Abstract: An additive manufacturing system and method for improving the certainty of removing or etching excess substrate from a stack of printed substrate slices to arrive at a 3D object. The approach includes printing a pseudo image as a shell layer around a desired object slice with less polymer (e.g., thermoplastic) material than the 3D object solid layer slice. This slows the etching process when this pseudo image is reached. The pseudo image may be printed to surround the object polymer image on a printed substrate sheet as a shell that provides notice during the excess substrate removal/cleaning process that the desired polymer image is nearby and extra care must be taken to avoid removal of the desired polymer image. The pseudo image may have a 3D patterned surface that can be recognized by a person doing the sandblasting or recognized automatically by an automated 3D object finisher.

Abstract: A numerical control system detects a state amount indicating a state of an injection operation of an injection molding machine, generates a characteristic amount that characterizes the state of the injection operation from the state amount, and infers an evaluation value of the state of the injection operation from the characteristic amount. The numerical control system detects an abnormal state on the basis of the evaluation value, generates or updates a learning model by machine learning that uses the characteristic amount, and stores the learning model in correlation with a combination of conditions of the injection operation.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object that may allow a support material to land on a table before a modeling material irrespective of the moving direction of a carriage. The apparatus includes a modeling material head that ejects an ink for object shaping, support material heads that eject an ink for supporting the three-dimensional object, color ink heads that eject color inks, curing units for curing the ejected inks, and a flattening roller unit with a flattening roller used to flatten surfaces of the ejected inks. In the apparatus, one of the curing units, the flattening roller unit, one of the support material heads, the modeling material head, the color ink heads, the other support material head, and the other curing unit are arranged and mounted in the carriage in the mentioned order from one side to the other in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a platform to support an object to be fabricated, a dispenser to deliver a plurality of layers of a feed material over the platform, a controller configured to store digital data representing a pre-defined pattern, a laser configured to generate a laser beam to impinge an outermost layer of the feed material and coupled to the controller to fuse the feed material in the pre-defined pattern, and a plurality of independently controllable infrared lamps, each infrared lamp directed to a different section of an outermost layer of the feed material.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a mold includes a substrate clamping surface, a cavity, a suction part, a vent, an intermediate cavity, and an opening/closing part. The substrate clamping surface contacts a surface of a processing substrate. The cavity is recessed from the substrate clamping surface. The suction part is recessed from the substrate clamping surface. The vent is provided on a path between the cavity and the suction part, communicates with the cavity, is recessed from the substrate clamping surface to a vent depth. The intermediate cavity is provided between the vent and the suction part on the path, communicates with the vent, and is recessed from the substrate clamping surface to an intermediate cavity depth deeper than the vent depth. The opening/closing part opens and closes the path and is provided between the intermediate cavity and the suction part on the path.

Abstract: A shaping machine or a handling apparatus for a shaping machine includes at least one measuring device for measuring the spacing of two selected points of the shaping machine or the handling apparatus. Furthermore, the at least one measuring device has at least one piezoresistive micromechanical sensor.

Abstract: A method of selecting thermoplastic materials for use with an injection molding apparatus that adjusts viscosity of a thermoplastic material based on an interpreted viscosity is provided. The method includes determining a target MFI for an identified plastic article based on performance properties. A thermoplastic material supply chain is analyzed and a first thermoplastic material having a first starting MFI and a first MFI range is identified and a second thermoplastic material having a second starting MFI and a second MFI range that is greater than the first MFI range is identified and is priced less than the first thermoplastic material. The second thermoplastic material is purchased. The second thermoplastic material is tested by providing the second thermoplastic material to the injection molding apparatus for multiple shot molding cycles with the second thermoplastic material in a molten state.

Abstract: A bulk loader system is disclosed that may include a conveyor unit in connection with a fuel-powered engine powering a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor may be used to operate the conveyor unit. The system may be configured to function while being mounted on a bed of a truck or be operated as a stand-alone unit. The unit may be sized such that an operator can stand on the deck of the truck along with the unit. The fuel-hydraulic powered motor can enable the conveyor unit to operate at variable speeds. The conveyor unit can be adjustable to facilitate controlling the direction of the material being transported via the conveyor. Some embodiments can include operating the hydraulics of the motor from the Power Take-Off (“PTO”) of the truck. Some embodiments can facilitate operation of the system in a hot or other harsh environment.

Abstract: Dielectric ceramic particulates are introduced into thin a sheet of pre-cured elastomer to form a sheet. Successive layers of the sheets may then be laminated together to form a finished article. An electric field may be applied to the article during a curing process while the article is at a temperature near a Curie temperature of the dielectric ceramic particulates to increase a dielectric constant of the article. As each sheet may be different from each other in the finished article, the resulting finished article may have anisotropic dielectric and mechanical properties. Similarly, tiled dielectric ceramic structures may be introduced into the elastomers layers to generate materials with varying dielectric constants.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a 3D printer includes a processor obtaining from a sensor respective sensor values for each of a plurality of distances between a nozzle of the 3D printer and a build plate of the 3D printer, which sensor values each characterizes a characteristic of deposition of filament from the nozzle and onto the build plate at the respective distances to which the sensor values correspond; identifying, based on the obtained sensor values, a maximum and/or minimum value of the characteristic; and setting, based on the identified maximum and/or minimum, an initial gap between the nozzle and the build plate at which to deposit a first layer of an object to be synthesized.

Abstract: A bearing block for holding a bearing for a roller, in particular a strand-guiding roller in a strandguiding device. The bearing block is designed as a solid casting having an integrated internal coolant channel. The coolant channel has an inlet and an outlet for coolant. In order to enable an improvement in the product quality of the cast slabs, the bearing block has a rotational speed sensor for sensing the rotational speed of the roller.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for volumetric reduction of polymeric material and in particular synthetic polymeric textile materials. Such materials are typically used in hospital operating rooms and have material memory meaning that they re-expand after compression. Consequently they are difficult to process as waste material. The present invention is a method and apparatus for thermally compacting a polymer comprising a first and second heated surface inclined downwardly towards each other and providing with a passage at their lower ends through which melted polymeric material may pass.

Abstract: A soap reforming assembly includes a housing and a soap collection unit that is coupled to the housing for collecting and transporting pieces of soap when the pieces of soap are dropped into the housing. A heating element is coupled to the housing and the heating element heats the soap collection unit to melt the soap pieces into a fluid soap. A forming unit is positioned within the housing for receiving the fluid soap from the soap collection unit when the heating element produces the fluid soap. The forming unit cools and forms the fluid soap into a bar for bathing. A drawer is slidably positioned in the housing and the drawer receives the bar of soap from the forming unit. The drawer is positionable in an open position having the drawer extending outwardly from the housing to dispense the bar of soap.

Abstract: Control panels for welding systems are disclosed. An example power system for a vehicle includes a generator to generate electrical power and to be installed on the vehicle; a first case component configured to be attached to a surface of the vehicle; and a second case component configured to be attached to the first case component to form an enclosure, the second case component comprising: a user control device configured to receive a user input for controlling an output of the generator; and an electrical output configured to output at least a portion of the electrical power generated by the generator.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a platen having a top surface to support an object being manufactured, a support structure, an actuator coupled to at least one of the platen or the support structure to create relative motion there between along a first axis parallel to the top surface, a plurality of printheads mounted on the support structure, and an energy source. Each printhead includes a dispenser to deliver a plurality of successive layers of feed material over the platen. The printheads are spaced along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that during motion along the first axis the plurality of printheads dispense feed material in a plurality of parallel swaths along the first axis. The energy source is configured to fuse at least a portion of the feed material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a catheter (1) having a proximal segment, a distal segment, and an expandable element (2) arranged in the distal segment, it being possible to bring the expandable element (2) from a contracted state into an expanded state by supply of a fluid and there being arranged around the expandable element (2) in the contracted state a removable protector in the form of a tube (5), and the tube (5) being pulled over the expandable element (2) and being guided with the catheter (1) through one or more nozzles (6), stretching the tube (5) and reducing the inner diameter of the tube (5). Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding catheter (1) having a tube (5) pulled over the expandable element (2). The invention provides a catheter (1) having a particularly small cross section in the region of the distal segment.

Abstract: A remote controller can be provided on any apparatus that employs feedback control from a native controller to add functionality to the apparatus where the native controller is not capable of providing such functionality independently.

Abstract: An extrusion pelletizer for a polycarbonate resin includes: an extruder; a cooling unit; and a cutter. The extruder includes a cylinder top, a first adapter, a polymer filter unit, a second adapter, and a die head. The polymer filter unit includes a plurality of stick-shaped filter elements therein. A temperature of the second adapter is set to be lower than a temperature of the polymer filter unit. The cooling unit and the cutter are disposed under an atmosphere in which air cleanliness defined in accordance with JIS B 9920 is any one of class 1 to class 7.

Abstract: A remote controller can be provided on any apparatus that employs feedback control from a native controller to add functionality to the apparatus where the native controller is not capable of providing such functionality independently.

Abstract: A blow molding machine with a stationary and a rotating part, comprising a tempering device for tempering blow molds of the blow molding machine using a medium, and a respective method, characterized in that the tempering device is arranged within the blow molding machine.

Abstract: A control strategy for producing high quality extrudates, including the steps of monitoring the temperature of a ceramic precursor batch by measuring the temperature of the batch material either directly or indirectly by measuring the temperature of a component of the extruder proximate to the die and transmitting the temperature data to an extrusion control system which comprises a master controller (106), at least one slave controller (110) and an optional supervisory controller. The supervisory controller determines batch temperature setpoint (102) in order to achieve the desired temperatures for extruding a certain type of batch material based on real time temperature inputs and stored parameters such as batch composition, process throughput, extruder cooling capacity, and the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a printing platform supporting module and a three-dimensional printer using same. The printing platform supporting module comprises a supporting frame, the printing platform, a heating assembly, an adjusting module, and a printing plate. The heating assembly is disposed on the printing platform. The adjusting module is disposed on the printing platform and comprises a plurality of locking units. The printing plate has a working surface and a mounting surface opposite to the working surface. The mounting surface is urged against the heating assembly. The printing plate is removably disposed on the printing platform by means of a locking action and an unlocking action of the locking units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cooling an object that was previously subjected to a heat application, generally a multi-piece composite, particularly in the form of a shrink-fit chuck into which the shank of a tool was chucked or from which it was removed (cooling device), wherein the device comprises a pump, by way of which it generates a carrier gas flow, particularly an air flow, which is charged with a liquid cooling medium, particularly water, so that a coolant flow, the majority of the volume of which consists of the carrier gas, is created, which then spreads over at least the section of the object to be cooled.

Abstract: A device for producing a high density compact livestock feed from a loose granular material according to various embodiment can include a source for supplying a loose granular material to be treated and moving the treated material through a series of successive treatment zones. Rotatable screws are provided within an extruder to compress and transport the treated material a die. The treated material is pressed through the die while a two-dimensional cross-section compression is applied to the treated material.

Abstract: A device for filtering a plastic melt, having a housing that has at least one inlet passage and at least one outlet passage for the plastic melt. The at least one inlet passage is separated from the at least one outlet passage by at least one filter cavity for accommodating at least one filter piston that is axially displaceable therein. The at least one filter piston has at least one filter base body with a filter surface with filter openings passing through the filter base body there, through which openings the plastic melt passes into a filtrate cavity in the filter base body. The filtrate cavity is fluidically connected to the at least one outlet passage, and the filter surface of the filter base body is enclosed by a flexible, elastic filter screen in such a manner that this filter screen can be clamped onto the filter base body there.

Abstract: An ultrasonic-assisted injection molding system and method for making precisely-shaped articles. A source of ultrasonic energy is positioned to apply vibrational energy to a mold cavity connected to at least one gate in flow communication with a source of molten (co)polymer. The mold is heated to a temperature of 104-116° C., and the molten (co)polymer is injected into the mold cavity. After cooling the mold until the molten (co)polymer within the gate has solidified, ultrasonic energy is applied to the mold without remelting the solidified (co)polymer within the gate until the temperature increases to 116-122° C., thereby substantially relieving flow induced stresses. The mold is then cooled until the temperature decreases to 101-107° C., and is thereafter heated until the temperature increases to 116-122° C., thereby substantially relieving any thermally induced stresses. The mold is cooled until the molten (co)polymer has solidified, thereby forming a precision molded plastic optical element.

Abstract: An injection molding machine has a first servo amplifier configured to operate with a first voltage, a second servo amplifier configured to operate with a second voltage, and a transformer which has a primary side terminal and a secondary side terminal and transforms voltages mutually in a predetermined voltage ratio. A main power supply is connected to a primary side terminal or a secondary side terminal of the transformer, depending on whether a voltage of the main power supply supplied to the injection molding machine is equal to the first voltage or the second voltage, respectively. The first or the second servo amplifier is connected to a terminal of the transformer on the side where the main power supply is not connected.

Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided with an injection device, a mold clamping device, an electric storage device configured to supply electric power to the injection device and/or the mold clamping device, and a machine base. The machine base is provided with an upper frame, a lower frame, and support means supporting the upper frame on the lower frame, the injection device and the mold clamping device are disposed on the upper frame of the machine base, and the electric storage device is disposed on the lower frame. The electric storage device is formed of a case body and an electric storage unit therein.

Abstract: A heat dissipation substrate comprises a substrate material and a heat conductive liquid. The substrate material comprises a plurality of holes and the heat conductive liquid is permeated into the holes. The thermal expansion coefficient of the heat conductive liquid is larger than that of the substrate material. A heat dissipation substrate manufacturing method comprises steps of mixing a sinter powder and an adhesive to form a substrate material; placing the substrate material into a furnace to perform a sintering process in order to form a plurality of holes in the substrate material; and permeating a heat conductive liquid into the holes.

Abstract: Disclosed are a compression molding apparatus and a molding die, whereby efficient hot-molding is performed. The compression molding apparatus performs a molding by providing a raw material into the molding die, and applying heat and pressure to the material. The apparatus is provided with: a first molding die, which forms a molding frame that surrounds a region where the raw material is compression-molded; a second molding die, which compresses the raw material provided into the molding frame; and a heat source section, which supports and heats the second molding die. The second molding die has: a first heat pipe, which has one end positioned on the heat source section side, and the other end positioned on the side of a pressing surface that presses the raw material; and a heat insulating layer, which wraps the first heat pipe along the longitudinal direction of the first heat pipe.

Abstract: An injection mold assembly for a high output consumer product injection molding machine, the injection mold assembly having a simplified cooling system. The simplified cooling system has a cooling complexity factor of less than three, preferably less than two, more preferably less than one.

Abstract: A printing station teaching a control chamber for printing that is either part of the 3D printer or in which the 3D printer is enclosed. Additionally, the printing station must be equipped with assembly directions for building various devices from two or more printed component parts, an inventory of non-printable parts, a robot or other automated means for selecting and combining component parts into devices, as well as downloadable software and encryption for securing the devices and limiting their applications. Additionally, the printing station teaches a chamber either integrated with or enclosing the 3D printer to provide temperature, pressure, and humidity control during the printing process.

Abstract: A liquefier assembly for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, the liquefier assembly comprising a downstream portion having a first average inner cross-sectional area, and an upstream having a second average inner cross-sectional area that is less than the first inner cross-sectional area, the upstream portion defining a shoulder configured to restrict movement of a melt meniscus of a consumable material.

Abstract: A method of making an organ or tissue comprises: (a) providing a first dispenser containing a structural support polymer and a second dispenser containing a live cell-containing composition; (b) depositing a layer on said support from said first and second dispenser, said layer comprising a structural support polymer and said cell-containing composition; and then (c) iteratively repeating said depositing step a plurality of times to form a plurality of layers one on another, with separate and discrete regions in each of said layers comprising one or the other of said support polymer or said cell-containing composition, to thereby produce provide a composite three dimensional structure containing both structural support regions and cell-containing regions. Apparatus for carrying out the method and composite products produced by the method are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting thermoplastics comprises a metal hopper having an upper portion with sides tapering inwardly at a first selected angle from the vertical; a lower portion with sides tapering inwardly at a second angle from the vertical, where the second angle is greater than the first angle; and, a discharge area at the bottom of the lower portion. At least one hopper heating element is disposed on the wall(s) of the hopper adjacent to the junction between the first and the second portions. A heated mold is positioned below the discharge area to collect the melted thermoplastic. A control system independently controls the hopper heating element(s) and the mold heating element(s). The metal hopper has a cover that is opened for loading and closed during melting; the top surface of the hopper is preferably angled downward toward the user for ease of loading.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for rotational moulding. The device comprises a mould which is movably arranged, having a mould wall, surrounded by a mould cavity and a material feeding device for feeding the curable raw material into the mould cavity. The mould is movably mounted on a robot arm, associated with the mould. The movement of the mould is controlled by a control device communicating with the robot arm. The mould is provided with a device for controlling the temperature of the mould and which is integrally formed with the mould.

Abstract: A portable mold-temperature control unit includes a local heating system, a first fluid duct, a second fluid duct, and a fluid exchange system. The local heating system includes a local heater for heating fluid that is used to rapidly heat a mold. The first fluid duct carries hot fluid heated by the local heating system. The second fluid duct carries cool fluid that is used to rapidly cool a mold. The fluid exchange system includes an outlet that permits fluid to flow from the first and second fluid ducts to the mold during heating and cooling, respectively. The fluid exchange system also includes an inlet that receives the fluid as it returns from the mold. In one embodiment, the heating system reheats the fluid returning from the mold and reuses it to heat the mold again. In a more particular embodiment, the heating system includes a steam generator that generates steam used to heat the mold.

Abstract: An optical lens mold includes a mold body, a magnetic fluid, a plurality of thermocouples, a plurality of electromagnets, a controlling unit and a power source. The mold body defines a plurality of injection chambers and a cooling channel surrounding the plurality of injection chambers. The magnetic fluid contains magnetic particles and flows in the cooling channel. The thermocouples are capable of sensing temperatures of the plurality of injection chambers correspondingly. The electromagnets are positioned above the cooling channel corresponding to the plurality of thermocouples. The plurality of thermocouples and the plurality of electromagnets are connected to the controlling unit via the power source, the controlling unit is capable of the comparing the standard temperature value with temperature values sensed by the plurality of thermocouples, and maintaining the temperature of the plurality of injection chambers in a normal state.

Abstract: A liquefier assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, which includes a rigid member having a gap, a liquefier tube operably disposed in the gap, one or more heater assemblies disposed in the gap in contact with the liquefier tube, and configured to heat the liquefier tube in a zone-by-zone manner, preferably one or more thermal resistors disposed in the gap between the rigid member and the heater assemblies, and preferably one or more sensors configured to operably measure pressure within the liquefier tube. The one or more heater assemblies may be operated to provide dynamic heat flow control.

Abstract: A mould tool (10) has a temperature management system having a first fluid based heater (18) heating a first side (12) of the tool, which exhausts to a fluid heater (34) on a second side of the tool (14) and is re-circulated back to the first side (12).

Abstract: The invention is a stereolithography machine (1) comprising the following: a support plate (2) provided with a hole (2a); a container (3) associated with the support plate (2) and comprising a transparent bottom (3a); a radiation source (4) arranged below the support plate (2) and suited to convey a radiation beam towards the transparent bottom (3a) through the hole (2a); a temperature control unit (5) suited to maintain the support plate (2) at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes an additive manufacturing tool configured to supply a plurality of droplets to a part, a temperature control device configured to control a temperature of the part, and a controller configured to control the composition, formation, and application of each droplet to the plurality of droplets to the part independent from control of the temperature of the part via the temperature control device. The plurality of droplets is configured to build up the part. Each droplet of the plurality of droplets includes at least one metallic anchoring material.

Abstract: A molded product manufacturing method and a molded product manufacturing apparatus are realized, each of which has improved quality and productivity of a molded product. A pressure to be applied to an upper mold (ML) and a lower mold (ML) is reduced in stages during a process from a start of decrease in internal temperatures of the upper mold (ML) and the lower mold (ML) to a complete mold-release of a resin component (W). This prevents an excessive load from being applied to the resin component (W) which has been molded but has not been mold-released.

Abstract: A plastic injection molding system includes a mold having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface defines a mold cavity, which is configured in a shape of a part to be formed. A source of plastic, having a known heat deflection temperature, is injected into the mold cavity. At least one infrared heat source is disposed adjacent the mold. The at least one heat source is moveable between a first position disposed away from the interior surface of the mold and a second position where the at least one heat source is in communication with the mold cavity surface. A controller is in communication with the at least one heat source and is configured to heat the mold cavity surface to a predetermined temperature below the heat deflection temperature of the plastic resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing spacers from a bone cement comprising the following chronological steps: A) controlling the temperature of a casting mould to a first temperature; B) filling a cement dough, which has a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the temperature-controlled casting mould, into the temperature-controlled casting mould; C) allowing the cement dough to cure in the casting mould to form a spacer; and D) separating the casting mould from the spacer after the spacer is cured. The invention also relates to a device for producing spacers from a bone cement through said method comprising a casting mould and a temperature control facility for controlling the temperature of the casting mould, whereby at least 80% of the inner surface of the casting mould comprises a negative image of the spacer surface to be produced.

Abstract: The cooling of injection molded plastic is targeted. Coolant flows into a porous medium disposed within an injection molding component via a porous medium inlet. The porous medium is thermally coupled to a mold cavity configured to receive injected liquid plastic. The porous medium beneficially allows for an increased rate of heat transfer from the injected liquid plastic to the coolant and provides additional structural support over a hollow cooling well. When the temperature of the injected liquid plastic falls below a solidifying temperature threshold, the molded component is ejected and collected.

Abstract: A plastic injection molding system includes a mold having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface defines a mold cavity, which is configured in a shape of a part to be formed. A source of plastic, having a known heat distortion temperature, is injected into the mold cavity. At least one infrared heat source is disposed adjacent the mold. The at least one heat source is moveable between a first position disposed away from the interior surface of the mold and a second position where the at least one heat source is in communication with the mold cavity surface. A controller is in communication with the at least one heat source and is configured to heat the mold cavity surface to a predetermined temperature below the heat distortion temperature of the plastic resin.

Abstract: Mold for forming containers from blanks of plastic material. The mold includes a shell delimiting a cavity with the impression of a container extending around a central axis, and a system for heating the shell. The heating system includes at least one set of different resistive elements that are superimposed substantially parallel to the central axis and of similar topology, the heating system being arranged to dissipate a different thermal energy at each resistive element of a same set.

Abstract: A molding device (1) includes a temperature control section (4) and a temperature control sequence determining section (3) that corrects a temperature control sequence for instructing the temperature control section (4) to operate, the temperature control sequence determining section (3) including predicting means (31) for predicting a temporal shift of a thermosetting material (H) and correcting means (32) for correcting a temperature control sequence on the basis of the temporal shift. This arrangement prevents thermal runaway during a process of molding a thermosetting material.

Abstract: A tool element assembly (10) is provided in which ambient air is drawn into a fluid chamber (24) and heated via a heating element (28) in order to provide a low pressure, efficient, heating system.