The invention provides a method for manufacturing a 3D item (10), wherein the 3D item (10) comprises an outer layer (210) and a support structure (220) with cavities (230), wherein the outer layer (210) at least partly encloses the support structure (220), and wherein the method comprises: (a) a 3D printing stage comprising 3D printing with fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printable material (201) the outer layer (210) and the support structure (220) and at least partly filling the cavities (230) with a filler material (204); and (b) a post-treatment stage comprising post treating at least part of the outer layer (210) for reducing surface roughness.

A method, computer system, and a computer program product for object modeling is provided. The present invention may include generating a temporary modeling structure based on at least a digital model and one or more printing preferences. The present invention may include sending printing instructions to a 3D printer based on the temporary modeling structure. The present invention may include receiving feedback from a sensory based system, the sensory based system monitoring a printing chamber of the 3D printer. The present invention may include updating the printing instructions based on an analysis of the feedback of the feedback received from the sensory based system.

A zero-Poisson-ratio honeycomb structure and an interlocking assembly manufacturing method thereof are provided. The honeycomb structure is formed by combining a four-pointed star shaped structure and horizontal and vertical honeycomb wall arrays at star corners. The zero-Poisson-ratio honeycomb structure not only has the zero-Poisson-ratio characteristic, but also can achieve respective design of in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical properties. Meanwhile, due to the existence of the horizontal honeycomb walls and the vertical honeycomb walls, the connection of multiple honeycomb walls at angular points in the honeycomb structure is avoided. Moreover, a novel manufacturing mode is provided for the honeycomb structure in addition to prepare the honeycomb structure by utilizing a 3D printing process. The honeycomb structure can be manufactured by combining an interlocking assembly process with resin matrix composites. The performance of the honeycomb structure is further improved at the material level.

A mould for injection moulding is provided which has a mould body having a plurality of boundary surfaces, the plurality of boundary surfaces having at least one moulding surface configured to delimit a mould cavity. The mould body is made by additive manufacturing. The mould body has a functional domain portion on which the plurality of boundary surfaces and the moulding surface are formed, the functional domain portion being composed of a solid, continuous material structure covering a fraction of the mould body, and an application domain portion which is the complement of the functional domain portion in the mould body, the application domain portion being composed of a three-dimensional material lattice structure having an ordered repetition of unit cells including a periodic minimal surface. The at least one geometrical parameter of the periodic minimal surface is tuned locally to form unit cells with different densities of material.

Described herein is a process for preparing a molded article including at least one structured surface, said process including applying a composition, preferably a foam material, into a mold having at least one structured inner surface and curing said composition to provide the molded structured article. The inner surfaces of the mold can be coated with a coating composition to obtain molded structured articles further including a flexible and durable coating layer. The present invention also relates to a structured molded article, preferably a shoe sole, which is obtained by the process.

A system for fusing thermoplastic composite structures includes a skin and a substructure on an inner surface of the skin. The system also includes a shaping surface of a tool, with the skin laid up on the shaping surface. The shaping surface is configured to maintain the shape of an outer mold line. The system further includes at least one insulation layer applied over a flange of the substructure and over exposed portions of the inner surface of the skin not in contact with the substructure, and a vacuum bag at least partly enclosing the skin and the substructure. Heat can be applied to the shaping surface to fuse the substructure to the skin such that the skin exceeds its melting point and at least a portion of a raised segment of the substructure does not exceed its melting point.

An apparatus for the manufacture of an object, the apparatus having a print bed, a stencil, a heater arranged to heat the stencil, and a squeegee. The stencil comprises one or more apertures and is positionable over the print bed. The squeegee is movable to spread a printing material across the stencil and to thereby force printing material through the stencil aperture(s). One or both of the stencil and the print bed is movable to adjust the spacing between the stencil and the print bed.

This method for manufacturing a light absorber includes: a first step for irradiating a resin substrate with ion beams; a second step for etching the irradiated resin substrate with an alkaline solution to form an uneven surface on the surface thereof; a third step for forming a transfer body which covers the uneven surface of the etched resin substrate; and a fourth step for peeling off the transfer body from the resin substrate to obtain a light absorber. A metal film, a photocurable resin, and a silicone rubber are disclosed as an example of the transfer body.

This method for manufacturing a light absorber includes: a first step for irradiating a resin substrate with ion beams; a second step for etching the irradiated resin substrate with an alkaline solution to form an uneven surface on the surface thereof; a third step for forming a transfer body which covers the uneven surface of the etched resin substrate; and a fourth step for peeling off the transfer body from the resin substrate to obtain a light absorber. A metal film, a photocurable resin, and a silicone rubber are disclosed as an example of the transfer body.

A plasma etching method using a Faraday cage, which effectively produces a blazed grating pattern.