Abstract: There are provided a molding conditions determination assist device and a resin state estimation device including: a quality estimation unit which estimates quality of the mold products by a machine learning on the basis of a detection data; a quality transition storage unit which accumulates the estimated quality of the mold products and stores a quality transition with respect to the accumulated quality of the mold products; a tendency evaluation unit which evaluates a quality change tendency with respect to a prescribed standard quality on the basis of the quality transition; a relationship storage unit which stores a relationship between the quality change tendency and a modification amount of the molding conditions for returning the quality to the standard quality; and a modification conditions determination unit which determines the modification amount of the molding conditions on the basis of the quality change tendency and the relationship.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for molds includes a control unit connectable to a first and second sensor associable with the mold and configured for emitting respective signals representative of a deformation parameter and temperature parameter of the mold. The control unit, in order to define an alert condition, is configured for: defining a value of a threshold parameter as a function of the temperature of the mold and comparing such value of the deformation parameter with a value of a threshold parameter defined as a function of the temperature of the mold; or normalizing, at a reference temperature, the value of the deformation parameter determined at the temperature of the mold and comparing a value of a threshold parameter, defined at the reference temperature, with the value of the normalized deformation parameter at the same reference temperature. Also forming the object of the present invention is a monitoring method and a data medium.

Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring states of an injection molding machine includes a data collector, a controller, and an alarm apparatus. The data collector communicates with a molding equipment, a mold, and a mold temperature controller. Data of the molding equipment, data of the mold, and data of the mold temperature controller is constantly collected in real time by the data collector. The controller determines whether the data comprises a value exceeding a predetermined value range. The alarm is activated if the data is determined to comprises a value exceeding the predetermined value ranges.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing tubular films stretched in-line by blow molding with an extruder, a film blowing line, a lay-flat unit, an oscillating haul-off unit, and a stretching line for monoaxially stretching the film laid flat in machine direction. According to the invention, the stretching line is arranged above the extruder between the lay-flat unit and the oscillating haul-off unit.

Abstract: A method for producing a tube arrangement (1) for the transport of tempering medium, in which base body sections (6, 7) are provided, which have congruently configured separating surfaces (8), wherein at least one functional element (3) on at least one base body section (6, 7) is arranged in such a way that it can be in contact with the tempering medium, whereafter the base body sections (6, 7) are joined along the separating surface (8) and bonded to one another to form the tube arrangement (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a gripper for holding workpieces, in particular preforms or containers, in their neck region, having a gripper base on which two gripper arms are pivotably arranged, which each have gripping ends for partially enclosing the neck region, wherein the gripper arms are held in a base position under spring tension, in which the gripping ends can jointly enclose and hold a neck region and, if they come into contact with an obstacle, can be pivoted out of the base position jointly in one direction, wherein one of the gripper arms as the main arm (13, 13?) is clamped via a spring (20) with the gripper base (11), which pulls the main arm (13, 13?) into contact with the other gripper arm, functioning as a secondary arm (14, 14?), in the base position, and the main and secondary arm (13, 13?; 14, 14?) are each mounted in a joint (18, 19), wherein the joint (19) of the secondary arm (14) is closer to its gripping end (16) than the joint (18) of the main arm (13), and the main and secondary arm pr

Abstract: A method for filling and expanding of containers includes the following steps: Providing an expandable container and particularly an expandable plastic preform; Filling of the container with a product, wherein the container at least at times during filling is being expanded and wherein the filling is performed by a filling device which is placed against a mouth of the container to be filled and expanded. According to the process, at least at times a measured value is measured which is characteristic for a gas proportion being located in the filling device.

Abstract: A method for producing a multilayer body and a multilayer body, wherein the method includes: providing a single-layered or multi-layered substrate with a first surface and a second surface, providing one or more sensor films which each have at least one sensor area and have a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface, applying the one or more sensor films to the second surface of the substrate such that the first surface of the respective sensor film rests on the second surface of the substrate at least in areas, thermoforming a series of layers comprising the substrate and the one or more sensor films applied to the second surface of the substrate such that, during the thermoforming, on the first surface of the substrate a surface relief is formed which is determined by the shaping, of one or more of the one or more sensor films.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for a bioprinter capable of printing an object having biological components. In some embodiments, the bioprinter includes a modular print bed having a recessed area configured to receive a variable insert and a printer head positioned above the modular print bed. In some embodiments, the printer head has a cartridge for receiving and holding a biomaterial, and an extruder configured to extrude biomaterials from the cartridge onto a portion of the variable insert. The variable insert may include functional elements (e.g., heating, cooling, photocuring) and/or receiving elements (e.g., well plates).

Abstract: A shaped article is provided. The shaped article includes a light reflective layer, a decorative layer, and a first transparent layer. The light reflective layer is being provided from an ink having light reflectiveness. The first transparent layer is being provided from a transparent ink. The decorative layer is disposed on an outer side of the light reflective layer. The first transparent layer is disposed on an outer side of the decorative layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing an article, comprising the step of producing the article by means of an additive manufacturing method from a build material comprising an aromatic polycarbonate and interference pigments and/or pearlescent pigments from the group of the metal oxide-coated micas. The invention likewise relates to an article obtainable by the method. The build material further comprises ?0.05% by weight to ?3% by weight of anhydride-modified ?-olefin polymer.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first vertically-extending support leg, a second vertically-extending support leg, and a gantry supported on the first and second support legs. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a work table movably supported beneath the gantry, a print head supported on the gantry, and a trim head supported on the gantry with the print head.

Abstract: Photoresponsive materials for use with a volumetric additive manufacturing system are described herein. Some embodiments of photoresponsive materials described herein include at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of (i) a thiol-containing siloxane prepolymer, (ii) a vinyl-containing siloxane prepolymer, (iii) a reinforcing filler, (iv) a photoinitiator (v) a polymerization inhibitor. Various methods of using the same photoresponsive materials in additive manufacturing processes, such as volumetric additive manufacturing, are also described.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) inkjet printer is configured to build up an object by printing a series of layers and stacking them to form the object. In order to speed printing, drying of each layer is accelerated by using a pressure differential to extract liquid vehicle from the ink, and by moving the printed layer away from the inkjet print heads before drying so that the inkjet print heads may print the next layer. The dried printed layer may also be conditioned and/or cured. Dried printed layers are stacked at a build station to assemble the finished object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) inkjet printer is configured to build up an object by printing a series of layers and stacking them to form the object. In order to speed printing, drying of each layer is accelerated by using a pressure differential to extract liquid vehicle from the ink, and by moving the printed layer away from the inkjet print heads before drying so that the inkjet print heads may print the next layer. The dried printed layer may also be conditioned and/or cured. Dried printed layers are stacked at a build station to assemble the finished object.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods of constructing a structure and related non-transitory computer readable medium. In an embodiment, the method includes (a) defining a vertical first slice and a second vertical slice of the structure. A lateral cross-section of the structure within the first vertical slice is different than the lateral cross-section of the structure for the second vertical slice. In addition, the method includes (b) depositing a plurality of first vertically stacked layers of an extrudable building material with a printing assembly to form the first vertical slice. Further, the method includes depositing a plurality of second vertically stacked layers of the extrudable building material atop the first vertical slice with the printing assembly to form the second vertical slice.

Abstract: A method of producing a workpiece includes obtaining CAD data representing the workpiece in multiple workpiece layers. The CAD data includes multiple workpiece layer definitions corresponding respectively to the workpiece layers. The method includes selecting a first workpiece layer definition, preparing a powder bed of powder material on a build platform, and producing, based on the selected workpiece layer definition, a workpiece layer on the build platform by controlling a layer tool to selectively melt or sinter the powder material on the build platform. The method includes assessing the produced workpiece layer, including measuring the produced workpiece layer using a measuring head, analyzing the measurements of the produced workpiece layer, and, in response to the analysis indicating that the produced workpiece layer is defective, reprocessing the produced workpiece layer by controlling the layer tool to selectively melt or sinter the powder material on the build platform.

Abstract: An example of a three-dimensional (3D) printing kit includes a build material composition and a fusing agent to be applied to at least a portion of the build material composition during 3D printing. The build material composition includes thermoplastic elastomer particles, wherein at least 70% of the thermoplastic elastomer particles, based on a number distribution, have an aspect ratio ranging from 0.75 to 1. The fusing agent includes an energy absorber to absorb electromagnetic radiation to coalesce the thermoplastic elastomer particles in the at least the portion.

Abstract: A printhead a supplying portion with a supplying opening of a filament; a melting portion to melt a filament supplied; a discharging portion having a discharging opening to discharge the melted filament. A heat insulating portion between the supplying portion and the melting portion are integrally formed to effectively suppress heat in the melting portion conducting to the supplying portion even when the melting portion is heated to high temperature, to maintain the temperature of the supplying portion to an appropriate temperature, and to efficiently utilize heat by the melting portion as a result of heating the melting portion.

Abstract: A device for simultaneous 3D printing of a plurality of objects, including a plurality of printing heads and a plurality of object holders each associated with one of the printing heads, wherein: the printing heads and the object holders can be moved relative to one another along three translation axes in three spatial dimensions by at least three translation actuators; the printing heads are arranged on exactly one carrier element and the object holders are arranged on one or more object holder carriers, or the printing heads are arranged on a plurality of carrier elements and the object holders are arranged on exactly one object holder carrier; the printing heads are arranged on the one carrier element or the plurality of carrier elements at an offset along at least two of the three translation axes.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a head configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement that is at least partially coated with a matrix, and a housing trailing from the head and configured to at least partially enclose the continuous reinforcement after discharge. The system may also include a heat source disposed at least partially inside the oven, and a support configured to move the head during discharging.

Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a three-dimensional article comprises providing a spatially coherent light source (101, 201), generating from the light source (101, 201), patterns of light based on computed tomographic projections of the three-dimensional article, and projecting the patterns of light into a photoresponsive medium. The projecting is configured to define a three-dimensional dose distribution, thereby locally altering the phase of the photoresponsive medium and creating the article.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of 3D printing includes receiving a 3D object model that defines the shape of an object to be printed in a layer-by-layer build process, and determining a desired thermal profile based on the shape of the object. For each object layer, a fusing energy radiation pattern is determined based on the desired thermal profile, and an electromagnetic energy emitter array is controlled to deliver fusing energy to the object layer according to the energy radiation pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to additive manufacturing cartridges having an oxygen impermeable layer and to processes for producing cured polymeric products by additive manufacturing wherein the oxygen content during additive manufacturing is limited such as by use of the cartridge and/or by use of an inert gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating an irradiation control data set for creating control data for a device for additive manufacturing of a number of components in a manufacturing process in which at least one layer of a build material is introduced into a process space and the build material of the layer is selectively solidified to form at least one component layer by irradiating at least one section of the layer using a plurality of irradiation resources, wherein layer data are divided into a plurality of work packages, these work packages are put in an order and an irradiation resource is selected taking into account an execution time determined for the irradiation resource to which one of the work packages is assigned taking into account a specified set of evaluation rules, and this is repeated until to a predetermined termination criterion is reached.

Abstract: A beam steering system in which the printhead follows a printpath along a curve, such as printing of a heat exchanger thin walls, typically undergoes errors due to varying beam angles, beam focus and beam speed. The present disclosure provides solutions to error reduction and increases reliability for printing rings and hollow objects related to 3D printing. Accordingly, a wall described by a curve function, may be fabricated using a printhead, which is moved in a print path that keeps the print lines orthogonal to the print path and tangent to the inner center line curve between the outer wall and the inner wall.

Abstract: A device for applying flowable material to a substratum rotated about an axis of rotation, in accordance with image data stored as pixels or vectors of a Cartesian coordinate grid in a first memory, has at least one printing head for discharging material drops of the flowable material, and is arranged above the substratum, and a controller for positioning the substratum in relation to the printing head and controlling the discharge of the material drops. In a second memory, special polar coordinate grid points arranged on circular lines and on first rays having a first angular distance and, in the direction of origin, on further rays having an angular distance from each other that is greater than the first angular distance are stored. The special polar coordinate grid points are transformed into coordinates of the Cartesian coordinate system, and are compared with the pixels of the image file.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing an artificial blood vessel and a method for manufacturing an artificial blood vessel using the same, wherein a cylindrical support having a hollow 3D porous structure including a thermoplastic polymer is manufactured and vertically fixed, and a hydrogel divided into at least two sections is discharged into the support, thereby maintaining the structure and shape constantly even after printing and manufacturing an artificial blood vessel having a hollow multilayered structure.

Abstract: A system includes a controller to receive data corresponding to an object or slices of the object to be generated by a 3D printer, wherein the 3D printer includes an array of printhead nozzles to selectively eject a print agent on a layer of build material in a build chamber having a build chamber wall, the array of printhead nozzles spanning substantially the full width of the build chamber and moveable along a length of the build chamber. The controller to generate first print data used to generate layers of the object based on the received object data, and to generate second print data used to generate layers of a sacrificial barrier located between the object and the build chamber wall, the second print data is generated such that different parts of the sacrificial barrier are generated using a different plurality of nozzles of the array of printhead nozzles.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sacrificial support material for use in printing a three-dimensional (3D) article includes providing a water-soluble thermoplastic polymer composite including a water-soluble thermoplastic polyethylene oxide graft polymer having a polyethylene oxide polymer backbone, and from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the polyethylene oxide polymer backbone of at least one polar vinyl monomer grafted to the polyethylene oxide polymer backbone. One or more nanoscopic particulate processing aids may be uniformly dispersed in the graft polymer in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the water-soluble thermoplastic polymer composite. The water-soluble thermoplastic polymer composite may have a viscosity in the range of about 100 to about 10,000 Pa-sec. The method may also include forming the water-soluble thermoplastic polymer composite into the 3D printable sacrificial support material.

Abstract: Methods for making an implant scaffold, comprising providing a 3D template generated according to an image of a lesion site, contacting the 3D template with a solution comprising a polymeric precursor, and evaporating the solution, thereby obtaining an implant scaffold, are provided. Further, implant scaffolds, comprising a water-soluble template in the form of a 3D geometrical array and a polymeric material are provided.

Abstract: A welding device (10a; 10b) for welding an outlet element (12a; 12b) to a packaging material (14a; 14b) has at least one anvil (16a; 16b) comprising at least one receiving region (18a; 18b) for receiving the outlet element (12a; 12b) that is to be welded, has a holding element (20a; 20b) which the anvil (16a; 16b) is arranged on, and at least one welding die (22a; 22b), in particular a sonotrode, which is configured to interact with the anvil (16a; 16b) for a welding of the outlet element (12a; 12b) to the packaging material (14a; 14b), wherein the welding device (10a; 10b) comprises at least one support unit (24a; 24b) for supporting the anvil (16a; 16b), comprising at least one movably supported support element (26a; 26b), which is configured to exert a holding force onto the anvil (16a; 16b) in a welding operation state of the welding die (22a; 22b).

Abstract: A system and method for thermoplastic composite welding comprising a cooling means and a heat source. The cooling means cools a heat-side laminate so as to create a thermal gradient in the heat-side laminate. The heat source heats the heat-side laminate after the cooling step is initiated but before the thermal gradient dissipates so that a first side of the heat-side laminate closer to the heat source does not deform as faying surfaces of the heat-side laminate and another laminate farther away from the heat source are welded together.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a 3D structure includes: making a plurality of single piece molds having a same surface shape as a portion of a surface of the 3D structure; making a plurality of exterior members having the same surface as the portion of the surface of the 3D structure by using the respective single piece molds; and forming the 3D structure by connecting the plurality of exterior members.

Abstract: A method for producing a component of a rotor blade, by providing a production mould (2) with a curved support surface (1), at least one flexible pultrudate (4) being laid onto the support surface (1), the at least one flexible pultrudate (4) being covered with a vacuum film (6), a vacuum being generated and the at least one flexible pultrudate (4) being pressed entirely onto the curved support surface (1) of the production mould (2) by the vacuum.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system that comprises a deposition head configured to deposit multiple tows in a stacked configuration one layer at a time. Each tow of the multiple tows is a currently-applied tow when the tow is a most-recently deposited tow of the multiple tows and a tow of the multiple tows is a covered tow when the tow is directly covered by the currently-applied tow. The system also comprises a probe head, configured to move along and be spatially offset from the currently-applied tow after deposition of the currently-applied tow. The probe head is further configured to transmit an incident microwave beam into the currently-applied tow as the probe head moves along the currently-applied tow. The incident microwave beam has a frequency low enough to pass entirely through the currently-applied tow and high enough to pass entirely through no more than the currently-applied tow and the covered tow.

Abstract: An injection mold for the manufacture of an axisymmetric part of composite material including a mandrel supporting a fibrous preform and including an annular wall, and a plurality of counter-mold angular sectors assembled on the mandrel and intended to close the mold and to compact the fibrous preform wound on the mandrel. Each angular sector includes an annular base intended to come into contact with the fibrous preform. The annular base extends between the first and second lateral edges in a circumferential direction, the first lateral edge of the annular base of an angular sector being in contact with a second lateral edge of the annular base of an adjacent angular sector.

Abstract: The machine comprises a solid matrix (1), a deformable body (2) joined to the surface of said matrix (1), a shaping mould (3) and a securing system system (5) for the fibre structure (4). The matrix (1) is a solid element having a functional face, the geometry of which depends on the part to be manufactured. The deformable body (2) has an initial geometry that depends on the geometry to be given to the fibre structure (4). The shaping mould (3) has the geometry to be given to the fibre structure (4) during the process of adaptation to the shaping mould (3), and the shaping mould (3) is located such that the deformable body (2) is located between said shaping mould (3) and the matrix (1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the manufacturing of an optical element having a refractive index above 1.59 by additive manufacturing to the optical element obtained by such a method and to an ophthalmic lens including such an optical element.

Abstract: A wheel for a vehicle is non-pneumatic (i.e., airless), may be designed to enhance its use and performance and/or use and performance of the vehicle, and may be manufactured efficiently, including by a single non-pneumatic tire molding operation that can allow rigid rim incorporation and complex tread implementation.

Abstract: A vulcanization mold in which a blade has a blade proximal end portion, a blade distal end side thick portion expanded in a thicknesswise direction on the distal end side, and a blade connection portion that connects the portions to each other, is a vulcanization mold wherein a sweep area that is the difference where a cross sectional area of the blade connection portion is subtracted from an area from the blade distal end side thick portion to a mold surface with a width equal to a maximum width of a thickness of the blade distal end side thick portion in a cross sectional shape perpendicular to a tire widthwise direction of the blade is smaller at the blades in circumferential end portion side regions than at the blades in a circumferential central portion side region of the sector mold. Further, a pneumatic tire is manufactured using the vulcanization mold.

Abstract: A vulcanization mold is a mold including blades having a distal end side thick portion and pullout is performed smoothly by the mold without causing any failure, and a pneumatic tire. A vulcanization mold in which a blade or has a blade proximal end portion, a blade distal end side thick portion expanded in a thicknesswise direction on the distal end side, and a blade connection portion that connects the blade proximal end portion and the blade distal end side thick portion to each other is a vulcanization mold in which a blade density that is a number of blades implanted on a sector mold per unit length in a circumferential direction is lower at the blades in circumferential end portion side regions than at the blades in a circumferential central portion side region of the sector mold. Further, a pneumatic tire is manufactured using the vulcanization mold.

Abstract: A vulcanization mold including blades having a distal end side and pullout is performed smoothly without causing any failure and a pneumatic tire. A vulcanization mold in which a blade has a proximal end, a blade distal end side expanded in a thicknesswise direction on the distal end side, and a blade connection portion that connects the proximal end portion and the blade distal end side is a vulcanization mold in which a sweep area is the difference where a cross sectional area of the blade connection is subtracted from an area blade distal end side to a mold surface with a width equal to a maximum width of a thickness of the blade distal end side in a cross sectional shape perpendicular to a tire widthwise direction of the blade is smaller in circumferential end side regions than in a circumferential central side region of the sector mold.

Abstract: A tire vulcanization mold including a sector mold divided into a plurality of pieces along a circumferential direction of a green tire, the sector mold configured to vulcanization mold a tread portion of the green tire into a predetermined shape, and an upper mold and a lower mold disposed on both sides of the green tire so as to sandwich the green tire therebetween in an axial direction of the green tire, the upper mold and the lower mold configured to vulcanization mold a side portion of the green tire into a predetermined shape. The sector mold has a relief groove in a vicinity of a fitting portion between the sector mold, and the upper mold and the lower mold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tire building drum and a method for shaping tire components on the tire building drum, wherein the tire building drum has cover plates extending in the circumferential direction between each pair of directly adjacent turn-up arms to close gaps between the turn-up arms in the circumferential direction. The cover plates are arranged to remain at the first radius when the turn-up arms are moved from the level orientation towards the turned-up orientation.

Abstract: A footwear injection mould for Direct Injection moulding of footwear parts, where the mould comprises: a first mould cavity defining a first footwear part, a second mould cavity defining a second footwear part, a first side frame defining at least a part of a first side of the first and second mould cavities, a second side frame defining at least a part of a second side of the first and second mould cavities, and a bottom frame defining at least a part of the first and second mould cavities, where the first and/or the second side frame define(s) at least a part of a first injection channel which is in fluid communication with the first mould cavity and the second mould cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mould (10) for producing footwear (1) by means of direct injection onto the upper (2) of a sole (3), comprising a tread (5) and a midsole (4), wherein the midsole (4) is composed of a first layer (6) and a second layer (7). The mould (10) comprises a base (12), a pair of first half-rings (14), a pair of second half-rings (16), a first cover (18), a second cover (20) and a mould last (22). In accordance with the invention the mould (10) comprises gripping means (24) designed to fix selectively the first half-rings (14) to the base (12) or to the second half-rings (16). The present invention also relates to a method for producing footwear (1) using said mould (10).

Abstract: Apparatuses for forming blocks of compactable material such as snow, having a hollow upper body with a compression chamber within for containing and subsequently compressing the compactable material to form a block that can be used in connection with recreational activities. A lower body having a flat compression plate attached to a top end, is configured to slide within the compression chamber, the compression plate being capable of pushing the compactable material into a hinged lid that is attached to a top end of the upper body and acts to cover a top opening of the upper body. Ferromagnetic materials attached to the underside of the compression plate are configured to contact other ferromagnetic materials attached to the interior walls of the compression chamber, which at least temporarily arrests sliding movement of the upper and lower bodies, and allows a user to fill the apparatus with compactable material.

Abstract: A transfer device transfers a workpiece by a transfer motion which is based on a transfer individual phase signal synchronized with a master phase signal, and includes: a setting unit that sets a point on a trajectory of a transfer bar as a switching point of a timing switch, the point on the trajectory being separated from a reference point on the trajectory by a designated distance designated by a user, and the trajectory being based on the transfer motion; and a signal output unit that outputs a timing signal to an external device at a timing when the transfer bar reaches the switching point.