A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system, the method comprising generating and printing a planarizing part having a substantially-planar top surface relative to a build plane, and a bottom surface that substantially mirrors a topography of a platen surface, and printing the three-dimensional part over the substantially-planar top surface of the printed planarizing part.

Objects produced by conventional three-dimensional printing methods are often incompletely consolidated and are not easily repaired. Printing compositions to address this issue can include a solidifiable matrix and a microwave absorber dispersed in the solidifiable matrix. The microwave absorber can be a plurality of carbon nanostructures containing a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Methods for processing a three-dimensional printed object can include: providing a three-dimensional printed object formed from a printing composition containing a solidifiable matrix and a microwave absorber dispersed in the solidifiable matrix, and applying a focused input of microwave radiation to the printed object at one or more locations. Applying the microwave radiation heats the microwave absorber at the one or more locations and promotes consolidation of the printing composition within the printed object.

The invention provides a process for the production of a (particulate) luminescent material comprising particles, especially substantially spherical particles, having a porous inorganic material core with pores, especially macro pores, which are at least partly filled with a polymeric material with a first material embedded therein, wherein the process comprises (i) impregnating the particles of a particulate porous inorganic material with pores with a first liquid (“ink”) comprising the first material and a curable or polymerizable precursor of the polymeric material, to provide pores that are at least partly filled with said first material and curable or polymerizable precursor; and (ii) curing or polymerizing the curable or polymerizable precursor within pores of the porous material, as well as a product obtainable thereby. The first material comprises one or more materials selected from a group of materials comprising organic luminescent materials, rare-earth luminescent materials, organic dye materials, inorganic dye materials, thermochromic materials, photochromic materials, liquid crystal materials, magnetic materials, scattering materials, high-refractive index materials, radio-active materials, contrast agents and therapeutic agents.

A mold assembly for producing a part includes a first section, a second section movably coupled to the first section, and a cavity defined by the first section and the second section, the cavity being shaped to receive a part while the first section and the second section are movably coupled to each other. The mold assembly includes a joint formed by adjacent surfaces of the first section and the second section and a seal extending along the joint.

A mold assembly for producing a part includes a first section, a second section movably coupled to the first section, and a cavity defined by the first section and the second section, the cavity being shaped to receive a part while the first section and the second section are movably coupled to each other. The mold assembly includes a joint formed by adjacent surfaces of the first section and the second section and a seal extending along the joint.

A method for forming a three-dimensionally (3D) printed flexible support apparatus includes: producing arrays of V-spring elements using a 3D printing system, each array including a plurality of V-spring elements arranged in a predefined array shape, and each V-spring element having a predefined firmness or hysteresis characteristic; arranging the arrays of V-spring elements in at least one two-dimensional (2D) array grid using the 3D printing system, such that at least one V-spring element of each array is attached to a V-spring element of at least one adjacent array; and shaping the at least one array grid according to a predefined volume to form the support apparatus.

A method of controlling temperature in an apparatus for generating a three-dimensional object comprises performing a calibration test on a sample of build material that is to be used in generating a three-dimensional object, calibrating at least one temperature point from the calibration test, and using the at least one calibrated temperature point during subsequent temperature control of the apparatus.

A method of controlling temperature in an apparatus for generating a three-dimensional object comprises performing a calibration test on a sample of build material that is to be used in generating a three-dimensional object, calibrating at least one temperature point from the calibration test, and using the at least one calibrated temperature point during subsequent temperature control of the apparatus.

An additive manufacturing device for manufacturing a mould. The additive manufacturing device includes a container for providing at least one mould material, a build platform having a build surface for holding and/or supporting at least one mould being or having been manufactured by an additive manufacturing process, a source for providing energy to selectively activate and subsequently solidify the at least one mould material in or from the container to enable additive manufacturing of the mould, and an electronic controller adapted to selectively control the source to manufacture the mould as a one-piece sacrificial mould according to a predetermined design producing a one-piece additively manufactured mould.

An additive manufacturing device for manufacturing a mould. The additive manufacturing device includes a container for providing at least one mould material, a build platform having a build surface for holding and/or supporting at least one mould being or having been manufactured by an additive manufacturing process, a source for providing energy to selectively activate and subsequently solidify the at least one mould material in or from the container to enable additive manufacturing of the mould, and an electronic controller adapted to selectively control the source to manufacture the mould as a one-piece sacrificial mould according to a predetermined design producing a one-piece additively manufactured mould.