Mold lock is remediated by performing a layer-by-layer, two-dimensional analysis to identify unconstrained removal paths for any support structure or material within each two-dimensional layer, and then ensuring that aligned draw paths are present for all adjacent layers, all as more specifically described herein. Where locking conditions are identified, a sequence of modification rules are then applied, such as by breaking support structures into multiple, independently removable pieces. By addressing mold lock as a series of interrelated two-dimensional geometric problems, and reserving three-dimensional remediation strategies for more challenging, complex mold lock conditions, substantial advantages can accrue in terms of computational speed and efficiency.

The application describes a slurry spread quantification system (200) comprising a forming table including a forming area and at least one slurry outlet (120) configured to, in use, dispense a slurry (130) into the forming area, a sensor (210) trained on the forming area and configured to capture an image of the forming area; and a processor (220) operable to: analyse the image to identify the slurry (130); determine at least one characteristic of the slurry (130); and output at least one indication of the at least one characteristic of the slurry (130). A method, a computer implemented method and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions, that when executed on a computing device cause the computing device to control a system (200) as described are also discussed.

A carbonized brick of recycled concrete powders and a preparation method thereof are provided, belonging to the field of concrete materials. The preparation method includes: adding composition A to a liquid storage tank; introducing composition B into the liquid storage tank to react with a solid waste solution to generate calcium bicarbonate solution; filling recycled powders into a molding die, decomposing the calcium bicarbonate solution by heat, reacting generated carbon dioxide with calcium ions leached from a C—S—H gel in the recycled powders to produce calcium carbonate, and precipitating, crystallizing and cementing in the molding die together with calcium carbonate produced by decomposing calcium bicarbonate solution, and resulting in strength of the recycled powders.

A manufacturing method is disclosed herein. The method includes arranging a preform with a plurality of clamping assemblies, the plurality of clamping assemblies disposed along ends of the preform; and forming the preform into a shaped body, the forming including: incrementally tensioning the preform around a surface of an inner mold line using the plurality of clamping assemblies; and drawing the preform into a set of forming beads of the inner mold line.

A retaining wall block having a false joint and a system of retaining wall blocks. The retaining wall block includes a body having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can have a depth divided by the width greater than two inches. The false joint can have an interior angle of less than ten degrees. The system includes a plurality of retaining wall blocks and a first course of retaining wall blocks engaged with a second course of retaining wall blocks below. Each block in the system comprising a front face having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can extend a predetermined depth of a third surface.

The present disclosure discloses a method for compression casting concrete to reduce the amount of cement, including: adopting any existing concrete mix proportion designed for concrete of given strength, mixing the concrete, pouring the concrete into a mould, and compressing the concrete at a given pressure, where 28-day strength of the compacted concrete is increased; gradually reducing the amount of cement while keeping the amounts of other materials unchanged, where 28-day strength of the concrete is gradually reduced until the concrete meets a design index; proportionally reducing amounts of water and cement in a last mix proportion while keeping the amounts of other materials unchanged, where during compression casting of the concrete, discharge of cement paste is gradually reduced until no cement paste is discharged; and compression casting a concrete member according to a final mix proportion.

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.

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.

An inference system for monitoring a cementitious mixture for three-dimensional printing is provided. The inference system includes an ambient condition sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor and an image capturing device. The inference system also includes a controller coupled to the ambient condition sensor, the temperature sensor, the moisture sensor, and the image capturing device. The controller receives sensed ambient conditions, a temperature signal, and a moisture content signal. The controller receives an image feed of a portion of a cementitious mixture. The controller also receives signals indicative of a motor speed and a motor torque associated with a mixing container. The controller builds a model and determines a material suitability of the cementitious mixture using the model based on the received ambient conditions, the temperature signal, the moisture content signal, the image feed, the motor speed, and the motor torque and determines one or more corrective actions.

The present invention discloses a system for 3D printing by using meniscus-confined electrodeposition, using at least one pipette, carrying at least one electrolyte, at least one means of thickness or deposition rate assessment and at least one motion control mechanism, configured to allow the deposition of at least one deposited metal on a substrate. The invention also discloses a method of 3D printing, characterized by one or more steps of meniscus-confined electrodepositing, using at least one pipette, carrying at least one electrolyte, utilizing at least one means of thickness or deposition rate assessment and at least one motion control mechanism, thereby enabling the deposing of at least one deposited metal on a substrate.