A method of making a foamed article comprises (a) injection molding a molten thermoplastic elastomer to form an precursor; (b) crosslinking the thermoplastic elastomer; (c) heating the thermoplastic elastomer to a first temperature to soften the thermoplastic elastomer; (d) infusing the thermoplastic elastomer with at least one inert gas at a first pressure that is sufficient to cause the at least one inert gas to permeate into the softened thermoplastic elastomer; and (e) while the article is softened, reducing the pressure to a second pressure below the first pressure to at least partially foam the precursor into a foamed article, wherein the foamed article is substantially the same shape as the precursor.

A three-dimensional printer includes a light engine, a support plate, and a resin vessel. The light engine is configured to selectively harden photocurable resin at a build plane in the resin vessel. The support plate is formed from cast metal and is in a fixed vertical relation to the light engine. The support plate includes an upper side with an upstanding ridge. The upstanding ridge has an upper datum surface that has been machined to a controlled height. The support plate also includes a separately formed ring disposed upon the upper datum surface. The separately formed ring defines a crest of the upstanding ridge. The resin vessel includes a transparent sheet that defines a lower bound for resin contained in the resin vessel. The transparent sheet impinges upon the crest to define a vertical location of the build plane in relation to the light engine.

A three-dimensional printer includes a light engine, a support plate, and a resin vessel. The light engine is configured to selectively harden photocurable resin at a build plane in the resin vessel. The support plate is formed from cast metal and is in a fixed vertical relation to the light engine. The support plate includes an upper side with an upstanding ridge. The upstanding ridge has an upper datum surface that has been machined to a controlled height. The support plate also includes a separately formed ring disposed upon the upper datum surface. The separately formed ring defines a crest of the upstanding ridge. The resin vessel includes a transparent sheet that defines a lower bound for resin contained in the resin vessel. The transparent sheet impinges upon the crest to define a vertical location of the build plane in relation to the light engine.

A process for producing an article by three-dimensional printing includes applying a 1,1-di-activated vinyl compound-containing liquid binder over a predetermined area of a layer of solid particles. The liquid binder infiltrates gaps between the solid particles to form a first cross-sectional layer of an article, and the 1,1-di-activated vinyl compound reacts to solidify the liquid binder and bind the solid particles in the first cross-sectional layer of the article. Also provided is an article produced by the three-dimensional printing process, set forth herein.

A process for producing an article by three-dimensional printing includes applying a 1,1-di-activated vinyl compound-containing liquid binder over a predetermined area of a layer of solid particles. The liquid binder infiltrates gaps between the solid particles to form a first cross-sectional layer of an article, and the 1,1-di-activated vinyl compound reacts to solidify the liquid binder and bind the solid particles in the first cross-sectional layer of the article. Also provided is an article produced by the three-dimensional printing process, set forth herein.

The present disclosure relates to a build material for 3D printing. The build material comprises polymeric particles comprising polypropylene and at least one elastomer. The polymeric particles comprise a surface-active coating.

The present disclosure relates to a build material for 3D printing. The build material comprises polymeric particles comprising polypropylene and at least one elastomer. The polymeric particles comprise a surface-active coating.

The invention relates to a stereolithography apparatus comprising: a container for a fluid material curable by radiation, a substrate plate, an actuator means for generating a relative movement between the container and the substrate plate, and an irradiation device for selectively irradiating the material arranged in the container. According to the invention, the actuator means and the irradiation device are mounted on a frame assembly, and the container and the substrate plate are combined to form an assembly and the assembly consisting of the container and the substrate plate is jointly inserted into the frame assembly, detachably secured therein by means of an attachment means and to be jointly removed from the frame assembly.

The invention relates to a stereolithography apparatus comprising: a container for a fluid material curable by radiation, a substrate plate, an actuator means for generating a relative movement between the container and the substrate plate, and an irradiation device for selectively irradiating the material arranged in the container. According to the invention, the actuator means and the irradiation device are mounted on a frame assembly, and the container and the substrate plate are combined to form an assembly and the assembly consisting of the container and the substrate plate is jointly inserted into the frame assembly, detachably secured therein by means of an attachment means and to be jointly removed from the frame assembly.

A vehicle comprises a chassis, wheels rotationally mounted to the chassis, each wheel being disposed within a respective wheel well, and a tire mounted to each wheel. A tire sensor disposed within the wheel well senses a tire condition and generates and outputs a tire condition signal indicative of the tire condition. A repair controller receives the tire condition signal from the tire sensor and processes the tire condition signal to determine whether to repair the tire. The repair controller is configured to generate and output a tire repair signal. A 3D printing device disposed in the wheel well and communicatively connected to the repair controller receives the tire repair signal and 3D prints an additive reparation to the tire by drawing a tire repair compound from a supply container within the vehicle and by depositing the tire repair compound on the tire to repair the tire.