Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an object, a filament is fed to an extrusion head. The filament has a semi-crystalline polymeric reinforcement portion and a polymeric matrix portion. The temperature of the filament is raised in the extrusion head above the melting point of the matrix portion but below the melting point of the reinforcement portion so that the matrix portion of the filament melts within the extrusion head, thereby forming a partially molten filament within the extrusion head. The reinforcement portion of the partially molten filament remains in a semi-crystalline state as it is extruded from the extrusion head. Relative movement is generated between the extrusion head and the substrate as the partially molten filament is extruded onto the substrate in order to form an extruded line on the substrate. The matrix portion of the extruded line solidifies after the extruded line has been formed on the substrate.

Abstract: An illumination system for use in a system (1) for layerwise production of a tangible object (5) in a liquid reservoir (2) comprises an image forming element (21), an image projection system (22, 23) and a microlens array (7). The illumination system (20) further comprises a controller (24) for controlling the microlens array (7) to perform a movement (9) which is relative to at least part of the image projection system (22, 23) and for controlling the image forming element (21) to form time-varying two-dimensional images synchronously with said movement in such way that microspots (17) describe and solidify a predetermined area of a liquid layer (10) when said movement (9) is also relative to the object (5) under construction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a template manufacturing method is a method for manufacturing a template for use in an imprint processing in which a pattern having irregularities are formed on a principal surface, and the pattern is brought into contact with a resist member formed on a substrate to be processed, to transfer the pattern to the resist member, the method including implanting charged particles at least into the bottoms of concave portions of the template.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new paradigm in prefabricated gel nails (also referred to as pre-processed) gel nails, that lends itself to the mass production of the nails, in shapes, colors, styles that are close to finished, and are configured to enable the nails to be securely attached to finger nail plates applying a UV cured bonding method.

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: The original of the present invention has a pattern to be transferred. For example, the original of the present invention is a mold for use in an imprint apparatus or a mask for use in an exposure apparatus. The original has a negative effective Poisson's ratio. Alternatively, the original has an effective Poisson's ratio smaller than that of a quartz glass plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing liquid, light-activatable silicone materials of low viscosity by way of injection-molding technology, and an injection-molding machine operating in accordance with the method, in which the cross-linking of the silicone material is activated by the effect of ultraviolet and/or visible radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid phase laser ablation apparatus comprising: a vessel for storing liquid in which a component to be atomized is arranged; a laser oscillating device for oscillating a laser light irradiated to the component through the liquid; a reflecting mirror configured to freely change an angle of incidence of the laser light with respect to a surface of the liquid; a focusing lens for focusing the laser light oscillated from the laser oscillating device; a cover body for covering an upper surface of the vessel; and a laser light introduction port provided on the cover body or a side surface of the vessel above the surface of the liquid. Due to the above structure, the liquid would not adhere to the optical components constituting the apparatus, there is little contamination and damage to the optical components, the operation of the laser ablation can be continued in continuous and stable manner for a long period of time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to an ultraviolet (UV) cure chamber for curing a dielectric material disposed on a substrate and to methods of curing dielectric materials using UV radiation. A substrate processing tool according to one embodiment comprises a body defining a substrate processing region; a substrate support adapted to support a substrate within the substrate processing region; an ultraviolet radiation lamp spaced apart from the substrate support, the lamp configured to transmit ultraviolet radiation to a substrate positioned on the substrate support; and a motor operatively coupled to rotate at least one of the ultraviolet radiation lamp or substrate support at least 180 degrees relative to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a feed hopper containing hot melt UV curable glue, a first pressing roller defining a first central axis, a second pressing roller defining a second central axis, and two UV lamp assemblies received in the two pressing rollers respectively. The first pressing roller rotates about the first central axis in a first direction. The second pressing roller rotates about the second central axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first central axis and the second central axis are arranged on a common horizontal plane and parallel to each other. A molding channel is formed between the two pressing rollers. The two pressing rollers cooperatively press the hot melt UV curable glue flowing into the molding channel from the feed hopper. The UV lamp assemblies emit UV light beams to solidify the pressed UV curable glue to form an optical film.

Abstract: An apparatus produces an optical fiber by applying light to a photocurable composition and thereby curing the composition. The apparatus includes a nozzle for discharging the photocurable composition; a light irradiator for applying light to the fibrous photocurable composition discharged from the nozzle; and a controller that controls a light irradiation intensity at the nozzle orifice to 0.2 mW/cm2 or less. The nozzle is preferably a double-tube nozzle having an outer tube; and an inner tube arranged inside the outer tube.

Abstract: A method includes producing a first layer of optical liquid, shaping contactlessly the first layer of the optical liquid according to a desired form, and curing the shaped first layer of the optical liquid with electromagnetic radiation to generate a first optically refracting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for making an object is disclosed herein.

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: A method for forming a structural body includes irradiating a substrate with light having a periodic intensity distribution and a wavelength within a wavelength region which allows the substrate to show opacity thereby forming a periodic structure causing optical diffraction on a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Ophthalmic lens molds made from one or more thermoplastic polymer having a low level of UV light transmittance (UV % T) ophthalmic lenses including silicone hydrogel contact lenses molded using these thermoplastic polymer having low UV % T, and methods of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses by cast molding a polymerizable composition in mold members formed of these thermoplastic polymers having low UV % T and curing the polymerizable composition using UV light are described.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided, including a container, a display, a control unit and an optical film. The container contains a photosensitive material. The display has a plurality of display units. Each of the display units is capable of emitting a light beam. The control unit is capable of controlling the display units. The optical film is capable of projecting the light beams emitted from the display units onto the photosensitive material, forming a plurality of projected patterns. An arranging sequence and an arranging direction of the projected patterns are substantially the same as an arranging sequence and an arranging direction of the display units.

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus and an exposure system for a stereolithography apparatus, wherein light emitting diodes are used as light sources. The invention relates to aligning light from the light emitting diode and to the exchange and control of the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: Powder spreaders suitable for use with layered manufacturing processes are disclosed in which a strip of flexible material of a width which spans the powder bed is used to spread, level, and, optionally, compact deposited powder to form a layer of the powder bed. The strip surface moves relative to the deposited powder it is spreading as the working portion of the strip, i.e., the portion of the strip that is in contact with the powder, traverses across the powder bed so that it can provide lift to the powder in front of it and, optionally, compaction to the powder below it. The working portion of the strip can be configured to have its leading and trailing surface contours to be different from one another, and, optionally, to have these contours and its bottom edge contour be independently adjustable. Layered manufacturing systems comprising such powder spreaders are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided methods and apparatus for compensation of intensity profiles of imagers used in three-dimensional modelers. The intensity profile of the actinic radiation projected from the imager is determined by a variety of techniques, including but not limited to manually operated sensors, exposed and scanned actinic radiation-sensitive paper, and intensity profilers. Once the intensity profile of the imager is determined, each layer of the solidifiable liquid material is cured by projecting a plurality of patterns (as opposed to a single pattern) defining the two-dimensional cross-section of the part being cured. The patterns vary in duration, number, and/or shape to correlate to the intensity profile so that a single layer of selectively cured solidifiable liquid material is cured with a substantially equivalent (or otherwise controlled) amount of actinic radiation per unit of surface area to provide generally controlled and consistent part quality.

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: A mold capable of a highly accurate alignment with a member to be processed in such a state that a photocurable resin material is disposed between the mold and the member to be processed, and is constituted by a substrate 2010 formed of a first material and an alignment mark 2102 formed of a second material different from the first material. The first material and the second material have transmissivities to light in a part of an ultraviolet wavelength range. The second material has a refractive index of not less than 1.7.

Abstract: A coating-removal apparatus may include a source positioned on a mounting plate, and operable to emit a laser beam at a first path, where the mounting plate is configured to receive an edge of a photovoltaic module in a designated region substantially proximate to the mounting plate, such that the first path intersects the designated region, and where the mounting plate is further configured to reposition the source to create an additional path that intersects with the designated region, where the additional path is distinct from the first path.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for making an object (122) is disclosed. The apparatus has a flexible element (101) having an upwardly facing surface for disposing thereon a material (104) used to make the object, and a member (110) connected to an actuator (112) that can move the member (110). A controller is in communication the actuator (112). A method which may be executed using the apparatus (100) is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlled shrinking of molten plastic sheet material comprises a series of parallel cylindrical rollers for moving the plastic sheet material from a first position to a second position. At least one heater is aligned with the rollers for maintaining the plastic sheet material in a molten state while the rollers move the plastic sheet material, and a drive mechanism rotates the rollers so that the tangential speed of the rollers progressively decreases from the first position toward the second position. As a result of the progressive decrease in tangential speed of the rollers, the speed of the plastic sheet material is progressively reduced as the plastic sheet material approaches the second position, so that portions of the plastic sheet material closer to the second position move toward the second position more slowly than portions of the plastic sheet material further from the second position.

Abstract: A system for engraving a flexographic relief member includes a laser scanning apparatus providing a focused radiation beam. The flexographic relief member includes a laser engravable flexographic member; a thing engravable control layer on top of the flexographic member; and wherein the engravable control layer has an engraving sensitivity lower than the flexographic member.

Abstract: Apparatus is for additive layer manufacturing of an article from a material which can be rendered solid locally by application of a focused beam of laser radiation at a planar focal plane. The apparatus includes at least two laser beams, respective scanners for each laser beam for scanning the respective laser beams over a planar field, and a support movable stepwise to allow successive manufacturing layer cycles and for supporting material within the field. The entire planar field is common to each scanner and at least one scanner is tilted with respect to the planar field, and the at least one scanner is provided with a lens arranged to generate a focal plane tilted with respect to that scanner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting an amorphous transparent conductive oxide to a crystalline form with the assistance of irradiation of a laser.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein include all-electron control over a chemical attachment and the subsequent self-assembly of an organic molecule into a well-ordered three-dimensional monolayer on a metal surface. The ordering or assembly of the organic molecule may be through electron excitation. Hot-electron and hot-hole excitation enables tethering of the organic molecule to a metal substrate, such as an alkyne group to a gold surface. All-electron reactions may allow a direct control over the size and shape of the self-assembly, defect structures and the reverse process of molecular disassembly from single molecular level to mesoscopic scale.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an imprint apparatus includes a template holding part configured to hold a template for imprint. The apparatus further includes a template moving part configured to move the template to press the template onto a light curing resin on a transfer target substrate or to demold the template from the light curing resin. The apparatus further includes a light source configured to irradiate the light curing resin with light to cure the light curing resin. The apparatus further includes a demold control part configured to control a demold speed or a demold angle of the template, based on a position of a shot region from which the template is to be demolded, when demolding the template from the light curing resin.

Abstract: There is provided a stacked-layers forming device including a powder layer-forming part for forming a powder layer, an optical device for forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of the powder layer with a light beam and a powder replenishing means for supplying the powder material to above a base on which the powder layer and the solidified layer are stacked or onto an upper surface of a base frame which surrounds the base. The powder replenishing means includes an approximately cylindrical member in which the powder material is charged and a screw member which is installed within the approximately cylindrical member wherein a rotation of the screw member conveys the powder material in the approximately cylindrical member.

Abstract: A structure forming apparatus includes a rotary body, an irradiation unit, and a holding member. On the rotary body, a mask that is subjected to patterning is capable of being disposed. The irradiation unit is capable of irradiating an area along an axis direction of a rotation of the rotary body with an energy line with the mask intervened therebetween. The holding member is disposed to be opposed to the rotary body so that a holding area that holds a material cured with the energy line is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for the production of a three-dimensional object by the consecutive layered bonding of a material that can be bonded by means of electromagnetic radiation, wherein in the so-called vat an at least n-phase system, where n>2, is present, of which at least one phase comprises the building material and at least one other a phase that cannot be mixed with the building material.

Abstract: Method for producing a three-dimensional object in layers by way of a stereolithography machine (1) including a container (2) suited to contain a liquid substance (3), structure (5) suited to emit predefined radiation (4) suited to selectively solidify a layer (6) of the liquid substance (3) adjacent to the bottom (2a) of the container (2), and an actuator (8) suited to move the solidified layer (6a) with respect to the bottom (2a). The method includes selectively solidifying the liquid layer (6); separating the solidified layer (6a) from the bottom (2a) through a movement (11) suited to move them away from each other, including a plurality of shifts (12, 12a, 12b, 12c) for corresponding predefined lengths, spaced by corresponding intermediate stops (14, 14a, 14b) for corresponding predefined time intervals (15, 15a, 15b). The intermediate stops are carried out before the solidified layer has become completely detached from the bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing an optical lens, whereby a block piece for the lens is first processed by cutting and then is provided with markings for positioning the lens on the block piece.

Abstract: A method for creating a three-dimensional solid freeform fabrication object includes spreading a reactive powder on a substrate, selectively dispensing a core binder in the reactive powder to form a core material, and selectively dispensing a shell binder in the reactive powder to form a shell on the core material.

Abstract: A three-dimensional stereolithography apparatus includes a stage, a support mechanism to support a film so that the film is opposed to the stage, a pressing mechanism, a supply mechanism, an irradiation unit, a movement mechanism, and a control mechanism. The pressing mechanism presses at least a linear area of the film so that the linear area closest to the stage is formed in the film. The supply mechanism supplies a light-curing material into a slit area formed between the stage and the linear area. The irradiation unit irradiates the light-curing material supplied into the slit area with laser light through the pressing mechanism and the film. The movement mechanism moves the stage and the pressing mechanism relatively to the film, to form one cured layer of the light-curing material. The control mechanism controls a distance between the stage and the linear area of the film, to stack the cured layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preheating a pressed material mat (14) spread on an endlessly and continuously circulating molding band (6) during manufacture of wood material boards, wherein microwaves from one or both press surface sides are beamed into the pressed material mat (14) to preheat the pressed material mat (14) and the pressed material mat (14) is compacted and hardened by application of pressure and heat after transfer to a continuously operating press (1). The invention consists of microwaves in a frequency range of 2400-2500 MHz being used to heat the pressed material mat (14), wherein the microwaves for each press surface side are generated from 20 to 300 microwave generators (26) with magnetrons (20) of a respective output of 3 to 50 kW.

Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, for example plastics material by sintering, comprises providing a layer of particulate material, providing radiation, for example using a radiation source over the layer, and varying the absorption of the provided radiation across a selected surface portion of the layer to combine a portion of the material of the layer. The method may comprise varying radiation absorption by varying the intensity of the radiation incident on the surface portion of the layer, or alternatively may comprise varying the radiation absorptive properties of the particulate material over the selected surface portion of the layer, for example by printing a radiation absorbent material onto the surface portion.

Abstract: A fine-structure transfer apparatus has a base plate, a first post and a second post erected on the upper surface of the base plate, an elongated stamper that is fixed at one end to the upper end face of the first post. The stamper is supported at the other end in a vertically movable manner by means of an ascending/descending unit provided on the second post. A transfer element holding stage is provided on the upper surface of the base plate between the first and second posts in a position that corresponds to the position of the lower surface of the elongated stamper where a fine pattern is formed. A pressure-applying unit is provided to reciprocate on the upper surface of the elongated stamper along a longitudinal direction thereof. The transfer apparatus is characterized by the ease with which the stamper can be detached from the transfer element.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus molds a resin on a substrate with a mold and cures it by irradiation with a light to form a pattern on the substrate. This imprint apparatus includes an light irradiation unit configured to irradiate the light, and a mold holding unit configured to hold the mold, and at which an opening is formed to allow passage of the light irradiated from the light irradiation unit toward the substrate via the mold. Here, at least a portion of the surface of the mold holding unit which a reflected light that is reflected by at least either the substrate or the mold is can be incident has a reflectance that is lower than the reflectance of the surface of the mold relative to the light that is irradiated from the light irradiation unit.

Abstract: Since concrete materials do not cure quick enough when prototyping methods are used, so that a lower layer (2a) is already completely cured when the next layer (2b) is applied, a support material (4) is applied about the formed element (100) that is being built up in order to compensate for the lack of pressure resistance of the lower layer (2a), wherein the support material preferably has the same specific weight as the material (3) of the formed element (100). Thus, 3D-printing as well as selective curing are facilitated as build up methods.

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

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

Abstract: A method for performing an infrared treatment includes the steps of receiving an extruded product and feeding the extruded product to an oven including at least one lamp unit. The lamp unit includes a lamp, a reflective surface enclosing a first side of the lamp and positioned to direct radiation from the lamp, and a glass disposed between a second side of the lamp and an extruded product, wherein the glass separates the lamp and the extruded product. The method further includes the step of creating cross-linking between layers of the extruded product by directing the radiation at the extruded product. Still further, the method includes the steps of directing a first gas flow at a surface of the product and directing a second gas flow at the glass at an intensity, direction, and temperature that prevents the glass from becoming an infrared source.

Abstract: An apparatus for corona treating film includes a source of film material and at least one transport roller that is rotatably mounted in a frame. The transport roller has a longitudinal axis and has a width greater than the film. First and second treater heads have first and second leading edges, first and second trailing edges and are mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second leading edge is parallel to and spaced from the first trailing edge by a second predetermined distance. The film is transported over the roller and a high voltage electric arc is provided to the first and second treater heads. The roller is grounded and provides a return path for the electric current provided to the first and second treater heads, thereby corona treating the front side or back side of the film if a second roller and third and fourth treater heads are used.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical film includes providing a molding machine. The molding machine includes a hopper, a first cylindrical roller, a second cylindrical roller, and a UV light source. The first and second cylindrical rollers are located at two opposite sides of a narrow outlet of the hopper and positioned at substantially a same height just below the narrow outlet. Thereafter, a UV-curable material is provided into the hopper, and flows out from the narrow outlet of the hopper. The UV light source is turned on toward the UV-curable material. Furthermore, the first and second cylindrical rollers are rotated to directly press the UV-curable material when the UV-curable material is cured.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding plastic containers, including a transport device which transports the plastic preforms, including a heating device for heating areas of the plastic preforms and including a stretching device mechanically acting upon the plastic preforms, which stretching device stretches the plastic preforms along the longitudinal direction (L) thereof. The heating device and the stretching device are arranged in such a way that the plastic preforms may be heated before and after the stretching of the plastic preforms.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing plastic containers, including a clocked preform manufacturing means, a temperature control means for thermal conditioning preforms manufactured in the preform manufacturing means, and a continuously working blow molding machine, where the temperature control means is designed and/or configured such that preforms that have been manufactured in one cycle of the preform manufacturing means can be differently temperature controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing light guide plate includes a coater, a first pressing roller, a second pressing roller, and two UV lamps. The first pressing roller and the second pressing roller are positioned nearby each other and space a predetermined distance from each other. The coater distributes UV curable glue through a molding channel between the first pressing roller and the second pressing roller. The first pressing roller and the second pressing roller cooperatively press the distributed UV curable glue. Each of the first and the second pressing roller includes a hollow transparent main body and a molding core sleeving the main body. The molding core is made of resin containing fluorine. The two UV lamps are respectively received in the two main bodies and emit UV light to solidify the UV curable glue pressed between the first and the second pressing roller.