B29C64/20

Methods for making an object and formulations for use in said methods
11597839 · 2023-03-07 · ·

The present invention relates to formulations for use in 3-D printing using radiation from visual display screens. The formulations comprise titanocene photoinitators and co-initiators. The invention also relates to methods of forming 3-D objects using said formulations.

Methods for making an object and formulations for use in said methods
11597839 · 2023-03-07 · ·

The present invention relates to formulations for use in 3-D printing using radiation from visual display screens. The formulations comprise titanocene photoinitators and co-initiators. The invention also relates to methods of forming 3-D objects using said formulations.

Printer for the three-dimensional fabrication

Techniques are disclosed for fabricating multi-part assemblies. In particular, by forming release layers between features such as bearings or gear teeth, complex mechanical assemblies can be fabricated in a single additive manufacturing process.

Printer for the three-dimensional fabrication

Techniques are disclosed for fabricating multi-part assemblies. In particular, by forming release layers between features such as bearings or gear teeth, complex mechanical assemblies can be fabricated in a single additive manufacturing process.

Systems, devices, and methods for fabricating colloidal solids

Disclosed are methods for building colloidal solids by precipitation from a liquid bridge using a needle through which a colloidal particle suspension is dispensed onto a substrate in a temperature-controlled environment. The substrate can rest on a motion-controlled stage, and freeform shapes can be built by coordinating the motion of the stage with the rate of dispense of colloidal particle suspension. Aspects include a scaling law that governs the rate of assembly and a direct-write colloidal assembly process that combines self-assembly with direct-write 3D printing, and can be used to build exemplary freestanding structures using a diverse materials, such as polystyrene, silica and gold particles. Additionally, disclosed are methods for predicting and eliminating cracking by a geometric relationship between particle size and structure dimensions, enabling the production of macroscale, crack-free colloidal crystals.

Systems, devices, and methods for fabricating colloidal solids

Disclosed are methods for building colloidal solids by precipitation from a liquid bridge using a needle through which a colloidal particle suspension is dispensed onto a substrate in a temperature-controlled environment. The substrate can rest on a motion-controlled stage, and freeform shapes can be built by coordinating the motion of the stage with the rate of dispense of colloidal particle suspension. Aspects include a scaling law that governs the rate of assembly and a direct-write colloidal assembly process that combines self-assembly with direct-write 3D printing, and can be used to build exemplary freestanding structures using a diverse materials, such as polystyrene, silica and gold particles. Additionally, disclosed are methods for predicting and eliminating cracking by a geometric relationship between particle size and structure dimensions, enabling the production of macroscale, crack-free colloidal crystals.

Shaping device and shaping method
11633787 · 2023-04-25 · ·

A shaping device for producing a layered body by repeatedly performing a step of forming a powder layer and a step of fixing powder in at least a partial region of the powder layer includes a first liquid application unit configured to apply a first liquid including a binder for binding the powder, a second liquid application unit configured to apply a second liquid for suppressing a flow of the first liquid, and a control unit that controls the first liquid application unit and the second liquid application unit so that where the powder in a first region of the formed powder layer is to be fixed, the first liquid is applied to the first region and the second liquid is applied to a second region adjacent to the first region. The second liquid is a liquid having higher permeability to the powder layer than the first liquid.

Shaping device and shaping method
11633787 · 2023-04-25 · ·

A shaping device for producing a layered body by repeatedly performing a step of forming a powder layer and a step of fixing powder in at least a partial region of the powder layer includes a first liquid application unit configured to apply a first liquid including a binder for binding the powder, a second liquid application unit configured to apply a second liquid for suppressing a flow of the first liquid, and a control unit that controls the first liquid application unit and the second liquid application unit so that where the powder in a first region of the formed powder layer is to be fixed, the first liquid is applied to the first region and the second liquid is applied to a second region adjacent to the first region. The second liquid is a liquid having higher permeability to the powder layer than the first liquid.

Vehicle with 3D printing device for on-wheel tire repair
11633930 · 2023-04-25 ·

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.

SWARM MANUFACTURING FOR SMART FACTORY

The present invention provides a swarm manufacturing platform, based on a swarm 3D printing and assembly (SPA) platform as a model for future smart factories, consisting of thousands of IoT-based mobile robots performing different manufacturing operations with different end effectors (e.g., material deposition, energy deposition, pick and place, removal of materials, screw driving, etc.) and real-time monitoring. The swarm manufacturing platform transforms a 1-D factory into a 2-D factory with manufacturing robots that can move across the 2-D factory floor, work cooperatively with each other on the same production jobs, and re-configure in real-time (i.e., the manufacturing robots can be digitally controlled to move, re-group, calibrate, and work on a new job in real-time).