Abstract: Tool for plastic injection molding consisting of at least one metallic mold and at least one plastic carrier, wherein the metallic mold and the plastic carrier are connected to one another by an adhesive layer.

Abstract: A undercut processing mechanism includes: a sliding piece having a molding core for molding an undercut portion; a holder having a guide for guiding the sliding piece so that a molding core is detached from the undercut portion; and a retaining piece slidably accommodated in the holder and slidably engaged with the sliding piece. One of the holders and the retaining piece can advance/retract relative to the other thereof The retaining piece has a first engagement element and a second engagement element to be engaged with the sliding piece. The sliding piece is guided via the first engagement element and the second engagement element so that the molding core is detached from the undercut portion and moves away from the molded product.

Abstract: A closing unit for a shaping machine includes mutually moveable mold mounting plates suitable for carrying mold tool portions, a first hydraulic cylinder adapted to apply a closing force to the mold mounting plates, a second hydraulic cylinder, and a pressure storage means connected to the first hydraulic cylinder and adapted to store a pressure prevailing in the at least one first hydraulic cylinder upon pressure relief as a storage means pressure. A hydraulic interconnection of the pressure storage means with the second hydraulic cylinder allows the storage pressure stored in the pressure storage means to be used for locking and/or unlocking the locking device.

Abstract: The molding system including a molding apparatus comprising, a mold clamping force sensor for detecting a mold clamping force generated in a mold, a detection unit for detecting an apparatus failure of the molding apparatus and/or molding of a defective article by the molding apparatus based on an amount of change in mold clamping force detected by the mold clamping force sensor, an operation mode prediction unit for predicting the operation mode of the molding apparatus based on an amount of change in mold clamping force detected by the mold clamping force sensor and, an actual operation mode acquisition unit for acquiring the actual operation mode of the molding apparatus without relying on the mold clamping force sensor.

Abstract: A casting tool, for example a core shooting tool or a permanent mould, having an upper tool part and a lower tool part, which on opposite sides each have at least one engraving formed as a shell engraving and which form a mould cavity, characterized in that the shell engraving on an outer side facing away from the mould cavity comprises at least one physical sensor which is configured to measure a physical quantity with respect to a material accommodated in the mould cavity. Furthermore, a corresponding casting method is described.

Abstract: An extruder assembly includes a rolling assembly. An extrusion block includes a plurality of extruding ports that receive an extrudable material from the rolling assembly. A regulating mechanism is positioned within, above, or otherwise near each extruding port of the plurality of extruding ports. The regulating mechanism is operable with respect to the rolling assembly to modify a flow of extrudable material through each respective extruding port.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semi-crystalline article from at least one pseudo-amorphous polymer including a poly aryl ether ketone, such as PEKK, including a softening step, wherein the at least one pseudo-amorphous polymer is heated to a temperature above its glass transition temperature to soften the polymer, and a crystallization step, wherein the at least one pseudo-amorphous polymer is heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and melting temperature, the pseudo-amorphous polymer being placed on a mold during either the softening step or the crystallization step before at least some crystallization takes place. The method results in articles demonstrating increased opacity, increased crystallinity, increased thermal resistance, improved chemical resistance, and improved mechanical properties over articles formed by traditional thermoforming processes.

Abstract: Fixation of a container shape of a hollow molded body is not completed during a blow molding process but is completed during an ejection process of an ejection section, thereby shortening an operation time in a stretch blow molding section, and improving the production efficiency of hollow molded bodies by shortening the time required for the blow molding process during a molding cycle. Cooling air is blown into the inside of the hollow molded body disposed in the ejection section in the ejection process C during the blow molding process B in the next molding cycle to cool the hollow molded body disposed in the ejection section to solidify the container shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport system for transporting preforms in a device for the blow-molding production of finished containers, wherein the transport system comprises a transport chain, the chain elements of which have a support element for transporting the preforms, wherein the support element comprises a shaft part and a head part, and the head part has a head end region that can be introduced into the opening section of the preform, characterized in that the head part is retained on the shaft part and can be detached from the shaft part via actuation of a first actuation element, wherein the first actuation element is arranged in the shaft part end region facing away from the head part. The invention also relates to a device for the blow-molding production of finished containers from preforms, a use, as well as a method for exchanging at least one head part, each making use of the transport system according to the invention.

Abstract: An injection blow molding system including a core pin, a neck ring, and a blow mold. The injection blow system may be configured to form a preform on the core pin and to blow mold the formed preform on the core pin to form a container. In an embodiment, the core pin includes a poppet that is configured to be disposed in a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A method for forming a preform and container on a core pin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of assemblies each configured to support a dental mold and a material, a heating system configured to heat the material, a forming system configured to form a chamber encompassing the dental mold and at least a portion of the heated material, and to cause the heated material to form over the dental mold, and a conveyor system configured to move the plurality of assemblies from a loading area to the heating system, from the heating system to the forming system, and from the forming system to an unloading area.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming pre-shaped insulating sheets comprises first bending station and a second bending station. The first bending station is used for bending a flat sheet of insulating material into a Z-shaped sheet (5). The second bending station is used for bending the Z-shaped sheet into an S-shape. The first and second bending stations comprise pairs of first (13a, 13b) 13b and second bending operators for creating bending movements.

Abstract: A heating system for heating a heat shrink layer of a heat shrink component during a heat shrink process includes a heating unit arranged in thermal contact with at least a part of the heat shrink layer and heating the heat shrink layer to a heat shrink temperature. The heating unit has a first heating zone and a second heating zone. The first heating zone has a different heating energy than the second heating zone for a period of time of the heat shrink process.

Abstract: A screen protector application device including a holder frame having an upper surface, a lower surface, and travel slots. A head grip protrudes from the upper surface of the holder frame at a first end. Side guides protrude from the upper surface of the holder frame along the sides. A sliding foot includes a foot grip protruding from the upper surface of the holder frame at a second end and sliding legs slidably disposed within the travel slots. At least one spring biases the sliding foot towards the head grip. The device further includes a track and an applicator. The applicator includes a handle, a roller rotatably coupled to the handle, and a slide. The slide is slidably engaged with the track such that the applicator slides along a length the holder frame with the roller disposed above the upper surface of the holder frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a tubular assembly (24) comprising an inner portion (21) and a further portion (22) surrounding the inner portion, the further portion being formed from a strip (50) of material comprising two opposed longitudinal marginal side portions (53). The apparatus (100) comprises an assembly station (106) having a wall (122). The apparatus (100) comprises means for advancing the inner portion (21) along a first path (111) extending past the wall, and means for advancing the strip (50) along a second path (112) and causing the strip to encircle the wall and thereby wrap about and surround the inner portion (21). The two marginal side portions (53) are disposed in overlapping relation on the side of the wall opposed to the first path (111).

Abstract: The process for three-dimensional printing, particularly for the production of windows, plate-shaped elements for floors or the like, comprises: a supply step of PVC and of a solvent in which the PVC is soluble; a mixing step of the PVC and of the solvent to obtain a mixture in the liquid phase; a distribution step of the mixture onto a deposition surface (1); an evaporation step of the solvent for obtaining a layer of PVC (2) of a manufactured article (3), wherein the evaporation step is subsequent to the distribution step; and repeating the distribution step and the evaporation step to obtain a plurality of overlapping layers of PVC (2) forming the manufactured article (3).

Abstract: The three-dimensional printing process for obtaining a manufactured article with material effect comprises: a supply step of an image (1) in digital format reproducing a wooden surface portion provided with a plurality of grains (2), comprising a plurality of pixels; an identification step of a color range datum of each of pixels by means of a software; a transformation step of the color range datum into a depth spatial datum to produce a three-dimensional digital model of a manufactured article with material effect (3) provided with an outer surface (4) reproducing the grains (2) by means of a plurality of grooves (5) with variable depth; a three-dimensional printing step of the model to obtain the manufactured article with material effect (3) by means of a molding device (10, 13); and a painting step of the outer surface (4) by means of a paint (9), the paint (9) accumulating in the grooves (5) and reproducing the color range of the grains (2).

Abstract: Described herein are additive manufacturing systems and methods for printing 3D objects.

Abstract: A method of fused deposition modelling manufacture of a generally cylindrical, hollow object is provided. The method includes a plurality of Travel Move steps, in which each Travel Move step is constrained to follow a travel path that does not pass through an inside region of the object.

Abstract: A dispenser attachment for microscope objective lenses, in a device for writing three-dimensional structures by means of laser lithography in a lithographic fluid, which can be solidified by irradiation with laser light. The dispenser attachment may be adapted for being placed onto an objective lens.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes fluidizing particles with a medium to form a fluidized bed and additively manufacturing an article formed from the particles. The article has an open porous structure defining a plurality of pores and a plurality of fluid paths through the article. The method further includes flowing the particles and the medium through the fluid paths while the fluid paths are being formed. The article may be additively manufactured by selectively sintering the particles at target areas on the article which are near the surface of the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a powder-bed additive manufacturing process using a plurality of energy sources is provided. A layer of additive powder is deposited on a powder bed and is fused using a first energy source, a second energy source, or any other suitable number of energy sources. The electromagnetic energy emissions at a first melt pool are monitored by a melt pool monitoring system and recorded as raw emission signals. The melt pool monitoring system may also monitor emissions from the powder bed using off-axis sensors or from a second melt pool using on-axis sensors, and these emissions may be used to modify the raw emission signals to generate compensated emission signals. The compensated emission signals are analyzed to identify outlier emissions and an alert may be provided or a process adjustment may be made when outlier emissions exceed a predetermined signal threshold.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a powder-bed additive manufacturing process is provided where a layer of additive powder is fused using an energy source and electromagnetic emission signals are measured by a melt pool monitoring system to monitor the print process. The method includes determining thermal conductive properties of the part and the powder bed, e.g., by estimating thermal lag between the printing of adjacent portions of the part or determining thermal resistance using a thermal model of the part and the powder bed. The method may include obtaining a predicted emission signal based at least in part on these thermal conductive properties and comparing with measured emission signals. An alert may be provided or a process adjustment may be made when a difference between the measured emission signals and the predicted emission signal exceeds a predetermined error threshold.

Abstract: To additively manufacturing an object, a powder bed is built by depositing a series of layers of powder. For at least some of the layers, before a next layer in the series is deposited: the powder of the layer in inspected by performing an x-ray scan of at least some of the powder of the layer to detect whether or not a contaminant is present in the powder of the layer, and a selected part of the powder of the layer is fused in accordance with a three-dimensional model of the object.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a support plate, a powder dispenser, a fusing apparatus, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate various printer components of the system to: (1) dispense a first layer of powder, (2) fuse a first boundary contour and a first infill section at least through the first layer of powder and are laterally separated by an unfused zone of powder, (3) dispense a second layer of powder over the first layer of powder, (4) fuse the unfused zone of powder through the first and second layers of powder to define a first fused connecting zone, (5) dispense a third layer of powder over the second layer of powder, (6) fuse a second boundary contour and a second infill section through the second and third layers of powder.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder by selective sintering the powder using electromagnetic radiation. The powder includes recycled PAEK. In one embodiment, the powder includes recycled PEKK. In one embodiment, the powder includes first recycle PEKK and second recycle PEKK. In one embodiment, the powder consists essentially of recycled PEKK. The process may include the step of maintaining a bed of a selective laser sintering machine at approximately 300 degrees Celsius and applying a layer of the powder to the bed. The average in-plane tensile strength of the three-dimensional object is greater than that of a three-dimension object manufactured by selective sintering using a powder including an unused PEKK powder.

Abstract: A method of producing a workpiece by using additive manufacturing techniques includes obtaining computer-aided design data representing the workpiece in multiple layers. The method includes providing build platforms and layer tools. Each layer tool is moveable relative to a respective build platform and configured to generate or solidify a material layer on the respective build platform. The method includes producing a first defined material layer of the workpiece on a first build platform by controlling a first layer tool according to a first layer definition. The method includes transferring the first defined material layer from the first build platform to a second build platform and measuring the first defined material layer using a first measuring head to measure individual characteristics. The method includes producing further material layers of the workpiece by controlling a second layer tool in accordance with further layer definitions as a function of the measured individual characteristics.

Abstract: A printhead for 3D printing may include a first nozzle with a first opening configured for an extrusion of ink on a printing surface. The printhead may further include a second nozzle with a second opening configured for an extrusion of ink on the printing surface, where the first nozzle and the second nozzle are positioned to provide simultaneous extrusion of ink on the printing surface, and where a position of the first opening is independently movable relative to a position of the second opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing system. In one embodiment the system makes use of a reservoir for holding a granular material feedstock. A nozzle is in communication with the reservoir for releasing the granular material feedstock in a controlled fashion from the reservoir to form at least one layer of a part. An excitation source is included for applying a signal which induces a controlled release of the granular material feedstock from the nozzle as needed, to pattern the granular material feedstock as necessary to form a layer of the part.

Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing a medical device, the system comprising a first dispensing system, a second dispensing system, a deposition apparatus, and a deposition substrate on a surface of which the deposition apparatus is configured to deposit at least one elastomeric material into a filament. The deposition apparatus receives the at least one elastomeric material from the first and second dispensing systems in proportions effecting a desired property in the medical device. The deposition apparatus may comprise heating and/or cooling elements, a sonic vibration module, and/or a pneumatic suck-back valve. The deposition substrate may have a configuration corresponding to a desired shape of the medical device and is configured to rotate and/or translate relative to the deposition apparatus. The system comprises a controller configured to control the deposition.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of forming a part using additive manufacturing may include receiving, at a computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine, a computer aided design (CAD) model of the part. The method may further include dividing the CAD model into plurality of sections. The method may further include slicing each of the plurality of sections into a plurality of layers. Each section may include a distinct set of print parameters. The method may further include depositing a flowable material onto a worktable according the set of print parameters for each section of the plurality of sections to manufacture the part.

Abstract: A 3D printing device with a dual transmission mechanism includes a motor, a driving wheel module, two first driven wheels, two second driven wheels, a first longitudinal belt, a second longitudinal belt, a first and a second latitudinal belt. The driving wheel module has an upper and a lower driving wheels sheathed on and connected to a drive shaft of the motor; each first driven wheel has an upper and a lower wheel areas; the first longitudinal belt is sheathed on the upper driving wheel and one of the upper wheel areas; the second longitudinal belt is sheathed on the lower driving wheel and one of the lower wheel areas; the first latitudinal belt is sheathed on the other lower wheel area and one of the second driven wheels; and the second latitudinal belt is sheathed on the other upper wheel area and the other second driven wheel.

Abstract: A 3D printing device having a casing (100), a lifting platform (300), a horizontal sliding rail (400) and a forming platform (500) is provided. A forming chamber (101) is defined in the casing (100), and an opening (102) communicated with the forming chamber (101) is defined at one side of the casing (100). The lifting platform (300) is accommodated in the casing (100). The horizontal sliding rail (400) is disposed on the lifting platform (300), and the horizontal sliding rail (400) extends toward the opening (102). The forming platform (500) is disposed on the horizontal sliding rail (400) and movable along the horizontal sliding rail (400). The forming platform (500) is capable of moving out of the casing (100) through the opening (102).

Abstract: Plant (1) for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising at least one process station (2) for an additive manufacturing process, wherein at least one functional component (4, 5), preferably a lifting device for a powder module (7), of the process station (2) is at least partially enclosed by a housing structure (3) of the process station (2), wherein the process station (2) is coupled or can be coupled with at least one powder module (7), wherein the housing structure (3) comprises at least one opening (6) for loading and/or unloading the at least one powder module (7) into or from the process station (2), wherein a platform (8) is provided that is arrangeable or arranged adjacent to the at least one opening (6), wherein the platform (8) comprises at least one positioning unit (10) with at least one positioning surface for positioning a module carrier (12) which is adapted to carry the at least one powder module (7)

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing device with a stirring mechanism includes a vessel (1), a molding platform (2), a light source module (3) and a rotary stirring structure (4). The molding platform (2) is elevatably installed above the vessel (1); the light source module (3) is installed under the vessel (1); and the rotary stirring structure (4) includes a magnetic stirrer (41), a magnetic turntable (42) and a driver (43). The magnetic stirrer (41) is placed inside the vessel (1); the magnetic turntable (42) is installed under the vessel (1) and magnetically attracted to the magnetic stirrer (41); the driver (43) drives the magnetic turntable (42) to rotate and move, so as to drive the magnetic stirrer (41) to rotate and move with respect to the vessel (1) and improve the convenience of using the three-dimensional printing device (10).

Abstract: A vat polymerization apparatus configured with a resin circulatory system that includes pumps arranged to extract used photo-curing resin from a tank and refresh or replace it with new resin, another fluid, or a combination of new resin and the fluid. Resin flow is regulated using a plurality of valves which are opened and closed to achieve a desired circulation process. Additional aspects of the apparatus include a membrane assembly in which a radiation-transparent flexible membrane is supported in a frame that stretches the membrane. A lip of the frame is secured to a bottom rim of the tank; thus, when the membrane assembly is in place it forms a bottom of the tank. A tension adjustment mechanism may be employed to adjust the tension of the membrane within the frame. The frame may be aligned with the tank with the aid of magnetized alignment aids distributed about the frame.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a substantially moisture-impermeable barrier comprising a guide tube assembly for supplying filament from a filament supply to a print head in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, where the print head melts the filament and extrudes the melted filament to form a 3D part. The guide tube assembly includes an inner tube permeable to moisture and an outer tube that s substantially moisture impermeable. The inner tube has an interior passageway configured to receive the filament, and has a relatively low coefficient of friction to minimize drag force as the filament travels through it. The outer tube surrounds the inner tube and provides a substantially moisture-impermeable barrier around the inner tube.

Abstract: Tins invention relates to apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by spray deposition. The apparatus has a powder conveyance line A line arranged to channel 5 a flow of spray material entrained in a carrier gas to a nozzle (a first flow). The apparatus also has a process line B arranged to channel a flow of gas to the nozzle (a second flow). The apparatus also has a spray nozzle 8. The apparatus is such that pressure and temperature parameters of the first flow are controlled in real time, but for the second flow these parameters are not controlled in real time. The two flows 10 merge to cause spray material to be propelled from the nozzle 8 to a substrate to create a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) having a discrete supply hopper (340) and a recoater (20). The discrete supply hopper (340) is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater (20) in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (20). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.

Abstract: According to one example there is provided a method of delivering build material from a build material store to a supply module. The method comprises moving, using a rotatable vane, a portion of build material from the supply module to the top of the supply module, and spreading the moved portion of build material across the support platform.

Abstract: The technology described herein includes a spreader that creates scattered incidental particles in a build chamber when spreading build material is applied in the build platform. One or more vacuum sources create negative pressure zones in one or more receptacles to collect the incidental particles in the build chamber during printing process and thus minimize the scattering of the incidental particles.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis is made by externally machining successive layers of wax, each of which is formed on a previous prosthesis layer and/or on a coping. Each wax layer is used to form a mold in situ over the previous prosthesis layer/coping, and the appropriate prosthesis material is cast or otherwise molded to conform to the wax layer by the mold.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to systems and methods for using machine vision to provide information on one or more aspects of an additive fabrication device, such as calibration parameters and/or an object formed by the device or in the process of being formed by the device. According to some aspects, a method is provided for calibrating an additive fabrication device. According to some aspects, a method is provided for assessing at least a portion of an object formed using an additive fabrication device. According to some aspects, a method is provided for fabricating a second object in contact with a first object using an additive fabrication device. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device configured to perform one or more of the above methods may be provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing additive process parameters for an additive manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the process includes receiving initial additive process parameters, generating an uninformed design of experiment utilizing a specified sampling protocol, next generating, based on the uninformed design of experiment, response data, and then generating, based on the response data and on previous design of experiment that includes at least one of the uninformed design of experiment and informed design of experiment, an informed design of experiment by using the machine learning model and the intelligent sampling protocol. The last process step is repeated until a specified objective is reached or satisfied.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated heat pipe is disclosed. The integrated heat pipe includes a porous wick structure, a solid conducting structure, and an integrated part. In a CAD model, the porous wick structure is represented as a simple solid having a finite amount of mechanical interference; the solid conducting structure and the integrated part are represented as simple solids. After incorporating the CAD model into a 3D-printer build file, 3D-printer parameters representing the porous wick structure of the integrated heat pipe are assigned to a porous region component model within the 3D-printer build file, and standard 3D-printer parameters representing the solid conducting structure and the integrated part are assigned to a solid region component model within the 3D-printer build file. The 3D-printer build file is utilized to print the integrated heat pipe on a 3D printer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing apparatus includes a platform, a printing head, a filament box, a connecting member and a guiding tube. The connecting member is disposed between the printing head and the filament box, and includes a main body, a first transfer tube, a second transfer tube and a third transfer tube. The first transfer tube, the second transfer tube and the third transfer tube are detachably mounted to the main body. The main body has a first passage, a second passage and a third passage that communicate with each other. The first transfer tube, the second transfer tube and the third transfer tube communicate respectively with the first passage, the second passage and the third passage. The guiding tube is connected to the third transfer tube and the printing head, and communicates with the third transfer tube.

Abstract: A device includes a material dispenser and a fluid dispenser. The material dispenser is to dispense a build material layer-by-layer, to at least partially additively form a first 3D object. The fluid dispenser is to dispense at least one fluid agent at selectable exterior voxel locations of the respective layers to at least partially define an external surface of the first 3D object as a first color to represent a first non-color material property of at least a first portion of the first 3D object. The selection of the first color is independent of characteristics of the first non-color material property.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing (AM) system, an AM method, and an AM feature extraction method are provided. The AM system includes an AM tool, a product metrology system, an in-situ metrology system, a virtual metrology (VM) system, a compensator, a track planner, a controller, a simulator and an augmented reality (AR) device. The simulator is used to find feasible parameter ranges, while the AR device is used to support operations and maintenance of the AM tool. The product metrology system, the in-situ metrology system and the VM system are integrated to estimate the variation of material on a powder bed of the AM tool. The compensator is used for compensating the process variation by adjusting process parameters. The product metrology system is used to measure the quality of products. The in-situ metrology system is used to collect features of melt pools on the powder bed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes (1) receiving a data file, (2) analyzing the data file, and (3) defining a support structure. The data file defines a hollow three-dimensional article to be formed from a build material. Analyzing the data file includes identifying an opening that converges to an apex along the sequence of layers. The opening is at least partly defined by an inside edge of the three-dimensional article. The support structure is attached to the edge and closes the opening. The support structure includes a structural sheet portion and an interface web portion. The structure sheet portion defines a majority of an area of the support structure except for a boundary contour between the structural sheet portion and the inside edge. The interface web portion closes the boundary contour and defines a weakness contour for removing the structural portion from the three-dimensional article.

Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional part includes receiving a sequence of part layer patterns together with first and second complementary mask patterns. For each part layer pattern in the sequence of part layer patterns, a mask pattern is selected according to the layer number of the part layer pattern, wherein the first mask pattern is selected for odd layer numbers and the second mask pattern is selected for even layer numbers. A masked part layer is formed by applying the selected mask pattern to the part layer pattern. A developed part layer is formed using an electrophotography engine, and the developed part layer is transfused together to previously-printed part layers to form a printed part layer of the three-dimensional part.