Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object is disclosed. The method comprises sequentially forming a plurality of layers in a configured pattern corresponding to the shape of the object. Each layer is formed by dispensing at least one modeling material to form an uncured layer, and curing the uncured layer by radiation. In various exemplary embodiments of the invention the method comprises, for at least one layer, forming a stack of sacrificial radiation-protective layers to cover an exposed portion of the layer, such that an upper layer of the stack remains exposed during formation of any subsequent layer of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus forms a resin pattern on a substrate by curing resin in a state where the resin on the substrate is in contact with a patterned portion of a mold. It includes: a gas supply unit which supplies gas to a space between the mold and the substrate; a measuring unit which is configured so that measuring light transits the space or a space that communicates with the space, and which measures a prescribed distance between two objects using the measuring light; and a controller which obtains information concerning the prescribed distance, and which outputs a signal representing a state of concentration of the gas in the space based on the information and a measurement result of the measuring unit in a state where the gas is supplied from the gas supply unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and molding system (1) for forming a molded plastic article by wireless control. The molding system includes a primary controller (12) that is adapted to engage in wireless communications with the carriage controller (45) of one or more self-propelled carriages (15). Each carriage (15) includes a carriage location indicator (62) that determines the location of the carriage, which is transmitted substantially continuously to the carriage controller (45), and then communicated substantially continuously and wirelessly from the carriage controller to the primary controller (12). The primary controller (12) wirelessly communicates position directives (e.g., a polymer introduction station position directive) to each carriage controller (45), which correspondingly provides operational position instructions to each carriage's respective propulsion system (30), so as to re-position at least one carriage.

Abstract: The method includes: measuring a first wavefront of a reference light on a sensor by using the sensor; calculating a second wavefront of the reference light on the sensor by using a parameter of an optical system; changing an optical system parameter in calculation such that a difference between rotationally symmetric components of the first and second wavefronts becomes smaller; calculating, by using the changed parameter, a magnification distribution of rays of the reference light between on the sensor and on a sensor conjugate surface; measuring a first ray angle distribution of the reference light by using the sensor, and measuring a second ray angle distribution of a measurement light by using the light-receiving sensor. The method calculates the profile of the measurement object aspheric surface by using the profile of the reference aspheric surface, the first and second ray angle distributions and the magnification distribution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus used for forming a lens and spacer combination, and imager module employing the spacer and lens combination. The apparatus includes a mold having a base, spacer section, and mold feature. The method includes using the mold with a blank to create a spacer that includes an integral lens. The spacer and lens combination and imager modules can be formed on a wafer level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite material part from a preform of fibers pre-impregnated with resin. The method includes laying the preform on a laying surface of a tool with a peripheral shoulder, covering the preform with a conforming plate delimited by a peripheral edge which extends beyond the peripheral flank of the preform over the entire periphery of the preform, using shims calibrated to position the conforming plate, the shims being arranged between the support surface of the peripheral shoulder and the peripheral edge of the conforming plate, removing the calibrated shims, arranging a seal connecting the conforming plate and the tool all around the preform, and polymerizing the preform.

Abstract: The fine pattern manufacturing apparatus, which can improve height direction resolution in a laser irradiation method. More specifically, the invention relates to a fine pattern manufacturing apparatus using interference and a fine pattern manufacturing method using the manufacturing apparatus, in which a height direction interference generation unit is included to interfere laser beams respectively having a different plane direction width, and height direction line width can be improved by irradiating an interference laser beam having an interference fringe direction of height direction on a photosensitive film.

Abstract: An apparatus including a cup attaching unit, includes: a lens support portion for supporting a lens on a reference axis extending in a vertical direction; a support arm to which an attaching portion to which the cup is attached is attached; a moving arm for support the support arm to be movable so that the attaching portion can be directed in a downward direction toward the lens support portion and in an upward direction or a forward direction; and a lever configured to be operated by the operation and rotate the support arm so as to direct the attaching portion in from the second direction to the first direction. The lever is provided at the support arm and lowers the attaching portion together with the moving arm after the attaching portion is directed in the downward direction.

Abstract: An additive three-dimensional fabrication process is improved by controlling deposition rate to obtain surface textures or other surface features below the nominal processing resolution of fabrication hardware. Sub-resolution information may be obtained, for example, from express metadata (such as for surface texture), or by interpolating data from a source digital model.

Abstract: A method of determining an offset between an imprint template and a substrate using an alignment grating on the imprint template and an alignment grating on the substrate is disclosed. The method includes bringing the imprint template alignment grating and the substrate alignment grating sufficiently close together such that they form a composite grating, directing an alignment radiation beam at the composite grating while modulating the relative position of the imprint template and the substrate, detecting the intensity of alignment radiation which is reflected from the composite grating, and determining the offset by analyzing modulation of the detected intensity.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a process for synchronized embossing of an extensible printed film or of a laminate product including an extensible printed film is disclosed. The process includes pre-heating the film; possible coupling of the pre-heated film with a substrate; passage of the film or of the laminate between an engraved embossing cylinder; and a pressing counter-cylinder, in which the extensible film is subjected to a controlled elongation, in the longitudinal direction only, during the pre-heating step, during which the film is in a thermoplastic state, and said controlled elongation is such as to synchronize the decoration printed on the film with the position of the embossing cylinder.

Abstract: The application provides a molding apparatus. The molding apparatus comprises a first mold-defining member together with a second mold-defining member, one or more channels, and one or more moveable cores. The first mold-defining member together with the second mold-defining member defines an internal cavity. The channels comprise inlets for receiving molten resin and outlets to the internal cavity. The moveable cores are moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the moveable core in the second position reduces a volume of the internal cavity and closes the channel outlets. The moveable core is also independently moveable with respect to the first mold-defining member and with respect to the second mold-defining member.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of containers made of thermoplastic, includes at least one molding unit selectively associated with a control module (70) able, in the use state, selectively using a first actuating device (76) to control the locking device and using a second actuating device (78) to control the opening/closing device with which the molding unit is respectively equipped.

Abstract: A process for melting/sintering powder particles for layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects wherein a layer of powder particles is irradiated by a nonlinear path of an electromagnetic radiation is provided. Also provided are an apparatus to conduct the process and three dimensional objects obtained by the process.

Abstract: A lens sheet manufacturing method according to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter includes: conveying an original lens sheet having a plurality of linear lens elements arranged and formed in parallel with each other on a front sheet surface; detecting an edge line of one of the lens elements; determining whether the detected edge line and a trimming direction blade included in a punching blade are parallel with each other; when it is determined that they are not parallel with each other, controlling a conveying direction of the original lens sheet so that the trimming direction blade and the detected edge line are parallel with each other; and temporarily stopping conveying with the edge line of the lens element and the trimming direction blade being parallel with each other and punching the original lens sheet with the punching blade to manufacture a separated lens sheet.

Abstract: An injection molding device comprises a mold-clamping device that operates in both of a mold-closing state in which a mold is closed under predetermined pressure and a micro mold-open state in which the mold is held in a state in which the mold is open from the mold-closing state by a predetermined amount, an injection device that molds a molded product by injecting a molding material into the mold set to the mold-closing state or the micro mold-open state and a controller that changes a stop position of the mold in the micro mold-open state in accordance with a change of a mold-closing position when the mold-closing position of the mold in the mold-closing state is changed.

Abstract: A process for the automatic manufacturing of different toric optical lenses having a front surface and a rear surface having a predetermined rotational orientation relative to one another, and with at least one of the front and rear surfaces having a toric portion, comprises forming a first toric lens by: introducing a starting material into a lens mold (3) comprising a male mold half (30) and a female mold half (31) defining a mold cavity between the shaping surfaces of the male and female mold halves, the shaping surfaces being arranged at a first rotational position relative to one another and at least one of them being toric, and curing the starting material in the mold cavity to form the first toric lens.

Abstract: An extrusion blow-molding device (1) for producing plastic containers, particularly plastic bottles, is proposed, comprising an extruder head (3), which is connected to at least one extruder (2) for plastic material and has at least one extrusion die (4), a blow-molding tool arrangement (5) having at least one blow-molding cavity (6) and at least one injection device (7), which is disposed on the side of the blow-molding tool arrangement (5) facing away from the extruder head (3) and can be inserted into the blow-molding cavity (6) through an opening provided there. During a production cycle, the extruder head (3) can be axially adjusted in terms of the height thereof relative to the blow-molding tool arrangement (5). To do so, the extruder (2) is articulated along the longitudinal extension thereof on a rotational axis (9) and can be tilted in the manner of a rocker, and the extruder (2) is configured such that the height thereof about the rotational axis (9) thereof can be adjusted.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus performs alignment control of a mold and a substrate. A pattern formed on the mold is transferred onto a pattern forming layer on the substrate. A mold holding portion holds the mold, a substrate holding portion holds the substrate, and a control portion effects control so that the mold and the substrate are brought near to each other during the alignment control. The mold and the pattern forming layer are brought into contact with each other and then the pattern forming layer is cured. The control portion changes a driving profile for the alignment control after the alignment control is started and at least one of before and after the mold contacts the pattern forming layer. The driving profile used to move at least one of the mold holding portion and the substrate holding portion to a target position, and includes at least one of acceleration, speed, driving voltage, and driving current.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems (300), devices and methods for machining a work-piece from a plurality of directions using a single laser beam and galvanometer scan head (302). In some embodiments, such a system includes, for example, a scanning galvanometer head (“scan-head”) (302), having one or more mirrors (323) for directing a laser beam in at least one plane. Preferably, in some embodiments, the scan-head includes two mirrors for deflecting the laser beam in the at least one plane (e.g., an X-Y plane). A plurality of second mirrors (312A, 312B, 312C) is arranged after the scan-head (302) to direct the laser onto a predetermined portion of the exterior of the object to be machined. In some preferred embodiments, there are three such second mirrors (312A, 312B, 312C) each to direct the laser over a 120 degree area of the object.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus cures an imprint material, while a pattern formed on a mold is kept in contact with the imprint material, thereby transferring the pattern onto the imprint material. The apparatus includes a measurement unit which performs, in parallel, alignment measurement in which a relative position between the mold and a shot region on the substrate, to which the pattern is to be transferred, is measured so as to align the mold and the shot region, and overlay measurement in which a relative position between a first pattern already formed in another shot region on the substrate using the mold, and a second pattern underlying the first patter is measured.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which transfers a pattern of a mold onto a resin applied on a substrate, including a structure including a mold chuck which holds the mold, a first measurement unit configured to measure a position of a reference portion of the structure, a second measurement unit configured to measure a position of the mold with respect to the reference portion, and a controller configured to control a relative positional relationship between the mold and the substrate, based on the measurement result obtained by the first measurement unit and the measurement result obtained by the second measurement unit, the second measurement unit including a head formed on the mold chuck, and measuring the position of the mold with respect to the reference portion by reading a scale formed on the mold by the head.

Abstract: A mold includes a controller and core actuators that may independently drive a plurality of mold cores positioned with the mold. Sensors may be included whereby the mold cores are positioned in the mold core responsive to the sensor feedback. The core actuators may be servomotors and may further include motor controllers, one for each servomotor, for use in actuating the mold cores.

Abstract: In order to allow for aligning a relative position between a transferred object and a stamper with high accuracy without providing an alignment pattern in the transferred object, there are provided: a pattern transfer method, including: when adjusting the relative position between the stamper and the transferred object, a step of detecting at least two or more edge positions of the transferred object and calculating an arbitrary point from the detected edge positions; a step of detecting a position of the stamper from an edge of the stamper or an alignment mark formed in the stamper; and a step of adjusting the relative position between the transferred object and the stamper from the arbitrary point and the position of the stamper; and an imprint device using the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for bringing a mold having a pattern region and a first mark into contact with an imprint material on a substrate having a second mark, includes a deforming mechanism configured to deform the mold such that a portion of the mold where the first mark is formed protrudes toward the substrate, a driving mechanism configured to adjust a distance between the mold and the substrate, and a detecting unit configured to detect, after the driving mechanism starts an operation of reducing the distance, the first mark and the second mark in a state in which the portion of the mold and the imprint material on the substrate are in contact with each other but a whole of the pattern region is not in contact with the imprint material.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a method and system for handling wet clay bricks. The wet clay bricks are sectioned on the section table. The sectioned wet clay bricks are erected by an erect maker machine. The erect maker machine is connected to a stock maker machine to store a preset number of wet clay bricks. The wet clay bricks are loaded from the stock maker machine to an automatic loading and unloading tools, which is fixed to a shifting machine. The wet clay bricks are shifted through shifting vehicle to sunshiny locations and the wet clay bricks are unloaded to the ground from the shifting vehicle. Thus the embodiments herein provides a simple way to erect, load and unload wet clay bricks in a cost effective manner and also reduces the number of workers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fabrication of injection molded optical components. In one embodiment, a moldplate with cavities receives injected optical material within walls of the cavities. The cavities are designed with a geometric profile approximately corresponding to a optical profile of an optical element to be formed therein. When molten optical material is injected into the cavities of the moldplate, the injected optical material forms a meniscus due to surface tension between the optical material and the wall of the cavities. The meniscus thus provides a shape corresponding to the predetermined optical profile. The optical material is then rapidly cured with actinic radiation, and a desired optical element with high-precision dimensions is formed within the cavities of the moldplate. In some embodiments, the moldplate is spun such that the meniscus is adjusted to match the predetermined optical profile within a certain tolerance.

Abstract: An injection molding device comprises a mold-clamping device that operates in both of a mold-closing state in which a mold is closed under predetermined pressure and a micro mold-open state in which the mold is held in a state in which the mold is open from the mold-closing state by a predetermined amount, an injection device that molds a molded product by injecting a molding material into the mold set to the mold-closing state or the micro mold-open state and a controller that changes a stop position of the mold in the micro mold-open state in accordance with a change of a mold-closing position when the mold-closing position of the mold in the mold-closing state is changed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a universal auxiliary controller for an injection molding machine, comprising an operating panel, a machine controller coupled to the operating panel, a converter acted on by the machine controller, a controllable electric motor that can be actuated by the converter, and a resolver. According to the invention, the controllable electric motor is coupled to a standardized shaft interface, which can selectively be connected to a complementary shaft interface of a mechanical operating element or a hydraulic operating element.

Abstract: Each platform mounted mold assembly for plastic tubing includes a circuit board containing parameters defining elements of the forming, molding, tipping or welding operation to be undertaken on the tubing. A control unit includes an RF generator for providing the RF energy to effect the forming, molding, tipping or welding process, a source of air under pressure to operate the mechanical elements attendant each mold assembly, various sensors and a multiplex unit. In operation, the control unit serially addresses each of the mold assemblies, senses the parameters attendant the mold and applies the appropriate power level of RF energy for a specific duration and temperature while activating the mechanical aspects of the mold assembly. The mold assemblies may be serially activated through a multiplex unit or in a particular sequence that may be operator controlled.

Abstract: A movable unit in an injection molding machine is started to operate and the current physical quantity and the current time (or current position of the movable unit) are detected. The current physical quantity is stored as a reference physical quantity in association with the elapsed time of operation of the movable unit (or position of the movable unit). A deviation of the current physical quantity from the reference physical quantity is calculated and stored, a distribution index value is then calculated from the physical quantity deviations in the first to n-th cycles, and a threshold value is determined from the distribution index value. When the deviation exceeds the threshold value, alarm processing is performed.

Abstract: Stereolithography systems (10) and methods using internal laser modulation are disclosed. The system includes an internally modulated diode-pumped frequency-multiplied solid-state (DPFMSS) laser 40. There is no external modulation system (EMS) within an external optical path (OPE) between the laser and a scanning system (80). The scanning system directs a laser beam (72) with laser pulses (72P) to a focus position (FP) on surface (23) of a build material (22) to form bullets (25) therein to define a build layer (30) based on build instructions for forming a three-dimensional object (32).

Abstract: A lens manufacturing apparatus includes a concave-convex shape forming unit that makes a notch in the surface of a workpiece to form a concave-convex shape portion, a resin supply unit that supplies resin for a lens onto the surface of the workpiece, a resin curing unit that cures the supplied resin for a lens, a moving unit that moves the concave-convex shape forming unit, the resin supply unit, and the resin curing unit relative to the workpiece, and a control unit that controls driving of the concave-convex shape forming unit, the resin supply unit, the resin curing unit, and the moving unit so as to form the concave-convex shape portion extending in a predetermined direction, supply the resin for a lens between adjacent concave-convex shape portions and cure the supplied resin for a lens.

Abstract: In an optical disk manufacturing apparatus, a movement mechanism changes the movement speed of a laser beam irradiation component from a first to a second speed at a first radial position located within where the laser beam irradiation component moves from an inner peripheral region of the optical disk to an identification information recording region of the optical disk, and changes the movement speed from the second to a third speed at a second radial position at which the laser beam irradiation component has reached the identification information recording region at the second speed. The second speed is lower than the first speed and the third speed. The laser beam irradiation component records the identification information by irradiating with a laser beam while alternating between a first power level and a second power level low enough not to crystallize the recording layer, when moving through the identification information recording region.

Abstract: This invention relates to a die tool, a device and a method for producing, in particular embossing, a monolithic lens wafer that has a large number of microlenses.

Abstract: An improved compacting device for compacting a granular, loosely coherent mass, such as soil-moist cement, for producing end products such as tiles, kerbstones and the like. The compacting device includes a vibrating table and a hydraulic exciter device for driving the vibrating table. The hydraulic exciter device includes a plurality of hydraulic exciters and is configured to drive the hydraulic exciters with excitation displacements of mutually substantially the same amplitude and frequency and in phase with one another. An improved hydraulic exciter for use in the improved compacting device, and the improved compacting device with a single improved exciter of this type are also described.

Abstract: An injection molding device is provided with a mold, an injection unit equipped with an injection screw that is displaceably configured such that a molten resin is filled into a cavity by forward movement to perform plural injection operations including at least a filling operation and a pressure keeping operation by displacing the injection screw, a position sensor for detecting the position of the injection screw, a temperature sensor capable of measuring the temperature of the vicinity of the cavity of the mold, a temperature adjustment unit capable of adjusting the temperature of the mold by heating or cooling the mold, a control unit for controlling the displacement of the injection screw and the temperature of the mold and determining plural switching timings of the injection operations on the basis of the position of the screw, and a display unit for displaying an image.

Abstract: A gantry mounted fiber placement machine has a creel and a head with a compaction roller for applying fiber to a mold or tool. The fiber placement machine has 6 axes of motion and 5 axes of motion between the creel and the head. The machine has a gantry that moves in the X-axis, a horizontal gantry beam that is parallel to the Y-axis, and a creel that moves with the gantry in the X-axis. The machine has a head that moves in the Y-axis parallel to the floor and across the gantry beam, and in the Z-axis perpendicular to the X and Y-axes. The head swivels in the I-axis as it rotates about the X-axis, in the J-axis as it rotates about the Y-axis, and in the K-axis as it rotates about the Z-axis.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a molding machine controller having a computer function to perform molding by controlling a mold clamping device that clamps a mold and an injection device that injects and charges resin, plasticized and molten by rotation of a screw inside a heating cylinder, into the mold by advancement of the screw. The molding machine controller includes a mode selecting function that selects either of two modes of an injection side setting priority mode for injecting and charging the resin by giving priority to a molding condition set on the injection device side and a mold clamping side setting priority mode for injecting and charging the resin by giving priority to a molding condition set on the mold clamping device side. A setting screen display function for displaying an injection side priority setting screen and displaying a mold clamping side priority setting screen is provided.

Abstract: A machine (10) for blow molding containers (100). The machine (10) has a stationary flow head (26) located proximate a turntable (12) on which molds (16) are mounted. A dwell cam mechanism (110, 120, 132) on the turntable causes the molds to accelerate ahead of the turntable, stop under the flow head to receive a parison (31), then accelerate to catch up with the turntable. This sequence allows the turntable to rotate continuously. Blow pins (30) mounted on the turntable inject gas into the molds to blow mold the parison while traveling a first path (144). Paddles (142) grip the molded containers and travel a second path (146) radially outward from the first path. The containers blow-molded from the parisons at a first station (18) are retained on the turntable after the turntable completes one full revolution and again passes the first station.

Abstract: An inflatable balloon cuff may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. These cuffs may include indicia that facilitate attachment of the cuff relative to the tube to reduce manufacturing variability for such characteristics as rotational and length alignment. Such indicia may include protrusions that are formed in the wall of the cuff collars or may include visual indicators, e.g., colorimetric or shape-wise indicators. Cuffs with improved attachment relative to the tube may have increased sealing performance.

Abstract: A thermoforming machine is provided having a load shaft end adjustment apparatus. The thermoforming machine load shaft end adjustment apparatus includes a load shaft, a backlash nut, a height adjustment nut, a collar, and at least one fastener. The load shaft has a threaded end segment and an axially extending key slot. The backlash nut is threaded onto the end segment. The height adjustment nut is threaded onto the end segment adjacent the backlash nut. The collar is configured to receive the height adjustment nut for rotation, having a key configured to be received within the key slot, and is configured to be mounted onto a platen of the thermoforming machine. At least one fastener extends between the backlash nut and the collar and is configured to secure together the backlash nut and collar with the height adjustment nut interposed there between. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an external deckle assembly, an internal deckle assembly, or both. One embodiment provides an extrusion die having a wedge-actuated external deckle assembly. A seal member of the external deckle assembly moves to a sealed position in response to movement of the wedge in a first direction. Another embodiment provides an extrusion die with an internal deckle assembly having a deckle rod support system. The internal deckle assembly includes a deckle rod and a transversely elongated support engaged with the deckle rod to restrain the deckle rod against bending.

Abstract: Pelletizing device and method for pelletizing pelletizing materials having a pelletizing disk inclined to the horizontal and provided rotatable wherein the pelletizing disk is driven via a motor device. The pelletizing disk comprises a bottom and a side wall, the effective height of the side wall being variable. The side wall comprises an inner side wall device and an outer side wall device, the inner side wall device being disposed height-adjustable relative to the outer side wall device.

Abstract: A mold clamping device includes a first fixed member to which a stationary mold is to be attached; a first movable member to which a movable mold is to be attached; a second movable member configured to move together with the first movable member; a second fixed member provided between the first movable member and the second movable member; a mold clamping force generating mechanism configured to generate a mold clamping force due to an electromagnetic force between the second movable member and the second fixed member; and a mold clamping force amplifying mechanism configured to amplify the mold clamping force generated by the mold clamping force generating mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods for alignment of template and substrate at the edge of substrate are described.

Abstract: In a screw mounting structure of an injection molding machine in which a screw is fixed to a screw driving portion which transmits a rotating force and forward and backward thrusts to the screw, a fixing bushing for restricting movement of the screw in a rotating direction is fixed to the screw driving portion. A guide groove is formed in the fixing bushing in a direction orthogonal to a rotary axis of the screw, and retainers slide along the guide groove and are engaged with an engaging groove in a base portion of the screw, thereby restricting axial movement of the screw.

Abstract: The dimensions of a portion of an injection molded hollow product formed in a mold cavity between a first cavity surface of a cavity section and a first core surface of a core section are adjusted by adjusting the position of the first cavity surface relative to the position of the first core surface so that the first cavity surface and the first core surface are in a selected relative position when the cavity section is combined with the core section and a protractible and retractable core part is protracted so that a cavity abutment mold part can be connected directly to the protracted core part and the cavity abutment mold part also can be connected indirectly to the protracted core part by a series consisting of abutting mold parts. This series includes a pair of abutting rotatable eccentric rings, which are rotated to adjust the relative positions of the first cavity surface and the first core surface.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article fabrication system having a plurality of material deposition tools containing one or more materials useful in fabricating the article, and a material deposition device having a tool interface for receiving one of the material deposition tools. A system controller is operably connected to the material deposition device to control operation of the material deposition device. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating an article using the system of the invention and a method of fabricating edible foodstuffs.