Abstract: A lubricated steel material has a lubricating film on the steel surface. The film has good press formability, film removability, and blocking resistance, and possesses a high level of rust preventing properties in that it can prevent the steel material from rusting when kept in stacked or coiled conditions with no oil application. The lubricated steel material is produced by coating a steel material with a coating composition comprising from 74% to 97.7% by weight of an acrylic resin having an acid number of from 30 to 150 and a glass transition temperature of from 5 to 90° C., from 2% to 20% by weight of a water repellant, preferably one or more classes selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid esters, metal soaps, polyethylene fine powder, and fluoroplastic fine powder, and from 0.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for preventing a photoresist layer from delaminating, peeling, away from the surface of a substrate that already contains an etched three dimensional structure such as a hole or a trench. The process comprises establishing a saturated vapor phase of the solvent media used to formulate the photoresist layer, above the surface of the coated substrate as the applied photoresist is heated in order to “cure” or drive off the retained solvent constituent within the layer. By controlling the rate and manner in which solvent is removed from the photoresist layer the layer is stabilized and kept from differentially shrinking and peeling away from the substrate.

Abstract: By blending novel organosiloxane polymers of the invention with a crosslinking agent and a photoacid generator, photo-curable resin compositions are formulated which can be exposed to radiation in a broad wavelength range and readily form a thin film without oxygen attack. From the compositions, fine patterns having improved dry etching resistance can be formed. Cured coatings of the compositions having improved substrate adhesion, heat resistance, and electrical insulation are suitable as a protective film for electric and electronic parts.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wicket conveyor for conveying a series of wickets through pre-curing, curing and post-curing sections of a curing system. The wicket conveyor forms a continuous loop, having a straight upper track portion, a straight lower track portion and a pair of curved end portions of track that adjoin each end of the straight upper and lower track potions. Each wicket is attached to the wicket conveyor track such that the plane of the wicket is oriented at a predetermined angle. B wicket picks up a horizontally oriented sheet and carries it toward the pre-curing section. The wicket and substrate sheet are reoriented in response to the contour of the conveyor, into a near vertical planar orientation. While in the near vertical orientation, liquid coatings on the surface of the sheet substrate move down the substrate sheet in “sheet flow,” thereby leaving a smooth coating surface prior to curing.

Abstract: A process of drying a cast film polymeric disposed upon a workpiece. In this process a cast polymeric film, which includes a volatile organic compound therein, disposed on a workpiece, is contacted with an extraction agent which may be liquid carbon dioxide or supercritical carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing, with good productivity, information recording materials such as a thermal recording material and an inkjet recording material excellent in coating properties and excellent in various properties. The method comprises forming a coating composition film made of a plurality of coating color layers on a substrate by curtain coating and drying the coating composition film to form part or all of layers for forming an information recording material, and either (1) adjusting the viscosity of each of the coating colors for a plurality of the coating color layers to at least 100 mPa·s and controlling the surface tension of the coating color for a lowermost layer to 18 to 45 mN/m, or (2) controlling the density of the coating color for a layer to be positioned above not to exceed 140% of the density of the coating color for an adjacent layer to be positioned below. The present invention has been completed on the basis of the above findings.

Abstract: A substrate processing method and a substrate processing apparatus are provided to remove a processing liquid from a substrate without using an organic solvent. Upon completion of liquid treatment to dip the substrate W in the processing liquid 30, when exposing a substrate W out of a processing liquid 30 for its removal, the liquid 30 is subjected to an electric field to generate an electric current on the liquid surface and also a magnetic field B. With the arrangement of the electric field and the magnetic field, an electromagnetic force F is produced and applied on the liquid 30 in a direction to leave from a surface of the substrate W.

Abstract: A fluid composition suitable for ink jetting upon a substrate, which includes a copolymer having a low surface energy and a plurality of tertiary amine sites, where the tertiary amine sites are at least partially neutralized with an acid; a nonionic or cationic surfactant; and water. The fluid composition may be used to prepare a printable media comprised of a substrate and an ink receptive thermoplastic image layer supported on the substrate; where the ink receptive layer contains a copolymer having a low surface energy and a plurality of tertiary amine sites, the amine sites being at least partially neutralized with an acid.

Abstract: A printing plate is prepared by the method comprising: (a) providing a substrate; and (b) applying by ink jetting to the substrate a fluid composition comprising a compound which comprises at least one nitrogen-containing heterocyclic moiety, providing a printing plate that is ready-to-use on a press without having to develop it. The printing plate of this invention is capable of extended press run length and advantageously avoids the need of chemical development.

Abstract: Method of modifying the surface properties of a substrate by depositing a coating of hydrogenated amorphous silicon on the surface of the substrate and functionalizing the coated substrate by exposing the substrate to a binding reagent having at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon group under pressure and elevated temperature for an effective length of time. The hydrogenated amorphous silicon coating is deposited by exposing the substrate to silicon hydride gas under pressure and elevated temperature for an effective length of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a paper or board web, wherein the web to be coated is brought to a film transfer coater and taken to a nip between the film transfer roll of the coater and its backing roll, and coating mix is applied onto the surface of the film transfer roll. The web is taken through the nip between the rolls and the rolls are turned, whereby the coating mix applied onto the applicator roll is at least partly transferred onto the surface of the web. The web is supported through the nip by means of a belt traveling at the same speed as the web, the belt having been arranged to travel on the backing roll. The web is taken onto the surface of the belt prior to the nip and separated from the belt after the nip, and it is pressed against the film transfer roll by means of the belt. The length of the path where the web and the film transfer roll are in contact with each other is controlled by varying the position of the web and the belt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a deposited plastic film comprising: a deposited plastic film comprising: a plastic film; a coating layer which is formed on at least one surface of said plastic film and comprises a cured resin composition obtained by curing a resin composition comprising 6 to 80% by weight of an oxazoline group-containing water-soluble polymer; and a deposit layer which comprises a metal, metal oxide or mixture thereof and is formed on a surface of said coating layer.

Abstract: The microcapsule magnetic display sheet is sequentially provided thereon with a transparent front sheet, a microcapsule layer coated on the transparent front sheet and then a ultraviolet ray curable resin layer. The ultraviolet ray curable resin layer is formed by painting liquid ultraviolet raycurable resin on the microcapsule layer first and then hardening it by irradiating it with UV rays. As the liquid ultraviolet ray curable resin can fill fine gaps of the microcapsules, no hollows left between the microcapsules and the UV resin layer. As the UV resin filled in gaps shares wording pressure, the microcapsules are fully protected and hardly be destroyed. After painting the liquid UV ray curable resin on the microcapsule layer and before it IS hardened, a separable film is covered on it. While a film is covered on it, the sheet is hard and if the film is separated, the sheet is soft. So the stiffness of the magnetic display sheet can be regulated by covering or not covering a film.

Abstract: An inorganic antimicrobial composition has the formula AB2O4, wherein A and B are low temperature far infrared irradiating metals, A is Mg, Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, or Fe(II), B is Al, Cr(III), Mn(III) or Fe(III), and O is oxygen. An antimicrobial article is made by coating said composition on a porous honeycomb-shaped substrate. An organic antimicrobial article is made from a quarternary ammonium salt coated on a porous honeycomb-shaped substrate. Processes of making the antimicrobial articles are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating formulation for use in multicoat paint systems, which a) comprises as binder a water-dilutable polyurethane resin which has an acid number of from 10 to 60 and a number-average molecular weight of from 4000 to 25,000 and can be prepared by reacting with one another aa) a polyester—and/or polyether-polyol having a number-average molecular weight of from 400 to 5000 or a mixture of such polyester—and/or polyether-polyols, bb) a polyisocyanate or mixture of polyisocyanates, cc) a compound which has in the molecule at least one group which in reactive toward isocyanate groups and at least one group which is capable of forming anions, or a mixture of such compounds, and optionally dd) a hydroxyl—and/or amino-containing organic compound having a molecular weight of from 40 to 400, or a mixture of such compounds and at least partially neutralizing the resulting reaction product, and b) comprises pigments and/or fillers, the ratio of binder to pigment

Abstract: A process of applying an inorganic coating to an electrically conducting body, in particular a metallic workpiece, is characterized with respect to a precisely controllable temperature variation with short temperature changes in an economical and energy-saving operation in that the body first undergoes a preparation. Thereafter, if need be, the body is degreased and/or chemically pretreated and/or blasted. Subsequently, a coating medium is applied to at least the surface region of the body being coated. Then, at least the surface region of the body being coated is heated by induction to a reaction temperature before and/or while and/or after applying the coating medium. Finally, the coating medium is fully reacted to a coating, whereupon the body undergoes a cooling.

Abstract: A fluoro-carbon resinous laminate has a crack-resistant surface on a fluoro-carbon resinous layer thereof produced by coating a single surface or both surfaces of a plastic film with a single layer of a fluoro-carbon resinous dispersion, and a method of producing the laminate. To produce the fluoro-carbon resinous laminate, which is a minimum of 10 .mu.m in thickness, a single surface or both surfaces of a plastic film are coating with a single layer of concentration-adjusted fluoro-carbon resinous dispersion and then dried, followed by curing the resinous dispersion in a thermal treating furnace with heated atmospheric air or by adding organic solvent to the resinous dispersion, the enabling production of a fluoro-carbon resinous laminate having a surface appearance in which cracks cannot visually be identified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a sheet of plastic coated with a hard varnish on at least part of at least one of its sides, including:1) preparing a sheet of plastic by injection molding,2) applying the varnish to the said sheet, and3) heating the combination at a temperature at least equal to the softening point of the plastic of which the sheet is made, the varnish of at least a central part of the said combination being free of any mechanical contact other than that with the said sheet; the flat or curved transparent sheet thus obtained; its application as a motor-vehicle component containing a transparent part forming glazing and as motor-vehicle glazing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate provided with super-absorbent material to be manufactured by allowing suitable monomers to polymerize in the presence of a catalyst in order to obtain a polymer solution, adding a cross-linking agent to the polymer solution to obtain a pasty composition, subsequently applying the composition on or in a substrate and allowing the applied composition to dry and cross-link in order to obtain the substrate with the super-absorbent material. The pasty composition further contains other additives. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a substrate. The substrates can be used as sheathing material in cables, in hygiene products such as baby napkins, sanitary towels and incontinence products, in or as packagings and packaging materials and in agricultural substrates. The invention also relates to such products.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for producing printing plates comprising rapid, efficient drying of solvent-containing resin compositions of the printing plates and apparatus useful therefor. Printing plates processed employing invention methods and apparatus are ready for use in printing applications in a relatively short period of time, especially compared to the time required for conventional convection drying. Moreover, printing plates processed according to the present invention method and apparatus are not subjected to excessive levels of heat, as is frequently the case with conventional convection drying. Excessive heating tends to be detrimental to the performance properties of the polymeric resin. In a particular aspect of the present invention, there are provided novel compositions which, upon drying according to the methods described herein, undergo a color change, thereby indicating when the drying process is substantially complete.

Abstract: A method for plating substrates with 24 K gold. The method includes precleaning the substrate; applying a paint base coat electrostatically; curing the base coat; plating the gold by vacuum metallization; applying a clear paint top coat; and curing the top coat. The method is applicable to metals, including zinc, and plastics, including polycarbonate.

Abstract: An assay plate for detecting the presence of a mobile reactant that binds to a immobilized reactant and the methods of making and using the same. An assay plate according to the present invention includes a substrate and at least one dried aliquot of the immobilized reactant, the immobilized reactant being bound to the surface of the substrate. The immobilized reactant binds the mobile reactant when a solution containing the mobile reactant is brought into contact with the immobilized reactant. The mobile and immobilized reactants may be any pair of biological compounds that have a specific affinity for one another. For example the reactants may be nucleic acids or antibody-antigen pairs. The preferred embodiment of an assay plate according to the present invention includes a plurality of assay spots, each spot having a different immobilized reactant or concentration thereof.

Abstract: Copolymerizable benzophenone photoinitiators of the formula I ##STR1## wherein 1, k=0, 1, 2.R.sub.1 =divalent organic group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms;R.sub.2 =H or methyl; andR.sub.3, R.sub.4 =organic group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms.X, Y=hydrogen, halogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.25) groups containing N, S, and/or O;and method of making the photoinitiators.The photoinitiators overcome the leaching problem with prior photoinitiators in radiation curable polymer applications. Radiation curable polymers, cured polymers, and coated articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyether urethane of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 denotes H or an alkyd (sic) radical of 1 to 8 carbon atoms,R.sup.2 denotes an alkylene radical of 2 to 10 carbon atoms or a cycloalkylene radical of 6 to 20 carbon atoms or an arylene radical of 6 to 20 carbon atoms,R.sup.3, R.sup.4 denote an optionally substituted alkyl radical of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or a joint ring whose members are R.sup.3 and R.sup.4,n denotes 2 to 1800m denotes 1 to 15.The invention further relates to a process for its preparation, to a flow-out agent for water-borne paints and to the use of the polyether urethanes as flow-out agents in water-borne, cathodically depositable electro-coating paints.

Abstract: A formable, weldable, VOC-free protective coating for use on a number of substrates including metal, wood, concrete, plastic, pipe and transportation equipment. The composition includes beeswax, ammonia, water and, optionally, paraffin. It may also include fillers, dyes, pigments and corrosion inhibitors, but does not require surfactants or stabilizers. The composition is particularly useful for protecting steel prior to welding. It can be removed without organic solvents.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of heating a substrate at a temperature not less than 200.degree. C., for example 800.degree. C., for a sufficient period; cooling the substrate down to room temperature; coating a chemically amplified resist film on the surface of the substrate; exposing a patterning region of the resist film; developing the resist film to form a resist pattern; and etching the surface of the substrate by a certain thickness, employing the resist pattern as a mask. In forming fine resist pattern using chemically amplified resist, resolution can be improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for manufacturing a mould for a disc-shaped registration carrier, said device being provided with a station for applying a photosensitive layer, such as a photoresist layer, to a substrate, with a station for exposing said photosensitive layer in accordance with the registration data to be stored, with a station for developing the photosensitive layer and metallizing the side of the substrate carrying the developed photoresist layer, and with a station for applying a metal coating, wherein the various stations are accommodated in a housing and means for receiving the substrates are provided in the various stations, whilst a transport mechanism disposed within the housing is provided with at least one transport means for gripping a substrate, which transport means is movable in a horizontal plane in two directions including an angle with each other, and which is also capable of moving upward and downward within the housing.

Abstract: A syndiotactic styrenic polymer film has a coated layer. The film has a height of waviness of not higher than 18 mm. A process for the preparation of the same is also disclosed. A silver halide photographic material having the syndiotactic styrenic polymer film as a support is further disclosed.

Abstract: A roll of film consists of polyester film having a film thickness of less than 2 .mu.m and having a water content of less than 0.06 weight percent, based on the weight of polyester. The roll of polyester film is suitable for vacuum metallization.

Abstract: A method for plating zinc substrates with 24K gold. The method includes precleaning the substrate; applying a paint base coat electrostatically; curing the base coat; plating the gold by vacuum metallization; applying a clear paint top coat; and curing the top coat.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a biodegradable hydrophobic and transparent film, comprising the following steps:(a) producing a mixture including an alginate of algal origin the algae being chosen from the group consisting of, chlorophyceae, rhodophyceae, or phaeophyceae, or a synthetic equivalents thereof an aqueous solvent and a plasticizer which is miscible with the alqinate and the solvent;(b) forming a film from this mixture;(c) drying the film thus obtained;(d) treating at least one face of the dry film with a solution of tanning material selected from the group consisting of an alum, a tannin or a chrome tanning solution and then with a solution of a compound capable of ensuring the gelling of the alginate, said compound being chosen from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, calcium or zinc chloride, calcium or zinc sulfate.

Abstract: A moisture-permeable, waterproof fabric comprising a textile fabric and a resin coating containing a fluorine-containing polyurethane resin and polyurethane resin having a low degree of polymerization on at least one side of said textile fabric. This moisture-permeable, waterproof fabric is obtained by a process comprising coating a resin solution, containing a fluorine-containing polyurethane resin and a polyurethane resin having a low degree of polymerization, on at least one side of a textile fabric, followed by coagulating the resin, removing the solvent, drying the fabric and applying a water repellent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing dried sized glass fibers wherein a drying device is used to produce current flow along sized fibers to thereby partially or fully dry the size on the fibers. The apparatus may include an applicator for applying a size to the fibers and a drying device which comprises a high voltage electrode connected to a high voltage source and at least one grounded electrode. Drying is performed by passing the sized fibers by the electrodes such that a current flows along the sized fibers from the high voltage electrode to the at least one grounded electrode. The grounded electrodes may comprise grounded gathering shoes.

Abstract: Proposed is an improved method for the formation of a silica-based coating film on the surface of a substrate such as a silicon wafer in the manufacture of semiconductor devices by coating the substrate surface with a polysilazane-containing coating solution followed by conversion of the coating layer of polysilazane into a silica-based coating film. The method comprises drying the coating layer of the polysilazane according to a heating schedule at a specified heating rate with continuous or stepwise increase of the temperature up to 240.degree. to 350.degree. C. followed by an irradiation treatment with far ultraviolet light at a temperature of 240.degree. to 350.degree. C. and then by a baking treatment at 350.degree. to 800.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the electrostatic charge developed on a resin powder composition for electrostatic coating of solid objects and the method of application thereof. The apparatus comprises a device for charging the powder by electrical induction/conduction such that the powder particles have a resistivity of from about 10.sup.9 to about 10.sup.13 ohm.meters at 20 percent relative humidity and spraying the charged powder onto an grounded solid object to which it adheres prior to the thermal fusing to produce a permanent finish.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process which comprises the steps of producing moldings from intrinsically conductive polymers on a substrate, the moldings being conductive layer components having a specific conductivity of >10.sup.-2 S/cm, by depositing a predetermined amount of a metastable dispersion of the intrinsically conductive polymers to form the conductive component.

Abstract: To color code optical fibers, a ultraviolet light curable ink is mixed with a carrier fluid. The mixture is then applied to a horizontally moving optical fiber by an ink applicator using a rigid applicator die. The fiber then passes through a convection oven to evaporate the carrier fluid and a ultraviolet light radiator to cure the ultraviolet light curable ink.

Abstract: An improved stereolithographic apparatus and method is described. In one embodiment, the improvement includes immersing at least a portion of a part in a volume of a liquid solvent in a vapor degreaser while subjecting the portion to ultrasonic agitation to substantially remove excess resin. Several examples of solvents are provided, including ethanol, and Freon TMS. In a second embodiment, the improvement includes building the part on a layer of liquid resin supported by a volume of a dense, immiscible, and UV transparent intermediate liquid, and integratably immersing at least a portion of the built part in the intermediate liquid, and then either subjecting the immersed portion to ultrasonic agitation to substantially remove excess resin, or subjecting the immersed portion to UV light. Several examples of intermediate liquids are provided, including perfluorinated fluids, such as Fluorinert FC-40, and water-based salt solutions, such as solutions of magnesium sulfate or sodium chloride in water.

Abstract: A preservative-bearing pad and a method of using same to treat the interface between a railroad cross tie and tie plate. A sandwich of water-soluble active ingredient disposed between two layers of biodegradable hydrophilic backing is simply placed on the adzed portion of a cross tie prior to installation of the tie plate and rail during a rail laying or relaying operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an object by stereolithography from layers of a medium solidifiable upon exposure to synergistic stimulation by selecting an area element of a first layer of medium. The depth of the medium within the object underlying the area element is determined and compared to the depth to the minimum solidification depth of the medium. The area element is exposed to solidifying synergistic stimulation only if the depth of the medium equals or exceeds the minimum solidification depth. A next layer is created over the first layer without exposing the first layer to solidifying synergistic stimulation, if the depth is less than the minimum solidification depth. The layers may have a thickness selected such that the minimum solidification depth is a integer multiple of the layer thickness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing thin films, which comprises dispersing or dissolving inorganic substance or hydrophobic organic substance in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactant having HLB value of 10 to 20, to obtain micelle solution or dispersion, dipping a semiconductive or photoconductive substrate into said micelle solution or dispersion, applying an electric potential on said substrate if necessary, and irradiating lights on the contact interface of said mecelle solution or dispersion and said substrate, and thus forming thin films of said inorganic substance or hydrophobic inorganic substance on said substrate.Also disclosed is a process for producing color filters having excellent properties, which comprises forming color separation filter on the substrate according to the above-mentioned process, by the use of pigments or dyes in three primary colors of red, green, and blue.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating substrates by photolytic dissociation or decomposition of a coating material includes a reactor vessel. A UV radiation source and the substrate to be coated are both disposed in the reactor vessel.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive acrylate-based adhesive copolymers comprising polymerized acrylate units and polymerized fluorochemical surfactant units and a process for preparing same. Also prepolymeric compositions comprising the monomeric components of an acrylate-based pressure-sensitive adhesive and a polymerizable fluorochemical surfactant. The prepolymeric compositions generally have surface energy lower than that of the monomeric components of the acrylate-based pressure sensitive adhesive alone. Also, the adhesive compositions better maintain adhesive properties when aged when compared to corresponding adhesive compositions involving non-polymerizable fluorochemical surfactants.

Abstract: A composition for absorbing electromagnetic radiation (such as microwave, infrared, visible light radiation ultraviolet radiation), wherein said electromagnetic radiation possesses a wavelength generally in the range of from about 1000 Angstroms to about 50 meters, wherein said composition comprises a polyaniline composition of the formula ##STR1## where y can be equal to or greater than zero and R' and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of --H, --OCH.sub.3, --CH.sub.3, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --NR.sup.3.sub.2, --NHCOR.sub.3, --OH, --O, --SR.sup.3, --OR.sup.3, --OCOR.sup.3, --NO.sub.2, --COOH, --COOR.sup.3, --COR.sup.3, --CHO, and --CN, where R.sup.3 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.a alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group.

Abstract: This invention relates to aryloxy polyvinyl ethers having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a radical having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms and is selected from the group of alkylene, alkyleneoxy alkylene, polyalkyleneoxy alkylene, arylene, alkarylene, alkarylalkylene and aralkylene; X is oxygen or sulfur; A is branched or linear alkylene having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; B is halo or lower alkyl; n has a value of from 1 to 6 and p has a value of from 0 to 4. The invention also relates to the preparation and use of said aryloxy divinyl ethers.

Abstract: A thermally activated method of depositing a metal on a localized microscopic portion of a substrate, that can be carried out at relatively low process temperatures, and that is particularly useful for depositing metals in an amount and purity sufficient for electrical conductivity on substrates containing microelectronic circuits and devices or their respective precursors.

Abstract: A stripping method is provided to remove processed photoresist images from printed circuit substrates without damage to underlying high density circuitry. A solid particulate blast process is used to remove the resist images wherein the polymeric particles having a Mho hardness in the range from 2.0 to 4.0 are used as the blast media.

Abstract: Light transmission paste and a metallic copper deposition method of the present invention can educe metallic copper in the desired portion by applying or contacting light transmission paste on cuprous oxide and applying light upon the desired portion. Also, the light is applied through a mask corresponding to the pattern to be obtained, so that desired circuit pattern may be easily obtained. Further, metallic copper of high density may be educed by the contacting or applying metal deposition paste upon metal of a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating integral three-dimensional objects from successive layers of photoformable compositions by exposing the layers of the composition through a detachable flexible transparent film, one side of the film being in contact with the composition and the other side of the film with a rigid transparent plate, which guides and supports the film.

Abstract: Apparatus for and related methods of forming three-dimensional objects out of a building material, which is normally solid but which is flowable when heated. In one embodiment a support material is used to fill in portions of layers which are not to be solidified as part of the object to provide support to otherwise unsupported portions of other layers. Advantageously, the support material is also normally solid and flowable when heated, and has a lower melting point than the building material enabling the support material to later be removed without damaging the object. In an alternative embodiment this support material can be used to build a support such as a web support or the like for supporting an object surface from a second surface.