Abstract: This invention provides for an ophthalmic lens mold with at least one portion of the lens mold including multiple voxels of polymerized crosslinkable material. In addition, the present invention provides for apparatus for generating an ophthalmic lens mold including multiple voxels of polymerized crosslinkable material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing structured optical materials. It also relates to a device for producing structured optical materials, and to use of the method. In order to create a novel, continuous method for the production of structured optical materials, which is more economical than the known production method, it is proposed within the scope of the invention that optical material be applied to a carrier, a carrier or protective film be laminated onto the optical material, the resulting laminate be exposed to light and thereby structured, and subsequently a delamination of at least one of the films be performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing a moulded body having microstructures from moulding material. The method for producing a moulded body having microstructures on a carrier out of moulding material is effected by inputting a moulding material into a container (10) comprising a mould cavity (14), wherein at least one micro-structured mould (12) is provided in the mould cavity. Furthermore, the centrifugation of a container (10) is carried out until the moulding material has completely entered into the structure of the mould (12). Thereafter, the curing of the moulding material is carried out to form a moulded body having microstructures, which is then removed from the mould (12) and the container (10).

Abstract: Described herein are devices for producing ophthalmic lenses including at least one mold half defining an optical surface where the mold half is made from a polymer that includes an aromatic polyimide, a polyphenylene, or a combination thereof. The devices exhibit numerous advantages including, but not limited to, good chemical resistance, durability, machineability, and UV absorbing properties. Also described are methods for producing ophthalmic lenses using the devices described herein. The ophthalmic lenses produced with the devices described herein exhibit excellent optical properties when compared to lenses produced from conventions molds.

Abstract: A loose mixture formed of one or more solid inert materials and a hardenable resin dissolved in an organic solvent, in particular the remainder of the initial mix used for the manufacture of conglomerate stone sheets, is rendered inert by means of dielectric heating at a frequency of less than 300 MHz. The invention also relates to the plant for implementing this method.

Abstract: A production system and methods for spark plasma sintering. Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and methods that allows for high throughput of material even when using spark plasma sintering technology. The production system includes, among other things, a load lock chamber that accepts a die set that can be loaded with material to be sintered. The die set is passed from the load lock chamber to a sintering chamber wherein the material is sintered. After the material has been sintered, the material is cooled in a cooling chamber. The cooling chamber includes a rotary carrousel that rotates the die set as it is being cooled. Once cooled, the die set including the sintered material can be removed.

Abstract: A part cake defining a build produced by laser sintering and the surrounding unfused powder is contained in an enclosure, aid the enclosure includes displaceable wall portions for compressing the part cake to support the build against distortion during rapid cooling from a cooling fluid. The enclosure enables the part cake to be quickly and reliably cooled either within the laser sintering system or outside the laser sintering system. A source of cooling fluid connects to the enclosure and a lid holds the part cake in place as cooling fluid is forced through the pore volume of the cake. An inert gas blanket apparatus is also provided to reduce or prevent oxidation of the part cake and/or to cool the part cake. Once the part cake is cooled, the build produced by laser sintering may be removed from the part cake.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a stamper for transferring fine pattern and a method for manufacturing the stamper, the stamper has a fine structure layer to improve a continuous transferring property of the resinous stamper, and to allow accurate and continuous transferring. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a stamper for transferring fine pattern, including: a fine structure layer on a supporting substrate, in which the fine structure layer is a polymer of a resinous compound whose principal component is silsesquioxane derivative having a plurality of polymerizable functional groups.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a stamper has a data area and servo area, and has concentric or spiral grooves formed in the data area.

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus that forms a three-dimensional model by sequentially laminating cured resin layers through repetition of a cycle of selectively applying light to liquid photocurable resin to form a cured resin layer, further applying liquid photocurable resin on the cured resin layer, and applying light to form a cured resin layer. The apparatus includes a table, a dispenser to supply the liquid photocurable resin onto the table, a recoater to apply the photocurable resin, and a controller to slow down a moving speed of the recoater based on a moving distance of the recoater during application operation of the recoater.

Abstract: Described is a composition for solid freeform fabrication (SFF) at a given dispensing temperature. The composition comprises: a curable component having a monofunctional (meth)acrylic functional group; a photo-initiator, and a sulfur-containing additive. The viscosity of the composition, as measured at the given dispensing temperature, changes by no more than 3 cps during 30 days of aging at 40° C.

Abstract: A system for building a three-dimensional object based on build data representing the three-dimensional object, the system comprising an extrusion head configured to deposit a radiation-curable material in consecutive layers, where the radiation-curable material of each of the consecutive layers is in a self-supporting state, and a radiation source configured to selectively expose a portion of at least one of the consecutive layers to radiation in accordance with the build data.

Abstract: A nanoimprinting configuration includes a UV light diffuser that randomizes a collimated UV light beam so as to diffuse the shadowing effect from any defect object that resides in the UV optical path. In addition, a combination center circular pad and outer ring-shaped pad form a donut-shaped “non-contact” area between the two pad pieces. The size and shape of the two pad combination are designed to avoid direct gel pad contact above the patterned imprint zone on the disk substrate. The purpose of the gel pad, non-contact configuration is to eliminate any possible surface deformation incurred along the loading column and thereby avoid the elastic propagation of any deformations to the stamper resist surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite tower, includes at least partially filling a form with a curable resin; at least partially curing the resin in the form; raising the form partly over the at least partially cured resin; and at least partially filling the raised form with more curable resin applied against the cured resin.

Abstract: A manufacturing device and a manufacturing method for polymer waveguide devices are revealed. The manufacturing device includes a substrate coated with a photoresist polymer membrane and set on a work platform, a femtosecond laser emitting onto the photoresist polymer membrane, and a lens arranged between the femtosecond laser and the substrate. The polymer waveguide devices are obtained by the femtosecond laser emitting onto the photoresist polymer membrane. Without complicated manufacturing processes, the production efficiency of the polymer waveguide devices is increased.

Abstract: Web with stems constituted by a base strip and at least one stem projecting from the strip and forming part thereof, in particular being made of the same material as the strip, the at least one stem having a straight axis and a cross-section perpendicular to the straight axis which is constant or decreases from the base to the tip of the stem, characterised in that the at least one stem has a height measured along its axis and a width corresponding to its largest dimension measured parallel to the plane of the strip, the width being between 0.05 mm and 0.250 mm, and the ratio of the height of the stem to its width is at least greater than 2, preferably greater than or equal to 3.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure having a plugged portion, wherein a mask is applied to the honeycomb structure, a plugging material is supplied on the mask or on the same plane as a surface of the mask, and a pressurizing apparatus disposed at an acute angle with respect to the surface of the mask and having a pressurizing face for pressurizing the plugging material is moved to fill the plugging material into the cells of the honeycomb structure. The pressurizing apparatus is moved on the mask with a part of the region of the pressurizing face being brought into surface contact with the mask via the plugging material to pressurize the plugging material toward the cell side and to push out an extra plugging material in the direction of movement to further pressurize and fill the material into the cells with forming the region of the surface contact.

Abstract: A method and stamp for forming lenses on a wafer. The stamp includes a mask arranged on a substrate and aligned with a plurality of lens-shaped cavities. The lens-shaped cavities are used to imprint a plurality of lenses into a curable material. The lenses are cured through the mask using radiation. The lenses are separated from the stamp and the uncured material is removed.

Abstract: A device (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layerwise solidification of a building material at positions in the respective layers corresponding to the object is provided. The device comprises a machine frame (2, 3, 4, 5) and a building space (10) located in said machine frame, wherein in the building space (10) there are arranged: an application device (27) that applies layers of the building material onto a support device (26) and a previously solidified layer, respectively, by means of an application element (61); a dosage device (28, 29) that supplies building material from a building material accommodation region (23, 24) to the application device (27) for an application; and a heating device (31) for heating the applied layers of the building material. The building material accommodation region (23, 24) is limited by a wall that has a double-wall structure, so that a hollow space (34, 35) is formed therein.

Abstract: Arrangement for producing a three-dimensional product, which arrangement comprises a work table on which said three-dimensional product is to be built up, a powder dispenser which is arranged so as to distribute a thin layer of powder on the work table for forming a powder bed, a radiation gun for delivering energy to the powder, fusing together of the powder then taking place, means for guiding the beam emitted by the radiation gun over said powder bed for forming a cross section of said three-dimensional product by fusing together parts of said powder bed, and a control computer in which information about successive cross sections of the three-dimensional product is stored, which cross sections build up the three-dimensional product, where the control computer is intended to control said means for guiding the radiation gun over the powder bed according to an operating scheme forming a cross section of said three-dimensional body, said three-dimensional product being formed by successive fusing together of s

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for hydrating ophthalmic lenses and leaching excess materials from the ophthalmic lenses. The methods include the steps of exposing contact lenses with a hydration solution comprising about 30 to 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and water. In some embodiments, the hydration solution is maintained at an elevated temperature. Exposure to a first hydration solution causes the ophthalmic lenses to swell to a size larger than their functional size, and exposure to a second ophthalmic solution causes the lenses to shrink back to a functional size.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a media insert with a Data Processor into an ophthalmic lens. An energy source is capable of powering the Data Processor included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that has a template holder configured to hold an imprint template, a substrate table arranged to receive a substrate, a radiation output arranged to illuminate a part of the imprint template, and a detector configured to detect radiation scattered from an interface between the imprint template and imprintable material provided on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for patterning polycrystalline indium tin oxide by using a Gaussian laser beam focused on an amorphous indium tin oxide layer is disclosed to pattern the non-crystalline amorphous indium tin oxide layer and transfer part of the amorphous indium tin oxide layer into polycrystalline indium tin oxide while the remaining amorphous indium tin oxide layer is etched due to etching selectivity of an etching solution. The method comprises: providing a substrate with an amorphous indium tin oxide layer thereon on a carrier; transferring the amorphous indium tin oxide layer in a predetermined area into a polycrystalline indium tin oxide layer by emitting a Gaussian laser beam focused on the amorphous indium tin oxide layer in the predetermined area; and removing the remaining amorphous indium tin oxide layer on the substrate by an etching solution to form a patterned polycrystalline indium tin oxide layer.

Abstract: An optical imprinting device capable of simultaneously imprinting fine patterns to both surfaces of an opaque substrate is provided. The imprinting device includes a stamper having a fine pattern on its surface to imprint the fine pattern onto a surface of an object to be imprinted by pressing the stamper against the object composed of a substrate and a photo-curing resin layer formed on the substrate. The imprinting device further includes a light source for applying light to the photo-curing resin layer of the object when imprinting the fine pattern of the stamper onto the photo-curing resin layer of the object. The light source applies light to the stamper at a predetermined incident angle to the surface of the stamper.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus has a head unit with a fine structure. The head unit includes a fine imprint pattern layer including fine concavities and convexities, a resin layer on a face of the fine imprint pattern layer opposite to a face where the concavities and convexities are formed, a first pressurizing base member on a face of the resin layer opposite to a face contacting the fine imprint pattern layer, and a second pressurizing base member on a face of the first pressurizing base member opposite to a face contacting the resin layer. The resin layer has a modulus of elasticity smaller than that of the fine imprint pattern layer, and the first pressurizing base member has a modulus of elasticity smaller than that of the resin layer. A light source or a heat source may be further provided. The head unit may be light permeable. A replacement layer may be further provided for replacement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heating of preforms formed of plastic with infrared radiation, whereby the preform is struck by cooling air at its neck finish and on its body. Furthermore, the infrared radiators are struck by cooling air at their ends. The invention relates to a heating device in which the three cooling air streams may be controlled or regulated independently from each other.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide a pattern transferring mold which can provide a starting area of mold release easily and certainly and a pattern transferring apparatus with the same. A pattern transferring mold is disclosed which is used in a pattern transferring apparatus that brings the mold into contact with a photo-curing resin on a substrate and cures the photo-curing resin by light irradiation to transfer a pattern formed on the mold onto the photo-curing resin. The mold comprises a bottom face which contacts the photo-curing resin, the bottom face portion including a first area in which the pattern is formed and a second area formed outside the first area. The mold has a mold-releasing shape in the second area, the mold-releasing shape providing a starting area of mold release from the cured photo-curing resin.

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a container from a thermoplastic blank (2), comprising: a step in which the blank (2) is heated using at least one beam (22) of coherent electromagnetic radiation, and a step in which the container is formed from the blank (2) thus heated. The invention also relates to an installation (1) which is used to produce containers (2) and which comprises a unit (16) for heating the blanks (2) in order to form containers from the blanks (2) thus heated. The inventive installation (1) defines a path (23) along which the blanks (2) travel inside the heating unit (16). In addition, the heating unit (16) comprises at least one coherent electromagnetic radiation source (26) which is directed towards a zone (25) that is located on the aforementioned path (23).

Abstract: A microlens is affixed in the far field of an optical fiber to spatially transform a beam either entering or exiting the fiber. In a first embodiment, a droplet of photo polymer is placed on the end of an optical fiber and the fiber is spun to create an artificial gravity. The droplet is cured by UV radiation during the spinning. In a second embodiment, nanoparticles are mixed into the droplet to increase the refractive index of the photo polymer. A third embodiment employs artificial gravity to attach a microsphere to the end of the optical fiber. A fourth embodiment chemically treats the surface of the microsphere so that the requirement of artificial gravity is either reduced or eliminated. In a fifth embodiment the droplet is cured under equilibrium or nonequilibrium conditions to obtain different final shapes for the lenslet. A sixth embodiment discloses fabrication of microlens arrays.

Abstract: A molding manufacturing method includes: preparing a molding body including a molding main body made of thermoplastic material and a decorative layer higher than the molding main body in hardness and melt temperature; setting the molding body in a fixed die; heating and softening an end portion of the molding body while maintaining the decorative layer softer than the molding main body, by irradiating an infrared ray onto a back surface of the molding main body corresponding to the end portion; and press forming the end portion of the molding body by applying a movable punch onto the fixed die while the end portion of the molding body is in a softened state to bend the end portion of the molding body to obtain an end cover portion having a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes an imprint template and a radiation source configured to cure photosensitive material, the radiation source including a laser or a light emitting diode. An imprint template is also disclosed.

Abstract: Durable seamless replication tools are disclosed for replication of seamless relief patterns in desired media, for example in optical recording or data storage media. Methods of making such durable replication tools are disclosed, including preparing a recording substrate on the inner surface of a support cylinder, recording and developing a relief pattern in the substrate, creating a durable negative relief replica of the pattern, extracting the resulting durable tool sleeve from a processing cell, and mounting the tool sleeve on a mounting fixture. Apparatus are disclosed for fabricating such seamless replication tools, including systems for recording a desired relief pattern on a photosensitive layer on an inner surface of a support cylinder. Also disclosed are electrodeposition cells for forming a durable tool sleeve having a desired relief pattern. The replication tool relief features may have critical dimensions down to the micron and nanometer regime.

Abstract: A method and a system for forming a polymeric resin mold for molding plastic items, wherein the method includes: (a) using a rapid-prototyping process to create a polymeric resin shell having a configuration in the form of the mold; (b) introducing a reinforcing material into the shell; and (c) curing the shell. The system includes a rapid-prototyping apparatus that creates a plurality of the polymeric resin shells on a platform; a reinforcing material introduction apparatus that introduces a reinforcing material into each of the shells while the shells are on the platform to form a plurality of uncured molds on the platform; and a curing apparatus that cures the shells while they are on the platform.

Abstract: A building container (25) for a device (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer wise solidification of a building material in powder form at positions in the respective layers that correspond to the object is provided. A support device (26) is provided that is arranged in the building container (25) such that it is vertically movable, wherein the support device (26) has an upper side that forms a building platform (78), on which the three-dimensional object is generated layer wise. Between a circumferential outer edge of the building platform (78) and a circumferential inside wall (79) of the building container (25) a gap (80) is formed and a seal (81) is provided that is provided circumferentially at the building platform (78) and closes the gap (80). The seal is made from a ring of a flat flexible material having an outer diameter, which in a flat state is larger than the inner diameter of the inside wall (79).

Abstract: A device for forming hollow three-dimensional objects from radiation curable resin includes a light container having an interlocking base and a pivotal lid with cooperating interior surfaces forming a light chamber. An interior surface of the pivotal lid has a light source attached thereto directing light toward an interior surface of the interlocking base. A multi-axis rotating mechanism, such as a gyroscope, is positioned within the light container, the gyroscope having moving rings. A translucent three-dimensional mold capsule is removably secured to the multi-axis rotating mechanism, wherein a radiation curable resin is inserted in to the mold capsule.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imprint apparatus for carrying out a two-step process for transferring a pattern from a template to a target surface of a substrate. The apparatus works by creating an intermediate disc, e.g. from a flexible polymer stamp, by imprint from the template in a first imprint unit. A feeder device is then operated to feed the intermediate stamp to a second imprint unit, where it is used to make an imprint in a target surface of a substrate.

Abstract: The cross-sectional shape data of a three-dimensional model is divided according to work small areas obtained by dividing a work entire area where optical shaping work is performed into a plurality of areas, and work small area data which is cross-sectional shape data corresponding to said work small areas is generated. Also, the work small area data is enlarged with offset width based on the contracting ratio of a light hardening resin, and areas, which are wider than the work small areas on the surface of the light hardening resin by the offset width, are subjected to one-shot exposure based on the enlarged work small area data to form a hardening layer for each of the work small areas. The present invention can be applied to, for example, an optical shaping apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus of forming a fine pattern includes a chamber having a predetermined process space, a stage for supporting a substrate on which a photosensitive organic layer is formed, using buoyancy, a template disposed away from the stage to imprint a preprocess pattern dividing etching and non-etching regions on the organic layer of the substrate, and a driving unit for moving the stage toward the template so that the pattern formed on the template can be formed on the organic layer of the substrate.

Abstract: Techniques for fabricating nanowires are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses Lens Precursors and apparatus for generating 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: Techniques for fabricating nanowire bundles are provided.

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 method for producing a three-dimensionally shaped object, includes the steps of: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of a powder layer placed on a shaping table to sinter or melt the specified portion; (ii) forming another solidified layer by placing a new powder layer on the solidified layer thus obtained, 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; and (iii) repeating the step (ii) to produce a three-dimensionally shaped object. When performing the steps (i) to (iii) within a chamber, at least a part of an ambient gas in the chamber is exhausted from the chamber through a gas passage of a shaping tank.

Abstract: A device and a method for layerwise, generative production of three-dimensional objects are provided. Multiple objects are produced in parallel in distinct process chambers (11, 12, 13, 14) by means of successive application of layers of a building material and subsequent solidifying of a layer and interconnecting of the layer with the previously applied layer, respectively, by means of radiation. The radiation is supplied to a part of the process chambers by a radiation source which is arranged outside of the process chambers, while an application of a layer takes place in another part of the process chambers.

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: A nanoimprint stamper with a novel structure is provided that can simultaneously conform to two types of anomaly in the shape of a transfer substrate, i.e., a warpage and surface protrusions (including foreign objects) that differ greatly in the wavelength of variation, and which is capable of performing transfer with a smaller number of defects and in a uniform way. The nanoimprint stamper comprises a light-transmitting rigid substrate, a light-transmitting resilient plate, a light-transmitting and flexible rigid stamper base, a light-transmitting stamper buffer layer, and a light-transmitting patterned stamp layer, the stamper buffer layer having a lower Young's modulus than the patterned stamp layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element, in particular a photopolymer unit, with a rear layer and a top layer which are joined to one another to form a sealed bag in which a precursor of a plastic which can be polymerised with electromagnetic radiation is contained, in particular a photopolymer. The top layer is made from a cast plastic. The invention further relates to the production of a printing plate from this element.