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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

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: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for leveling a three dimensional printing platform. In one embodiment of the invention, the printer assembly is provided with a sensor for determining the distance between the sensor and the printing platform or plate. Inasmuch as printer assembly is movable about an X-Y plane above the plate, printer assembly may move to determine the distance between the sensor and printing plate at several different areas of the plate. A control system then calculates the relative adjustments necessary to move the corners of the plate to make the plate horizontally level. A set of four threaded rods with attached motors may be provided to move the associated four corners of the plate vertically to adjust the overall level of the plate.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed that facilitate measuring the light output of an additive manufacturing device light source without utilizing additional equipment, such as a light meter. Once the light source output has been measured, such information can be utilized for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to: (i) delivering a uniform amount of light energy over time to each portion of a layer being formed; (ii) adjusting the intensity of each controllable element (e.g., pixel) of the light source to the measured minimum, thereby creating a uniformly intense light source; and (iii) minimizing the build time of layers or portions of a layer being formed based on the maximum intensity available within a given area of the build area.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus for forming a pattern on a substrate by contacting an imprint material on the substrate with a mold includes a mold holding member configured to hold the mold and a mold deforming mechanism for applying a force to a side surface of the mold in a direction along a pattern face of the mold in which the pattern is formed in order to deform the pattern formed in the mold held by the mold holding member. The mold deforming mechanism includes a contact portion to contact with the side surface of the mold to press against the side surface. The contact portion is shaped such that a dimension of part of the contact portion to contact with the side surface of the mold is less than a dimension of part of the contact portion away from the side surface of the mold.

Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided with an automatic mold thickness adjusting apparatus. The amount of compensation of the position of a rear platen that is adjusted at the time of installation of a mold is determined by calculating the thermal expansion of the mold that is expected to occur at the completion of a rise in temperature based on the difference in temperature between the mold temperature at the time of mold thickness adjustment and the mold temperature at the time of injection molding. Then, the rear platen is moved to the compensated position thus determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beam melting installation and method for producing components thereof, in which a component to be produced is produced layer-wise, wherein, a coating slide moves across a build platform, a powder layer is applied onto the build platform and already produced component layers by a blade fastened on the coating slide, and melt traces are subsequently inscribed in the powder layer by means of a directed beam, so that the powder melts in the melt trace and bonds to underlying component layers, wherein, during the travel of the coating slide in order to apply a new powder layer, perturbations of the travel of the coating slide or components connected thereto are metrologically detected, and in particular the beam melting installation is controlled and/or regulated as a function of the detected measured values. The invention furthermore relates to a device for retrofitting beam melting installations.

Abstract: An injection compression molding system includes a mold having a fixed first half and a displaceable second half. The second half is initially positioned with a cavity between the mold halves having a first clearance sized to receive a molten material puddle shot injected by an injection molding device without the puddle shot filling the cavity. A displacement device acts during or immediately after puddle shot injection, displacing the second mold half toward the first mold half creating a second clearance less than the first clearance. The second clearance defines a finished part thickness whereby displacement of the second mold half to the second clearance compresses the puddle shot so that the puddle shot fills the cavity and forms a finished part between the mold halves. Total time to inject and compress the puddle shot is less than or equal to 1.0 seconds.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which performs an imprint process of forming a pattern on a substrate by using a mold, the apparatus comprising a heating unit configured to heat a region to be imprinted on the substrate, thereby deforming the region, and a processing unit configured to determine, as a region to be imprinted first, one region out of a first region and second region to be imprinted, and determine the other region as a region to be imprinted subsequently, wherein an influence on the other region in a case where the heating unit deforms the one region is smaller than an influence on the one region in a case where the heating unit deforms the other region.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for smooth 3D printing using multi-stage filaments. These techniques are capable of creating smoother surfaces than many current techniques. In some cases, the techniques determine a portion of a surface of a 3D object that includes, or will include, a printing artifact or is otherwise not smooth, and then applies multi-stage filaments to provide a smoothing surface over that portion.

Abstract: An imprint lithography template is disclosed. In an embodiment, the template includes a patterned region to imprint a layer of imprintable medium, and an alignment mark for use in aligning the imprint template, the alignment mark configured such that imprintable medium is prevented from filling the alignment mark when the imprint template imprints the imprintable medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method manufacture three-dimensional objects by selective solidification of a build material applied in layers. In order to improve the manufacturing process and in particular to optimize heat input, a heating element is provided that has at least two functional openings. One of the at least two functional openings serves as a material pass-through and another of the at least two functional openings serving simultaneously as a radiation pass-through.

Abstract: A biomedical 3D rapid prototyping apparatus includes at least one bio-cartridge, a supply container, a construction platform, an identifying and monitoring device, a disinfection and temperature/humidity regulation device, a casing, and a negative pressure device. The bio-cartridge contains a bio-forming fluid, and has a printhead for ejecting the bio-forming fluid. The supply container stores a bio-building material. The bio-building material is spread in a construction chamber of the construction platform to form a construction layer, and the bio-cartridge is moved to the construction layer to print the bio-forming fluid on the construction layer, so that a cellular tissue is formed. The procedure of spreading the bio-building material and the procedure of printing the bio-forming fluid are repeatedly done, so that a transplantable living tissue or organ is quickly produced.

Abstract: Pellet fabrication device comprising a powder distributor and a table provided with cavities to be filled with powder, on which the distributor moves. The distributor comprises two assemblies of rollers cooperating with rails fixed on the table on each side of the distributor displacement zone, a set of rollers being used to guide displacement of the distributor and a set of rollers being used to press the distributor in contact with the table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer data by repeated application in layers of a medium containing particulate material and selective solidification of the medium, whereby a feedstock made of medium in a build space is provided and a layer application of the medium takes place on a surface of the feedstock bordering the build space at an angle ? and a solidification according to computer data occurs by use of a solidification unit, characterized in that the feedstock is not moved during build-up of the object.

Abstract: The imprint apparatus presses resin disposed on a substrate and a mold to each other to form a resin pattern on the substrate. The apparatus includes a driving device configured to move the mold and the substrate relatively to apply a pressing force between the mold and the resin, a measuring device configured to measure a position of at least one of the mold and the substrate, a detector configured to detect the pressing force, and a controller configured to control the driving device. The controller is configured to control the driving device using the position as a controlled variable in a first period, and to control the driving device using the pressing force as a controlled variable in a second period after the first period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing boron nitride nanotubes and continuous boron nitride nanotube yarn or tapes is provided. The apparatus includes rotating reaction tubes that allow for continuous chemical vapor deposition of boron nitride nanotubes. The rotation of the reaction tubes allows the boron nitride nanotubes to be spun into yarns or made into tapes, without post process or external rotation or spinning of the gathered nanotubes. Boron nitride nanotube yarns or tapes of great length can be produced as a result, thereby providing industry with a readily useable format for this type of material. Dopants such as carbon can be added to engineer the band gap of the nanotubes. Catalysts may be formed outside or inside the reactor.

Abstract: Arrangement information regarding shot areas is obtained in an imprinting method. When a pattern is sequentially formed in the shot areas, the attraction force of a first attraction area is reduced to less than that of the second attraction area. After the pattern is formed in the shot area corresponding to the first attraction area, the attraction forces of the first and second attraction areas are changed. The position information regarding the shot area corresponding to the second attraction area is obtained, which is compared with the position information regarding the shot area corresponding to the second attraction area based on the arrangement information. If the difference between the compared position information is a threshold value or less, positioning of a substrate and a mold is achieved using the arrangement information. If the difference is greater than the threshold value, the arrangement information regarding the shot areas is obtained again.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which transfers a pattern onto a substrate by using a mold including a first surface with a pattern region where an unevenness pattern is formed, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the mold including a first pattern group formed between the second surface and a surface of a convex portion in the unevenness pattern, or on the second surface, the apparatus comprising a second pattern group, a detection unit configured to detect a mark group formed by light having passed through the first pattern group and the second pattern group, and a calculation unit configured to calculate a position deviation between the first pattern group and the second pattern group from the mark group detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: Provided is an imprint apparatus that applies a resin (drops) dispersed, at a plurality of locations on a substrate, brings the resin and a mold into contact, and transfers the contoured pattern that is formed in the mold to the resin comprising: a controller that sets a principal axis direction according to the contoured pattern and an array direction in which a plurality of resin drops are aligned, and determines application positions for the resin such that the array direction is angled with respect to the principal axis direction; and a dispenser that applies the resin based on the application positions that have been determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which forms a pattern on an imprint material on a substrate by using a mold, including a first optical member interposed between an illumination optical system and a detection optical system, and a mold, and configured to guide a first light from the illumination optical system and a second light from the detection optical system to the mold, and a second optical member interposed between the first optical member and the detection optical system, and configured to transmit the second light which is reflected by a mark formed on the mold or a mark formed on the substrate and travels toward the detection optical system through the first optical member, and block the first light which travels toward the detection optical system through the first optical member.

Abstract: A lithography apparatus comprises a projection system arranged to transfer a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate, a carrier, and a drive system for moving the carrier relative to the projection system in a plane defined by reference to orthogonal axes X and Y. The drive system comprises a shuttle moving parallel to the Y-axis, a shuttle connector connecting the shuttle to the carrier, the shuttle connector allowing movement of the carrier in a direction parallel to the X-axis relative to the shuttle, and a shuttle driver driving movement of the shuttle parallel to the Y-axis. The shuttle is located to one side of the carrier in a direction parallel to the X-axis and it is desirable if only one of the shuttle is connected to the carrier.

Abstract: A pattern forming method includes: a first step of forming a first pattern to define a first shot arrangement; and a second step of performing an imprint process, thereby forming a second pattern on the imprint material on the first pattern and defining a second shot arrangement. In the second step, the second shot arrangement is defined so as to reduce an overlay error between the first and second shot arrangements by deforming the mold. In the first step, based on information of the estimated second shot arrangement definable on the substrate when the second step is performed after the second pattern formed on the mold is amended by deforming the mold, the first pattern is formed to make an overlay error between the first and second shot arrangements fall within an allowable range.

Abstract: A method for casting a hollow core concrete product with a substantially horizontal slipform casting process, where concrete mass is fed at least in one feeding stage through a limited cross-section (5, 6, 7) moving progressively along with the cast, and at least one core is formed in the concrete product to be cast with a core forming member (4), wherein the thickness of webs between the cores of the product to be cast are changed during the slipform casting process by changing the width of the at least one core forming member (4). The invention also relates to such an apparatus and a core forming member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus comprising a deforming unit configured to deform a pattern surface by applying a force to a mold, a measuring unit configured to measure a deformation amount of the pattern surface, a control unit configured to control the measuring unit to measure the deformation amount in each of a plurality of states in which a plurality of the forces are applied to the mold, a calculation unit configured to calculate a rate of change in the deformation amount as a function of a change in the force applied to the mold, and a calibration unit configured to calibrate a control profile describing a time in the imprint process, and the force applied to the mold, based on the rate of change in the deformation amount.