Processes and material compositions are disclosed for applying polymer additive manufacturing to producing press dies, such as for sheet metal forming. As disclosed in various embodiments, material compositions comprise a thermoplastic, a first filler having low aspect ratio particles and a second filler having high aspect ratio. In at least one embodiment, composites according to the disclosed teachings have a compressive modulus greater than 3500 MPa and a compressive strength greater than 70 MPa, such that the composites have sufficient mechanical properties for press tooling and are amenable to extrusion-type additive manufacturing processes. In at least one embodiment, the use of the disclosed composites with additive manufacturing enables reduced overall mass of tooling by inclusion of voids inside the die.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B29C 70/02 - Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts comprising combinations of reinforcements and fillers incorporated in matrix material, forming one or more layers, with or without non-reinforced or non-filled layers
Applied within an automated robotic manufacturing system that includes additive manufacturing capabilities, methods and enabling devices are disclosed for achieving precise multi-dimension positional alignment among a plurality of diverse tools that are involved in collaboratively constructing a solid object. The enabling devices according to various embodiments include an automatically deployed contact sensing probe and a tool center point sensor that detects contact with tools in multiple axes. At least one disclosed method advantageously utilizes both sensing devices in complement.
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
G05B 19/401 - Numerical control (NC), i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by control arrangements for measuring, e.g. calibration and initialisation, measuring workpiece for machining purposes
G05B 19/402 - Numerical control (NC), i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by control arrangements for positioning, e.g. centring a tool relative to a hole in the workpiece, additional detection means to correct position
G05B 19/4099 - Surface or curve machining, making 3D objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing
3.
MANIFOLDS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTING BIOLOGICAL STUDIES UNDER FLOW
Some embodiments of the disclosure disclose manifolds, microfluidic systems and methods that provide control over fluid flow distribution to an array of bio- scaffolds contained within the manifolds. In some embodiments, multiple perfusates may be injected into the manifold via multiple inlets where the manifold contains a bio-assembly with a substrate having a bio-scaffold disposed thereon. Biological investigations of the perfusates may then be conducted in the vascular components and chambers of the bio-scaffold.
A three-dimensional (3D) printing system includes a vessel, a coating subsystem, a calibration block, and a controller. The vessel is configured to contain a photocurable resin having a resin upper surface. The coating subsystem includes a coater module including a coater blade, a lateral movement mechanism coupled to the coater module, a sensor mounted to the coater module, and a vertical actuator system. The calibration block has a calibration surface. The controller is configured to operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade over the calibration block, operate the vertical actuator system to lower the coater blade into engagement with the calibration surface of the calibration block, operate the sensor to measure a distance to the calibration block, and store the distance as indicative of a vertical position of a lower edge of the coater blade.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
Curable compounds, hydrogels, build materials, and methods of 3D printing are described herein. In some embodiments, a build material for 3D printing described herein comprises one or more compounds having the structure(s) of Formula (I) and/or Formula (II) herein. Such a build material may also comprise an additional acrylate component and water.
A three-dimensional (3D) printing system (2) is configured to manufacture a three-dimensional 3D article (4) in a layer-by-layer manner. The 3D printing system includes a resin vessel (6), a tank agitation subsystem (12), a fabrication subsystem (33), and a controller (34). The resin vessel (6) is configured to contain photocurable resin (8) and has a lower region within a distance H of a bottom surface (10) of the resin vessel. The agitation subsystem includes (a) a grating (14) disposed within the lower region of the resin vessel and (b) an agitation movement mechanism (16) coupled to the grating (14). The fabrication subsystem (33) is configured to form the 3D article (4) by a layer-by-layer selective curing of the photocurable resin (8). The controller (36) is configured to operate the agitation movement mechanism (16) to oscillate the grating (14) along a lateral Y-axis to remix filler particulates within the photocurable resin (8).
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/307 - Handling of material to be used in additive manufacturing
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
A three-dimensional printing system (2) includes a resin vessel (6), a fabrication subsystem (26), a waste collection subsystem (28), and a controller (38). The resin vessel is configured to contain photocurable resin (8). The fabrication subsystem is configured to form a 3D article (4) with layer-by-layer selective curing of the photocurable resin. The fabrication subsystem includes a build plate (10), a build plate support structure (14), and a vertical movement mechanism (16). The waste collection subsystem is attached to the build plate support structure and configured to capture partially polymerized resin as the build plate support structure moves in an upward direction. The controller is configured to (a) operate the vertical movement mechanism to translate the build plate support structure to a lower position and (b) operate the vertical movement mechanism to raise the waste collection subsystem up through the resin and to a position at which partially polymerized resin can be unloaded from the waste collection subsystem.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
A method of preparing a structure is provided. The method includes providing an initial structure; casting a first material in one or more void volumes of the initial structure; removing the initial structure from the first material; obtaining a cast structure comprising the first material; coating a second material on the cast structure; casting a third material using the coated cast structure; removing the first material; and obtaining a final structure. In various embodiments, the initial structure can include a first initial structure and a second initial structure and casting a first material in one or more first void volumes of the first initial structure and in one or more second void volumes of the second initial structure. In various embodiments, the method includes assembling the first cast structure and the second cast structure and obtaining an assembled structure comprising the first cast structure and the second cast structure.
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
B29C 39/02 - Shaping by casting, i.e. introducing the moulding material into a mould or between confining surfaces without significant moulding pressure; Apparatus therefor for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
B22F 5/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the special shape of the product
9.
ADDITIVES FOR BUILD MATERIALS AND ASSOCIATED PRINTED 3D ARTICLES
Additives for three-dimensional build materials or inks are described herein which, in some embodiments, can impart one or more structural enhancements to articles printed from the build materials. In one aspect, a polymerizable liquid comprises at least one additive including a plurality of cyclopolymerizable functionalities separated by an aliphatic linker or alkylene oxide linker.
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
A three-dimensional (3D) printing system (2) for manufacturing a 3D article includes a resin vessel (6), a build plate (8), a plate support (10), a hook subsystem (12), an elevator subsystem (14), an imaging subsystem (16), and a controller (20). The build plate has an upper surface and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The hook subsystem includes a hook (46). The controller is configured to: (a) Operate the elevator subsystem and the imaging subsystem to fabricate the 3D article. (b) Operate the elevator subsystem to raise the 3D article above photocurable resin in the resin vessel. (c) Operate the hook subsystem to configure the hook to be engaged with the proximal end of the build plate. (d) Operate the elevator subsystem to impart a vertical separation distance between the proximal and distal ends of the build plate. The vertical separation distance defines an angular tilt of the 3D article to facilitate draining of residual photocurable.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
11.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LAYER LEVELING IN LARGE-AREA MICROSTEREOLITHOGRAPHY
Provided herein is a system for producing a product. The system generally comprises a large-area micro-stereolithography system and a layer leveling system. The large-area micro-stereolithography system is capable of generating the product by optically polymerizing successive layers of a curable resin at a print plane. The layer leveling system is capable of flattening a non-flat region (such as a meniscus) of the curable resin in a vicinity of the build plane.
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 35/08 - Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising by wave energy or particle radiation
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/129 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask
B29C 64/135 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
12.
METHODS OF CALIBRATION OF A STEREOLITHOGRAPHY SYSTEM
Provided herein is a system for producing a product. The system generally comprises a large-area micro-stereolithography system, an optical imaging system, and a controller in communication with the large-area micro-stereolithography system and the optical imaging system. The large-area micro-stereolithography system is capable of generating the product by optically polymerizing successive layers of a curable resin at a build plane. The controller is capable of analyzing a focus level of the reference target based on the captured image; and based on the analyzing, adjusting a focus property of the projected image beam of the stereolithography system.
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
C12M 3/00 - Tissue, human, animal or plant cell, or virus culture apparatus
G01D 18/00 - Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
13.
STEREOLITHOGRAPHY MANUFACTURING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE CUSTOMIZED ARTICLES
A three-dimensional (3D) printing system (2) for manufacturing a 3D article (4) includes a resin vessel (6), a build tray (8), a movement mechanism (10), a light engine (12), a housing (14), a gas handling system (16), and a controller (18). The resin vessel includes a transparent sheet (20) on a lower side (22). The housing defines two chambers including an upper chamber (40) and a lower chamber (42). The upper chamber is in fluidic communication with the resin contained by the resin vessel. The lower chamber is in fluid communication with a lower surface (22) of the transparent sheet. The controller is configured to (a) operate the gas handling system to reduce and control a partial pressure of oxygen in the upper and lower chambers, (b) operate the movement mechanism and the light engine to form the 3D article in a layer-by-layer manner.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
14.
DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REGISTERING AN IMAGING MODEL TO AN AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEM BEFORE OR DURING SURGERY
Systems and methods are provided for improving registration of AR (augmented reality) units at a surgery scene. Systems comprise augmented reality (AR) unit(s) comprising and/or in communication with head mounted display(s) (HMDs) used by a user, and physical device(s) made of sterilizable biocompatible material and configured as a registration template. The AR unit and/or segmentation software associated therewith may be configured to align a device representation of the physical device onto an imaging model of a patient, and the AR unit and/or the HMD may be configured to register, on the HMD, the device representation with the aligned imaging model onto the physical device, which is positioned with respect to the patient and is viewed through the HMD – to display the imaging model or parts thereof in a corresponding spatial relation to the patient. Registration using the physical device simplifies the coordination among real and virtual devices.
A61B 5/05 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves
G09G 5/00 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
15.
ADDITIVES FOR BUILD MATERIALS AND ASSOCIATED PRINTED 3D ARTICLES
Additives for three-dimensional build materials or inks are described herein which, in some embodiments, can impart flame retardant properties and/or structural enhancements to articles printed from the build materials. In some embodiments, such an additive comprises a compound of Formula (I) herein, wherein L and Z are ring substituents comprising at least one polymerizable point of unsaturation, and wherein R1and R2are independently selected from the group consisting of alkylene and alkenylene, and R3-R6 each represent one to four optional ring substituents, each one of the one to four ring substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, amine, amide, and ether, and wherein n is an integer from 1 to 7.
Polymerizable liquids for 3D printing applications are described herein which, in some embodiments, impart flame resistant and/or flame retardant properties to articles printed from the liquids. The polymerizable liquids may also impart desirable mechanical properties to the articles. In some embodiments, a polymerizable liquid comprises a curable isocyanurate component in an amount of at least 5 wt.%, based on total weight of the polymerizable liquid, and a brominated acrylate ester component. Additionally, methods of printing three-dimensional articles using said polymerizable liquids are described herein.
B29C 64/00 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
C08F 26/06 - Homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a single or double bond to nitrogen or by a heterocyclic ring containin by a heterocyclic ring containing nitrogen
C09D 4/06 - Coating compositions, e.g. paints, varnishes or lacquers, based on organic non-macromolecular compounds having at least one polymerisable carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bond in combination with a macromolecular compound other than an unsaturated polymer of groups
17.
BRANCHING SUPPORT FOR METALS THAT MINIMIZES MATERIAL USAGE
A system for manufacturing a three-dimensional (3D) article includes a controller. The controller is configured to (A) receive a solid model defining the 3D article having an unsupported (downward facing) surface and (B) define a support structure for the unsupported surface. The support structure includes (1 ) a lower support beam, (2) a node body, and (3) at least three branches. The node body is defined at an upper end of the lower support beam. The node body has an upper surface that is generally in facing relation with the unsupported surface. The at least three branches extend with a diverging geometry away from the upper surface of the node body and to the unsupported surface. The branches are individually defined by a vertical sequence of contour scan patterns.
B22F 10/366 - Scanning parameters, e.g. hatch distance or scanning strategy
B22F 10/38 - Process control to achieve specific product aspects, e.g. surface smoothness, density, porosity or hollow structures
B22F 12/00 - Apparatus or devices specially adapted for additive manufacturing; Auxiliary means for additive manufacturing; Combinations of additive manufacturing apparatus or devices with other processing apparatus or devices
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B22F 10/40 - Structures for supporting workpieces or articles during manufacture and removed afterwards
B22F 10/47 - Structures for supporting workpieces or articles during manufacture and removed afterwards characterised by structural features
18.
FLAME RESISTANT BUILD MATERIALS AND ASSOCIATED PRINTED 3D ARTICLES
Polymerizable liquids for 3D printing applications are described herein which, in some embodiments, impart flame resistant and/or flame retardant properties to articles printed from the build materials. The polymerizable liquids may also impart desirable mechanical properties to the articles. In some embodiments, a polymerizable liquid comprises a curable isocyanurate component in an amount of at least 20 wt.%, based on total weight of the polymerizable liquid, and an organophosphate component comprises one or more organophosphate compounds. In some embodiments, the polymerizable liquid further comprises an acrylate component.
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
C09D 11/38 - Inkjet printing inks characterised by non-macromolecular additives other than solvents, pigments or dyes
C09D 11/03 - Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
B33Y 70/10 - Composites of different types of material, e.g. mixtures of ceramics and polymers or mixtures of metals and biomaterials
19.
CARRIER MATRIX FOR FACILITATING TRANSFER OF SKIN CORES FROM DONOR SITE TO WOUND SITE
An article is configured for transferring tissue cores from a patient donor site to a patient wound site. The article includes a matrix construction of resilient elastomeric polymer material to support an array of tissue core locators individually defining an opening and individually configured to: (1) receive a tissue core from the donor site into the opening, (2) resiliently hold the tissue core at the opening until and after the sheet is placed upon the wound site, and (3) release the tissue core when the sheet is removed from the wound site at a time that is between 2 and 29 days after the sheet is placed upon the wound site.
Polymerizable liquids are described herein which, in some embodiments, can produce 3D printed articles of high resolution and desirable mechanical properties. In one aspect, a polymerizable liquid comprises an acrylate component, and a composite resin comprising a curable carrier and polymeric particles dispersed in the curable carrier. The polymerizable liquid also comprises a photoinitiator component.
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
C08F 2/50 - Polymerisation initiated by wave energy or particle radiation by ultraviolet or visible light with sensitising agents
C08F 291/02 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to macromolecular compounds according to more than one of the groups on to elastomers
C08F 283/01 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to polymers provided for in subclass on to unsaturated polyesters
C08F 285/00 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to preformed graft polymers
21.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED MOTION AND IMAGING CONTROL
A three-dimensional printing system includes a resin vessel (4), a build tray (6), a movement mechanism (8), a sensor (12), a light engine (10), and a controller (16). The resin vessel is configured to contain photocurable (radiation curable) resin (18) and includes a transparent sheet (20). The transparent sheet has an upper surface that defines a lower bound for the photocurable resin. The build tray has a lower surface configured to support the 3D article (22). A lower face is defined by either the build tray or the 3D article. The sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of a vertical position of the transparent sheet. The light engine is configured to image a build plane that is proximate to the upper surface of the transparent sheet. The controller is configured to control motion of the movement mechanism based upon analyzing a signal from the sensor including determining a maximum deflection of the transparent sheet during motion.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/232 - Driving means for motion along the axis orthogonal to the plane of a layer
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
A surgical guide includes a metal guide and a plastic reference formed by additive manufacturing. The metal guide is configured to engage a bone surface of a first body area. The metal guide includes a main plate and an arm. The main plate has an inner surface customized and shaped to the bone surface. The main plate defines mounting guides for securing the main plate to the bone surface and defines a machining guide for drilling or cutting through the bone surface. The arm is formed to the main plate at a proximal end and extends to a distal end. The plastic reference has a reference surface customized and shaped to a surface of a second body area that is physically separated from the first body area.
A three-dimensional (3D) print engine includes (A) a plurality of walls laterally defining a build chamber, (B) a build box including a build plate, (C) a powder dispenser, (D) a beam system for fusing layers of powder, (E) a peripheral plate disposed between the build plate and the plurality of walls and having an upper surface, (F) a gas inlet (54) that ejects a gas flow stream that passes over the build plate and the peripheral plate, (G) a gas outlet (56) that receives the gas flow stream, (H) a plurality of projecting structures (70, 72, 74, 76) mounted to and extending above the upper surface of the peripheral plate, and (I) a gas handling system coupled to the gas inlet and gas outlet. The plurality of projecting structures shape the flow field of the gas flow stream to provide a more uniform velocity of gas flow velocities above the build plane.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
A 3D printing system includes a print engine, a powder dispenser, and a controller. The print engine includes a chassis defining an inner chamber with a docking chamber, a build box with a build plate, an energy beam system, and a powder track coater (PTC) coupled to a gantry. The controller is configured to: (A) operate the gantry and the PTC to selectively dispense a track of powder over the build plate, (B) operate the gantry to transport the PTC to the docking station, (C) operate the energy beam system to selectively fuse the track of powder, and (D) concurrent with operating the energy beam to (D1) measure a level of powder in the PTC and (D2) if the level of powder in the PTC is below a predetermined threshold, operate the powder dispenser to transfer a controlled volume of powder to the PTC.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
25.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM THAT MINIMIZES USE OF METAL POWDER
A three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional (3D) article includes a support powder dispenser containing support powder, a metal powder dispenser containing metal powder, a build plate, a beam system, and a controller. The controller is configured to (1) receive information defining a two-dimensional (2D) slice of the 3D article, (2) position the build plate to receive a new layer of metal powder, (3) operate the metal powder dispenser to dispense the new layer of metal powder, the new layer of metal powder spanning the 2D slice and extending beyond the boundaries to define a zone of unfused powder, (4) operate the beam system to selectively fuse the new layer of powder over an area corresponding to the 2D slice, (5) operate the support powder dispenser to dispense a bounding contour of support powder proximate to or overlapping the zone of unfused powder.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
26.
EFFICIENT BULK UNFUSED POWDER REMOVAL SYSTEM AND METHOD
An additive manufacturing system for producing a three-dimensional article includes a print engine, a post-fabrication powder removal apparatus, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The post fabrication removal apparatus includes a rotary frame defining an internal receptacle cavity, a plurality of clamps coupled to a corresponding plurality of actuators, a clamping plate coupled to a lift apparatus, and an agitation device mounted to the clamping plate. The controller is configured to perform the following steps: (1 ) Operate the transport mechanism to transport the build box to the internal receptacle cavity. (2) Operate the plurality of actuators to engage the build box with the plurality of clamps to secure the build box to the rotary frame. (3) Operate the rotary frame to rotate the build box until unfused powder begins to exit the build box. (4) Operate the agitation device to facilitate pouring of the unfused powder from the build box.
B08B 1/00 - Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools, brushes, or analogous members
B22F 12/00 - Apparatus or devices specially adapted for additive manufacturing; Auxiliary means for additive manufacturing; Combinations of additive manufacturing apparatus or devices with other processing apparatus or devices
B22F 12/86 - Serial processing with multiple devices grouped
B33Y 40/20 - Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
Disclosed is a bioextruder assembly capable of "retro-fit" an existing three-dimensional (3D) printer such that it is capable of printing biomaterials. The bioextruder assembly may be modular, self-contained, and configured as "plug-and-play" unit. In some embodiments, the bioextruder assembly may be configured for use in zero-gravity environments such as space and configured to engage with existing 3D printers in space. In some embodiments the bioextruder assembly includes an extruder configured to extrude bio-materials stored in a syringe that is coupled to the extruder, and a converter. The converter may include an electromechanical coupling component that couples the converter to a three-dimensional printer system, and a motor configured to actuate the extrusion of bio-materials stored in the syringe based on signals received from the three-dimensional printing system via the electromechanical coupling component. In some embodiments, the converter may be configured to reversibly attach to the extruder via an attachment element.
B29C 64/307 - Handling of material to be used in additive manufacturing
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
28.
WATER SOLUBLE WAXY SUPPORT MATERIALS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING APPLICATIONS
In one aspect, urethane waxes are described herein comprising a reaction product between monofunctional polyethylene oxide and polyisocyanate. In some embodiments, the urethane waxes are combined with other components to provide support materials for use in three-dimensional printing applications. A support material ink, for example, comprises a urethane wax comprising a reaction product between monofunctional polyethylene oxide and polyisocyanate. The support material ink, in some embodiments, further comprises monomeric curable material, oligomeric curable material, or mixtures thereof.
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
C08F 283/00 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to polymers provided for in subclass
C08G 18/28 - Polymeric products of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen characterised by the compounds used containing active hydrogen
C08G 18/73 - Polyisocyanates or polyisothiocyanates acyclic
C09D 11/102 - Printing inks based on artificial resins containing macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions other than those only involving unsaturated carbon-to-carbon bonds
g g and/or high heat deflection temperature while maintaining shelf stability. In one aspect, a polymerizable liquid comprises at least 20 weight percent isocyan urate polyacrylate; a photoinitiator component; and a crystallization inhibitor component comprising monomeric curable material, oligomeric curable material or mixtures thereof, wherein the polymerizable liquid does not exhibit crystallization over a period of 28 days at a storage temperature of 5-10°C.
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
uild materials for 3D printing applications are described herein which, in some embodiments, comprise a dye component operable to alter spectral characteristics of the printed part over the course of the build cycle. In some embodiments, for example, the dye component can provide desirable light penetration depth during article printing and sufficient optical clarity during final light curing processes.
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
C09D 11/328 - Inkjet printing inks characterised by colouring agents characterised by dyes
C09D 11/037 - Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder characterised by the pigment
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
Polymerizable liquids are described herein which, in some embodiments, can produce 3D printed articles of high resolution and desirable mechanical properties. In one aspect, a polymerizable liquid comprises an acrylate component, a polymeric additive, and a monomeric curing agent, wherein the acrylate component and monomeric curing agent are copolymerizable upon exposure to light. In being copolymerizable, the acrylate component and monomeric curing agent can form a copolymer. As described father herein, the monomeric curing agent can enable further reaction of the copolymer with one or more crosslinking species to link the copolymer with one more polymeric networks.
C08F 220/18 - Esters of monohydric alcohols or phenols of phenols or of alcohols containing two or more carbon atoms with acrylic or methacrylic acids
C08F 226/06 - Copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a single or double bond to nitrogen or by a heterocyclic ring containing nitrogen by a heterocyclic ring containing nitrogen
C08F 283/00 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to polymers provided for in subclass
33.
POLYPROPYLENE-BASED PARTICLES FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Polypropylene-based powders are provided for use in the production of various articles by one or more additive manufacturing techniques. As described further herein, the polypropylene-based powders can exhibit particle morphologies, particle size distributions, and/or compositional parameters advantageous for production of articles having enhanced mechanical properties. In one aspect, a powder composition comprises particles of copolymer or terpolymer having a spherical shape, spheroidal shape, or a mixture of spherical and spheroidal shapes, the copolymer or terpolymer comprising one or more alkene monomeric species and the balance polypropylene.
B29C 64/00 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
34.
LARGE ARRAY STEREOLITHOGRAPHY WITH EFFICIENT OPTICAL PATH
A three-dimensional printing system (2) includes a resin vessel (4) containing resin (6), an imaging bar (18), a movement mechanism (22) coupled to the imaging bar, and a controller (128). The imaging bar includes an arrangement of light emitting devices (54) that selectively emit radiation from an exit surface of the imaging bar to define a build plane in the resin (24). The exit surface of the imaging bar is preferably less than 10 millimeters from the build plane. The controller is configured to scan the imaging bar along a scan axis and, concurrent with scanning, operate the imaging bar to selectively image a layer of resin at the build plane.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/135 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
B29C 64/277 - Arrangements for irradiation using multiple radiation means, e.g. micromirrors or multiple light-emitting diodes [LED]
35.
LARGE AREA THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTER WITH PRECISION OPTICAL PATH
A three-dimensional printing system (2) includes a support plate (6) and a resin vessel (16). The support plate (6) defines a central opening (8) and an upper surface (14). The resin vessel (16) is disposed upon the upper surface (14) of the support plate (6) and includes a substructure (18) and a transparent sheet (20). The substructure (18) includes a vertical wall (46) and a tension ring (48) that extends inwardly and downwardly from the vertical wall (46). The tension ring (48) impinges downwardly upon an upper surface of the transparent sheet (20) and tensions the transparent sheet (20).
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/255 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
36.
HIGH PRODUCTIVITY SYSTEM FOR PRINTING PRECISION ARTICLES
A three-dimensional printing system includes a resin vessel, a support tray, a motorized carriage, a light engine, and a controller. The resin vessel has a lower side with a transparent sheet which provides a lower bound for photocurable resin contained within the vessel. The support tray has a lower face for supporting an object being fabricated. The motorized carriage is for supporting and vertically positioning the support tray. The light engine is for projecting radiation up through the transparent sheet to a build plane. The controller operates the motorized carriage and the light engine to fabricate the object. The object includes a vertical arrangement of dental arches suspended from the lower face and a plurality couplings that connect pairs of the dental arches.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
A three-dimensional printing system for fabricating a three-dimensional article includes a motorized build platform, a dispensing module, a pulsed light source, an imaging module, a movement mechanism, and a controller. The imaging module receives radiation from the pulsed light source and includes a two-dimensional mirror array. The movement mechanism imparts lateral motion between the imaging module and the build platform. The controller is configured to operate the motorized build platform and the dispensing module to form a layer of build material at a build plane, operate the movement mechanism to laterally scan the imaging module over the build plane, operate the pulsed light source to generate a sequence of radiation pulses that illuminate the mirror array, and operate the mirror array to selectively image the build material.
A manufacturing method is for repairing a damaged three- dimensional (3D) article (802) having a fracture zone (804) which is a site of a broken-off portion of the 3D article. The method includes using a forming tool to form an attachment feature (808) into material at the fracture zone (804), imaging the 3D article including the fracture zone to provide image data, defining a repair portion 3D body (814) based upon a comparison between the image data and data defining an intact 3D body, printing the repair portion 3D body (814) including a complementary attachment features (816), and attaching the repair portion (814) to the damaged 3D article through the interengagement of the complementary attachment feature (816) and the attachment feature (808).
B29C 73/04 - Repairing of articles made from plastics or substances in a plastic state, e.g. of articles shaped or produced by using techniques covered by this subclass or subclass using preformed elements
B29C 73/26 - Apparatus or accessories not otherwise provided for for mechanical pretreatment
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
39.
PRECISION OPTICAL ASSEMBLY FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING
A three dimensional printer (2) includes a projector (20), an adaptive support apparatus (42), a resin support apparatus (6), and a plurality of vertical struts (18). The projector includes a projection lens module (40) which includes an optical housing that contains a series of lenses for projecting an image from the projector onto a build plane. The projection lens module includes a laterally extending flange (56) having an upwardly facing flange surface (58). The adaptive support apparatus includes a downward facing surface in facing relation with the upward facing flange surface. The resin support apparatus is configured to contain resin and includes a transparent sheet and a downward facing surface. The transparent sheet defines a lower bound for the resin proximate to a build plane. The plurality of vertical struts couple an upward-facing surface of the adaptive support apparatus to the downward-facing surface of the resin support apparatus.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/129 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
F21V 21/00 - Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional (3D) printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein comprises 20-60 wt. % oligomeric curable material; 10-50 wt. % cyclocarbonate (meth)acrylate monomer; and 0.1 -5 wt. % photoinitiator, based on the total weight of the ink. Additionally, in some cases, the ink further comprises one or more additional curable materials differing from the oligomeric curable material and the cyclocarbonate (meth)acrylate monomer. An ink described herein, in some embodiments, also comprises one or more additional component that are non-curable.
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
G03F 7/00 - Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printed surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional article (12) includes receiving a data file, analyzing the data file, and defining a support structure. The data file defines a hollow three-dimensional article to be formed from a build material. Analyzing the data file includes identifying an internal opening (32) that converges to an apex (36) along the sequence of layers. The internal opening is at least partly defined by an inside edge (72) of the three-dimensional article. A support structure (34) is attached to the edge and closes the internal opening. The support structure includes a structural sheet portion (76) and an interface web portion (78). The structure sheet portion defines a majority of an area of the support structure except for a boundary contour (80) between the structural sheet portion and the inside edge. The interface web portion closes the boundary contour and defines a weakness contour for removing the structural portion from the three-dimensional article.
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
B22F 5/10 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the special shape of the product of articles with cavities or holes, not otherwise provided for in the preceding subgroups
A system (2) for manufacturing a three-dimensional article (4) includes a resin vessel (6), a vertical movement mechanism, and a light engine. The resin vessel (6) includes a lower opening (10) closed by a transparent sheet (12). The vertical movement mechanism (18) is for positioning a support tray (20) which supports the three-dimensional article. The light engine (26) is disposed below the transparent sheet and is configured to selectively harden layers of resin over a build plane (32) above the transparent sheet (12). The light engine (26) includes a light bar (27) coupled to a lateral movement mechanism (29). The light bar (27) includes an array (28) of light emitting devices and a device for impinging upon the transparent sheet. The impingement maintains a proper operating distance H between the transparent sheet (12) and the build plane (32).
B29C 64/135 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
B29C 64/20 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/236 - Driving means for motion in a direction within the plane of a layer
B29C 64/268 - Arrangements for irradiation using electron beams [EB]
B29C 64/277 - Arrangements for irradiation using multiple radiation means, e.g. micromirrors or multiple light-emitting diodes [LED]
B41J 2/45 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using arrays of radiation sources using light-emitting diode arrays
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
43.
THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D) PRINTER WITH HIGH RESOLUTION LIGHT ENGINE
A three dimensional printing system for manufacturing a three dimensional article includes a build platform (4), a light engine, and a controller. The build platform (4) is coupled to a vertical positioning apparatus. The light engine is configured to generate and scan a columnar array of light spots (24) across a build plane (10). The columnar array of light spots are arranged along a second axis. The light spots are scanned along a first axis. The build plane is laterally defined by mutually perpendicular X and Y axes. In the build plane, the first axis is parallel to the X-axis. The light engine is operated to scan the light spots (24) over the build plane (10), the scanning light spots image the build material along stripes (26) that are parallel to the X-axis and are separated from each other along the Y-axis leaving unimaged stripes (28) between the imaged stripes. This is repeated one or more times with the light spots shifted in Y in order to image the unimaged stripes. These steps are repeated until the three dimensional article is formed.
B29C 64/277 - Arrangements for irradiation using multiple radiation means, e.g. micromirrors or multiple light-emitting diodes [LED]
B29C 64/135 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/268 - Arrangements for irradiation using electron beams [EB]
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/141 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
44.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM WITH LASER CALIBRATION SYSTEM
A three-dimensional printing system is configured to selectively solidify a build material at a build plane in a layer-by-layer manner. The three-dimensional printing system includes a laser module, a scan module, and a controller. The laser module is for emitting a light beam along a main optical path from the laser module to the build plane. The scan module includes a motorized mirror and a sensor. The motorized mirror includes a substrate having an optical coating that reflects at least 90% of incoming beam power such that the mirror transmits no more than 10% of the incoming beam power. The sensor is positioned to receive transmitted light from the mirror. The controller is configured to operate the laser module to emit the light beam along the main optical path, analyze a signal from the sensor, and based upon the analysis, to estimate a calibration error for the laser module.
B29C 64/135 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
45.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED SCAN MODULE CALIBRATION
A three-dimensional printing system for solidifying a photocurable resin in a layer-by- layer manner at a build plane includes a scan module, a transparent plate, a sensor, and a controller. The scan module is configured to scan the light beam along two axes to address the build plane. The transparent plate is positioned in the optical path between the scan module and the build plane. The transparent plate has at least one reflective feature in the optical path. The sensor is mounted above the glass plate and is positioned to receive light reflected from the reflective feature. The controller is configured to operate the scan module to scan the light beam across the build plane, receive a signal from the sensor when the light beam impinges upon the reflective feature, and analyze the signal to verify a proper alignment of the light beam to the build plane.
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
A three-dimensional printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a build platform, a light engine, a sensor, and a controller. The build platform is for supporting the three-dimensional article. The light engine is for addressing the build plane for selectively solidifying the material layer onto an active surface. The sensor is mounted on the light engine and is configured to generate a signal based upon vibrations from an external source. The controller is configured to form layers of the three dimensional article. Concurrent with forming the layers, the controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensor, analyze the signal to compare received vibrations to a predetermined vibration threshold, and, if the received vibrations exceed the predetermined threshold, take further action.
B29C 64/135 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
47.
3D PRINTING BUILD MATERIALS AND SUPPORT MATERIALS COMPRISING A PHOSPHOR
In one aspect, build materials and support materials for use with a 3D printer are described herein. Such materials include a phosphor component in combination with other components. In some embodiments, the phosphor component of a build material or support material is present in the material in an amount of 0.001 -0.5 wt. % and has a peak photoluminescence (PL) emission wavelength of 430-750 nm and a photoluminescence quantum yield (QY) of 0.10-1.
A method of manufacturing a three dimensional article includes forming the three- dimensional article with three-dimensional printing, processing the three-dimensional article to remove support material ink, illuminating the three-dimensional article with electromagnetic radiation, inspecting the three dimensional article for photoluminescence that is responsive to the illumination, and verifying whether the support material has been sufficiently removed based upon the inspection. The support material ink includes a phosphor component that phosphorescently emits light in response to the illumination.
B29C 64/112 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
49.
RESIN CONTAINER FOR A THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM
A resin container 44 is configured to provide a photocurable resin to a three dimensional printing system. The three dimensional printing system includes a receptacle configured to provide the resin to a print engine. The resin container 44 includes a housing 102 enclosing an internal reservoir which contains an impeller 128. The resin container 44 has a leading end 106 and a trailing 104 end relative to a direction of insertion or installation of the resin container 44 into the receptacle. The leading end 106 includes a fluid outlet 110 extending downwardly from a first lateral location, an electrical connector 114 extending downwardly from a second location, and a gear 112 coupled to the impeller 128 and extending downwardly from a third lateral location.
B01F 7/00 - Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
B01F 7/16 - Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a vertical axis
B01F 7/32 - Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a vertical axis with openwork frames or cages
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/259 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers interchangeable
50.
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM ADAPTABLE TO VARYING RESIN TYPES
A three dimensional printing system for manufacturing a three dimensional article includes a print engine, a receptacle, a pump motor system, a removable conduit assembly, and a resin container. The receptacle includes an upper portion with an opening and a lower interface portion. The removable conduit assembly includes: a fluid inlet extending upwardly from the lower interface portion; a pump head removably coupled to the pump motor system; a fluid outlet for supplying resin to the print engine. The resin container includes an internal reservoir and a leading and trailing end relative to a direction of insertion of the resin container into the receptacle. The resin container includes a fluid outlet that extends downwardly from the leading end. Installation of the resin container includes passing the leading end through the opening and lowering and coupling the leading end to the lower interface portion.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/307 - Handling of material to be used in additive manufacturing
51.
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM ADAPTABLE TO VARYING RESIN TYPES
A kit enables an efficient and contamination-free method of changing a resin (20) used in a three dimensional printer from a first resin to a second resin. The three dimensional printer includes a print engine (6) and a receptacle (42). The kit includes a conduit assembly (36) and a resin container (44). The conduit assembly (36) includes a fluid inlet (54) configured to be affixed in the receptacle (42) in an upward orientation, a pump head (52) configured to be coupled to a motorized pump actuator (90) in the receptacle (42), a first conduit (56) coupling the fluid inlet to the pump head (52), a fluid outlet configured to supply resin (20) to the print engine (6), and a second conduit coupling the pump head (52) to the fluid outlet (40).
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/259 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers interchangeable
B29C 31/02 - Dispensing from vessels, e.g. hoppers
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B05B 11/00 - Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
B65D 83/00 - Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
B65D 90/00 - Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
52.
LATCHING SYSTEMS FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINT ENGINE
A three dimensional printing system (2) includes a vertical support (4), a support plate (10), a resin vessel (20), and an interface mechanism (64). The support plate extends away from the vertical support along a first lateral axis from a proximal end (12) to a distal end (14). The resin vessel is disposed above the support plate and includes a pair of latch features (74) disposed at opposing ends of the resin vessel relative to a second lateral axis. The interface mechanism includes a pair of latches (78) and a movable plate (80). The pair of latches are disposed adjacently to the opposed ends of the resin vessel. The movable plate is configured to engage the pair of latches with a single downward movement of the movable plate. In response to the engagement by the movable plate, the latches engage the latch features of the resin vessel.
B29C 64/259 - Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers interchangeable
B29C 64/20 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
A three dimensional printing system includes a print engine, a storage system, and a controller. The controller is configured to (1) receive a build order defining a plurality of three dimensional articles to be manufactured, (2) allocate partitions for receiving the plurality of the three dimensional articles within the storage system, (3) operate the print engine to fabricate the three dimensional articles, and (4) transfer the three dimensional articles to the partitions as they are built.
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
B29C 64/00 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional (3 D) printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein comprises 10-70 wt. % cyclopolymerizable monomer, based on the total weight of the ink. The cyclopolymerizable monomer comprises a first ethenyl or ethynyl moiety and a second ethenyl or ethynyl moiety. Additionally, the α-carbon of the first ethenyl or ethynyl moiety and the α-carbon of the second ethenyl or ethynyl moiety have a 1,5-, 1,6-, 1,7-, or 1,8- relationship.
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
A three dimensional printing system (2) includes a plurality of light engines (4), an alignment article (40), a camera (46), and a controller (26). The plurality of light engines define a corresponding plurality of build fields which overlap and define a build plane (6). The alignment article carries an alignment calibration image and is configured to be mounted in the three dimensional printing system with the alignment calibration image (44) proximate to the build plane and in facing relation with the plurality of light engines. The alignment calibration image defines a dark field with an array of reflective alignment targets. The camera is mounted to be in facing relation to the alignment calibration image. The controller is configured to operate at least the light engines and the camera to individually align the light engines to the alignment calibration image.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
57.
HIGH CAPACITY APPARATUS FOR LAYERED MANUFACTURING FROM POWDERED MATERIALS
A three dimensional printing system includes a build module (18), a powder storage module (20), a powder transport conduit (22), a vertical powder transport module (24), and a powder layering apparatus (26,28). The build module has a lateral side. The powder storage module is located at least partially below the build module. The powder storage module has a lateral side and defines an internal volume for holding powder. The powder transport conduit transports the powder to a lateral location that is laterally offset from the lateral side of the powder storage module. The vertical powder transport module is laterally offset from the lateral sides of the build module and the powder storage module and includes a lower end (42) for receiving powder from the lateral location and an upper end (44) having a laterally extending powder outlet (34). The powder layering apparatus receives the powder from the laterally extending powder outlet.
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
A three dimensional printing system includes a controller that performs a method of fabricating a three dimensional article of manufacture. The method includes steps A and B including (A) providing initial data defining a three dimensional object having a defined outer surface and (B) modifying the initial data to define a shelled and supported three dimensional object. Step B includes (1) defining a cavity inside the defined outer surface, the cavity bounded by an inner surface, the three dimensional object is a shell with a shell thickness between the defined outer surface and the inner surface, (2) analyzing lateral sections of the object to detect portions of the lateral sections that are unconnected or unsupported portions for a given lateral section, and (3) generating a support beam that connects an unconnected or unsupported portion of a lateral section to another portion of the shell.
A three dimensional printing system includes a laser system, a beam splitter, a pinhole, a sensor, and a controller. The laser system emits a light beam of varying diameter carrying at least 100 watts of optical power along an optical path. The laser has an imaging plane along the optical path which can be coincident or close to a focal plane at which the beam has a minimum diameter. The beam splitter is positioned along the optical path to receive the beam and to transmit most of the optical power and to reflect remaining optical power. The pinhole is positioned along the optical path at the imaging plane to receive the reflected beam having a minimal diameter. The controller is configured to analyze a signal from the sensor to determine intensity and distribution parameters for the light beam.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
60.
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTER FOR FUSING POWDERS WITH SURFACE COLORATION USING A VCSEL ARRAY
A three dimensional printing system (2) for producing a three dimensional article of manufacture includes a build platform (6), a powder dispensing apparatus (14), a light emitting device head (26), a drop ejecting head (24), a movement mechanism (12), and a controller (16). The light emitting device head may be a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) head that has a columnar arrangement of VCSELs that emit light having a defined spectral distribution. The drop ejecting head is configured to separately eject a plurality of different inks having correspondingly different absorption coefficients for the defined spectral distribution. The controller operates the powder dispensing apparatus to dispense powder, move and operate the drop ejecting head to define an array of inked pixels, and move and operate the VCSEL head to fuse the inked pixels. The controller varies an energy output of the VCSELs in correspondence with a variation of an absorption coefficient of the inked pixels.
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
B29C 64/194 - Processes of additive manufacturing involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control during lay-up
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
B28B 1/00 - Producing shaped articles from the material
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
61.
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED OPTICAL PATH
A three dimensional printing system (2) includes a support plate (10), a resin vessel (20), and one or more mechanical features (152). The support plate includes a ridge surrounding a first central opening. The resin vessel includes a vessel body defining an inner edge surrounding a second central opening and a transparent sheet (55) that closes the central opening to define a lower bound for a body of resin to be contained within the resin vessel. The one or more mechanical features are configured to align and secure the resin vessel relative to the support plate whereby the ridge engages a lower surface of the transparent sheet to tension the transparent sheet and the ridge is laterally recessed inwardly relative to the inner edge of the vessel body.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/20 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/223 - Foils or films, e.g. for transferring layers of building material from one working station to another
62.
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATION FEATURES
A three dimensional printing system includes a vertical support (4), a support plate (10), a resin vessel (20), a resin handling module (150), a latch (152), and an interface mechanism (60). The support plate has a proximal end affixed to the vertical support and extends along a first lateral axis to a distal end. The resin vessel is supported by the support plate and includes a vessel body (82) and a transparent sheet (55). The vessel body has a latch feature (92) formed therein. The resin handling module includes a fluid outlet (30) for dispensing resin into the resin vessel. The interface mechanism is configured to move the latch into engagement with the latch feature and to move the resin handling module from a non-operating position to an operating position whereby the fluid outlet is operably positioned over a portion of the resin vessel.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/20 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/307 - Handling of material to be used in additive manufacturing
B29C 64/223 - Foils or films, e.g. for transferring layers of building material from one working station to another
63.
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED MACHINE ARCHITECTURE
A three dimensional printing system (2) includes a vertical support (4), a support plate (10), a resin vessel (20), a carriage (40), and a support fixture (48). The support plate has a proximal end (12) affixed to the vertical support and extends along a first lateral axis to a distal end (14). The resin vessel is supported by the support plate and has a rear side (22) that is proximate to the proximal end of the support plate. A resin fluid outlet (30) is supported over the rear side of the resin vessel. The carriage is configured to be translated vertically along the vertical support. A pair of fixture receiving arms (46) extend from the carriage along the first lateral axis from a proximal to a distal end. The fixture receiving arms are spaced apart along a second lateral axis that is perpendicular to the first lateral axis. A support fixture (48) is supported by the two fixture receiving arms.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C 64/223 - Foils or films, e.g. for transferring layers of building material from one working station to another
B29C 64/00 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
64.
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED SUPPORT FIXTURE
A support fixture is provided for forming a three dimensional article of manufacture onto a lower build surface thereof. The formation of the three dimensional article occurs in a resin vessel containing photocurable resin. The resin vessel includes a transparent sheet that forms a lower bound for the resin. The support fixture includes an interface fixture and a replaceable support. The interface fixture includes an upper portion having alignment and gripping features, a lower portion surrounding a central opening and including a plurality of attachment features, and a side wall coupling the upper and lower portions. The replaceable support includes a planar portion having a lower surface (providing the lower build surface) for attachment of the three dimensional article of manufacture and a peripheral support portion including complementary attachment features engaging the attachment features when the peripheral support portion is mounted to the lower portion of the interface fixture.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
65.
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM THAT AUTOMATICALLY REMOVES PARTICLES FROM BUILD PLANE
A three dimensional printing system includes a print engine (6), a fixture (40), and a controller (48). The print engine further includes a vessel (16), a light engine (24), and a movement mechanism (38). The vessel is for containing a photocurable resin and has a lower portion with a transparent sheet defining a lower surface of the vessel. The light engine is configured to project radiation up through the transparent sheet (20) over a lateral build plane (36) which defines a maximum addressable lateral range of the light engine. The fixture has a lower face that faces downwardly. The controller is configured to: (1) position the lower face of the fixture at the build plane, and (2) operate the light engine and movement mechanism to solidify a particle trapping sheet proximate to the transparent sheet and substantially spanning the build plane and to thereby trap particles that are present along the build plane.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
66.
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTER PROCESSING IMAGE INFORMATION TO PROVIDE OPTIMIZED MECHANICAL CONTROL SIGNALS
A three dimensional printing system includes a controller that is configured to (1) receive an incoming slice data array that defines an initial two dimensional object having an initial outer boundary; (2) process the incoming slice data array to define a simple outer boundary whereby if the object has two portions defining a channel therebetween, the channel is reduced or eliminated thereby reducing a perimeter of the outer boundary. In one embodiment the object is two objects. If the channel is defined between the two objects, then the processing merges the two objects. If the channel is a concave recess within one object, then the processing reduces the depth of or eliminates the concave recess.
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/135 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
67.
METHOD OF CALIBRATING AN INKJET BASED THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM
In an aspect of the disclosure a three dimensional printing system includes an elevator mechanism (6) for supporting a build plate (4), a printhead assembly (2), a movement mechanism (10), and a controller (16). The printhead assembly includes a printhead (8) and a planarizer (24) arranged along a scan axis. The movement mechanism is for scanning the printhead across the build plate. The controller is configured to: (a) print one or more base layers of ink onto the build plate, (b) print one or more layers of test patterns onto the base layers until an alignment determination can be made, wherein the test patterns comprise different timing values, and (c) receive information and update a scan axis timing parameter based on the determination.
B29C 64/112 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
68.
THERMALLY EFFICIENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR PHASE CHANGE INKS IN A THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTING SYSTEM
A three dimensional printing system (2) includes a printhead and an ink supply subsystem. The printhead is for ejecting drops of phase change ink to define a three dimensional article of manufacture. The ink supply subsystem includes an ink tube (32), a helical resistor (26), a return conductor (28), and an outer tube (34). The ink tube (32) has an inside surface for contacting and transporting the phase change ink and an outer tubular surface. The resistor (26) is helically wound around the outer tubular surface of the ink tube (32). The return conductor (28) is helically wound around the resistor (26) and has a resistance that is lower than that of the resistor (26). The outer tube (34) surrounds and protects the resistor (26) and the return conductor (28) and provides insulation to the heated ink transport component.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
A three dimensional printing system (2) is configured to form a three dimensional article of manufacture (12) through a layer-by-layer process. The layers are formed by selectively adding photocure resin (6) onto a lower face (24) of the three dimensional article of manufacture. The three dimensional printing system includes a plurality of light engines (30) that are configured to define a corresponding plurality of build fields (31) in the resin. The plurality of build fields define one or more overlap zones (32). The plurality of light engines are configured to define extended threshold zones (34A, 34B) within the overlap zones that correspond to light engine edge defects and artifacts. A light engine applies a transparency value of less than a specified threshold over an extended threshold zone proximate to an edge of the build field corresponding to the light engine.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/282 - Arrangements for irradiation using multiple radiation means, e.g. micromirrors or multiple light-emitting diodes [LED] of the same type, e.g. using different energy levels
70.
THREE DIMENSIONAL PRINTER RESIN REPLENISHMENT METHOD
A three dimensional printer includes a vessel, a light engine, a fixture, a movement mechanism, a sensor, and a controller. The vessel is for containing a liquid photocurable resin and includes a transparent sheet defining a lower surface through which the resin can be illuminated. The light engine is disposed and configured to selectively illuminate the resin through the transparent sheet. The fixture is for supporting a three dimensional article of manufacture having a lower face immersed in the resin in facing relation with the transparent sheet. The movement mechanism is configured for controllably translating the fixture to adjust a vertical height of the lower face above the transparent sheet. The sensor is configured to monitor a dynamic vertical drag force of the resin upon the three dimensional article of manufacture.
A three dimensional printing system (2) includes a print engine (8), a fluid processing station (10), a fixture (32), a transport mechanism (16), and a controller (6). The fluid processing station includes a fluid injector port (68) coupled to a fluid source (67). The fixture has a lower portion (52) with a lower face (54) and a first fluid conduit (56) coupled to the lower face. The controller is configured to: (a) Operate the print engine to form a three dimensional article of manufacture (34) onto the lower face and thereby defining an internal cavity (62) and an inlet port (64) that couples the internal cavity to the first fluid conduit of the fixture, (c) Transfer the fixture to the fluid processing station, (d) Couple the fluid injector port of the fluid processing station to the first fluid conduit of the fixture. (e) Operate the fluid source to inject fluid out of the fluid injector port and into the internal cavity.
A three dimensional printing system includes a light engine having a spatial light modulator for curing individual layers of a photocure resin to form a three dimensional article of manufacture. The light engine is configured to: (1) receive a slice image that defines an array of energy values for curing a layer, (2) process the slice image to define an image frame compatible with the spatial light modulator, (3) receive an on signal, (4) activate the first light source in response to the on signal; (5) repeatedly send the first defined image frame to the first spatial light modulator during a defined cure time for the single layer of resin; (6) receive an off signal; (7) deactivate the first light source in response to the off signal; and (8) repeat steps (1) - (7) until the three dimensional article of manufacture is formed.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/277 - Arrangements for irradiation using multiple radiation means, e.g. micromirrors or multiple light-emitting diodes [LED]
73.
3D PRINTING INK CONTAINING A CYCLOPOLYMERIZABLE MONOMER
In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional (3D) printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein comprise 10-70 wt. % or 20-40 wt. % of a cyclopolymerizable monomer, based on the total weight of the ink. The cyclopolymerizable monomer comprises an acrylate moiety and an ethenyl or ethynyl moiety, and the a-carbon of the acrylate moiety and the a-carbon of the ethenyl or ethynyl moiety may have a 1, 5-, 1,6-, 1,7-, or 1,8- relationship. Additionally, an ink described herein can have a viscosity of 1600 centipoise (cP) or less at 30°C, or of 500 cP or less at 30°C and can be used to print a desired 3D article having mechanical properties similar to those of articles formed from thermoplastic materials.
B29C 64/112 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
A three dimensional (3D) printing system includes a print engine, a first powder handling module, a sieve, a second powder handling module, and a controller. The controller operates the print engine to fabricate 3D articles of manufacture. The controller operates the first powder handling module to transfer excess powder from the print engine to the first powder handling module and to receive new powder. The first powder handling module dispenses powder to the sieve. The controller operates the second handling module to transfer powder from the sieve to the second powder handling module. The second powder handling module provides powder to the print engine.
A method and system for calibrating a three dimensional printing system (2) includes a specialized sensor (48). The three dimensional printing system forms a three dimensional article of manufacture through a layer-by-layer process. Layers are formed by the operation of a light engine (10) selectively curing photocure resin onto a face of the three dimensional article of manufacture. The sensor includes a photodetector (52) overlaid by an optical element (54, 55, 56). The optical element simulates a "dense portion" of an optical path between the light engine and the face of the three dimensional article of manufacture being formed. The "dense portion" of the optical path includes a layer of photocure resin that is disposed between the light engine and the face of the three dimensional article of manufacture.
B29C 64/135 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
76.
POWDER-BASED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TEMPERATURE CONTROL BY SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATION
Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the temperature of powders in a powder-based additive manufacturing system using spatial light modulation. Powder layer temperatures can be measured and selectively controlled using a radiation source comprising a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator applies a visible light radiation and/or IR radiation. In addition to controlling the pre-fused temperature of the powder in the image plane, the spatial light modulator can also apply the radiation to fuse the powder.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B32B 17/10 - Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or fibres of glass, slag or the like comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance of synthetic resin
B23Q 17/24 - Arrangements for indicating or measuring on machine tools using optics
G01N 21/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/00 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
77.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR VISUALIZING, SIMULATING, MODIFYING AND 3D PRINTING 3D OBJECTS
Methods and systems for visualizing, simulating, modifying and/or 3D printing objects are provided. The system is an end-to-end system that can take as input 3D objects and allow for various levels of user intervention to produce the desired results.
Methods for volume rendering of 3D object data are provided. The methods can include classifying 3D object data and determining a transfer function to use to render the 3D object data based on the classification; incrementally determining voxels to render from the 3D object data; and/or determining a grid that represents the voxels and rendering based on the voxel grid.
Methods for virtual reality and augmented reality rendering of a 3D object are provided. The methods can include segmenting the 3D object such that portions of the 3D object can be identifiable and distinguishable. The methods can include creating masks, identifying relationships between the masks and marking the masks accordingly.
A three dimensional (3D) printer generates 3D articles of manufacture through the selective hardening of light curable liquid resins. The 3D printer includes a vessel, a fixture, a movement mechanism, a light engine, a controllable pressure source, and a controller. The vessel contains light curable resin with a bottom portion including a transparent sheet. The light engine selectively illuminates a lower face of a 3D article of manufacture being formed through the transparent sheet. The fixture and movement mechanism selectively translate the lower face up and down which generates a varying pressure of the resin against a top surface of the transparent sheet. The controllable pressure source applies a gas pressure to a bottom surface of the transparent sheet to offset the varying pressure of the resin.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
81.
IMPROVED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT
A system is configured to form a three dimensional (3D) object having multiple zones within the three dimensional object. The zones differ from each other according to system operational parameters. The system is operable to perform a method including: (1) receiving a solid model file, (2) generating a shell of the 3D object based on the file, (3) dividing the shell into zones, (4) defining or selecting parameters for forming the zones, (5) forming layer data defining layers of the 3D object, and creating a tool path from the layer data including merging layer data for the zones.
A method of determining a type of support structure for a three-dimensional (3D) object formed by additive manufacturing includes receiving solid model of the 3D object; performing a geometric analysis of the solid model to identify a region of the 3D object requiring a support structure (2104); performing stress and warping analyses of the solid model at the region so identified (2106), including one or more heuristic algorithms applied to the solid model, and excluding finite element analysis of a corresponding finite element model of the 3D object; selecting a type of support structure to place at the region so identified, the type of support structure being selected based on the stress and warping analyses so performed (2108); and generating a shell of the 3D object based on the solid model, and including the support structure at the region so identified and of the type so selected (2110).
In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein comprises a thiol monomer component and an ene monomer component. Moreover, in some cases, an ink described herein further comprises an additional (meth)acrylate monomer component differing from the ene monomer component. In some such cases, the additional (meth)acrylate monomer component can be polymerized separately from the thiol and ene monomers of the ink.
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
84.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING VERTICAL STAGE FOR MOVING PHOTOCURED MATERIAL IN A NON-PERPENDICULAR DIRECTION FROM THE IMAGE PLANE
There is provided an additive manufacturing system (10) comprising a vertical stage (12) (also known as a z-stage) that moves the object (14) being created along an axis of motion that is not perpendicular to the image plane (non-parallel to the z-axis of the image plane). By moving the build platform (16), upon which the additively manufactured object (14) is being supported, along a predetermined axis of motion, such as one adapted to the dominant axis of the object design, the additive manufacturing system (10) is capable of making larger objects, shortening build times, improving part resolution, and/or reducing the volume of photocurable material needed, among other benefits.
In one aspect, inks for use with a 3D printer are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein comprises a cyclic carbonate monomer and an amine monomer. Further, in some instances, an ink described herein also comprises an ethylenically unsaturated monomer such as a (meth)acrylate. Additionally, an ink described herein, in some cases, further comprises a colorant, such as a molecular dye, a particulate inorganic pigment, or a particulate organic colorant. An ink described herein may also comprise one or more additives selected from the group consisting of inhibitors, stabilizing agents, photoinitiators, and photosensitizers.
C09D 11/10 - Printing inks based on artificial resins
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
C09D 11/54 - Inks based on two liquids, one liquid being the ink, the other liquid being a reaction solution, a fixer or a treatment solution for the ink
86.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR 3D PRINTED HYDROGEL MATERIALS
There is provided a 3D printing system, methods, and materials for the 3D printing of objects that include a cured hydrogel material, an uncured hydrogel material, and a support material. The cured hydrogel material may define a scaffold for organs or other biological structures. The 3D printing system selectively deposits the hydrogel material and support material, dries the hydrogel material, and selectively applies a catalyst to the hydrogel material to selectively cure the hydrogel material. Once the 3D printing has completed, the uncured hydrogel material may be drained and the support material may be melted or dissolved leaving a scaffold of cured hydrogel material that may be infused with living cells of the desired organ or biological structure.
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
B41J 3/00 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
B41J 3/407 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
C12M 1/00 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology
C12M 3/00 - Tissue, human, animal or plant cell, or virus culture apparatus
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein comprises 10- 60 wt. % oligomeric curable material; 30-80 wt. % monomeric curable material; and 10-35 wt. % self-curable light-sensitive oligomer, based on the total weight of the ink. Moreover, in some cases, the ink is free or substantially free of non-curable photoinitiator. For example, in some instances, the ink further comprises less than 0.1 wt. % or less than 0.05 wt. % non-curable photoinitiator, based on the total weight of the ink.
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein comprises up to about 90 wt. % monofunctional curable material, up to about 1 0 wt. % difunctional curable material, and up to about 1 0 wt. % liquid rubber, based on the total weight of the ink, wherein the liquid rubber comprises one or more curable moieties. In some cases, the liquid rubber comprises one or more ethyleneically unsaturated moieties. For example, in some instances, the liquid rubber comprises a butadiene acrylonitrile copolymer.
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
Methods of 3D printing an object with reduced curl on at least one surface that contacts a print plate are described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a method of 3D printing an object comprises depositing build material to form a first layer of a 3D printed object (102) and depositing build material in a predetermined pattern to form a first layer of a skirt (110) in contact with the 3D printed object. Depositing build material to form the first layer of the skirt comprises 3D printing a first layer of a sidewalk (112) that substantially surrounds at least a portion of a perimeter of the 3D printed object and 3D printing a first layer of a perforated interface (104) between the sidewalk and the perimeter of the skirt.
An apparatus is provided for fracturing a shell of a three-dimensional object. The apparatus may be caused to receive a shell of a three-dimensional object composed of a plurality of facets including first facets and distinct second facets, and form layer data defining a plurality of layers of the shell for use in forming the three-dimensional object on a layer-by-layer basis. At least some of the plurality of layers may include respective first fragments, and at least some of the plurality of layers may include respective second fragments. The first fragments may be produced by first facets and exclusive of second facets, and the second fragments may be produced by second facets and exclusive of first facets. And at least one layer of the plurality of layers may include both a first fragment of the respective first fragments, and a second fragment of the respective second fragments.
In one aspect, composite build materials for use with a 3D printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, a composite build material described herein comprises a carrier ink comprising a curable material; and pigment particles dispersed in the carrier ink, wherein the pigment particles comprise mica. In some cases, the carrier ink is present in the composite build material in an amount of about 80-98% by weight, and the curable material comprises one or more species of monomeric and/or oligomeric (meth)acrylates. Additionally, in some instances, the pigment particles are present in the composite build material in an amount of about 2-8% by weight and comprise up to about 85% by weight mica, based on the total weight of the pigment particles. The pigment particles, in some cases, can also comprise TiO2 and/or Fe2O3.
C09D 11/037 - Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder characterised by the pigment
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
In one aspect, water removable compositions are described herein, including for use in various printing applications. In some embodiments, a composition described herein comprises 50-95% by weight alcohol wax having the formula CH3(CH2)nOH, wherein n is an integer from 1 5 to 40; 5-50% by weight tackifier; and 0.5-5% by weight colorant. In other instances, a composition described herein comprises 50-95% by weight carboxylic acid wax having the formula CH3(CH2)mCOOH, wherein m is an integer from 1 4 to 40; 5- 50% by weight tackifier; and 0.5-5% by weight colorant. Additionally, in some cases, the tackifier of a composition described herein comprises a rosin acid, a rosin ester, a rosin alcohol, or a mixture or combination thereof. Further, the solubility of a colorant in a composition described herein can be characterized by a spectral strength delta value of 5% or less or 3% or less.
In one aspect, methods of printing a 3D article are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of printing a 3D article comprises selectively depositing a first portion of build material in a fluid state onto a substrate to form a first region of build material; selectively depositing a first portion of support material in a fluid state to form a first region of support material; and selectively depositing a second portion of build material in a fluid state to form a second region of build material, wherein the first region of support material is disposed between the first region of build material and the second region of build material in a z-direction of the article. In some cases, the first region of support material forms a grayscale pattern and/or a CMY color pattern in combination with the first region of build material and/or the second region of build material.
A socket for a prosthetic limb is created by making a cast of a residual limb. Marks can be applied to the interior surface of the cast to indicate the locations of anatomical features of the residual limb. The marked interior surface can be scanned and the scan data can be sent to a master fabrication center. The scan data can be modified and a master can be produced from the modified scan data. The socket can then be formed from the plastic material on the master.
In one aspect, methods of printing a three-dimensional article are described herein. In some embodiments, a method described herein comprises jetting an ink at a temperature Tl onto a substrate at a temperature T2 to form a layer of the ink on the substrate. The method further comprises subsequently curing the layer of the ink. In some embodiments, Tl is greater than T2 and the ink in an uncured state has a liquid-gel transition temperature below T1 and above T2. Further, the layer of the ink is deposited on the substrate at a rate R1 in mg/s/in2 that is within 60% of a gelation rate R2 of the ink in inverse minutes in an uncured state at T2. The ink can comprise a curable material and a gellant.
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
C09D 11/38 - Inkjet printing inks characterised by non-macromolecular additives other than solvents, pigments or dyes
B41M 3/00 - Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns
B41M 7/00 - After-treatment of printed works, e.g. heating, irradiating
In one aspect, water dispersible support materials for use with a three- dimensional printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, a support material described herein comprises a phase change wax component and an ethoxylated polyethylene having the formula H-(CH2)m-(OCH2CH2)n-OH, wherein m is an integer from 22 to 60 and n is an integer from 2 to 200. In some cases, the phase change wax component and the ethoxylated polyethylene are each present in the support material in an amount of 20-80% by weight.
A method for creating tubular inserts is useful for creating custom fitted inserts that correspond to the anatomy of a patient and solve the problem of pressure points, wear of the implant, damage to surrounding tissue, and denting. Surface measurements of the affected portion of a patient's internal cavity are obtained. Those measurements are used to design a core. The core is 3D printed with a soluble material. The core is wrapped with a thin filament or film such that the contours from the core develop on the outer surface of the covering. The covering is hardened and the core is dissolved away, leaving a custom-made implant device that can be deposited in the patient's cavity.
In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein is a composite ink. Such a composite ink, in some cases, comprises an optically transparent or substantially transparent carrier ink comprising a curable material; and a colorant dispersed in the carrier ink in an amount of about 0.01 to 5 weight %, based on the total weight of the composite ink.
C09D 11/32 - Inkjet printing inks characterised by colouring agents
C09D 11/101 - Inks specially adapted for printing processes involving curing by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. with UV-curing following the printing
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
In one aspect, methods of printing a color 3D article are described herein. In some embodiments, a method described herein comprises receiving data representing a surface colorization of the article, and transforming the data representing the surface colorization of the article into voxel data of the article. The voxel data comprises (a) location values and at least one of (b) color values and (c) transparency values for a plurality of columns of voxels normal or substantially normal to a surface of the article. The method further comprises selectively depositing layers of one or more build materials onto a substrate to form the article in accordance with the voxel data. In addition, at least one column of the plurality of columns of voxels exhibits a surface color resulting from a combination of colors of a plurality of voxels of the column.
A freeform fabrication system for the production of an edible three-dimensional food product from digital input data is disclosed. Food products are produced in a layer-by-layer manner without object- specific tooling or human intervention. Color, flavor, texture and/or other characteristics may be independently modulated throughout the food product. In addition, in some cases, the food products may further undergo one or more post-processing steps.
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