Abstract: An antimicrobial composition comprising 3-phenyl propanol or 2-methyl 3-phenylpropanol, or mixtures thereof, alone or in combination with an organic acid or salt thereof, or an alcohol, or mixtures thereof. Methods of preserving products and end-use applications for use of the inventive antimicrobial compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a plasticizing section, a stage, an ejection section having a first nozzle and a second nozzle, each of which communicates with the plasticizing section, a first ejection adjusting section, a second ejection adjusting section, a moving section that relatively moves the ejection section with respect to the stage, and a control unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods to produce thermoplastic products in a process are described herein. In some cases, the systems and methods may eliminate contact between the product and a heat transfer fluid. The thermoplastic compositions can be useful for roadway markings. In some examples, a formed thermoplastic product is discharged by a product formation apparatus onto a temperature controlled transporter, cooled, and cut to a desired product dimension.

Abstract: An actuator system for an injection molding system includes a double acting pressurized fluid actuator having a piston drive movable in a cylinder space, a flow control valve for regulating a flow rate of pressurized fluid to and/or from the cylinder space, a flow sensor for detecting the flow rate of pressurized fluid to and/or from the cylinder space, and an electronic controller for controlling the flow control valve to regulate the flow rate of pressurized fluid to and/or from the cylinder space depending on the flow rate detected by the flow sensor.

Abstract: When an injection molding machine performs molding, the mold clamping force on the mold is adjusted on the basis of a mold displacement of the mold or the injection peak pressure and injection foremost position so that the molding is performed without causing flash and by an appropriate mold clamping force with which energy can be reduced. The amount of mold displacement and also the injection peak pressure and the injection foremost position are monitored during automatic operation. If there occurs no mold displacement change exceeding a threshold or if there occurs no injection peak pressure anomaly or injection foremost position anomaly exceeding thresholds, the automatic operation is continued. If the mold displacement change occurs or if the injection peak pressure anomaly and the injection foremost position anomaly occur, the operation of the injection molding machine is stopped.

Abstract: A temperature regulation system includes a laminate material that has a first light transmissive electrode layer, a rear electrode layer, and a bistable electrophoretic medium disposed between the first and second electrode layer. The electrophoretic medium includes two types of particles that have different charges and color. The amount of incident radiation (visible light, infrared, etc.) that is absorbed by the laminate can be modified by providing a voltage between the electrode layers.

Abstract: Methods and materials for volumetric additive manufacturing, including computed axial lithography (“CAL”), using photosensitive resins comprising a photocurable resin prepolymer; a photoinitiator; and (optionally) a curing inhibitor. In various embodiments, such photosensitive polymers comprise (a) one or more monomer (or prepolymer) molecules, which form the backbone of the polymer network of the polymeric material and define its architecture; and (b) a photoinitiator that captures illumination energy and initiates polymerization.

Abstract: A snack bar is produced in accordance with a method employing an extrusion apparatus to include a base or crust, a primary filling provided on the base and a second filling or topping embedded in, yet externally exposed from, the primary filling. The primary and secondary fillings are co-extruded, with an extrusion nozzle for the secondary filling being located directly adjacent an extrusion port for the primary filling. The primary filling is non-flowable, while the secondary filling is preferably flowable. The extrusion nozzle can be repositioned either between or during extrusion operations to alter a repeating pattern for the secondary filling.

Abstract: A print assembly 18 for use in an additive manufacturing system 10 to print three-dimensional parts 12, which includes a coarse positioner 40, a fine positioner 42, and a liquefier assembly 20, where a portion of the liquefier assembly 20 is operably mounted to the fine positioner 42 such that the fine positioner 42 is configured to move the portion of the liquefier assembly 20 relative to the coarse positioner 40.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus that includes: a stage defining a build plane; a micro light emitting diode (?LED) array including multiple pixels and configured to emit ultraviolet (UV) light towards the build plane; a two-dimensional (2-D) voice coil manipulator mechanically coupled to the ?LED array and configured to align the pixels of the ?LED array with the build plane; and a control module programmed to cause the ?LED array to illuminate a UV curable material at the build plane to form a stack of layers of the three-dimensional object, wherein the apparatus adjusts a UV illumination pattern for the layers of the UV curable material by varying an output intensity of UV light from the pixels of the ?LED array and by varying an alignment between the ?LED array and the build plane using the 2-D voice coil manipulator.

Abstract: When an injection molding machine performs molding, the mold clamping force on the mold is adjusted on the basis of a mold displacement of the mold or the injection peak pressure and injection foremost position so that the molding is performed without causing flash and by an appropriate mold clamping force with which energy can be reduced. The amount of mold displacement and also the injection peak pressure and the injection foremost position are monitored during automatic operation. If there occurs no mold displacement change exceeding a threshold or if there occurs no injection peak pressure anomaly or injection foremost position anomaly exceeding thresholds, the automatic operation is continued. If the mold displacement change occurs or if the injection peak pressure anomaly and the injection foremost position anomaly occur, the operation of the injection molding machine is stopped.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) printing may be described as an additive manufacturing process for generating 3D components. A 3D model may be used by a 3D printer to print the 3D component. In 3D printing, successive layers of material may be utilized to generate the 3D component. As part of the 3D printing process, the 3D component may be subjected to sintering. In some cases, the sintering may be accomplished by subjecting the 3D component to a heat source, or other types of processes.

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: In a method for the 3D-printing of hydrous mineral binder compositions, an aqueous accelerator is mixed with the binder composition in a continuous mixer. The method is very robust and makes it possible to quickly print even large moulded bodies having a uniform aesthetic surface and very good strength development properties.

Abstract: A material deposition process including in situ sensor analysis of a component in a formation state is provided. The material deposition process is implemented in part by a sensor device of an additive manufacturing machine producing the component. The material deposition process includes sensing, by the sensing device, in situ physical properties of an area of interest of the component during a three-dimensional object production. Compliance to specifications or defects are then detected in the in situ physical properties with respect to pre-specified material requirements. The defects are analyzed to determine corrective actions, and an updated three-dimensional object production, which includes the corrective actions, is implemented to complete the component.

Abstract: Method of three-dimensionally printing an article onto a surface.

Abstract: To efficiently and appropriately shape a 3D object. There is provided a shaping device that shapes a three-dimensional (3D) object through a layering shaping method, the shaping device including an inkjet head, which is a discharging head, that discharges a material liquid droplet, a liquid droplet of a material for the 3D object; and a circling driving section that relatively circles at least a region to be discharged, which is a region to which the material liquid droplet is discharged in the 3D object being shaped, along a circling path set in advance with respect to the inkjet head; where the circling driving section causes the region to be discharged to circle the circling path plural times; and inkjet head discharges the material liquid droplet onto the region to be discharged circling on the circling path.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing apparatus and methods. An exemplary additive manufacturing system may include an extruder, the extruder having an opening dimensioned to receive a material. The apparatus may also include an extruder output in fluid communication with the extruder, wherein the extruder output extends away from the extruder along a longitudinal axis. One or more heaters positioned along at least a portion of the extruder output may also be included, and, as the material passes through the extruder output, the one or more heaters may at least partially melt the material. The system may also include a gear pump in fluid communication with the extruder output for receiving the at least partially melted material, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the gear pump for depositing the at least partially melted material.

Abstract: Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an conduit nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to applying the filament from the conduit nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection moulding machine having a coating installation, wherein the injection moulding machine has at least one fixed platen and one movable platen for the fastening of mould tool halves of at least one mould tool, and the coating installation has first pressure-generating and/or first pressure-conducting means for coating components at a first, relatively low pressure level and second pressure-generating and/or second pressure-conducting means for the coating components at a second, relatively high pressure level, wherein at least all second pressure-generating and all second pressure-conducting means are coupled to the movable platen so as to be jointly movable along a movement path of the movable platen.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method (400) of operating a molding system (100), the method (400) executable by a controller (140) of the molding system (100). The method comprises appreciating (402) a plurality of operational parameters associated with the molding system (100); based on at least a sub-set of the plurality of operational parameters, generating (404) a machine performance index, the machine performance index being a single value representative of the at least a sub-set of the plurality of operational parameters and being instrumental in enabling an operator of the molding system (100) to appreciate an economic productivity factor associated therewith; causing (406) the machine performance index to be displayed on an interface of the controller (140).

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a plasticizing portion plasticizing a material to generate a shaping material, a nozzle discharging the shaping material, a first flow path communicating with the plasticizing portion, a second flow path communicating with the nozzle, a through hole provided between the first flow path and the second flow path along a first direction intersecting a direction from the plasticizing portion toward the nozzle, a discharge control mechanism having a third flow path communicable with the first flow path and the second flow path, and configured to be slidable within the through hole, and a control portion controlling the plasticizing portion and the discharge control mechanism to shape the three-dimensional shaping object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a supply channel through which a shaping material supplied from a melting section flows, a first branch channel and a second branch channel, a coupling section configured to couple the supply channel and the first branch channel and the second branch channel, a first nozzle communicating with the first branch channel, a second nozzle communicating with the second branch channel and having a nozzle diameter larger than a nozzle diameter of the first nozzle, a valve mechanism provided in the coupling section, and a control section.

Abstract: A 3D print head includes a carrier connected with a horizontal slide rail, a pair of nozzle assemblies disposed on the carrier, a swing arm and a push rod. Each nozzle assembly includes a nozzle and an elastic member, and movably coupled to the carrier and capable of raising and lowering relative to the carrier. Each elastic member is connected between the carrier and the corresponding nozzle to raise the nozzle relative to the carrier. The swing arm is pivoted to the carrier, and one end there of can be moved between the nozzles to push one of the nozzles down. The push rod is extended from the swing arm. While the carrier moving along the horizontal slide rail, the push rod can be pushed to rotate the swing arm to push the print nozzle down, thus the product can be prevented from scratching by another idle nozzle while printing.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a material melting portion melting a material to form a shaping material, a supply channel through which the shaping material flows, a rotator that is configured to rotate around a rotation axis and that has a first nozzle configured to communicate with the supply channel and a second nozzle configured to communicate with the supply channel, a flow rate regulating mechanism that is provided in the supply channel and that regulates a flow rate of the shaping material to be supplied to the first nozzle or the second nozzle, and a controller controlling the flow rate regulating mechanism and the rotator so as to eject the shaping material to a table from the first nozzle or the second nozzle, thereby shaping a three-dimensional shaped article, wherein the controller controls rotation of the rotator so as to switch between a first state where the supply channel and the first nozzle communicate with each other and a second state where the supply channel and the second

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a discharge mechanism, a tilting mechanism, and a control portion.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a substance in a form of a bead on a surface in a progression direction includes a dispenser having: a leading edge, a contact portion comprising two contact points with the surface, and a trailing edge that extends between the two contact points and terminates therein. The system is configured to move the dispenser along a virtual travel plane, which is parallel to the path and passes through the two contact points, while maintaining the contact portion in communication with the surface as the substance is being dispensed. The system is also configured to monitor a leading portion of the bead and to generate a signal responsive to at least one characteristic of the leading portion, wherein the leading portion is located ahead of a portion of the leading edge in the progression direction along the path.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a nozzle configured to discharge a composite material, including a matrix and a continuous reinforcement. The system may also include a support configured to move the nozzle in multiple dimensions during discharge of the composite material, and a vibration mechanism configured to generate oscillations within the nozzle during discharge.

Abstract: An injection molding system comprising: a first selected valve, one or more downstream valves, delivering a fluid to a mold cavity, at least one fluid property sensor that detects a flow front of fluid material flowing downstream through the mold cavity at a trigger location within the cavity disposed between the first gate and at least one selected downstream gate, a controller instructing an actuator associated with the downstream gates to open the gates at a predetermined open gate target time on a first injection cycle, each valve associated with a position sensor that detects opening of a gate at an actual open gate time to the controller, the controller automatically adjusting time of instruction to open the gates on a subsequent injection cycle by an adjustment time equal to any delay in time between the predetermined open gate target time and the actual open gate time.

Abstract: Linear lengths of build material are initially deposited spaced apart from one another, with the resulting gaps or offsets filled in by subsequent deposition passes. In this manner, each straight length of material can cool independently before bonding to other adjacent lengths of material, thereby avoiding or mitigating non-axial stresses on each linear length of material as it cools.

Abstract: A temperature control system for the extruder of a 3-D printer includes a blower and a baffling system to cool different components of the extruder using the same blower by directing air flow of the blower into two passages arranged at an outlet of the blower.

Abstract: A method of controlling an additive fabrication process includes providing a primary substrate and a test substrate. Polymer test material is extruded onto the test substrate utilizing an extrusion head. The extrusion head is moved relative to the test substrate, and a force required to move the extrusion head relative to the test substrate is measured to thereby generate test data. A part is fabricated by extruding polymer material onto the primary substrate utilizing the extrusion head. The test data is utilized to control at least one process parameter associated with extruding polymer material onto the primary substrate.

Abstract: A hollow shielding structure for different types of circuit elements is provided. The hollow shielding structure includes at least one element mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), a shield dam surrounding the at least one element, and a shield cover is configured to be electrically coupled to an upper portion of the shield dam and cover the at least one element, with a gap formed between the at least one element and the shield cover.

Abstract: A 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method based upon a 3D variable die system and including one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to continuously produce thermoplastic composite pultrusions with at least one of varying cross-section geometry and constant surface contours, varying cross-section geometry and varying surface contours, and constant cross-section geometry and varying surface contours. The 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method including at least one of multiple pairs of shapeable and flexible bands and a rotating assembly that rotates the one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to impart a twist to the thermoplastic composite.

Abstract: A hollow shielding structure for different types of circuit elements is provided. The hollow shielding structure includes at least one element mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), a shield dam surrounding the at least one element, and a shield cover is configured to be electrically coupled to an upper portion of the shield dam and cover the at least one element, with a gap formed between the at least one element and the shield cover.

Abstract: A hollow shielding structure for different types of circuit elements is provided. The hollow shielding structure includes at least one element mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), a shield dam surrounding the at least one element, and a shield cover is configured to be electrically coupled to an upper portion of the shield dam and cover the at least one element, with a gap formed between the at least one element and the shield cover.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus including a chamber configured to define a first space including a processing unit which includes a discharge unit configured to discharge an imprint material onto a substrate and is configured to perform an imprint process of forming a pattern of the imprint material on the substrate by using a mold, and an enclosure configured to define a second space including a tank configured to store the imprint material supplied to the discharge unit, wherein the tank has a first opening open to the second space, and the enclosure has a supply port configured to supply, to the second space via the first opening, a gas cleaner than a gas supplied to the first space.

Abstract: A hollow shielding structure for different types of circuit elements is provided. The hollow shielding structure includes at least one element mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), a shield dam surrounding the at least one element, and a shield cover is configured to be electrically coupled to an upper portion of the shield dam and cover the at least one element, with a gap formed between the at least one element and the shield cover.

Abstract: The extrusion apparatus includes a screw in a fixed barrel. The barrel has a feed inlet and an outlet with an extrusion nozzle which discharges into the nip between first and second rotary rolls that can rotate in opposite directions. The apparatus also has a first means for rotating and a first control means that are able to synchronize the speed of rotation of the first roll and the screw and has a second means that is able to rotate the second screw at a different speed of rotation than the first roll. The first control means can regulate the speed of rotation of the screw depending on the width of the strip, and a second control means can regulate the speed of rotation of the second roll depending on the thickness of the strip.

Abstract: A hollow shielding structure for different types of circuit elements is provided. The hollow shielding structure includes at least one element mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), a shield dam surrounding the at least one element, and a shield cover is configured to be electrically coupled to an upper portion of the shield dam and cover the at least one element, with a gap formed between the at least one element and the shield cover.

Abstract: In an injection molding system, an insert formed with a cavity or an insert member for molding an insert-molded article is shot by a camera, and the insert or the insert member to be inserted into a mold is identified based on a characteristic of the insert or the insert member shot by the camera and previously stored data on the insert or the insert member.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating the gap between a 3D printer extruder nozzle and build platform are disclosed. To calibrate, the build platform is moved laterally in the horizontal plane and the extruder nozzle is moved downward toward the build platform. While moving the nozzle downward, the velocity of the build platform or the power required to move the build platform in the horizontal plane is monitored. A drop in velocity or an increase is power required to move the build platform is detected when the extruder nozzle contacts the build platform due to kinetic friction. The vertical height of the extruder nozzle is then set or calibrated relative to the build platform based on the position of the extruder nozzle when the contact was detected.

Abstract: Injection molding of plastic materials by an apparatus comprising at least one injector including a valve pin displaceable in a controlled manner between a closed position and an open position by an electric rotary actuator. At least one step is provided of detecting the value of the torque developed by the electric rotary actuator when the valve pin is in the path from the closed position to the open position, and the torque value detected is used to pilot the molding process.

Abstract: An extrusion blow molding method includes detecting an exit velocity of a tube exiting a head during a blow molding cycle for forming the tube. A melt accumulator receives part of the melt conveyed by an extruder or discharges melt in addition to the melt conveyed by the extruder in dependence on the detected exit velocity. The melt accumulator discharges melt if the detected exit velocity is less than a target value for the exit velocity and receives melt if the detected exit velocity is greater than the target value for the exit velocity.

Abstract: Injection molding of plastic materials by an apparatus comprising at least one injector including a valve pin displaceable in a controlled manner between a closed position and an open position by an electric rotary actuator. At least one step is provided of detecting the value of the torque developed by the electric rotary actuator when the valve pin is in the path from the closed position to the open position, and the torque value detected is used to pilot the molding process.

Abstract: A method for infusing gas into a thermoplastic material includes positioning a sheet of a thermoplastic material into a vertical or substantially vertical position; positioning a sheet of a gas-permeable material into a vertical or substantially vertical position; and winding together the positioned sheet of thermoplastic material sheet and the positioned sheet of gas-permeable material to form a roll of the thermoplastic material interleaved with the gas-permeable material, the interleaved roll having a longitudinal axis oriented in a vertical or substantially vertical position. The method also includes exposing the interleaved roll to an atmosphere of a gas pressurized to infuse the thermoplastic material with the gas, while the longitudinal axis of the interleaved roll is oriented in a vertical or substantially vertical position; and then unwinding the gas-infused interleaved roll, while the longitudinal axis of the interleaved roll remains in a vertical or substantially vertical position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring the placement of material forming a blow-molded plastic container after the container is released from a mold of a blow molder having a plurality of molds, wherein each plastic container comprises a continuous sidewall and a base, the method comprising the steps of: detecting with an infrared camera infrared light emitted from the container after the container is released from a mold; converting the detected infrared light into corresponding electrical signals; transmitting the electrical signals to a microprocessor; comparing in the microprocessor the electrical signals with stored data regarding desired material distribution forming the plastic container; and producing output information regarding the placement of material forming the container.

Abstract: There is provided a technique that readily performs positioning of a joining member relative to a strip member during conveyance. A joining device 100 joins a gas diffusion layer 7 with a first catalyst electrode layer 2 of a strip body 5r which is a continuous strip member of a membrane electrode assembly 5, while conveying the strip body 5r. A controller 101 of the joining device 100 obtains a detection time td based on a detection signal of a catalyst layer detector 130 when a front end 3e of a second catalyst electrode layer 3 placed on the strip body 5r passes through a detection point DP. The controller 101 subsequently obtains a joining position reach time tt based on the detection time td when the gas diffusion layer 7 reaches a press point PP of joining rollers 152. The controller 101 starts conveying the gas diffusion layer 7 by means of a transfer at a conveying start time ts that is obtained based on the joining position reach time tt and a specified speed pattern of the transfer 141.

Abstract: A method and device for operating a drawing line or drawing unit for drawing cables from polymer threads using a plurality of driven drawing rollers. According to the invention, each drawing roller is controlled to a prescribed motion value. To this end, each drawing roller is associated with a separately controllable drive device.

Abstract: A container treatment plant and a method for the treatment of containers are described. The container treatment plant includes a plurality of treatment elements, wherein each treatment element is used for a pre-determined treatment of the containers and each treatment element has associated therewith a container nominal value which indicates which type of container the treatment element can treat, a detection device for detecting properties of one of the containers to be treated, and a comparator device for comparing a detection result of the detection device with the container nominal value for at least one treatment element.