Abstract: Non-time dependent calculated variables based on measured strain are used to effectively determine an optimal hold profile for an expanding crosslinking polymer part in a mold cavity. A system and/or approach may first inject molten expanding crosslinking polymer into a mold cavity, then measure strain at the mold cavity or at another location within the injection molding system, and then calculate at least one non-time dependent variable during an injection molding cycle. Next, the system and/or method commences a hold profile for the part, and upon completing the hold profile, the part is ejected from the mold cavity, whereupon a cure profile is commenced.

Abstract: An automatic calibration system for calibrating the parallelism between a printing plane of a 3D printer and a virtual plane on which the extruder of the 3D printer moves, to align the printing plane with the virtual plane on which the extruder moves, includes: at least one extruder, or a printing head on which the extruder itself is mounted, movable on a horizontal plane; at least one device for measuring the distance of the printing plane associated with the extruder or with a printing head; a movable printing plane along the vertical axis Z, the plane being equipped with at least three non-aligned actuators, which are controllable and operable independently of each other; a central control unit (MCU or PLC) of the calibration system and of all the parts thereof.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer and a method of leveling a support surface in a three-dimensional printer. The three-dimensional printer includes a base plate, a support bed, including a support surface, wherein the support bed is mounted to the base plate, a plurality of adjustable mounting assemblies adjustably mounting the base plate to the support bed, wherein each adjustable mount assembly separates the base plate from the support bed by a first distance. The three-dimensional printer may further include a vacuum port fluid communication with a vacuum opening, a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum port, a vacuum regulator coupled to the tubing between the vacuum pump and vacuum port, and a vacuum pressure switch coupled to the tubing between the vacuum regulator and the vacuum port.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus including a holding unit configured to hold a material, a measurement unit configured to measure a position of the material held by the holding unit, a detection unit configured to detect dechucking of the material in the holding unit, and a control unit configured to control continuation processing for continuing an imprint process if the detection unit has detected the dechucking, wherein the control unit performs, as the continuation processing, processing of causing the holding unit to hold the dechucked material again without unloading the material from the imprint apparatus, and processing of measuring, by the measurement unit, a position of the material held again by the holding unit before the imprint process to use the position for alignment in the imprint process.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a composite part. The apparatus comprises a sleeve that molds a composite material. The sleeve has a first face and a second face. The second face has features to mold the composite material. The first face comprises a first inclined surface having an angle less than about 90 degrees and greater than about 0 degrees.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is disclosed for use in fabricating a structure. The additive manufacturing system may include a print head configured to discharge a material, a first structure, and a second structure. The first structure may be configured to move the print head within a plane during discharge of the material. The second structure may be configured to move the print head within the plane during material discharge, the second structure being movable together with the print head by the first structure.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for calibrating a 3D printer are disclosed. A 3D printer toolhead may include mechanisms for detecting when a portion of the toolhead comes into contact with a build surface. A process for detecting the distance from the toolhead to the build surface is disclosed using these mechanisms. A further method of calibrating a 3D printer by measuring a plurality of points on a build surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional shaped product based on repetition of a step of molding of a powder layer 3 and sintering with a laser beam or an electron beam, wherein in a lattice region 1, a sintered layer 41 is molded by scanning the beam having a predetermined spot diameter several times in one side direction at a predetermined interval, after which a sintered layer 42 is again molded by the same scanning in the other side direction which crosses the one side direction, and in an outer frame region 2, a continuous sintered layer 43 is molded by scanning the beam having the predetermined spot diameter over the entire lattice region 1 that is surrounded by an inner line and an outer line, and is also achieved by a three-dimensional shaped product obtained by the method.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a main mold and core setting device and a main mold and core setting method which enable core setting work, hitherto implemented by a core setting operator using subtle hand sensation, to be completely reproduced by automation.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer with improved adjustment mechanisms for calibrating the orientation of the build platform and an extrusion assembly to optimize the accuracy of models deposited on the build platform. The printer includes a frame carrying an extrusion assembly proximate the top, and a carriage within. A build platform is mounted on the top of the carriage. Carriage adjustment mechanisms are provided at at least two corners of the carriage for calibrating the orientation of the build platform with respect to the X-Y plane. An extrusion assembly adjustment mechanism is provided at at least one end of the extrusion mechanism for calibrating the orientation of the extrusion mechanism with respect to the Y-axis. A height adjustment mechanism is provided for translating the carriage within the frame along the Z-axis.

Abstract: A method of fabricating second-generation high-temperature superconducting wires of a predetermined width involves the following stages: (A) fabrication of an HTS intermediate product for the production of HTS wires by sequential deposition of buffer layers, an HTS layer and a protective layer on the substrate tape; (B) slitting of the intermediate product of stage (A) in the longitudinal direction into HTS wires of a predetermined width. Each wire comprises at least one edge formed during slitting, with delaminated fragments adjoining said edge; (C) removing the delaminated fragments of the HTS wire obtained at stage (B); (D) applying an additional protective layer onto the wire of stage (C). The method makes it possible to retain the current carrying properties of an HTS wire after mechanical treatment, such as slitting, and to ensure predictability and stability of such properties.

Abstract: An injection apparatus includes a heating cylinder having a nozzle for injecting resin material, a drop-port block that supports the heating cylinder, an injection stage extending so as to be orthogonal to the lengthwise axis of the heating cylinder while supporting the drop-port block, and a pair of injection-apparatus moving mechanisms that moves the heating cylinder. The drop-port block is provided with a supporting stage extending in the direction orthogonal to the lengthwise axis, and the injection-apparatus moving mechanism is connected to the supporting stage and to a stationary mount which supports a stationary mold. The supporting plate extends alongside the injection stage with a clearance therebetween so that deformation of the supporting stage when the nozzle is pressed into contact with the stationary mold is not transmitted to the injection stage.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system for solidifying a photocurable resin in a layer-by-layer manner at a build plane includes a scan module, a transparent plate, a sensor, and a controller. The scan module is configured to scan the light beam along two axes to address the build plane. The transparent plate is positioned in the optical path between the scan module and the build plane. The transparent plate has at least one reflective feature in the optical path. The sensor is mounted above the glass plate and is positioned to receive light reflected from the reflective feature. The controller is configured to operate the scan module to scan the light beam across the build plane, receive a signal from the sensor when the light beam impinges upon the reflective feature, and analyze the signal to verify a proper alignment of the light beam to the build plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to tube perforating machine for perforating a hollow tube. The powered machine includes a mechanical timing system comprising a Geneva mechanism so that perforations are punched when the tube is held stationary and perforations cannot be punched when the tube is rotating or moving longitudinally within the machine.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing, such as laser sintering or melting of additive layers, can produce parts rapidly at small volume and in a factory setting. To ensure the additive manufactured parts are of high quality, a real-time non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique is required to detect defects while they are being manufactured. The present invention describes an in-situ (real-time) inspection unit that can be added to an existing additive manufacturing (AM) tool, such as an FDM (fused deposition modeling) machine, or a direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) machine, providing real-time information about the part quality, and detecting flaws as they occur. The information provided by this unit is used to a) qualify the part as it is being made, and b) to provide feedback to the AM tool for correction, or to stop the process if the part will not meet the quality, thus saving time, energy and reduce material loss.

Abstract: Described herein is an Intuitive Creation System for Additive Manufacturing (AM) Devices which automates the design and manufacturing process in order to minimize or eliminate the need to teach and train new users in the art of Additive Manufacturing (AM). This system and methodology allows anyone, with little to no technical know-how, to successfully operate an AM device to produce products that improve their quality of life, on demand, locally, and during events that cause disruption of traditional global manufacturing supply chains. Additionally, the described systems and methods also allow anyone to design and create products with little to no prior technical know-how. This is accomplished by integrating computational systems and processors into the physical device such that 3D model data can be interrupted and translated into actions by the AM device without the need for a highly trained operator or user.

Abstract: An imprinting method, which includes following steps. A workpiece is conveyed to a working region by a first conveyer unit. The workpiece is imprinted in the working region through an imprinting segment of a flexible imprinting mold film. The flexible imprinting mold film is driven by a driving roller set, such that at least another one of the imprinting segments of the flexible imprinting mold film rolled around the driving roller set is expanded from the driving roller set and moved to the working region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic system for a molding system, the molding system having a clamp actuator and an injection actuator, the hydraulic system comprising a clamp accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid for use in actuating the clamp actuator; an injection accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid for use in actuating the injection actuator; a pump for conveying hydraulic fluid to the clamp accumulator and the injection accumulator; and a selector valve for selectively fluidly connecting the pump to one of the clamp accumulator and the injection accumulator.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus (10) comprising a signal converter (1500) interconnected to a machine controller (MC) of an injection molding machine (IMM) that generates standardized signals (VPS), the signal converter (1500) receiving and converting the standardized signals (VS) to a command signal (MOPCS, PDCVS) that is compatible with a signal receptor or interface of an electrically powered actuator (940e, 941e, 942e) or a signal receptor, interface or driver of a proportional directional control valve (V, V1, V2) that drives a fluid driven actuator (940p, 941p, 942p) to respectively operate the electrically powered actuator (940e, 941e, 942e) or the proportional directional control valve (V, V1, V2) to move in a direction that operates to either begin an injection cycle and to end an injection cycle.

Abstract: A mold clamping apparatus according to the present invention includes: a fixed platen to which one mold of a pair of molds is to be mounted; a movable platen which is disposed opposite the fixed platen and to which the other mold is to be mounted; a pressure-receiving platen connected to the fixed platen via tie bars; a mold opening/closing mechanism including a toggle link mechanism for opening/closing and clamping the molds by moving the movable platen back and forth; a drive mechanism including a servo motor for driving the mold opening/closing mechanism; and a control device for controlling the servo motor, wherein the control device includes an acceleration/deceleration adjustment section capable of adjusting an acceleration time, a deceleration time and a target speed of the servo motor during a mold clamping operation.

Abstract: Method for controlling a method for the manufacture of a container by stretch-blow-molding of a plastic preform (2) in a machine (1) including a mold (26), the preform (2) having a body (3), a neck (4) opening at one end of the body (3) and a bottom (5) closing the body (3) at another end thereof, the manufacturing method including the operations involving:—heating the preform to a predetermined temperature in a thermal conditioning oven (10);—introducing the preform (2) into the mold (26);—moving a stretching pin (28) so as to stretch the preform (2); this control method involving a step that consists in determining the position of impact (P0r) of the stretch pin (28), namely the position it occupies at the moment at which it reaches the bottom (5) of the preform (2) during its movement.

Abstract: Moving servo motors of molds in synchronization with the operations of platens which enables fine patterns or shapes to be formed even on a large molded article. A mold clamping device forms patterns or the like on a molded article by detecting a mold position of a second platen among first, second, third platens with digital mold opening/closing position detector, and driving servo motors for molds of the molds in synchronization with a digital mold opening/closing position signal from the digital mold opening/closing position detector.

Abstract: The present disclosure various apparatuses, and systems for 3D printing. The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, apparatuses, software and systems for a step and repeat energy irradiation process; controlling material characteristics and/or deformation of the 3D object; reducing deformation in a printed 3D object; and planarizing a material bed.

Abstract: A composite material molding method is provided for forming a composite material. The molding includes disposing a reinforcing base material in a cavity inside an openable and closable mold, injecting resin into the cavity in a state in which a clamping pressure is exerted on the mold and curing the resin. When injecting the resin into the cavity, the injection pressure of the resin is adjusted between a first pressure that is higher than the clamping pressure and a second pressure that is lower than the clamping pressure, and the injection pressure of the resin is lowered from the pressure that is higher than the clamping pressure to the pressure that is lower than the clamping pressure at least once. The resin is thereby injected such that the pressure inside the cavity does not exceed the clamping pressure from the start of injection to the end of injection of the resin.

Abstract: A position detector includes a detection unit configured to detect light from a first diffraction grating including a first pattern disposed in a first direction, and light from a second diffraction grating including a second pattern disposed in the first direction, and a control unit configured to obtain a relative position between the first and the second diffraction gratings based on the light detected by the detection unit. The position detector has a third pattern formed in a second direction different from the first direction at edges of the first pattern of the first diffraction grating, the third pattern has a width smaller than a width of the first pattern of the first diffraction grating.

Abstract: A position detector includes a detection unit configured to detect light from a first diffraction grating including a first pattern disposed in a first direction, and light from a second diffraction grating including a second pattern disposed in the first direction, and a control unit configured to obtain a relative position between the first and the second diffraction gratings based on the light detected by the detection unit. The position detector has a third pattern formed in a second direction different from the first direction at edges of the first pattern of the first diffraction grating, the third pattern has a width smaller than a width of the first pattern of the first diffraction grating.

Abstract: A print head assembly that includes a print head carriage and multiple, replaceable print heads that are configured to be removably retained in receptacles of the print head carriage. The print heads each include a cartridge assembly and a liquefier pump assembly retained by the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: An imprinting apparatus includes a first conveyer unit, a flexible imprinting mold film and a driving roller set. The first conveyer is adapted to convey a workpiece to a working region of the imprinting apparatus. The flexible imprinting mold film has imprinting segments. At least one of the imprinting segments is located in the working region. The workpiece is adapted to be imprinted in the working region through the corresponding imprinting segment. The flexible imprinting mold film is partially rolled around the driving roller set, the imprinting segment located in the working region is expanded from the driving roller set, and the driving roller set is adapted to drive the flexible imprinting mold film, such that at least another one of the imprinting segments rolled around the driving roller set is expanded from the driving roller set and moved to the working region. Besides, an imprinting method is also provided.

Abstract: A 3D printing apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes base, forming platform, nozzle module, curing module, first sensor and second sensors and control module. The forming platform is movably disposed on the base along an axial direction. The nozzle module and the curing module are disposed on the base and located above the forming platform. The first and second sensors are movably disposed on the base and located at two opposite sides of the nozzle module and the curing module along the axial direction. A predetermined range of the 3D object on the forming platform has first and second endpoints along the axial direction, and the first and second sensors respectively correspond to the first and second endpoints. The control module determines whether the nozzle module impacts the 3D object according to a sensing time difference of the first and second sensors.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus including medium-encoded computer program products for performing additive manufacturing (AM) using continuous resin flow based mask video projection stereolithography (MVP-SL) According to an aspect, a system for additive manufacturing of an object in three dimensions consisting of an X dimension, a Y dimension, and a Z dimension, the system comprising: a tank configured to contain a liquid resin; a first translation stage coupled with the tank, the first translation stage being configured to move the tank in the X dimension, the Y dimension, or both; a second translation stage coupled with a build platform, the second translation stage being configured to move the build platform in the Z dimension; and a computer control system to cause the second translation stage to elevate the build platform in the Z dimension simultaneously with causing the first translation stage to perform the sliding motion.

Abstract: A molding die has a lower holder, an intermediate holder, an upper holder, a lock member, an upper link bar, a lower link bar, a restriction member, and a drive part. A movement of the lock member in a molding die opening direction or a molding die closing direction is restricted by the intermediate holder. The upper link bar has a first retaining groove in which the lock member fits when being located at a molding die closing position. The lower link bar has a second retaining groove in which the lock member fits and a release portion that enables the lock member to be released from the first retaining groove. The restriction member is movable between a restriction position that prevents the lock member from fitting in the second retaining groove and a free position that enables the lock member to fit in the second retaining groove.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various system and methods for monitoring photons emitted by a heat source of an additive manufacturing device. Sensor data recorded while monitoring the photons can be used to predict metallurgical, mechanical and geometrical properties of a part produced during an additive manufacturing operation. In some embodiments, a test pattern can be used to calibrate an additive manufacturing device.

Abstract: A mold clamping device of an injection molding machine supports a motor fixing member configured to fix a mold opening/closing motor to a rear platen, on a base frame through a support member and slide plates. When viewed from a direction of a drive shaft of the mold opening/closing motor, the width of the support member is formed to progressively increase outwardly from the motor fixing member toward the base frame, and on a portion of the support member that is located on the base frame side, the slide plates are provided at at least both ends of the portion in a width direction of the support member.

Abstract: An alignment optical measurement element includes a grating coupler, and a reflector coupled to the grating coupler. The alignment optical measurement element is arranged so that: the grating coupler diffracts an incident light in a first direction into a first diffracted light to propagate the first diffracted light as a first propagating light in a second direction, the reflector reflects the first propagating light into a second propagating light in a third direction opposite to the second direction; and the grating coupler diffracts the second propagating light into a second diffracted light to emit the second diffracted light as an emitted light in a fourth direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A memory assembly (800), comprising: a storage media (802) tangibly embodying executable commands configured to direct a molding-system controller (114) to send a command signal to the first accumulator-control valve (106) and the first actuator control valve (110), the command signal configured to request: (i) the first accumulator-control valve (106) to permit flow of hydraulic fluid from the first accumulator assembly (108) to the first actuator assembly (112), and (ii) the first actuator control valve (110) to permit flow of hydraulic fluid from the first pump assembly (104) to the first actuator assembly (112) for the case where the molding-system controller (114) determines that the first actuator assembly (112) requires the flow from both the first pump assembly (104) and the first accumulator assembly (108) during a portion of a molding cycle.

Abstract: A calibration method of a delta 3D printer, wherein a vertical calibration mechanism is disposed on a vertical direction, a horizontal calibration mechanism is disposed on the horizontal direction and a printing-platform calibration mechanism is disposed under the printing-platform of the 3D printer. Before performing a new printing task, the 3D printer first controls three sliding components to move vertically and performs a calibration on the Z-Axis via the vertical calibration mechanism. Next, controls the nozzle to move horizontally and performs a calibration on X-Axis and the Y-Axis via the horizontal calibration mechanism. After the X-Axis, Y-Axis and Z-Axis are all calibrated, the 3D printer performs a tilt degree calibration on the printing-platform via the printing-platform calibration mechanism. Lastly, after performing all calibration operations, the 3D printer starts to execute the new printing task.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guiding device for guiding a blown film between a film blowing die and a take-off roller device, comprising at least two lateral guides located opposite one another for laterally guiding the blown film, wherein at least one lateral guide is provided with a first guide segment and a second guide segment, which are connected to one another in an articulated manner. At least one lever kinematics is provided, which is in drive connection with a drive device, and which is interconnected with the two guide segments such that when the drive device is actuated by way of the lever kinematics, the angles of attack (?a, ?e) of the two guide segments to the conveyance direction (F) of the blown film can be varied.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as an extruding machine, configured to form a sheath, e.g. insulative layer, over an elongate member, e.g. a wire cable including an extruder to apply the material forming the sheath, a drive mechanism configured to move the elongate member through the extruder at a line speed, a thickness sensor to determine the thickness of the material, and a controller. The controller is programmed to determine a deviation between the actual material thickness a desired thickness, determine a correction factor value based on the deviation between the actual thickness and the desired thickness of the material applied, and adjust the line speed, via the drive mechanism, based on the line speed, an extruder feeder speed, the correction factor value and a material factor value that is based on rheological properties of the material. A method of operating such an extruding machine is also presented.

Abstract: A press for producing a pellet from powdered material comprises a press frame and a pressing unit arranged therein, at least one upper press punch and/or at least one lower press punch, as well as at least one receptacle for powdered material. At least one upper drive unit has at least one upper drive motor for moving the upper press punch and/or at least one lower drive unit having at least one lower drive motor for moving the lower press punch and/or the receptacle. The at least one upper drive unit acts laterally offset on the at least one upper press punch via an upper force transmission element and/or the at least one lower drive unit acts laterally offset on the at least one lower press punch and/or the receptacle via a lower force transmission element.

Abstract: Plastics articles with continuous reinforcement strands are normally produced by pultrusion. Pultrusion methods are known for producing straight or curved plastics profiles. It has not hitherto been possible for reinforced plastics articles of more complex form to be produced by pultrusion methods. The invention provides a pultrusion method in which a part of a curved plastics article serves, together with a mold (15), for the pultrusion of a reinforced plastics article. In this way, it is possible for complex plastics articles, for example a plastics pipe (10), to be produced by pultrusion.

Abstract: A print head assembly that includes a print head carriage and multiple, replaceable print heads that are configured to be removably retained in receptacles of the print head carriage. The print heads each include a cartridge assembly and a liquefier pump assembly retained by the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A medium supply apparatus includes: a storage part storing, in advance, information indicating a relation between a change in the amount of medium supplied by a medium drive part and a change in a frequency obtained by conversion in an inverter in accordance with a pipe resistance in a state that an electric motor is operated in a given condition; a frequency detection part detecting the frequency of the inverter in a case that the electric motor is operated in the given condition; a medium amount calculation part, on the basis of the frequency detected by the frequency detection part and the information stored in the storage part, calculating the amount of medium to be supplied by the medium drive part; a setup part setting up a necessary amount for the medium; and a frequency control part, on the basis of the necessary amount of medium set up by the setup part, the detected frequency, and the calculated medium amount, controlling the frequency to be obtained by conversion in the inverter.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object may be produced in cascaded layers from a liquid resin that solidifies upon exposure to light. A translation stage may be positioned relative to a vat that is suitable for solidifying the highest un-solidified layer of the three-dimensional object directly beneath any existing, solidified layers of the three-dimensional object. A mask image projection system may project a two-dimensional image of the highest un-solidified layer through a transparent bottom of the vat and into the liquid resin. This may cause at least a portion of the liquid resin to solidify in the shape of the two-dimensional image and to adhere to the bottom of a surface beneath the solidified layer. A shearing force may be applied between the bottom surface of the solidified layer and the surface beneath that is great enough to detach the solidified layer from the surface beneath.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of forming a film is provided. In the method of forming a film, a reversed pattern which is the reverse of a desired layout pattern is formed on a first substrate. Subsequently, a pattern material of the desired layout pattern is supplied to a second substrate as a reversal material. Thereafter, the reversed pattern is brought into contact with the reversal material such that the reversed pattern faces the reversal material, so that the reversed pattern is filled with the reversal material by a capillary phenomenon.

Abstract: A light transmissive mold used for imprinting a pattern onto a material applied on a semiconductor workpiece. The mold includes a first surface having an area of a pattern to be imprinted onto the material, a second surface located opposite from the first surface, and a third surface disposed between the first surface and the second surface, at a position inwardly away from the first surface. The third surface is arranged opposite to an area of the workpiece subjected to dicing. An alignment structure, provided for alignment between the mold and the workpiece, is formed in the third surface.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method comprises forming a raft structure in contact with the build platform, the raft structure formed from one or more layers of material and comprising at least one removal pocket adjacent to the build platform and forming additional material in contact with the raft structure. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus configured to form a plurality of layers of material on a build platform is provided. The apparatus comprises the build platform, and at least one controller configured to form a raft structure in contact with the build platform, the raft structure formed from one or more layers of material and comprising at least one removal pocket adjacent to the build platform, and form additional material in contact with the raft structure.

Abstract: A positioning device aligns first and second mold segments moving from an opened position to a closed position. The device includes a female member for connecting to one of the mold segments and for receiving a male member connected to the other of the mold segments. A bearing mechanism is coupled to the female member for receiving the male member and reducing friction between the male member and the female member. One of the female member and the bearing mechanism includes a post extending transversely to the alignment axis and the other of the female member and the bearing mechanism defines a groove receiving the post as the bearing mechanism moves relative to the female member. The engagement between the groove and the post retains the bearing mechanism in the female member when the first and second mold segments move between the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a 3D printing apparatus with a sensor device. The apparatus comprises a base platform, a support frame mounted on the base platform and a print head mounted on the support frame. The print head is aligned with a working surface on which the 3D object to be printed is placed. A sensor device is configured to determine and adjust a spatial parameter between the working surface and a print head. The sensor device is mounted on the print head and detects misalignment in the position of the working surface with the print head. The sensor device employs photo detection method for determining a desired orientation of the working surface.

Abstract: An extruder or other similar tool head of a three-dimensional printer is slidably mounted along a feedpath of build material so that the extruder can move into and out of contact with a build surface according to whether build material is being extruded. The extruder may be spring-biased against the forward feedpath so that the extruder remains above the build surface in the absence of applied forces, and then moves downward into a position for extrusion when build material is fed into the extruder. In another aspect, modular tool heads are disclosed that can be automatically coupled to and removed from the three-dimensional printer by a suitable robotics system. A tool crib may be provided to store multiple tool heads while not in use.

Abstract: An extruder or other similar tool head of a three-dimensional printer is slidably mounted along a feedpath of build material so that the extruder can move into and out of contact with a build surface according to whether build material is being extruded. The extruder may be spring-biased against the forward feedpath so that the extruder remains above the build surface in the absence of applied forces, and then moves downward into a position for extrusion when build material is fed into the extruder. In another aspect, modular tool heads are disclosed that can be automatically coupled to and removed from the three-dimensional printer by a suitable robotics system. A tool crib may be provided to store multiple tool heads while not in use.