Abstract: By reversing the direction of a first build material fed into an extruder, the first build material can be wholly or partially evacuated from the extruder before a second material is introduced. This approach mitigates transition artifacts and permits faster, more complete changes from one build material to another.

Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system includes providing a bitslice stack having a plurality of bitslices and printing a plurality of successive layers of the three-dimensional part with the additive manufacturing system based on the bitslices in the bitslice stack. The method includes measuring density of the three-dimensional part under construction near an intermediate build surface after one or more of the successive layers are printed. The method includes determining differences across the intermediate build surface of the measured density to a targeted density to identify one or more density error regions across the intermediate build surface, wherein the density error regions comprise low density regions, and modifying the bitslice stack to compensate for the one or more density error regions.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a blade. The blade comprises an airfoil (100) having: a root end and a tip (106); a metallic substrate (102) along at least a portion of the airfoil; and an anodized layer (154). The method comprises roughening the tip to form protrusions (158?; 402?) and anodizing to form the anodized layer so that the protrusions form an abrasive (156; 400).

Abstract: Three-dimensional printer fabrication is improved receiving a digital model of an object, the digital model specifying two or more different build materials; prioritizing the two or more different build materials with a ranking; identifying exclusive locations in the plurality of layers where a surface layer of the object has one of the two or more different build materials; generating an external structure for the object according to one or more design rules; matching a first build material of the external structure to a second build material of the object at each of the exclusive locations; and generating tool instructions for fabricating the object and the external structure using at least the first build material and the second build material.

Abstract: In a slice image creation device, a peeling processor performs peeling on a peeling line segment in a circulation direction of the peeling line segment. When the peeling reaches an intersection at which line segments of contours cross each other, an intersection information acquisition processor acquires intersection information including an intersection angle defined at the intersection by the peeling line segment and each candidate line segment connected to the intersection in a direction that is the same as the circulation direction of the peeling line segment. A transfer processor sets one of the candidate line segments that has the smallest intersection angle as the line segment to which the peeling is going to be transferred next from the peeling line segment at the intersection.

Abstract: Three dimensional printing or additive manufacturing apparatus for creating two dimensional “slices” of a three dimensional object, with successive slices built up in the third dimension to form the three dimensional object. The printing apparatus may include selectable or interchangeable print head apparatus to support multiple modes of slice formation. To facilitate multiple formation methods the apparatus may include multiple interchangeable build surfaces, preferably having common physical interface features for ease of swapping, and otherwise having differing characteristics as appropriate for the individual formation or building modes.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include an approach to performing quality assessment for 3-D printed objects during the printing process, for collecting data regarding 3-D printed objects, and for capturing data to make a digital model of an object. This approach uses sensor data (e.g., digital imagery) to characterize printing progress or to detect 3-D printing defects that would otherwise result in printing incomplete objects, such as premature printing job termination, dry printing, over/under application, movement of the filament, and other defects. Sensor data capturing can also be used as part of a destructive scanning process to perform post-printing object assessment or to collect data on a real-world object to facilitate creation of a digital model. These systems and methods may leverage the discrete nature of a pixel provided through digital imagery to be assessed with limited computational resources in a non-recursive manner.

Abstract: According to at least one illustrative embodiment, a computer device and a corresponding method of enabling customization and 3-D prototyping of a 3-D representation of an object illustrated by an interactive content item comprise providing, by the computer device, an interactive content item including a representation of a three-dimensional (3-D) object to a client device. Upon an end user of the client device interacts with the interactive content item and provides one or more customization parameters for a 3-D representation of the 3-D object, the computer device receives the one or more customization parameters from the client device. The computer device then cause a 3-D representation of the 3-D object to be printed by a 3-D printer associated with the client device.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional article includes sequentially forming a plurality of first two-dimensional layers and a second two-dimensional layer. The second two-dimensional layer includes a second outer edge and a second inner area within the boundary defined by the second outer edge. The second inner area includes uniform physical characteristic and a watermark area within the second inner area having a physical characteristic different from that of the second inner area. An article includes a body with an inner area having a physical characteristic. A watermark is within the inner area and has a physical characteristic different from the physical characteristic of the inner area.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) objects, 3D printing processes, as well as methods, apparatuses and systems for the production of a 3D object. Methods, apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need for auxiliary supports. The present disclosure provides three dimensional (3D) objects printed utilizing the printing processes, methods, apparatuses and systems described herein.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a layout of an integrated circuit that includes a plurality of layers, one of the layers is selected and one or more tile number values are provided. A die area of the integrated circuit is partitioned into a plurality of tiles on the basis of the tile number values. It is determined, on the basis of the layout, if a portion of the selected one of the layers in the tile has an available space for inclusion of a test cell or a dummy cell, and a label indicative of a result is assigned to the tile. It is determined, on the basis of the labels assigned, if one or more space availability criteria are fulfilled and, if fulfilled, the labels are used for placing at least one of one or more test cells and one or more dummy cells in the layout.

Abstract: This invention provides a continuous process for the growth of vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCNT) reinforced continuous fiber preforms for the manufacture of articles with useful mechanical, electrical, and thermal characteristics. Continuous fiber preforms are treated with a catalyst or catalyst precursor and processed without vaporization of the preform to yield VGCNT produced in situ resulting in a highly entangled mass of VGCNT infused with the continuous fiber preform. The continuous process disclosed herein provides denser and more uniform carbon nanotubes and provides the opportunity to fine-tune the variables both within an individual preform and between different preforms depending on the characteristics of the carbon nanotubes desired. The resulting continuous fiber preforms are essentially endless and are high in volume fraction of VGCNT and exhibit high surface area useful for many applications. The invention also provides for composites made from the preforms.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming at least one three-dimensional article by fusing parts of a powder bed layer-wise. The apparatus comprising a powder distributor and an energy beam for fusing the powder layer. Said powder distributor comprises a first part being an elongated rod provided movable at a predetermined distance above the powder bed and with its central axis in parallel with a top surface of said work table and second part being a metal foil having at least a first and a second opposite edge portions. Said metal foil is provided between said elongated rod and said work table, said first and second opposite edge portions are attached to said elongated rod so that a distance between said first and second edge portions is smaller than the distance between said first and second edge portions of said metal foil when said metal foil is in a flat position.

Abstract: Ophthalmic lens molds made from at least one vinyl alcohol copolymers with high amorphous content, ophthalmic lenses including silicone hydrogel contact lenses formed using these molds, packaged ophthalmic lenses present in a solution comprising the at least one vinyl alcohol copolymer with high amorphous content, and related methods are described. The methods of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses can use wet demolding, delensing or demolding and delensing processes involving dissolving the molds in water or an aqueous solution.

Abstract: Ophthalmic device molds made from at least one highly amorphous vinyl alcohol polymer, ophthalmic devices such as ocular inserts and contact lenses and including silicone hydrogel devices formed using these molds, and related methods are described. The methods of manufacturing ophthalmic devices can use dry or wet demolding processes, or dry or wet delensing processes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-material functional article, the method comprising the steps of providing a design module from a database, the design module encoded with physical characteristics, material needs, additive manufacturing equipment required, and performance outputs required for modeling a multi-material functional article, allowing a user access to the design module to integrate the design module into a functional article design, having the design module interface with available additive manufacturing equipment and allowing the user to print the multi-material functional article.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for managing digital rights and pre-verification of structural integrity in three-dimensional (3D) printing are provided. In one example, a system comprises at least one module, executing on one or more computer processors, to receive a request from a user to print a 3D object by a 3D printer or printing service and receive a conditional authorization from an owner of digital rights in the 3D object to print the 3D object. The conditional authorization can include a printing specification or limitation. The at least one module pre-verifies, for structural integrity once printed by the 3D printer or printing service, a digital model on which the 3D object is based. In response to a received conditional authorization, the at least one module transmits instructions to the 3D printer or printing service to print the 3D object.

Abstract: Systems and films for protecting surfaces of various substrates, including electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices, include a liner with a strip liner and a main liner. The strip liner, which covers a small strip of adhesive on the back side of a protective film, is configured to be removed before the main liner. With the small strip of adhesive exposed, the protective film may be aligned with a substrate and, if necessary, removed from the substrates and repositioned thereon. Thereafter, the main liner may be removed to enable complete application of the protective film to the substrate. Methods for securing protective films to substrates are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a method of producing a three-dimensional porous tissue in-growth structure. The method includes the steps of depositing a first layer of metal powder and scanning the first layer of metal powder with a laser beam to form a portion of a plurality of predetermined unit cells. Depositing at least one additional layer of metal powder onto a previous layer and repeating the step of scanning a laser beam for at least one of the additional layers in order to continuing forming the predetermined unit cells. The method further includes continuing the depositing and scanning steps to form a medical implant.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mold to form an article is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes preparing a quantity of fluid including lightweight oil, submerging the mold in the quantity of fluid such that the fluid at least partially enters internal cavities of the mold, and filling asperities defined in walls of the mold. The filling includes creating a negative pressure in the mold while submerged in the quantity of fluid, and removing substantially all air from the internal cavities.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mold to form an article is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes preparing a quantity of fluid including lightweight oil, submerging the mold in the quantity of fluid such that the fluid at least partially enters internal cavities of the mold, and filling asperities defined in walls of the mold. The filling includes creating a negative pressure in the mold while submerged in the quantity of fluid, and removing substantially all air from the internal cavities.

Abstract: In various implementations, a computing device is configured to reconstruct a 3D model, such that reconstruction of the 3D model prevents the printing of long lines typically associated with cracking, bending, or decreased structural integrity of a 3D printed object based on the 3D model. In some implementations, a sliced 3D model is analyzed to determine that a structural characteristic of the 3D model is compatible for reconstruction. The 3D model is then reconstructed based on the determination that the 3D model is compatible. Other implementations analyze the 3D model to determine whether at least a portion of the 3D model shell has a seamless body. In this regard, the 3D model is reconstructed based on determining that the shell portion has a seamless body.

Abstract: Provided herein are biocompatible scaffolds and methods of preparing such bioscaffolds. The methods provide a superior high surface area, interconnected nanomacroporous bioactive glass scaffold, by combining a sol-gel process and polymer sponge replication methods. The formation of a uniformly nanoporous and interconnected macroporous bioscaffold is demonstrated using a starting material comprising a 70 mol % SiO2—30 mol % CaO glass composition as an example. The bioscaffold includes a series of open, interconnected macropores with size from 300 to 600 ?m, as desired for tissue ingrowth and vascularization. At the same time, coexisting nanopores provide high-specific surface area (>150 m2/g), which is needed for enhancing the structure's degradation rate. These bioscaffolds hold promise for applications in hard tissue engineering.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing parts and molds by: 1) slicing a three-dimensional CAD model of a part or mold; 2) planning a modeling path according to slicing data of the three-dimensional CAD model, whereby generating numerical control codes for modeling processing; and 3) performing fused deposition modeling of powders or wire material of metal, intermetallic compounds, ceramic and composite functional gradient materials by layer using a welding gun on a substrate layer via a numerical control gas shielded welding beam or laser beam according to a track specified by the numerical control code for each layer. A micro-roller or a micro-extrusion unit is installed at a contact area between melted and softened areas. The micro-roller or the micro-extrusion unit synchronously moves along with fused deposition area, which results in compressing and processing of the fused deposition area during the fused deposition modeling.

Abstract: A plastic container includes a medium applied to a portion of the container. A digital image is applied to a portion of the medium, the digital image being comprised of a plurality of ink droplets. Methods for digital printing on a portion of a medium that is applied to a container are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a laminated object, includes a powder layer forming unit for forming a powder layer of a powdery material, a material supply unit for feeding the powdery material to the powder layer forming unit; and a solidified layer forming unit for forming a solidified layer by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of the powder layer and sintering or melting the specified portion of the powder layer. The apparatus is configured to produce an integrally laminated three-dimensional object by repeating formation of the powder layer and formation of the solidified layer. The material supply unit includes a cartridge unit charged with the powdery material, the cartridge unit being configured to allow the powdery material to drop downwards.

Abstract: A system and method to fabricate three dimensional objects. A set of fabrication tools include at least a coarse deposition head and a fine additive head, a fine subtractive head or both employed concurrently within a single housing. A scanner may also be used within the housing to perform interleaved scanning of the partial fabrication during the fabrication. The process may be adjusted based on the scan results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional models by a layering technique, at least one print head (8) being provided for selective dispensing of at least one material onto a target surface in the form of droplets. The print head (8) is in engagement with a receptacle at two points spaced a distance apart, the position and alignment of the print head (8) relative to the target surface is steplessly adjustable in all spatial directions via these two points, and the receptacle and the target surface are movable in relation to each other.

Abstract: In the case of a method and an apparatus, three-dimensional objects (16) can be produced from a solidifiable material by the sequential discharging of discontinuous drops (15). To this end, the solidifiable material is plasticized in the fluid phase and is introduced into a material store (12) having at least one discharging unit (13) which can be clocked. From there, the material is discharged in a dropwise manner by means of a discharging unit (13) in the direction of an object carrier (14) for an object (16), wherein the object carrier (14) and an outlet opening can be moved at a relative spacing in relation to one another in space in order to influence the drop shape. The creation of the drops is supported by changing the relative spacing in an alternating manner in opposite directions during the discharging of the drops from the discharging unit (13) and during the application of the drops to the three-dimensional object (16) during the production of the object.

Abstract: A printer detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three dimensional objects. The printer includes a substrate onto which a printhead ejects building and support material in a test pattern. An ultrasonic sensor scans the substrate on the unprinted side and measures thicknesses at a plurality of locations on the substrate. The thickness measurements are used to identify inoperative inkjets in the printhead and the printing of an object can be suspended to take remedial action with regard to the printhead before formation of the object is completed.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer-wise solidification of a building material at positions in the respective layer corresponding to the cross-section of the object to be manufactured by introducing energy by means of electromagnetic radiation, wherein a calculation, which stresses will occur inside of the object during the layer-wise manufacturing, is carried out and wherein the object to be manufactured obtains additional structures with respect to the required shape of the object to be manufactured when a critical value is exceeded.

Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling method having a high degree of flexibility in selecting sheet materials, and capable of performing modeling with high accuracy is provided. In each of a plurality of sheets used for the three-dimensional modeling method in one aspect of the disclosure, a body layer 2 to be cut in a cutting step and an adhesive layer 3 formed on at least a partial region of a surface of the body layer 2 and serving for adhesion to another sheet are stacked.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) continuous color printer includes one or more cartridges each with a building material stored therein, a mixer coupled to each cartridge, and a single printhead coupled to a mixer output, wherein the building material stored in the cartridge is transported to the mixer and the single print head to form a continuous color object.

Abstract: A system and methods for solid freeform fabrication of an object is disclosed. The system comprises a solid freeform fabrication apparatus having a plurality of dispensing heads, a building material supply apparatus configured to supply a plurality of building materials to the fabrication apparatus, and a control unit configured for controlling the fabrication apparatus and the supply apparatus based on an operation mode selected from a plurality of predetermined operation modes.

Abstract: When first cross-sectional image data representing a target model corresponding to a shape of a three-dimensional printing object, and second cross-sectional image data representing both of the target model and a support model corresponding to a shape of a member assisting the creation of the three-dimensional printing object, are recognized to match each other by at least a predetermined ratio, the second cross-sectional image data is stored on storage means as third cross-sectional image data. By contrast, when the first cross-sectional image data and the second cross-sectional image data are recognized not to match each other by at least the predetermined ratio, synthesis data of the first cross-sectional image data and the second cross-sectional image data is stored on the storage medium as the third cross-sectional image data. The three-dimensional printing object is created based on the third cross-sectional image data.

Abstract: generating an image data for cross sectional layers of the three-dimensional object, wherein the image data includes a first set of data for selectively printing building material at a first print resolution and a second set of data for printing one or more colored additives at a higher resolution and selectively depositing the building material and the one or more additives on successive layers based on the 2D image data to produce the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: Node-based remote operations of additive manufacturing device are disclosed. In an aspect, a system for operating a remote additive manufacturing device is disclosed. Each computing device is a node in a communications path and contains an instance of a command software program configured to receive and send a single set of commands, ensure the integrity of such commands and/or operate communicatively connected additive manufacturing devices.

Abstract: Items may be packaged for shipping or storage using additive manufacturing techniques, also known as three dimensional (3-D) printing. Packages made by such processes may be referred to as 3-D printed packages and may include packing material printed at least partially around the item(s) and/or an outer cover printed about at least a portion of an exterior of the packing material and/or the item(s). A packaging system may include a 3-D printer and a computing device communicatively coupled to the 3-D printer. The computing device may obtain a packaging model describing a package for one or more items. A print module of the computing device may include instructions to print the package at least partially about the item(s) according to the packaging model.

Abstract: A computer readable non-transitory recording medium storing a control program for controlling a manufacturing apparatus which manufactures a printing plate from a thermoplastic porous material and comprises a thermal head with a plurality of heater elements, the control program causing a computer to: acquire print data corresponding to a print pattern and including pixel data, with each item of pixel data corresponding to each area of the surface of the porous material partitioned into a lattice shape; identify, based on the print data, print pixel data that is part of the pixel data and is pixel data comprising the print pattern, and non-print pixel data that is the other part of the pixel data and is pixel data not comprising the print pattern; selectively apply a first heat quantity to a first area corresponding to the non-print pixel data by at least one first heater element, among the plurality of heater elements provided on the thermal head, that makes contact with the first area; and selectively apply

Abstract: A fused deposition modeling (FDM) extrusion head is configured to receive control signals from a controller. The FDM extrusion head receives a stream of thermofusible material into an input channel; forces the stream of thermofusible material into a liquefier channel using a mechanical driver; heats the stream of thermofusible material within the liquefier channel to a specified temperature above melting point of the thermofusible material; and receives the heated thermofusible material from an outlet of the liquefier channel and expels the heated thermofusible material through an extrusion tip.

Abstract: A physical model of at least a portion of a patient's dentition has model dental surfaces corresponding to real dental surfaces of the patient's dentition. The physical model includes one or more targets, each configured for facilitating placement of an 5 orthodontic appliance on the model at a desired location. The targets lack mechanical stops that are outwardly protruding from the original model dental surfaces. Also provided are a method of manufacturing a physical model for use in indirect bonding procedures, a method for indirect bonding for use in an orthodontic procedure, a method for providing an indirect bonding transfer tray for use in an orthodontic procedure, and a 10 system for providing a physical model for use in indirect bonding orthodontic procedures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a moldless three-dimensional printing method and apparatus for applying the method. The method comprises intermittently feeding a continuous sheet material into a build chamber, and maintaining a determined tension of the continuous sheet material. The method comprises ablating predetermined areas corresponding to internal part features of a layer of a manufactured object in a section of the sheet material. The method comprises positioning the section of the sheet material on top of a previous section of the sheet material. The method comprises bonding the section of sheet material to the previous section of the sheet material. The bonding includes applying a determined pressure and at least one determined temperature. The method comprises ablating external contours of the bonded section of the sheet material. The method further comprises controlling an ablation temperature, the determined pressure and the at least one determined temperature of the bonding.

Abstract: Three-dimensional printer fabrication is improved receiving a digital model of an object, the digital model specifying two or more different build materials; prioritizing the two or more different build materials with a ranking; identifying exclusive locations in the plurality of layers where a surface layer of the object has one of the two or more different build materials; generating an external structure for the object according to one or more design rules; matching a first build material of the external structure to a second build material of the object at each of the exclusive locations; and generating tool instructions for fabricating the object and the external structure using at least the first build material and the second build material.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a device and method for manufacturing patterns in layers. The device includes an auxiliary frame, a vertically displaceable build platform, a dispensing device for applying a binder material onto the build platform, a mounting platform, a mounting platform, and a spreader device for applying particulate material. The mounting platform preferably is connected to the auxiliary frame and includes a cut-out for the build platform. The dispensing device, the spreader device, and the build platform are connected to the mounting platform, so that the dispensing device, the spreader device and the build platform are cable of being mounted, adjusted, and wired to the mounting platform while located outside the auxiliary frame.

Abstract: Methods and techniques of using 3D printers to create physical models from image data are discussed. Geometric representations of different physical models are described and complex data conversion processes that convert input image data into geometric representations compatible with third party 3D printers are disclosed. Printing templates are used to encapsulate complex geometric representations and complicated data conversion processes from users for fast and simple 3D physical model printing applications.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a light source unit, at least one image-capturing module, a processing unit and a printing device. The image-capturing module includes an image-capturing unit and a focus-adjusting lens group. The processing unit controls a zooming lens to change a shooting focal length and controlling multiple images of the object to be measured captured by the image-capturing unit under the different shooting focal lengths, wherein each of the plural images includes focused and unfocused local images therein, and the processing unit calculates out a three-dimensional profile data of the object to be measured according to the focused local images in the images and the shooting focal lengths corresponding to the focused local images. The printing device prints multiple cross-sectional profiles corresponding to the object to be measured. Further, a method for three-dimensional printing is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for interactively producing a 3D representation of a vector graphic is disclosed. A vector graphic representing a 2D graphic having a number of endpoints joined by vector segments is automatically or interactively converted into a triangulated mesh in a form readable by a 3D printer. The conversion from vector graphic to a triangulated mesh is accomplished by generating an n-sided polygon in the vicinity of each endpoint of the vector graphic. Each of the vertices of the polygon are then be joined by a line to a corresponding vertex on the next adjacent polygon. Each vertex is also joined to an adjacent vertex on the next adjacent polygon. The process is continued until all polygons are joined, resulting in a triangulated mesh, which is then converted into a format readable by a 3D printer and sent to a 3D printer to produce the 3D representation.

Abstract: A method of making a multi-chromatic dental appliance. A first article can be formed of a first material based on a first digital surface representation having a desired outer shape of the dental appliance. A portion of the first article can then be removed to form an outer layer of the dental appliance comprising a cavity dimensioned to accommodate an inner layer. A second article can be formed by filling the cavity of the first article with a second material. The second material can have at least one different optical property than the first material. The second article can be further processed, as desired. For example, a desired inner shape of the dental appliance can be formed in the second article. Such a desired inner shape can be based on a second digital surface representation of a dental object configured to receive the dental appliance.

Abstract: A method of making a biometric dental appliance. A first article can be formed of a first material based on a first digital surface representation having a desired outer shape of the dental appliance. A portion of the first article can then be removed to form an outer layer of the dental appliance comprising a cavity dimensioned to accommodate an inner layer. A second article can be formed by filling the cavity of the first article with a second material. The second material can have at least one different structural and/or optical property than the first material. The second article can be further processed, as desired. For example, a desired inner shape can be formed in the second article. Such a desired inner shape can be based on a second digital surface representation of a dental object configured to receive the dental appliance.

Abstract: Described herein are bioprinters comprising: one or more printer heads, wherein a printer head comprises a means for receiving and holding at least one cartridge, and wherein said cartridge comprises contents selected from one or more of: bio-ink and support material; a means for calibrating the position of at least one cartridge; and a means for dispensing the contents of at least one cartridge. Further described herein are methods for fabricating a tissue construct, comprising: a computer module receiving input of a visual representation of a desired tissue construct; a computer module generating a series of commands, wherein the commands are based on the visual representation and are readable by a bioprinter; a computer module providing the series of commands to a bioprinter; and the bioprinter depositing bio-ink and support material according to the commands to form a construct with a defined geometry.