Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and apparatus useful in the nanopatterning of large area substrates, where a movable nanostructured film is used to image a radiation-sensitive material. The nanopatterning technique makes use of Near-Field photolithography, where the nanostructured film used to modulate light intensity reaching radiation-sensitive layer. The Near-Field photolithography may make use of an elastomeric phase-shifting mask, or may employ surface plasmon technology, where a movable film comprises metal nano holes or nanoparticles.

Abstract: A laser processing system includes a first positioning system for imparting first relative movement of a beam path along a beam trajectory with respect to a workpiece, a processor for determining a second relative movement of the beam path along a plurality of dither rows, a second positioning system for imparting the second relative movement, and a laser source for emitting laser beam pulses. The system may compensate for changes in processing velocity to maintain dither rows at a predetermined angle. For example, the dither rows may remain perpendicular to the beam trajectory regardless of processing velocity. The processing velocity may be adjusted to process for an integral number of dither rows to complete a trench. A number of dither points in each row may be selected based on a width of the trench. Fluence may be normalized by adjusting for changes to processing velocity and trench width.

Abstract: A system for the continuous production of fiber-reinforced resin sheets during the production of fiber-reinforced molded parts by extrusion in a molding press, wherein a production device for producing resin sheets, comprising a mixing device for combining at least one resin base having fibers and a fulling and saturating device for mixing the fibers with the resin base into a resin sheet is arranged in succession, a thickening device is arranged for maturation of the resin sheet and a transfer device is arranged for cutting the resin sheet to length to a cut sheet for subsequent transfer of at least one cut sheet to the molding press; in the thickening device there is a transport section between the inlet point of the resin sheet into and an outlet point of the resin sheet out of the thickening device. At least one positioning device is arranged substantially within the thickening device.

Abstract: A system includes a stereo-lithography device having a primary fluid vessel having an amount of a photo-curable fluid therein. The system includes a leveling reservoir fluidly coupled to the primary fluid vessel, where a fluid level in the leveling reservoir is vertically positionable. The system further includes a controller that maintains a pre-determined level of the photo-curable fluid in the primary fluid vessel by vertically positioning the fluid level in the leveling reservoir.

Abstract: A molding machine for manufacturing an optical film includes a hopper, a first cylindrical roller, a second cylindrical roller, and an ultraviolet light source. The hopper defines a narrow outlet. The first cylindrical roller is rotatable around its central axis parallel to the narrow outlet. The second cylindrical roller is a transparent hollow structure rotatable around its second central axis. The first central axis is parallel to the second central axis at the same level. The first and second cylindrical rollers are located at two opposite sides of the narrow outlet and below the narrow outlet, and define a gap therebetween to feed the raw material. The ultraviolet light source is located in the second cylindrical roller. An emission direction of the ultraviolet light source is orientated toward a space between the narrow outlet and the second cylindrical roller.

Abstract: Systems and methods of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, for example, silicone hydrogel contact lenses, are provided. The present systems and methods provide certain amounts of ultraviolet light to contact lens mold assemblies that comprise a silicone hydrogel precursor composition. For example, the systems and methods may provide ultraviolet light at an intensity from 20 ?W/cm2 to 4000 ?W/cm2. The ultraviolet light intensity can be provided as substantially uniform levels to provide consistent curing for batches of silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: A rotary furnace for conditioning preforms includes a heating wheel and a plurality of heating modules, each for heating a preform, that are disposed on the heating wheel. Each heating module includes a heating chamber, a holding device for holding the preform and a lifting device. The heating device includes at least one heating radiator adapted for irradiating an outer wall section of the preform with infrared radiation, a recess for introducing the preform, and walls having an insulating layer configured to thermally insulate the heating chamber. The lifting device is configured to raise and lower at least one of the holding device and the heating chamber so as to move the preform into or out of the heating chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for blow-molding containers. A preform produced of a thermoplastic material is subjected to a thermal conditioning process along a transport path in the region of a heating section. The preform is then shaped in a blow mold by the effect of a blowing pressure to give the container. The preform is subjected to a temperature profile at least along part of its transport path in the region of the heating section, said temperature profile being generated by at least one tubular radiation heater. The temperature profile extends in a longitudinal direction of the preform. The radiation emitted by the radiation heater is emitted in different spatial directions with different intensities by a heating device positioning the radiation heater.

Abstract: Apparatus for stamping and cutting a plastic part includes a housing for accommodating a stamping press. The stamping press has a lower tool part, an upper tool part, and a drive for moving the lower and upper tool parts in relation to one another. A robot having a robot arm is constructed to move into a work zone of the stamping press, when the stamping press is open and thereby enable a laser device disposed on the robot arm to perform suitable cutting operations of the plastic part.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing stamp printing blocks by a local exposure and heating of a stamp plate blank made of a porous thermoplastic material; with the apparatus includes at least one exposure lamp which is arranged in a housing below a glass plate support for the blank; the glass plate support is formed by two glass plates which are arranged on top of each other in a spaced apart manner, thereby forming a gap between them.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods for generating one or both of an ophthalmic lens precursor with at least a portion of one surface free-formed from a Reactive Mixture. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens precursor is formed on a substrate with an arcuate optical quality surface via a source of actinic radiation controllable to cure a definable portion of a volume of Reactive Mixture.

Abstract: A system and method for applying a uniform micro-textured surface treatment to a deep-thread dental implant by rapidly modulating the focal point of a laser to laser etch surfaces of both the thread peaks and the thread valleys in a single pass.

Abstract: In a method for producing a three-dimensionally shaped object, (i) a solidified layer is formed by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of a powder layer to sinter or melt the specified portion. Further, (ii) another solidified layer is formed by placing a new powder layer on the solidified layer obtained in step (i), and irradiating the light beam on a specified portion of the new powder layer to sinter or melt the specified portion of the new powder layer. The steps (i) and (ii) are repeated to produce a three-dimensionally shaped object. In the method, a gas is supplied to a mirror used in scanning the light beam.

Abstract: A nanoimprint mold includes a flexible body and a molding layer formed on the flexible body. The molding layer includes a plurality of protrusions and recesses. The molding layer is a polymer material polymerized via a cross linking polymerization of a nanoimprint resist which includes a hyperbranched polyurethane oligomer (HP), a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a methylmethacrylate (MMA), a diluent solvent and a photo initiator.

Abstract: A conveyor or other transport mechanism is provided to support multiple, sequential builds from a three-dimensional fabrication machine. The conveyor may be heated/cooled, coated, or otherwise treated to assist in adhesion during a build, as well as removal of objects after a build. Each fabricated object may be automatically removed from the conveyor as the conveyor moves in order to restore a buildable surface for fabrication of additional objects.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device fabrication method comprising, bringing a mold having a predetermined pattern into contact with at least a portion of an imprinting material formed on a substrate to be processed, and forming the pattern on the substrate to be processed by sequentially transferring the pattern for each shot, wherein one of a dicing region and a monitor pattern formation region of the substrate to be processed is coated with the imprinting material.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing sintering of the powder of the predetermined portion or melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, and then irradiating another predetermined portion of the new powder layer with the light beam, the steps (i) and (ii) being repeatedly performed in a chamber; wherein a localized gas flow is provided in the chamber, and at least a part of a fume generated by the irradiation of the light beam is entrained by the localized gas flow.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a resin removal method is provided. In the resin removal method, near-field light is generated in a local area of a pattern concave-convex portion on a pattern master used for imprinting by irradiating the pattern master with ultraviolet light in an ashing gas atmosphere which removes resin attached to the pattern master. Then, the resin is removed from the pattern master by using the ashing gas and the near-field light.

Abstract: A laser-engravable flexographic printing precursor or other patternable material can be laser-engraved to provide a relief image. The relief image is formed in an elastomeric, relief-forming, laser-engravable layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric nanocrystalline polyolefin that is melt processable. The laser-engraveable composition can be readily recycled and reformed into another flexographic printing plate precursor.

Abstract: A nozzle N which moves in a scan direction Ds along a surface Wf of a substrate W discharges an application liquid which contains a photo-curing material, and a light emitter E moving as if to follow the nozzle N irradiates light (UV light for instance) upon the application liquid. Arriving at an application end position, the nozzle N stops discharging the application liquid and retracts in a direction away from the substrate surface Wf. Meanwhile, the light emitter E keeps moving in the scan direction Ds, thereby irradiating even the terminating end of the application liquid with the light without fail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer printing method and a system using the method for printing images on a workpiece with supercritical fluid. The method includes disposing the workpiece inside the first mold and disposing a transfer film above the workpiece, closing the first mold with a second mold and injecting pressured gas, whose pressure is greater than a critical pressure, into the first mold and the second mold, ensuring a temperature of the pressured gas being greater than a critical temperature so as to convert into supercritical fluid, softening the transfer film with the supercritical fluid, transferring an adhesive layer, a print layer and a hardening layer of the transfer film onto the workpiece, and opening the first mold and the second mold to take out the workpiece.

Abstract: According to said method, a first passage (28) having a predefined geometry is provided in a mask (4), the mask is placed in such a way that said first passage is located facing a mounting (26), a film made of a first material (A) is deposited on the mounting through the passage, and said first thus-deposited material is treated by a laser beam so as to form a first area that is made up of the first material and belongs to a first layer of said object. Then the above operations are repeated with a second material so as to form an adjacent area made up of said second material that belongs to the same layer.

Abstract: A system for focusing a light beam may be used for multi-photon stereolithography. It comprises a collimator or expander for adjusting the beam divergence and a scanner for directing the beam onto a focusing device to focus the beam to a focal point or beam waist and to scan the focused beam. A controller controls adjustment of the beam divergence so that the focal point or beam waist is scanned substantially in a plane. A light source may be provided to generate the light beam. The expander may comprise a diverging lens and a converging lens for expanding the beam to produce a collimated beam. The divergence of the collimated beam is dependent on the distance between the diverging lens and the converging lens, which may be adjusted to adjust the beam divergence. The focusing device may comprise a dry objective lens to focus the collimated beam onto the target material to induce multi-photon absorption in the target material at the beam waist of the focused beam.

Abstract: A laser built up method on an object with different surfaces is provided. The object can be coated locally, which is not possible by the conventional rapid prototyping processes. The object is put into a powder bed, powder is provided on or near the object and the powder is only locally provided on the upper outer surface of the object and then densified.

Abstract: A photomask cleaning apparatus includes a photomask receiving stage and a laser supply unit. The photomask receiving stage is configured to receive and retain a photomask in a desired orientation. The photomask has a front face having a pellicle adhesive residue region thereon. The desired orientation is with the front face positioned to allow gravity to move particles on the front face away from the front face without interference from the front face of the photomask. The laser supply unit is configured to generate a laser beam that irradiates a target region on the front face of the photomask to remove a pellicle adhesive residue from the target region. The photomask cleaning apparatus is configured to move the target region on the front face of the photomask to irradiate the entire pellicle adhesive residue region. Methods of using the photomask cleaning apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated system and method of integrating fluid dispensing technologies (e.g., direct-write (DW)) with rapid prototyping (RP) technologies (e.g., stereolithography (SL)) without part registration comprising: an SL apparatus and a fluid dispensing apparatus further comprising a translation mechanism adapted to translate the fluid dispensing apparatus along the Z-, Y- and Z-axes. The fluid dispensing apparatus comprises: a pressurized fluid container; a valve mechanism adapted to control the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid container; and a dispensing nozzle adapted to deposit the fluid in a desired location. To aid in calibration, the integrated system includes a laser sensor and a mechanical switch. The method further comprises building a second part layer on top of the fluid deposits and optionally accommodating multi-layered circuitry by incorporating a connector trace.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) device for curing fluids such as inks, coatings, and adhesives, for example. In one embodiment, LEDs are positioned on faces defined by an inverted recess in a base portion. The LEDs are configured such that the light beams emitted from the LEDs converge at a single area or point to provide a single, focused area or point of amplified power from the LEDs. An optical culmination device may be used to further intensify the power output from the LEDs. The optical culmination device provides enhanced power output from the UV LED device which makes the curing process more efficient than previous curing systems.

Abstract: A method for producing a component of a turbomachine is disclosed. The method includes a) layer-by-layer deposition of a powder component material onto a component platform in a region of a buildup and joining zone, where the deposition takes place in accordance with layer information of the component to be produced; b) local layer-by-layer fusion or sintering of the powder component material by energy supplied in the region of the buildup and joining zone, where the buildup and joining zone is heated to a temperature just below a melting point of the powder component material; c) layer-by-layer lowering of the component platform by a predefined layer thickness; and d) repetition of steps a) to c) until the component is finished. A device for producing a component of a turbomachine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for enhanced demolding of injection molded optical devices are disclosed. In one embodiment the system includes a metal moldplate without a coat of release layer and a curing device that generates high intensity pulses of UV light. The method includes: providing a moldplate made of a predetermined moldplate material; directly injecting optical material into cavities of a moldplate without a release layer; rapidly curing the injected optical material with high intensity pulses of UV light such that a predetermined optical device is formed; and separating the thus formed optical device from the cavities of the moldplate due to a differential thermal expansion between the optical device material and the moldplate material.

Abstract: A microstructure transferring device is characterized in that the device comprises a stamper made from a first photo-curable resin composition cured with light with a first wavelength, and a light source emitting light with a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength. The microstructure is transferred to an impression receptor supplied with a second photo-curable resin composition, which is curable with light with the second wavelength emitted by the light source.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing an ophthalmic lens with light source capable of providing specific bandwidths of light to an eye of a wearer. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel and an energy source and light source encapsulated within the ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: Six auxiliary sheet holders SH2 and SH3 temporarily holding a sheet S are minutely driven in the ?Z-axis direction by a control device so that holding surfaces thereof are positioned on the slightly lower side (?Z side) of the holding surface of the sheet holder SH1. Accordingly, an appropriate tension is applied to the sheet S in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and the longitudinal direction, so that the center portion of the sheet S is fixed onto the holding surface of the sheet holder SH1. That is, in the state where an XY two-dimensional tension is applied to a separate area SAi of the sheet S, a rear surface portion corresponding to the separate area SAi of the sheet S is changed in accordance with the flat shape of the holding surface of the sheet holder SH1.

Abstract: An injection mold for forming a light guide plate including a first block, a second block configured to face the first block, a forming portion included between the first and second blocks facing each other and having a shape of the light guide plate, an injection portion formed at the first block and configured to receive injected resin for forming the light guide plate, and a gate portion configured to guide the injected resin from the injection portion to the forming portion. Further, a width of a first end portion of the gate portion that is connected to the forming portion is 50%-80% of a width of the forming portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for making three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials is shown and described. Multiple solidifiable material container assemblies are provided for holding different solidifiable materials. Relative movement between the solidifiable material container assemblies and a build platform allows the solidifiable materials to be switched as an object is built. Several exemplary cleaning stations are provided for removing residual solidifiable materials from the surface of the three-dimensional object as it is built to better ensure smooth transitions between materials on the finished object.

Abstract: A conveyor or other transport mechanism is provided to support multiple, sequential builds from a three-dimensional fabrication machine. The conveyor may be heated/cooled, coated, or otherwise treated to assist in adhesion during a build, as well as removal of objects after a build. Each fabricated object may be automatically removed from the conveyor as the conveyor moves in order to restore a buildable surface for fabrication of additional objects.

Abstract: An optical molding apparatus molds a three-dimensional model by stacking cured layers. Each cured layer is formed by emitting light according to cross-sectional-shape data of the three-dimensional model onto a surface of photo-curable resin. The optical molding apparatus includes a container that contains the photo-curable resin, a movable stage that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the photo-curable resin, an optical system that emits the light onto the surface of the photo-curable resin contained in the container so as to form each cured layer on the movable stage, and a discharging mechanism that performs a discharging operation for discharging new photo-curable resin onto a surface of each cured layer formed on the movable stage before stacking a subsequent cured layer.

Abstract: A method for making conductive traces and interconnects on a surface of a substrate includes, for an embodiment, forming a dielectric or polymer layer on the surface of the substrate, forming a seed layer of an electrically conductive material on the dielectric or polymer layer, patterning a photoresist on the seed layer, forming the conductive traces on the patterned photoresist and seed layer, removing the photoresist from the substrate, and irradiating the surface of the substrate with a fluence of laser light effective to ablate the seed layer from areas of the substrate surface exclusive of the conductive traces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mold for synthesizing powder, and particularly to a mold for synthesizing ceramic powder suitable for use as a mold system which is subjected to spark plasma sintering, which includes a cylindrical mold body into which a powder material used to synthesize ceramic powder is charged, and a pair of mold covers respectively disposed in contact with the top and the bottom of the mold body, thus basically suppressing the production of aggregates in synthesized powder due to pressing and also enabling the mold system to operate even when using a small amount of power, so that the system is prevented from malfunctioning and the power consumption thereof is reduced upon operating.

Abstract: A method of producing a structure from curable material by molding includes arranging a molding tool above a surface, so that in a region between the molding tool and the surface, the curable material adjoins the surface and a molding face of the molding tool which faces the surface, and so that additional curable material may continue to flow into the region. The method further includes irradiating the curable material in the region in a locally varying manner, so that the curable material cures at different speeds in a laterally varying manner and that shrinkages occurring during curing of the curable material are compensated for by the additional curable material. The method further includes applying a constant pressure to the additional curable material. Moreover, a second method and an apparatus for producing a structure from curable material by molding and a molding tool for an optical component are described.

Abstract: A system and method of layerwise production of a tangible object (5), they system comprising a construction shape (6) to form a liquid layer to be brought in contact with the tangible object; solidifying means (9) for solidifying a predetermined area of a layer (10) of the liquid (3), so as to obtain a solid layer (14) of the tangible object (5), the solid layer thus having a predetermined shape, separating means (18; 19?; ·?) for separating said solid layer from said construction shape; moving means (18) for moving, relative to one another, the construction shape (6) to a predetermined position relative to the tangible object (5), for carrying out a successive such method cycle for solidifying a predetermined area of a successive such liquid layer; the system is arranged to provide a limited volume of liquid adhered to the construction shape to form a liquid layer of limited height that does not contact the tangible object; wherein said moving of said construction shape and said solidifying of said predeterm

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for marking objects, particularly components (10 of a motor vehicle, preferably filter elements, with an embossed hologram (11) and to objects marked in this way. The object (10) to be marked is provided with an embossing region (12) to be embossed in the soft state. An embossing body (14a) is pressed into the soft embossing region (12) such that the embossed hologram (11) emerges from the negative (16) of the embossing body (14a) in the embossing region (12), and the embossing body (14a) is separated from the embossing region (12) after the same has solidified.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a deformable platform and a laser delivery system. The deformable platform has a surface capable of changing to conform to a shape of an object as the object is being manufactured during a sintering process. The laser delivery system is capable of sintering powder on the deformable platform to manufacture the object.

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 for 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: An imprint method includes contacting a template on a first substrate. The template includes a pattern to be transferred on the first substrate. The first substrate includes a first semiconductor substrate, and a first light curable resin coated on the first semiconductor substrate. The method further includes separating the template from the first substrate, and removing particles adhered on the template. The particle removal includes: pressing the template on an adhesive member which is distinct from the first substrate. The adhesive member includes a dummy substrate, a particle removing film formed on the dummy substrate and configured to remove the particles, and a second light curable resin coated on the particle removing film. The second light curable resin is thicker than the first light curable resin.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus for imprinting a pattern formed on a mold in a resin material formed on a substrate with accuracy is constituted by a light source for irradiating the resin material with light for curing the resin material; a measuring device for measuring a physical value which reflects a state of the resin material resulting from the irradiation of light from the light source; and a controller for controlling a spatial positional relationship between the mold and the substrate or an amount of light from the light source on the basis of information obtained from the measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an optical system that is able to reliably deliver a uniform amount of energy across an anneal region contained on a surface of a substrate. The optical system is adapted to deliver, or project, a uniform amount of energy having a desired two-dimensional shape on a desired region on the surface of the substrate. Typically, the anneal regions may be square or rectangular in shape. Generally, the optical system and methods of the present invention are used to preferentially anneal one or more regions found within the anneal regions by delivering enough energy to cause the one or more regions to re-melt and solidify.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional object by selective solidification of a build material includes irradiating a surface of a mask with at least one radiation source. The mask is disposed at a distance from a build plane and an optical imaging system is used to produce a reproduction of the mask on the build plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a three-dimensional object includes a table, a powdery layer-former that forms a powdery layer on the table, and an optical beam-irradiator that irradiates an optical beam on a predetermined region of the powdery layer to sinter the predetermined region of the powdery layer. A chamber for accommodating the table and the powdery layer-former and a lid for opening and closing an opening defined in the chamber at a location immediately above an optical beam-irradiating range are provided. The three-dimensional object is taken out from the chamber through the opening upon completion of the sintering, and the optical beam-irradiator is disposed at a position deviated from immediately above the optical beam-irradiating range to obliquely irradiate the optical beam on the powdery layer.

Abstract: An encapsulation apparatus capable of securely sealing a gap of a display panel and improving intensity of the display panel, and a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display device using the encapsulation apparatus are taught. The encapsulation apparatus includes an injection port having tapered projecting edges formed in both sides of one end the injection port, and injecting a reinforcing material into a gap of a display panel in a dual surface contact manner, the first substrate and the second substrate being attached to each other using a sealant; and a supporter coupled to the injection port and supporting the injection port.

Abstract: An apparatus for spin casting lenses includes a rotatable tube, the rotatable tube defining a longitudinal cavity, wherein the longitudinal cavity is configured to receive molds. According to one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable tube is made of metal and includes a plurality of apertures configured to permit the transmission of actinic radiation.