioned within the mold cavity, a second mold segment is passed through the manipulation zone at an increased speed to abut a face of the first mold segment against an opposite face of the second mold segment. A volume of a liquid is next injected into the preform, expanding the preform and forming the container. These steps are repeated and a container produced during the previous iteration is removed during an extracting step in an extracting manipulation zone.

Abstract: A method and molding system for hydraulic blow molding of a container from a preform. The method precharges the molding medium within a fill head unit to a precharge pressure. During the injecting of the molding medium into the preform, the method further increases the pressure of the molding medium to a pressure greater than the precharge pressure.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heating a dielectric preform material. An exemplary method includes inserting the preform material into a microwave cavity along a longitudinal axis of the microwave cavity and supplying the microwave cavity with microwave power having a frequency that corresponds to an axial wavelength along the longitudinal axis of the microwave cavity. The axial wavelength is greater than a length of the preform material along the longitudinal axis. The method includes heating the preform material within the microwave cavity by the microwave power and determining temperatures of the preform material at one or more locations on a surface of the preform material. The method further includes adjusting, based on the temperatures of the preform material, the microwave frequency to achieve substantially uniform heating at least on a sidewall of the preform material along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A thermoformed article is disclosed that includes a self-supporting structural base layer, a covering applied to a first side of the base layer, and one or more secondary features co-injected upon a second side of the base layer. The covering and the secondary features of the thermoformed article are applied to the base layer during the same molding operation. Also disclosed is a process for forming a thermoformed article that includes placing a covering in a mold tool as a first layer, placing a self-supporting structural base layer in the mold tooling as a second layer, closing the mold tooling with the covering and base layer, and co-injecting upon a side of the base layer opposite to the covering one or more secondary features.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to forming shaped thermoplastic articles having smooth peripheries. Many thermoplastic articles have sharp edges formed upon molding or cutting the article from a feedstock sheet. Such sharp edges can damage thin plastic films or flesh which they contact, and smoothing the edges is desirable. Described herein are methods of forming a smooth periphery for such sharp-edged articles by rolling over the sharp edge. The smoothing operation is performed by forming a deflectable flange including a bend region separated from the potentially sharp peripheral edge by a spacer, deflecting a portion of the deflectable flange, and softening at least one bent portion of the deflectable flange to yield a smooth periphery upon cooling. The deflection can include curling the spacer at or near the peripheral edge.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide an additively manufactured part, comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of compacted composite filaments arranged in layers between the top portion and the bottom portion, each compacted composite filament including one or more axial fiber strands, wherein the plurality of compacted composite filaments includes a first compacted composite filament located in a first layer and a second compacted composite filament located in a second layer, the first layer being located closer to the bottom portion than the second layer, and wherein the second compacted composite filament layer is compressed against the first compacted composite filament, forming a vertically bonded rank in which the one or more axial fiber strands of the second compacted composite filament intrudes into the first compacted composite filament.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system configured to a 3D print using a metal wire material includes a drive mechanism configured to feed the metal feedstock into an inlet tube and a liquefier. The liquefier has a chamber configured to accept the metal feedstock from the inlet tube. The metal feed stock is heated in the chamber such that a melt pool is formed in the chamber. The liquefier has an extrusion tube in fluid communication with the chamber, the extrusion tube having a length (L) and a diameter (D) wherein the ratio of length to diameter (L/D) ranges from about 4:1 to about 20:1. The system has a platen with a surface configured to accept melted material from the liquefier, wherein the platen and the liquefier move in at least three dimensions relative to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional object including a hydrogel containing water as a main component, wherein the three-dimensional object contains a chelate agent.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the additive manufacturing methods comprise increasing the temperature of a plurality of foam particles with actinic radiation under conditions effective to fuse a portion of the plurality of foam particles comprising one or more thermoplastic elastomers. Increasing the temperature of the foam particles can be carried out for one or multiple iterations. The disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that exhibit differing degrees of fusion between the foam particles, thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the disclosed methods comprise selectively depositing a binding material on foam particles in a target area such that the binding material coats at least a portion of defining surfaces of the foam particles with the binding material. The binding material is then cured to affix foam particles in the target area to one another. In various aspects, the disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that differential levels of affixing between the foam particles, and thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus models a three-dimensional model with a modeling material and includes a processing space, a modeling material discharging member, and a coolant supplying unit. The modeling material discharging member includes: an entrance from which the modeling material is loaded; a discharging unit that discharges the modeling material into the processing space; a transport channel through which the modeling material loaded from the entrance is transported to the discharging unit; a heating unit that heats the modeling material in the transport channel; a cooling unit provided adjacently to the transport channel between the entrance and the heating unit; and a coolant path formed inside the cooling unit. The coolant supplying unit supplies coolant into the coolant path. At least a part of the coolant path is provided between a side surface of the cooling unit along a transport direction of the modeling material and the transport channel.

Abstract: A support fixture is provided for forming a three dimensional article of manufacture onto a lower build surface thereof. The formation of the three dimensional article occurs in a resin vessel containing photocurable resin. The resin vessel includes a transparent sheet that forms a lower bound for the resin. The support fixture includes an interface fixture and a replaceable support. The interface fixture includes an upper portion having alignment and gripping features, a lower portion surrounding a central opening and including a plurality of attachment features, and a side wall coupling the upper and lower portions. The replaceable support includes a planar portion having a lower surface (providing the lower build surface) for attachment of the three dimensional article of manufacture and a peripheral support portion including complementary attachment features engaging the attachment features when the peripheral support portion is mounted to the lower portion of the interface fixture.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system includes a resin vessel, a light engine, and a fluid spill containment vessel. The resin vessel is for containing resin and has a transparent sheet on a lower side that provides a lower bound for the resin. The light engine is disposed below the resin vessel for projecting pixelated light up through the transparent sheet. The fluid spill containment vessel is disposed between the resin vessel and the light engine to capture resin that spills from the resin vessel. The fluid spill containment vessel includes a housing for containing the spilled resin, a transparent window for allowing the pixelated light to project up through the fluid spill containment vessel and to the transparent sheet, and a fluid barrier wall surrounding at least part of the clear window and configured to reduce an amount of spilled resin required to occlude the pixelated light.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for multi-scale stereolithography. The apparatus includes a light source for providing a laser beam having a first shape and a first size. The apparatus includes a dynamic aperture having multiple apertures that are of the same or different sizes or shapes. The dynamic aperture is configured to receive the laser beam and modify at least one of the shape or the size of the laser beam. The apparatus includes a platform for holding an object to be printed. The apparatus includes a processor connected to at least one of the light source, the dynamic aperture or the platform. The processor is configured to move the platform to direct the laser beam or direct the laser beam to cure resin onto the object to be printed using a first aperture of the multiple apertures to form the object.

Abstract: An internal tissue including a lesion region in the human body is modeled as a three-dimensional model. By reconstructing thickness or flexibility of a lumen wall portion including the lesion region and making it possible to confirm a motion of the lumen wall or a flow of fluid in the inside of the lumen wall, a state of the lesion region in the lumen can be confirmed clearly by visual inspection or the like. As a result, the diagnosis in the lumen can be made easier.