Abstract: An injection molding cell management system includes a plurality of injection molding cell each having an injection molding machine, its peripheral device and an injection molding cell management unit and a host management unit. The injection molding cell management unit includes a worker identification information input unit, which accepts input of worker identification information for identifying a worker who performs input and/or operation of the injection molding machine and its peripheral device, and a prohibition state releasing unit which releases a prohibition state of the input and/or operation of the injection molding machine and its peripheral device, based on the worker identification.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which forms a pattern of an imprint material on a substrate by using a mold, the apparatus comprising: a generator configured to generate ionized gas by ionizing a first gas; a supplier configured to supply a second gas including the ionized gas generated by the generator to a space under the mold; and a controller configured to control a flow rate of the second gas supplied by the supplier to the space, wherein the controller increases the flow rate of the second gas supplied from the supplier to the space so as to reduce a decrease in an ion concentration in the space caused by moving the substrate from the space after the mold is separated from the cured imprint material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an operation unit, and a moving mechanism. The operation unit is mounted to the apparatus main body. The operation unit indicates a state of the apparatus main body and performs an input operation to the apparatus main body. The moving mechanism reciprocatably supports the operation unit between a reference position and a retracted position. The reference position overlaps a work area of the apparatus main body. The retracted position does not overlap the work area.

Abstract: A planetary roller extruder with planetary spindles and stop ring. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A system and method for producing bio composite materials by mixing pelletized plant fiber dust and virgin or recycled plastic. The system may comprise a reducer, a press, a dryer, a pelletizer, and a mixer. The reducer separates the fibers of the plant material and the press removes liquid from the separated fibers. The dryer further reduces the moisture content of the pressed fibers and generates dust which is extracted by sifting, screening, or another suitable method. The pelletizer compresses and/or treats the fiber dust with solutions, adhesives, or other processes that cause the fiber dust to adhere together. The fiber dust pellets are then mixed with virgin or recycled plastic to produce a bio composite material.

Abstract: A linear stage moves a laser along the collection plate of an electrospinning device. The stage supports the laser that is moved through the electrospinning/electrospraying deposition field by a continuous rotation servo motor. Stage movement is controlled by a control unit. Signal voltages collected are sectioned into concentric layers so that the extinction coefficient for each layer can be calculated without including the extinction coefficient from the previous layer. The extinction coefficients were used in the Beer-Lambert law to determine the diameter of fibers being deposited on the collection plate as well as the concentration of fibers deposited indicating deposition speed.

Abstract: Conventional ship launching airbags are made of several layers of rubber and fiber meshes bonded together by vulcanization. With the existing fabrication process, an airbag is strong in standing heavy pressure at its surfaces, but weak against the cutting by sharp edges of metal debris or oyster shells. An airbag's functional failure during a field operation can cause not only stoppage, but also explosion, hence a serious safety hazard. To overcome such structural weakness, a new type of airbags with anti-cutting capability is disclosed in which a conventional ship launching airbag is covered with a layer of anti-cutting armor made of steel cord ply sheets, a standard off-the-shelf product for the making of tires, embedded at the surface of the airbag's main body.

Abstract: A centrifugal electrospinning apparatus, centrifugal electrospinning method for the production of fibrous structures, and electrospun fibrous structures are provided.

Abstract: A monitor for maintaining a mold cycle count with an actuator sending a count signal to a processor following a mold operation. The monitor further includes a timer having an active mode and a sleep mode. The processor generates an average cycle time and an activity percentage of the mold taking into account active and sleep periods of the mold.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a screw crusher may utilize a cantilevered screw with an inverse tapered shaft with flighting for conveying the product up the length of the shaft for compression. The screw may include an end flight configured to provide thrust to the product for further conveyance beyond the end of the screw or additional compaction when utilized with a receiving container. An exemplary embodiment of the screw crusher may utilize a single moving element in relation to a cylindrical tube for compression of the product. Also, an exemplary screw compactor may utilize a fixed replaceable restrictor tube section and an efficient screw design making it more cost effective and efficient to operate than other known compactors. Furthermore, an example of the screw crusher may be fitted with perforated or the preferred “V” Slotted tube to perform liquid removal in addition to the compaction of the material.

Abstract: A vehicle shift control device includes: a parking lock device selectively switched by driving of an electric motor between a lock position restraining rotation of wheels and a non-lock position not restraining the rotation of the wheels; and an electronic control device controlling the electric motor, the vehicle shift control device providing a parking lock switching control of selectively switching the parking lock device between the lock position and the non-locking position in an activated state of the electronic control device, wherein if the electronic control device is switched from the deactivated state to the activated state, the vehicle shift control device provides a wall abutment control of driving the parking lock device with the electric motor to a mechanical displacement end before starting the provision of the parking lock switching control, and if a temperature of the electric motor is lower than a predefined low-temperature determination value, the vehicle shift control device provides an e

Abstract: It is intended to correct print pitches P at which a pattern A is printed on a plastic film 1 repeatedly. A first optical sensor detects positions at which the pattern A is printed on the plastic film 1 repeatedly, to measure the print pitches P individually. A first stretching device 4 stretches the plastic film 1 after measuring the print pitch P to correct the print pitches P individually. A second optical sensor detects the positions after correcting the print pitch P to measure a sum of print pitches P(1)+P(2)+ - - - +P(N) of a number of patterns A. A second stretching device 10 stretches the plastic film 1 after measuring the sum of print pitches to correct the sum of print pitches.

Abstract: A tortilla press assembly is provided having an actuating mechanism for actuating the push plate along an actuating axis between a loading position and a forming position. The actuating mechanism includes arm having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion that extends over the base plate. A crank extends between the crank shaft and the vertical portion of the arm to enable the push plate to engage and disengage from dough in a smooth manner to ensure proper formation of a tortilla shell, which can include an embossed pattern.

Abstract: In an injection molding machine, a control instruction value change unit decreases a control instruction value for each axis when a power outage is detected by a power outage detection unit and returns the control instruction value for each axis to an original value when a power recovery is detected by the power outage detection unit.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens supplying system for supplying an eyeglass lens to a plurality of eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a plurality of conveyer line units, each of which includes: at least one conveyer line conveying a tray; a tray moving unit separating at least two trays from the conveyer line to move the trays to standby positions, and put the tray on the conveyer line; and a control unit obtaining processing information from a host computer; a carrying-in conveyer line connected to the conveyer line of the conveyer line unit; a carrying-out conveyer line connected to the conveyer line of the conveyer line unit; a main control unit communicating with each of the control units, and determines the processing apparatus to process the lens in the tray on the carrying-in conveyer unit, or determines the conveyer line unit to convey the tray on the carrying-in conveyer unit.

Abstract: A determination method for determining a pattern of a mold is disclosed. The pattern of the mold is used in imprint processing of forming a pattern on imprint material by performing the steps of pressing the imprint material on a substrate against the pattern of the mold in an atmosphere containing condensable gas to be liquefied due to compression, curing the imprint material, and releasing the mold from the imprint material. A processor calculates a shrinkage amount of the pattern on the imprint material. The pattern on the imprint material shrinks by desorbing condensate liquid, which is produced through liquefaction of the condensable gas between the imprint material and the pattern of the mold in the pressing step and which is dissolved in the imprint material, from the imprint material after completion of the pressing step.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing an irrigation pipe comprises an extrusion unit, a calibrator unit, a cooling unit for cooling the irrigation pipe in a cooling liquid, and a traction unit for drawing the irrigation pipe in the cooling unit. The cooling unit comprises a device for detecting holes in the wall of the irrigation pipe and arranged for being immersed in the cooling liquid. The device for detecting holes comprises at least one optical transmitter and at least one optical receiver which define an optical barrier. The device is arranged so that the holes in the irrigation pipe located below the device produce gas bubbles which modify the optical barrier.

Abstract: A cooling equipment to be used to cool a stator after molding includes first to third cooling stations, and a detecting station provided in front of the first cooling station. Each of the cooling stations includes a plurality of nozzles that spray dry mist to the stator, a plurality of fans that blow air to the stator, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the stator, and first to third control units. Furthermore, the detecting station includes a distance sensor that detects the size of the stator, and an integration control unit. The integration control unit identifies the type of the stator based on the detected size, and informs each control unit of the results. Each control unit controls the quantity of water to be supplied to each nozzle and the quantity of air to be blown by each fan based on the identified type and the detected temperature.

Abstract: Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing thermoplastic resin pellets of uniform shape. The apparatus includes a batch-type polymerization vessel whose inner pressure can be controlled; a pelletizer for cutting a strand-form thermoplastic resin discharged from the polymerization vessel, thereby forming pellets; a pipe for transferring the pellets to a storage container by pneumatic transportation or suction transportation; a pressure differential measuring unit for determining variation in a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the transfer pipe; and a pressure controlling unit for controlling the inner pressure of the batch-type polymerization vessel on the basis of the variation in the measured pressure difference; wherein the inner pressure of the batch-type polymerization vessel is controlled in relation to a pressure loss in the transfer pipe.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for producing a workpiece using additive manufacturing techniques involve in-process measurement in order to determine individual characteristics of one or more workpiece layers. In particular, dimensional and/or geometrical characteristics of a workpiece layer are measured before the next workpiece layer is produced. Advantageously, the measurement results are fed back into the production process in order to increase accuracy and precision of the production process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing custom-made spectacles comprising a scanning unit and a producing unit, wherein the scanning unit is configured for scanning at least a part of a customer's face and wherein the producing unit comprises at least a printing device for printing a spectacle lens and/or a spectacle frame, wherein the printing device is configured for printing the spectacle lens and/or the spectacle frame in dependency of scanning data of the scanning unit.

Abstract: An extruder having an operative unit having a cylinder and at least one extruder screw which is removably accommodated therein, a motor and a gear unit which is separated from the motor via a clutch and which drives the extruder screw, wherein the extruder screw is releasably connected to the gear unit, and a controller installation which controls the operation of the motor or at least of a further installation which is provided. The operative unit or is assigned to the operative unit, wherein at least one information element which identifies the extruder screw and which, during or after insertion of the extruder screw into the cylinder or connection to the gear unit, is automatically acquirable by a sensor element, is provided on the extruder screw, wherein the controller installation, depending on the acquired information, controls the operation of the motor or of the further installation.

Abstract: A substrate manufacturing facility includes a lower molding plate and an upper molding plate. A resin supply tray provides resin powder to a top surface of the lower molding plate. The lower and upper molding plates may compress a substrate and the resin powder. The upper molding plate has multiple apertures. The apertures are densely formed on a front side of the upper molding plate. The front side of the upper molding plate contacts the substrate. The apertures have diameters smaller than diameters of the resin powder. The substrate manufacturing facility includes a vacuum pump, a ventilator, a conduit, a controller, and valves. The substrate manufacturing facility can adsorb a circuit board using adsorption pressure from the vacuum pump and clean residue from the upper molding using exhaustion pressure from the ventilator.

Abstract: A tool (100) for manufacturing a component part from a flowable base material, wherein the tool (100) comprises a processing chamber (102) into which the flowable base material is introducible for manufacturing the component part, an acoustic sensor (104) configured for sensing an acoustic signal originating from the tool (100), particularly from the processing chamber (102), and being indicative of an interaction between the flowable base material and the tool (100), particularly the processing chamber (102), during the manufacturing, wherein the acoustic sensor (104) comprises a movable actuator (110), and a control unit (200) configured for controlling and/or documenting the manufacturing in the processing chamber (102) based on the sensed acoustic signal.

Abstract: In a quick-change system for exchangeable machine elements, particularly in a container processing machine in which the machine element (E) can be brought into a target position and can be localized in a target position by a securing unit comprising at least one securing element, at least a second securing unit (P2) is provided with which a machine element that either has not been brought into the target position or that has moved out of the target position (X) can be localized in a securing position. The securing position is detected and evaluated as grounds for a corrective action before commencing an operation or during the operating sequence before a corrective action is initiated and executed.

Abstract: A device for forming plastics material preforms into plastics material containers includes a plurality of blowing stations, each comprising blow moulds, inside which preforms can be formed into containers. The device includes an admission arrangement to expose the preforms, for the forming thereof, to a free-flowing medium, and stretching rods to extend the preforms in the longitudinal direction thereof. The device includes a transport arrangement which transports the blowing stations with the preforms along a first predefined transport path, and a control arrangement which controls movement of the stretching rods and exposure of the preforms to the freeflowing medium so that predefined sub-steps of the forming process are carried out during transport of the preforms along the first path. Sub-steps of the forming process can be carried out irrespective of geometric position of the preforms along the first path, and an output rate of the device can thus be changed.

Abstract: A system is provided for a blind person to provide the person with the experience of seeing a two dimensional piece of art by scanning the two dimensional piece of art, extracting various features and creating a three dimensional rendition of the two dimensional art using the extracted features.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated mobile production system for fabricating a cement panel or composite cement panel. The system includes a movable container and a conveyor system inside the container aligned along a longitudinal axis of the container. The system further includes a plurality of independent manufacturing stations inside the container and aligned along the conveyor system. The container is preferably an international standard shipping container so that being compact and movable from place to place. Further, the system includes a removable mortar mixing station affixed to the outer top side of the container when the system is in operation, and is removed and stored inside the container during transport of the system.

Abstract: A monitor for maintaining a mold cycle count with an actuator sending a count signal to a processor following a mold operation. The monitor further includes a timer having an active mode and a sleep mode. The processor generates an average cycle time and an activity percentage of the mold taking into account active and sleep periods of the mold.

Abstract: A position detection apparatus includes an illumination optical system for illuminating a first diffraction grating having periods in each of a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction, and a second diffraction grating having a period different from the period in the second direction of the first diffraction grating in the second direction, at an oblique incidence, and a detection optical system for detecting diffracted light from the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating, wherein a relative position of the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating is detected based on the detected diffracted light, and wherein the illumination optical system includes a plurality of light intensity distributions in the first direction except for on an optical axis of the detection optical system, in a pupil plane thereof.

Abstract: The invention describes a system for preparing and producing a stamp plate, comprising at least one input device, a control device, and a processing device, with a processing insert and apertures arranged therein. The processing device, in particular a laser plotter, comprises a processing table, which is designed to accommodate and position the processing insert, in particular a tray or jig for at least one stamp plate blank, wherein a removal aid is allocated to at least one aperture of the processing insert, and/or this aperture preferably comprises means for guiding and positioning the insert. In particular the stamp plate blank and/or the workpiece. In order to attain an even surface of a base material of the stamp plate blank, for further processing the base material is positioned on a base plate in a removable manner.

Abstract: A monitor for maintaining a mold cycle count and other mold operation data and a corresponding system that generates a first remote record of the mold cycle data and a second remote record of the mold cycle data, the second remote record comprising a lesser, different and/or non-confidential version of the first remote record. The first remote record and the second remote record may then be coordinated among an OEM manufacturer, a moldmaker and a molder.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for forming an optical element within a transparent material using an irradiating optical beam, where the irradiating optical beam is employed to induce internal refractive index changes in the transparent substrate. Optical elements such as bulk and gradient index lenses may be formed in the transparent structure according various embodiments of the disclosure. An optical element may be formed by selecting a refractive index profile for the optical element, determining a corresponding suitable spatially dependent irradiation intensity profile for producing the selected refractive index profile, focusing an irradiating optical beam within the transparent structure, and controlling an intensity and position of the focused irradiating optical beam within the transparent structure according to the spatially dependent irradiation intensity profile.

Abstract: A NdFeB sintered magnet production system including: a first weight unit for measuring the mold weight when the alloy powder is not yet filled; a guide attachment unit to extend the mold cavity with a guide to form a supply cavity with a predetermined volume; a powder supply unit for supplying the alloy powder into the supply cavity so that the alloy powder volume is equal to the supply cavity capacity; a filling unit for pressing the alloy powder contained in the supply cavity into the mold cavity to densify the alloy powder to the filling density; a second weight unit for measuring the mold weight after being filled with the alloy powder; and a controlling unit for computing the alloy powder weight filled into the mold cavity based on the difference between the measurement value from each of the first weight unit and the second weight unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device is shown and described. The apparatus and method compensate for a non-orthogonal angle between the travel axis and scanning axis of a linear scanning device and also provide a substantially constant solidification depth along the scanning axis. In certain examples, a solidification energy control system is also provided to regulate the solidification power supplied to the solidifiable material by modulating the power supplied to the linear solidification device's solidification energy source, examples of which include laser diodes.

Abstract: A method for producing three-dimensional work pieces comprises the steps of supplying gas to a process chamber accommodating a carrier and a powder application device, applying a layer of raw material powder onto the carrier by means of the powder application device, selectively irradiating electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the raw material powder applied onto the carrier by means of an irradiation device, discharging gas containing particulate impurities from the process chamber, and controlling the operation of the irradiation device by means of a control unit such that a radiation beam emitted by at least one radiation source of the irradiation device is guided over the layer of raw material powder applied onto the carrier according to a radiation pattern containing a plurality of scan vectors.

Abstract: An automatic circle forming apparatus adapted for automatically forming OPP (O-phenylphenol) plastic circles includes a lower equipment cabinet, a first base plate, a transmitting module, an automatic separating module, an automatic tearing film module, a sucking waste mechanism, a displacement module, an automatic forming module and an upper equipment cabinet. The upper equipment cabinet is positioned on the first base plate for installing the transmitting module, the automatic separating module, the automatic tearing film module, the sucking waste mechanism, the displacement module and the automatic forming module therein.

Abstract: A heating device and a heating method for a blow molding machine comprise a heating element for radiating heat radiation for heating of preforms. A bottom reflector is movable relative to a counter reflector and is arranged opposite to the heating element for reflection of heat radiation radiated by the heating element in the direction of the preforms. A setting device is used for setting a position (LA+BM, LB+BM) of the bottom reflector relative to the counter reflector.

Abstract: A process for producing at least one three-dimensional object by solidifying a solidifyable material, comprising the steps of: providing an object carrier capable of carrying the object to be produced; providing a material capable of solidifying when subjected to energy supply; bringing a solidifyable material carrier/provider in a position to carry/provide solidifyable material at least in a building region where solidifyable material is to be solidified; supplying, to the building region, energy capable of solidifying the solidifyable material; and sensing, measuring and/or controlling a condition selected from the group consisting of pressure and/or strain. Alternatively or in combination, contact pressure, fluid pressure and/or material flowability can be sensed and/or adjusted.

Abstract: One variation of a method for constructing a three-dimensional structure within a additive manufacturing apparatus includes: reading an identifier from a cartridge transiently loaded into the additive manufacturing apparatus; based on the identifier, retrieving from a computer network a laser fuse profile for powdered material contained within the cartridge; leveling a volume of powdered material dispensed from the cartridge into a layer of substantially uniform thickness across a build platform within the additive manufacturing apparatus; and selectively fusing regions of the layer according to a fuse parameter defined in the laser fuse profile.

Abstract: One variation of a method for controlling construction of a part over a build platform within a laser sintering device including an opaque door configured to seal the build platform within a build chamber includes: setting a lamp within the build chamber to an off state; detecting electromagnetic radiation within the build chamber based on an output of an optical sensor within the build chamber; in response to detection of electromagnetic radiation above a threshold flux, interrupting construction of the part within the build chamber; in response to detection of electromagnetic radiation below the threshold flux, setting the lamp to an on state to illuminate the build chamber; at an image sensor within the build chamber, capturing a digital image of the laser sintering site; and rendering the digital image on a digital display arranged on an exterior surface of the laser sintering device.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing colored molded bodies based on the following steps: (a) plasticising a polymeric material and blending the material with one or more dyes to form a molding compound by means of a gelation unit equipped with a metering apparatus for dyes; (b) optionally temporarily storing the molding compound obtained in step (a); (c) charging a molding device with the molding compound; and (d) producing the molded body; wherein the ratio of dye to polymeric material is automatically regulated using a colorimeter and an electronic control, and in step (a) color values are measured at the molding compound located in the gelation unit and transmitted as a signal to the electronic control.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing plastic containers with a heating device (2) for heating plastic preforms (10) and a shaping device (4) for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, which shaping device is located downstream of the heating device (2) in a transportation direction of the plastic preforms, and with a transportation device (6), which transports the plastic preforms separately through the heating device (2) by means of a multiplicity of transport elements (14). Herein, the apparatus (1) is equipped with a stopper device (8) for temporary interruption of the flow of plastic preforms (10) to the heating device (2), wherein this stopper device (8) enables an interruption of the flow for individual plastic preforms (10). According to the invention, the heating device (2) is equipped with a multiplicity of heating elements (18) to heat individual plastic preforms (10) or groups of plastic preforms (10).

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus for testing and etching a substrate capable of increasing spatial efficiency and manufacturing efficiency by performing testing and etching operations in a same chamber body and a substrate processing apparatus including the same, the multi-functional apparatus including a chamber body having an entrance into which the substrate is injected in one of its sides and an exit from which the substrate is ejected in another one of its sides; a transfer unit disposed inside of the chamber body and for transferring the injected substrate in a direction from the entrance to the exit; a laser etching unit disposed on an upper portion of the transfer unit and for etching a part of the substrate disposed on the transfer unit; and a testing unit for testing the substrate disposed on the transfer unit.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a pellet mill 2 for forming pelleted material, the pellet mill 2 comprising: A die 4 having a cylindrical inner surface 6 with a plurality of apertures 8 formed therein and extending to the outside of the die 4, the volume bounded by said inner cylindrical surface 6 defining a die chamber 10. At least two cylindrical rollers 12, 14, 16 adapted to travel over said inner cylindrical surface 6 of the die 4 in a rolling motion. Drive means for causing relative rotation of the die 4 and the rollers 12, 14, 16, so that the rollers 12, 14, 16 will travel over the inner cylindrical surface 6 of the die 4, thereby forming wedge-shaped spaces 18, 20, 22 between the rollers 12, 14, 16 and the inner cylindrical surface 6 of the die 4.

Abstract: An Apparatus for heating plastic preforms, with a transport device which transports the plastic preforms along a predefined transport path, wherein the transport device has a plurality of holding elements for holding the plastic preforms, with at least one heating device which heats the plastic preforms transported by the transport device. The heating device has a movable wall element which is arranged for at least part of the time below the transport path of the plastic performs. The apparatus also includes a detection device which detects an incorrect position and/or a falling of at least one plastic preform in relation to the holding element holding this, as well as a control device which initiates a movement of the wall element on the basis of an incorrect position and/or falling of the at least one plastic preform detected by the detection device.

Abstract: An apparatus for ablating a substrate of a display apparatus, the apparatus including a stage, the stage being configured to receive thereon a carrier substrate, the carrier substrate having attached thereto the display apparatus, a light source unit, the light source unit being configured to emit light towards the stage, a measuring unit, the measuring unit being configured to measure a transmittance of the carrier substrate, and a control unit, the control unit being configured to control the light source unit to emit light sufficient to ablate the substrate of the display apparatus according to the transmittance of the carrier substrate as measured by the measuring unit.

Abstract: A device 2 for producing a three-dimensional structural body comprising an accommodating plate 3 in which an accommodating recess portion 3a for accommodating a cell mass 1 is formed, a support body 4 provided with a plurality of needle-shaped bodies 6 penetrating the cell mass, a suction nozzle 19 for adsorbing/holding the cell mass, and moving means 20 for moving the suction nozzle. The suction nozzle is provided with a tubular adsorbing portion 19a for adsorbing/holding one cell mass, and a diameter of the adsorbing portion is formed smaller than an outer diameter of the cell mass and larger than an outer peripheral diameter of a needle-shaped body 6a of the support body 4.

Abstract: An extruder or other tool head of a three-dimensional printer is instrumented to detect contact force against the extruder, such as by a build platform or an object being fabricated. The tool head may also be instrumented to detect deflection forces and the like acting on the tool that might indicate an operating error. The resulting feedback data can be used in a variety of ways to control operation of the three-dimensional printer during fabrication or diagnostics.