An additive manufacturing apparatus, a computing system, and a method for operating an additive manufacturing apparatus are provided. The method includes obtaining two or more images corresponding to respective build layers at a build plate, wherein each image comprises a plurality of data points comprising a feature and corresponding location at the build plate; removing variation between the features of the plurality of data points; and normalizing each feature to remove location dependence in the plurality of data points.

An additive manufacturing apparatus, a computing system, and a method for operating an additive manufacturing apparatus are provided. The method includes obtaining two or more images corresponding to respective build layers at a build plate, wherein each image comprises a plurality of data points comprising a feature and corresponding location at the build plate; removing variation between the features of the plurality of data points; and normalizing each feature to remove location dependence in the plurality of data points.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy is device operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A deposition assembly is upstream of the stage and configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The deposition assembly includes a reservoir housing configured to retain a volume of resin between the upstream wall and the downstream wall. The deposition assembly also includes an application device operably coupled with the reservoir housing. A computing system is operably coupled with the application device. The computing system is configured to intermittently initiate a flush operation between successive layers of the component, wherein the application device is moved from a first position to a second position during the flush operation.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy is device operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A deposition assembly is upstream of the stage and configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The deposition assembly includes a reservoir housing configured to retain a volume of resin between the upstream wall and the downstream wall. The deposition assembly also includes an application device operably coupled with the reservoir housing. A computing system is operably coupled with the application device. The computing system is configured to intermittently initiate a flush operation between successive layers of the component, wherein the application device is moved from a first position to a second position during the flush operation.

A three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus includes a stage on which a powder material is spread, and a tubular build box disposed in a state of surrounding the stage. The build box includes a side wall portion having a first tubular member surrounding the stage and a second tubular member surrounding the stage with the first tubular member interposed therebetween and forming a space with the first tubular member, and moreover, a vacuum heat insulating layer can be formed inside the side wall portion by vacuuming the space.

Fluid flow control devices, systems, and methods may include a body extending along a longitudinal axis. The body has a fluid inlet at a first axial end of the body and a fluid outlet at a second axial end of the body. Channels may extend through an interior portion of the body between the fluid inlet at the first axial end and the fluid outlet at the second axial end. The channels collectively define fluid pathways through the body.

A multi-material 3-D printing system and method including at least two printing heads each with a transparent window circumscribed by an ejection nozzle. Each ejection nozzle is coupled to a respective pump that pumps resin from a respective vat onto a respective window. The resin is cured from below the window by exposure to a digital image displayed by a micro display chip. To switch resins, the sample is moved across a plurality of suction nozzles towards a second printing head. A respective one of the suction heads is coupled to a vacuum that effectuates the intake of residual resin from the underside of the sample.

A multi-material 3-D printing system and method including at least two printing heads each with a transparent window circumscribed by an ejection nozzle. Each ejection nozzle is coupled to a respective pump that pumps resin from a respective vat onto a respective window. The resin is cured from below the window by exposure to a digital image displayed by a micro display chip. To switch resins, the sample is moved across a plurality of suction nozzles towards a second printing head. A respective one of the suction heads is coupled to a vacuum that effectuates the intake of residual resin from the underside of the sample.

Methods for producing highly spherical particles that comprise: mixing a mixture comprising: (a) nanoclay-filled-polymer composite comprising a nanoclay dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer, (b) a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the thermoplastic polymer of the nanoclay-filled-polymer composite, optionally (c) a thermoplastic polymer not filled with a nanoclay, and optionally (d) an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature at or greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer of the nanoclay-filled-polymer and the thermoplastic polymer, when included, to disperse the nanoclay-filled-polymer composite in the carrier fluid; cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature to form nanoclay-filled-polymer particles; and separating the nanoclay-filled-polymer particles from the carrier fluid.

Methods for producing highly spherical particles that comprise: mixing a mixture comprising: (a) nanoclay-filled-polymer composite comprising a nanoclay dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer, (b) a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the thermoplastic polymer of the nanoclay-filled-polymer composite, optionally (c) a thermoplastic polymer not filled with a nanoclay, and optionally (d) an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature at or greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer of the nanoclay-filled-polymer and the thermoplastic polymer, when included, to disperse the nanoclay-filled-polymer composite in the carrier fluid; cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature to form nanoclay-filled-polymer particles; and separating the nanoclay-filled-polymer particles from the carrier fluid.