Abstract: A container scanning system includes: a camera/sensor unit movably mounted on a container handling crane, having a camera and/or sensor for scanning the exterior surface of a container; a control unit configured to control movement of the camera/sensor unit; and a rail mounted on a support beam of the container handling crane, the camera/sensor unit being movably mounted on the rail. The container scanning system includes a washing station mounted on the support beam or the rail at a predetermined location. In a washing mode, the control unit moves the camera/sensor unit to the predetermined location and controls the washing station to wash at least a surface of the camera and/or sensor.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing system includes a vessel, a coating subsystem, a calibration block, and a controller. The vessel is configured to contain a photocurable resin having a resin upper surface. The coating subsystem includes a coater module including a coater blade, a lateral movement mechanism coupled to the coater module, a sensor mounted to the coater module, and a vertical actuator system. The calibration block has a calibration surface. The controller is configured to operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade over the calibration block, operate the vertical actuator system to lower the coater blade into engagement with the calibration surface of the calibration block, operate the sensor to measure a distance to the calibration block, and store the distance as indicative of a vertical position of a lower edge of the coater blade.

Abstract: Described are methods for making three dimensional objects. A nozzle is positioned within a gel inside a container of gel. The position of the nozzle within the gel is changed while depositing solidifying material through the nozzle. The gel supports the solidifying material at the position at which the solidifying material is deposited. The solidifying material is solidified to form a solid material, which is a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: The three-dimensional geometry of an attachment is measured before work is started. A maximum dimension of a take-out head 60 in the X direction, a maximum dimension of the take-out head 60 in the Y direction, and a maximum dimension of the take-out head 60 in the Z direction are measured on the basis of an image of the take-out head 60 captured by at least imaging devices C11 and C12 before the take-out head 60 starts work with the take-out head 60 being mounted to an elevating frame 59B of an apparatus 5 for taking out a molded product, as an orthogonal three-axis robot.

Abstract: A system and method of shaping a film with a template on a substrate. Generating a first series of parameters from tests performed on a first series of films formed with: a set of shaping conditions; a calibration measurement parameter determined for each substrate prior to shaping; and a first scaling parameter. Generating a second series of parameters from the tests performed on a second series of films produced formed with the set of shaping conditions. The second series of films produced with the calibration measurement parameter determined for each substrate; and a second scaling parameter; or without the calibration measurement parameter. Generating a scaling parameter from: the first series of the parameters; and the second series of parameters. Generating the calibration measurement parameter prior to forming the film. Forming the film using the set of shaping conditions, the calibration measurement parameter, and the scaling parameter.

Abstract: To easily check a changing trend of machine state data on an injection molding machine during a predetermined period and/or in every predetermined period. An injection molding information management support device for managing machine state data regarding a machine state in operation of an injection molding machine during a predetermined period and/or in every predetermined period includes a machine state data acquisition unit that acquires a machine state data value for each molding cycle in the injection molding machine, and a frequency distribution data recording unit that converts the machine state data value into a preset class data value and records the class data value in a storage unit.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional multilayer object produces a three-dimensional multilayer object by partially applying energy to a conductive powder and thereby melting or sintering and curing the conductive powder. The method for producing a three-dimensional multilayer object includes: applying energy to the conductive powder to melt or sinter the conductive powder, and detecting a flaw in a surface layer portion of the cured three-dimensional multilayer object by relatively moving a probe, which is disposed spaced apart from the surface layer portion, with respect to the surface layer portion. The method contains an excitation step of generating an eddy current in the surface layer portion and detecting a change in a magnetic field of the surface layer portion.

Abstract: Predicting a state of a mold after molding upon injection molding. A machine learning device includes: an input data acquiring unit that acquires input data including any molding condition including at least a type of resin, a type of additive, a blending ratio of the additive, and a temperature of the resin in molding any article molded by any injection molding machine, and state information indicating a wear amount of a mold before molding at the molding conditions; a label acquiring unit that acquires label data indicating state information of the mold after molding at the molding conditions included in the input data; and a learning unit that executes supervised learning using the input data acquired by the input data acquiring unit and the label data acquired by the label acquiring unit, and generates a learned model.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing system includes a vessel, a coating subsystem, a calibration block, and a controller. The vessel is configured to contain a photocurable resin having a resin upper surface. The coating subsystem includes a coater module including a coater blade, a lateral movement mechanism coupled to the coater module, a sensor mounted to the coater module, and a vertical actuator system. The calibration block has a calibration surface. The controller is configured to operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade over the calibration block, operate the vertical actuator system to lower the coater blade into engagement with the calibration surface of the calibration block, operate the sensor to measure a distance to the calibration block, and store the distance as indicative of a vertical position of a lower edge of the coater blade.

Abstract: A state determination device acquires data on an industrial machine, extracts data used for processing related to machine learning from the acquired data, out of the acquired data, according to an extraction condition for extracting the data, and executes the processing related to the machine learning using the extracted data.

Abstract: An imprinting method in which a pattern of an imprint material can be formed on a substrate while damage of a concave and convex pattern of a mold due to foreign particle is more reliably prevented is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a device capable of automatically replacing screen mechanism for light curing 3D printer, which comprises a resin tank and a worktable mounted on the resin tank and further comprises a screen mechanism, the screen mechanism comprises a screen exchanging assembly and a sliding assembly, the screen exchanging assembly is mounted on the sliding assembly and achieves exchanges of screens through the sliding assembly, the sliding assembly comprises at least one guide rail assembly in any angle, the screen exchanging assembly comprises at least two adjacently arranged movable screen devices, and the movable screen devices achieves front and back, left and right and any angle position exchange through the guide rail assembly. The present disclosure avoids a defect of time and labor consumption caused by manual replacement of the screens, reduces the labors and improves the production efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stereolithography device having a replaceable bottle to receive printing material, which bottle may be stored in or on a bottle holder and from which printing material may be withdrawn into the stereolithography device by means of a device-sided holder. A filling level sensor is attached to the bottle holder by which a filling level of the printing material in the bottle can be detected. A mini memory device is associated to the bottle where the stereolithography device stores information regarding the printing material in the bottle, in particular the filling level thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device is shown and described. The apparatus includes a solidification substrate that is tiltable relative to a film about a tilting axis. Layers of the solidifiable material solidify in contact with a film located between the most recently solidified object layer and a solidification substrate that comprises the solidification substrate assembly. The tilting of the solidification substrate relative to the film allows the substrate to be used to squeeze excess solidifiable material from between the film and the most recently solidified object surface while minimizing or eliminating the formation of bubbles in the solidifiable material which can prolong object build times.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring a position of a build platform in an additive fabrication device are provided. Such techniques may include detecting the onset and/or dissipation of force applied to a build platform as it moves from being in contact with, to being out of contact with, a container. In some embodiments, the techniques described herein may be applied in a stereolithographic additive fabrication device. According to some embodiments, measurement of forces applied to a build platform may be used to provide for reliable and consistent measurements of the height of the build platform relative to a container by measuring such forces at various positions of the build platform and analyzing the pattern of the forces with distance from the container.

Abstract: Provided is a complex patterning device. The complex patterning device includes a patterning module, on which a master substrate including a master pattern that contacts and is separated from a target substrate and which forms a plurality of target patterns having a reverse image of the master pattern on the target substrate by applying a pressure onto the target substrate, and a punching module including a punching mold that contacts and is separated from the target substrate, in which the plurality of target patterns are formed, and which divides at least any one of the plurality of target patterns by applying a pressure onto the target substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the inspection of cured layers of an object during the fabrication of the object using a 3D printing system. A just-printed layer is inspected by pressing the layer against a pressure sensitive surface in order to collect information about the layer. A tank contains a photo-curing liquid polymer, and at its bottom are pressure sensitive elements (e.g., in a backing member or mask). An extraction plate to which the object is affixed is adjusted so as to position a surface of the object adjacent to the pressure sensitive elements, which report a pressure distribution (e.g., by virtue of a force exerted by a localized region of the object on a localized region of the pressure sensitive elements).

Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing and controlling material deposition during a material extrusion 3D printing process. A current sensor can measure a current signal consumed by a material feed motor. The current signal can be analyzed in the time domain and frequency domain to detect material deposition characteristics and prescribe process parameter changes.

Abstract: Described are improved devices and processes for manufacturing concrete articles, including concrete pipe. In one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus that has a first platform that is located beneath the floor of a manufacturing facility. The first platform includes a top surface and is configured to move bi-directionally along an axis. Two form bases can reside on the top surface of the first platform, each form base further including a form core that extends vertically from the first platform through respective holes in a second platform that resides above the first platform at an elevation even with or just above the floor's surface. The second platform is configured to move bi-directionally with the first platform between one of two cranes disposed on either side of a concrete mixer. A form is placed over the first core, which is then positioned under the outlet of an auger that receives concrete from the mixer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a 3-D printing apparatus including a tank, a platform, a fixture, a solidifying module and a control module. The tank is flexible and filled with a liquid-state forming material. The platform is disposed in the tank. The control module drives the fixture to deform the tank, so as to form a first gap between the platform and a bottom of the tank for the liquid-state forming material to flow in. The solidifying module in controlled by the control module to solidify the liquid-state forming material between the platform and the bottom of the tank, so as to form a solidified layer. The invention can effectively reduce a processing time for manufacturing each solidified layer, such that an overall processing time can be reduced to achieve preferable molding efficiency.

Abstract: In an injection molding system, a compression ratio of an image acquired by a molded article image acquisition means is changed based on a physical quantity related to injection molding and stored in a storage means. Thus, an image of a molded article is compressed and stored according to the compression ratio obtained based on the physical quantity.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing a scaffold and a scaffold manufactured by the apparatus, a collector is disposed under a dispensing head that dispenses melted bio materials (polymer) for manufacturing the scaffold. The collector has a cylindrical tube shape. Both sides of the tube shape are fixed. Thus, the tube is securely fixed and bending of the tube is prevented. Also, accuracy and preciseness of the scaffold are improved.

Abstract: A scanning acoustic microscope includes a signal processor and one or more signal paths. In operation, each signal path couples an ultrasonic transducer to the signal processor that processes signals received from the signal paths to produce an ultrasonic scan image. Each signal path has a response characteristic that includes a response characteristic of the ultrasonic transducer. In order to compensate for variations between the signal paths or variations between different transducers in the same signal path, at least one of the signal paths includes a signal path equalizer. The equalizer may be responsive to a set of equalization coefficients. The coefficients are selected such that the response characteristic of the signal path including the equalizer more closely matches a reference characteristic response. The equalizer may operate on a transmitted or received signal or be used to generate an ultrasonic pulse.

Abstract: Provided is a take-out robot including a load cell in a rotating unit to allow an injection molded product to be attached to an adhesive unit, measure a weight of the injection molded product, and determine whether the injection molded product is desirable or faulty. A chucking device of measuring the weight may be installed to prevent a vertical load during the taking out and a force during the conveying from being applied to the load cell, and allow the force to be applied to the load cell only when reaching a weight measuring point. Further, a cut portion may be formed to have a stepped boundary surface in the load cell and thus, a stopper function may be performed against bending deflection of the load cell when a load is applied so that the load cell may be protected without an additional chucking device of measuring the weight.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing apparatus including a chassis, a tank, an outer cover and a shielding module is provided. The tank is disposed at the chassis and adapted to be filled with a liquid forming material. The outer cover is pivoted on the chassis. The shielding module includes a pivot and a mask. The pivot is disposed on the chassis and beside the tank. The mask is winding on the pivot and connected with the outer cover. When the outer cover rotates to a first position and covers the tank, the mask is winding on the pivot. When the outer cover rotates to a second and exposes the tank, the outer cover pulls the mask out of the pivot, so that the mask covers the tank in order to shield the liquid forming material filled in the tank.

Abstract: This invention relates to providing a printing assembly having a small hopper and a heating element disposed therein. The small hopper is configured to receive a plurality of pellets therein and feed the pellets to the heating element. The heating element melts the pellets to form a molten material for use in three dimensional printing. A large hopper may be provided to store a large amount of pellets. The large hopper may include a door which may be automatically abuttably opened by the printer assembly when a sensor indicates the pellets are below a particular threshold and the printer assembly is in need of additional pellets.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite part comprising fibre reinforced material in a mould (10a, 10b, 10c), the method comprising the steps of: depositing fibre material on a mould surface; covering the fibre material with a vacuum film to create a mould cavity that contains the fibre material and is substantially sealed; evacuating air from the mould cavity; detecting if there is an air leak into the mould cavity with an acoustic camera unit (31) during and/or after the step of evacuating air from the mould cavity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser or welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.

Abstract: A thermoforming device heats a plastic film to a substantially uniform temperature, in order to impart a curved shape to said film. The device includes a chamber, the internal pressure of which is variable and which is closed by the film, a system for measuring a sag in the film arranged outside the chamber and opposite said film, and a system for heating the film. The heating system includes a hot air blowing unit which is suitable for producing a hot airflow flowing parallel to the film between two opposite edges of said film.

Abstract: The present invention is a material forming apparatus that includes a piece of material that is a piece of laminated wood, a cover sheet made of plastic material, a flexible bed, a plurality of bed arms and a plurality of drive gears. The material forming apparatus also includes a numerical digital display, a plurality of roller clamps, one or more cranks with a grasping knob and a plurality of pivoting arms that are rotated by rotation of the drive gears and move the bed arms to force the flexible bed and the piece of material into a desired arc radius.

Abstract: A measuring device for determining at least one parameter value for the operation of a blow molding machine, a filling machine, and/or a labeling device, and having at least one measuring element for determining the at least one parameter value and a preform dummy, and disposing the at least one measuring element in and/or at the preform dummy.

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus includes a supporting frame assembly, a tank supported on the supporting frame assembly, a vertically moving module, and a build platform. The tank has an anchored portion anchored to the supporting frame assembly. The build platform is vertically moved relative to the tank by the vertically moving module. After a resin layer is solidified and adhered to the bottom of the tank and the build platform, the tank is peeled away from the resin layer starting from a portion of the resin layer adjacent to the anchored portion and partially moves upward relative to the supporting frame assembly around the anchored portion when the build platform leaves the supporting frame assembly. To further reduce the separation force between the cured resin layer and the tank, the bottom of the tank is covered with materials that are transparent, chemically resistant, impact resistant or/and elastic.

Abstract: A Cartridge (2; 2?; 2?) for a stereolithography machine (1), including a container (3) provided with an access opening (4), a reservoir (5) for containing a base material (6), liquid or pasty, suited to be solidified through exposure to a predefined radiation (7), said reservoir (5) being permanently associated with said container (3), feeding means (8) suited to feed said base material (6) from said reservoir (5) towards said container (3), characterized in that the bottom (9) of said container (3) is at least partially transparent to said predefined radiation (7) and is situated opposite said access opening (4).

Abstract: A printing head for a printing system is disclosed. The printing head comprises a plurality of compartments, each having an outlet port for depositing liquid and an inlet port separately connectable to a separate liquid container. At least two compartments are in controllable fluid communication with each other, and the printing head comprises an arrangement of sensors configured for generating signals indicative of (i) a filling state of each compartment, and (ii) a fluid communication state between the at least two compartments.

Abstract: An extrusion construction system may include an extrusion nozzle, a channeling element coupled to the extrusion nozzle and to a source of construction material, the channeling element configured to transport the material to the extrusion nozzle for extruding the material onto a surface, wherein a surface of the channeling element comprises a transparent substrate such that a flow of the material is viewable through the substrate, an imaging device configured to capture a plurality of images through the substrate of the material flow, and a controller configured to estimate a flow rate based on the plurality of images.

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

Abstract: A pin having a light guide for an injection mold includes an outer sleeve having a hollow portion, an inner sleeve fixed to the hollow portion of the outer sleeve, a bundle sleeve fixed to a hollow portion of the inner sleeve, a bundle fiber fixed to a hollow portion of the bundle sleeve. A leading end portion of the bundle sleeve has a substantially cone-shaped caulked portion. A portion of the hollow portion of the inner sleeve which is brought into contact with the cone-shaped caulked portion of the bundle sleeve has a tapered shape that coincides with the shape of the portion of the bundle sleeve. A shoulder portion is formed at a rear end portion of the hollow portion of the outer sleeve and a rear end of the inner sleeve is engage with the shoulder portion.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing a microporous plastic film roll by conveying a microporous plastic film by conveying rollers and then winding the microporous plastic film in a roll shape while being brought close to a near roller or being brought into contact with a touch roller, a part of the touch roller to be in contact with the plastic film has a Vickers hardness of 100 to 2,000, and the microporous plastic film is conveyed so that a side of the microporous plastic film opposite the side being in contact with the conveying rollers is in a noncontact state in a range being in contact with the conveying rollers.

Abstract: An imprinting method of this disclosure includes supplying an imprint material on a substrate having a pattern including a mark on the substrate formed thereon; bringing a mold having a pattern including a mark on the mold into contact with the imprint material; curing the imprint material in a state in which the mold is in contact therewith; and forming a pattern including the mark on the imprint material, and characterized in that an optical system configured to form an image of the mark on the imprint material and an image of the mark on the substrate are used to detect the mark on the imprint material and the mark on the substrate after the space between the substrate and the mold has been increased until the mark on the mold is positioned out of a focal depth of the optical system, thereby obtaining a relative positional deviation between the pattern on the substrate and the pattern on the imprint material.

Abstract: There are provided with rotary encoders 7a and 7b, each detecting a rotation position of each of rotation driving portions 4a and 4b, deviation calculating means 8 that obtains a deviation Ke between an encoder output value Da outputted from one specific rotary encoder 7a and an encoder output value Db outputted from the other rotary encoder 7b, abnormality determining means 9 that compares the deviation Ke with threshold values Ksf and Kss set in advance and determines that the deviation Ke has become the threshold value Ksf or more and/or the threshold value Kss or more, and abnormality output means 10 that outputs at least a determination result of the abnormality determining means 9.

Abstract: An intraocular shunt can be manufactured using a system that includes a liquid bath and a wire, which is moved through the bath. When moved through the bath, the wire is coated with a material, such as gelatin. For example, the liquid bath can have a top layer, including water, and a bottom layer, including gelatin. The coated wire passes through an aperture formed in a plate component of the system. The gelatin can be dried on the wire in a humidity-controlled space, thereby forming the shunt.

Abstract: A method for preparing bones of cerebral cranium, including: a) selecting polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as a raw material according to data obtained by computed tomography (CT) of a patient; b) heating the PEEK material in a heating device to reach a softening point of 260°±10°; c) hot pressing the heated PEEK material obtained in step b) in a forming die, cooling and shaping the PEEK material to yield a blank; d) curing the blank, and placing the blank in a thermostat for removal of internal stress and resilience; e) removing surface crystals and impurities of the blank resulting from the hot pressing; f) mechanically processing the blank according to the CT data of the patient to yield a product having desired size and shape; and g) washing, disinfecting, and packaging the product.

Abstract: A method of estimating a life of a gear pump includes detecting the number of rotations of a gear and a discharge amount of rubber being extruded from the gear pump; calculating, based on the number of rotations and the discharge amount of the rubber which are detected, a discharge efficiency ? (=T1/T) that is a ratio of a measured value T1 of a discharge amount of the rubber that is extruded from the gear pump per one rotation of the gear to a theoretical value T; and estimating the life of the gear pump based on the calculated discharge efficiency ?.

Abstract: A method of detecting bubbles during operations for injecting resin for the manufacture of fibre composite components, is noteworthy in that the electrical capacitance or conductivity of at least one part of the medium formed by the fibres and the liquid is measured.

Abstract: There is provided a template inspection apparatus which inspects a replica template, manufactured by an imprinting method from a master template having a depression/protrusion pattern, the template inspection apparatus including: an inspection light source part which radiates inspection light of plane waves; a stage configured to dispose the master template and the replica template so as to be in close proximity with each other and be irradiated by the inspection light; and a detection part which detects light of a component transmitting through the master template and the replica template and different from the plane waves. Accordingly, a template can be inspected in a short time.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus includes: a support member which supports the mold; a substrate stage which supports the substrate; a detector which detects a force applied to the mold; a mechanism which forms a space for removing the mold supported by the support member, between the support member and the substrate stage, and a controller. The controller determines a release force required to detach the mold from the cured resin, based on a detection result from the detector, compares the determined release force with a first threshold value, and causes the mechanism to form the space if the determined release force is larger than the first threshold value.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pattern formation method includes placing a master on a substrate including a concave-convex pattern, performing alignment between the master and the substrate, curing a photosensitive resin applied onto the substrate, with the pattern brought into contact with the resin, and removing the master from the resin. The performing alignment includes measuring amount of misalignment of first marks provided at least three of four corners of the shot region and performing alignment of the corners, after the alignment of the corners, measuring misalignment of a second mark, calculating a target value of amount of movement of the corners so as to minimize the amount of misalignment of the first marks and amount of misalignment of the second mark, and performing alignment between the master and the substrate so that the amount of movement of the corners is made close to the value.

Abstract: A device for making an object comprises a substantially flat surface, an applicator, and a controller. The applicator is operable to project at an elevation angle without a substantial downward component a material used to make the object towards the substantially vertical flat surface. The controller is adapted to receive instructions for making the object and is configured to coordinate relative movement of the applicator and the surface and the application of the material by the applicator such that the material applied over at least one portion of the surface as a plurality of individually determined layers. In use the object is made adjacent to the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the generative production of a component (2) and to a device for carrying out such a method, having the following steps: applying a material layer with a constant layer thickness; solidifying a region of the material layer according to a component cross section; generating an eddy-current scan of the solidified region, a scan depth corresponding to a multiple of the layer thickness; determining a material characterization of the solidified region taking into consideration a previous eddy-current scan of solidified regions of lower-lying material layers; and repeating the steps until the component (2) is assembled. An electric material characterization of each individual layer is determined using a recursive algorithm of individual measurements (monolayer by monolayer), and thus the entire component is tested step by step completely in a highly resolved manner.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus, which performs an imprint process for forming a pattern of a mold on a resin coated on a substrate, includes an imaging unit configured to image the resin on which the pattern is formed, and a controller configured to control the imprint process. When the pattern is continuously formed on the substrate, the controller compares an image of at least a partial area imaged by the imaging unit and an image of a reference state, which is obtained in advance, and when patterns each having a difference, which falls outside an allowable range, between the images are continuously formed, it determines a transfer error.