A system (100) and method to control rheology of ceramic pre-cursor batch during extrusion is described herein. An extrusion system (100) comprises an extruder (122) with an input port (144) configured to feed ceramic pre-cursor batch into a first section (120) of an extruder barrel and a discharge port configured to extrude a ceramic pre-cursor extrudate (172) out of the extruder barrel downstream of the input port (144). A liquid injector (210) is configured to inject liquid into the ceramic pre-cursor batch. A sensor (106) is configured to detect a rheology characteristic of the ceramic pre-cursor batch. A controller (108) is configured (i) to receive the rheology characteristic from the sensor (106), (ii) compare the rheology characteristic to a predetermined rheology value of the ceramic pre-cursor batch, and (iii) generate a command based on the comparison. A liquid regulator (110) is configured to receive the command and adjust liquid flow to the liquid injector (210) based on the command.

A machine and method for compacting a powder material; the machine comprises a compacting device, which is adapted to compact the powder material; a conveyor assembly to convey a layer of powder material, along a portion of a given path, to the compacting device; and an adjusting assembly, which is adapted to change the width of the layer of powder material along the portion of the given path and consequently the thickness of the layer of powder material at its longitudinal edges.

The present disclosure generally relates to additive manufacturing systems and methods involving a mechanism for feeding in a desired amount of fresh recoater blade. This can be accomplished by, for example, spooling the fresh blade material from a spool. This helps prevent work stoppage when a portion of a recoater blade becomes damaged. As such, the present disclosure also relates to a system and method for detecting whether a recoater blade is damaged, and if there is damage, then causing a fresh blade portion to be fed in.

The application discloses a high-whiteness MGO substrate, a preparation method thereof and a decorative board having the substrate. The high-whiteness MGO substrate includes a surface layer and a substrate, wherein the substrate is prepared from a forming agent, a lightweight filler, a modifier and water in parts by mass as follows: 40-49 parts of light burned magnesium oxide powder, 18-25 parts of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, 16-25 parts of a polyvinyl alcohol solution, 16-20 parts of a plant powder, and 0.5-2 parts of a modifier; the modifier being obtained by mixing citric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium sulfate in a mass ratio of 10:3:6.

The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7). The build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) and the carrier (7) are adapted to be connected to one another in a stationary manner during the vertical movement of the irradiation unit (17) so that the vertical movement takes place relative to the carrier (7) and relative to the build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b).

An image identification method for printing on rigid substrates includes the steps of: defining a digital graphic design representative of a rigid substrate to be produced; spreading a soft layer of granular or powder ceramic material on a deposition surface; pressing the soft layer to obtain a compacted layer; acquiring a real image of the compacted layer, detecting keypoints of the real image; comparing the keypoints of the real image with keypoints of an image obtained or derived from the digital graphic design; and calculating a portion of the digital graphic design corresponding to a portion of the real image. An image identification system for printing implementing the described method and a corresponding printing method/system are also described.

According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided method and system of using a roller-based deposition process to place two or more powders at some level of precision to build a multi-material, functionally-graded part. Instead of formulating a liquid ink by dispersing the powder feedstocks (metal or ceramic) in some binder-solvent mixture, there is detailed the use of two different types of fluid deposited in a digital manner on the roller surface. The two different types of fluids create a “wetted pixel” that can then capture a specific powder type with an affinity only to that fluid. Alternatives such as electrostatics, electrophotography, and the like are also provided to be used exclusively or with fluids to create an affine pixel to a particular powder type.

The invention relates to mechanical arm material distribution equipment capable of realizing consistence between a whole-body texture and surface decoration patterns of a ceramic tile and a control method thereof. The mechanical arm material distribution equipment consists of a block-shaped pattern material distribution mechanism assembly, a texture pattern material distribution mechanism assembly, and a press which are arranged in order. The control method comprises the following steps: (1) supplying power to start the mechanical arm material distribution equipment; (2) detecting whether a material level signal exists; (3) if YES, stopping operating stepless variable speed motors; (4) if NOT, operating the stepless variable speed motors; (5) detecting again whether a material level signal exists; (6) if YES, stopping operating the stepless variable speed motors; (7) if NOT, operating the stepless variable speed motors; and (8) repeating steps (2)-(7) until the equipment stops.

An example apparatus for additive manufacturing can include at least three legs including trussing beams and an upper frame supported at a target height by the legs. The upper frame can include an x-axis member extending between two of the legs and a y-axis member extending between two of the legs. An x-axis gantry can be coupled to the y-axis member and extend parallel to the x-axis member. The x-axis gantry can be slidably moveable along the y-axis member. An x-axis carriage can be coupled to the x-axis gantry and slidable moveable along the x-axis gantry. A telescoping z-axis member can be coupled to the x-axis carriage. A cementitious material delivery hose can have an outlet coupled to the z-axis member so that the outlet moves along a z-axis.

Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser, sintering, and welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.