Embodiments related to systems and methods of forming structures on substrates (e.g., flexible substrates, fabrics, textiles, leathers) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a structure on a substrate is provided. The method may involve submerging at least one surface of the substrate into a resin bath. The method may include patterning electromagnetic radiation through a window onto one or more regions of the substrate to polymerize the resin onto the one or more regions of the substrate. An alternative method may involve covering a surface of the substrate with a layer of polymeric powder. The alternative method may include directing electromagnetic radiation toward one or more regions on the surface of the substrate to heat the polymeric powder to form a layer on the surface of the substrate. A method of depositing an ultraviolet (UV)-curable material onto a substrate by a valve jetting process is also provided.

Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source (4), which apparatus (1) comprises an optical unit (10) with at least one optical surface (9) arranged in a process chamber (6) of the apparatus (1), wherein the apparatus (1) comprises at least one determination device (12) with at least one light source (13) and at least one determination unit (14) adapted to determine at least one radiation parameter of radiation (15) emitted from the light source (13) and reflected at the optical surface (9) of the optical unit (10), wherein the determination device (12) is adapted to determine at least one condition information of the optical unit (10) based on the determined radiation parameter.

A nozzle according to one embodiment has an inner surface and an outer surface, and is provided with a first passage through which an energy ray passes, and a second passage that is provided between the inner surface and the outer surface, and through which powder and fluid pass. The second passage includes a second open end on one end thereof in a first direction. A first surface that is one of the inner surface and the outer surface includes a first edge on one end thereof in the first direction. A second surface that is the other one of those includes a second edge on one end thereof in the first direction, and is distanced from the first edge toward the first direction. The fluid ejected from the second open end flows along the second surface, and separates at the second edge.

An endless-fibre-reinforced plasticate is described for the additive manufacture of endless-fibre-reinforced plastic components. A plastic material is introduced via a first filling opening into a single-screw extruder and is melted. A mass flow dmF/dt of dry, endless fibre strands is introduced via a second filling opening into the single-screw extruder, impregnated with plastic melt and discharged as fibre-reinforced plasticate. Remote from the second filling opening with regard to conveying, the screw of the single-screw extruder is configured that the fibre strands are discharged substantially undamaged. The mass flow dmF/dt is kept in a first mass flow target ratio to a mass flow dmS/dt of plastic melt discharged from the single-screw extruder, or the mass flow dmF/dt is kept in a second mass flow target ratio to a mass flow dmP/dt of fibre-reinforced plasticate discharged from the single-screw extruder, the exiting endless fibre strands are substantially completely impregnated with plastic melt.

A method for producing a metal shaped article having a porous structure includes a mold formation step of forming a mold having a plurality of columnar structures extending from a substrate by performing a resin material supply step of supplying a liquid containing a resin material to a plurality of places of the substrate at intervals in two directions crossing each other, and a curing step of curing the liquid, a sintering target material supply step of supplying a sintering target material to the mold, a removal step of removing the substrate, a degreasing step of degreasing the columnar structures, and a sintering step of sintering the sintering target material.

A transdermal delivery device for dispensing personalized transdermal dosage formulations from a plurality of reservoirs, and a personalized method for producing the transdermal delivery device. A prescription fill service receives electronic prescription data for a plurality of transdermal dosage formulations to be administered to a given patient. The prescription fill service deposits transdermal dosage formulations in two or more reservoirs of a transdermal device substrate via 3D printing of printable pharmaceutical agent. The electronic prescription data may include transdermal dosage formulations data used to select printable pharmaceutical agent deposited in respective reservoirs. The electronic prescription data further may include medication regimen data for administration of transdermal medications, such as timing data for release of selected transdermal dosage formulations. In an embodiment, a finished transdermal delivery device includes barriers formed at reservoir openings, a controller, and a controlled energy source that degrades the barriers to actuate release of reservoir contents.

A transdermal delivery device for dispensing personalized transdermal dosage formulations from a plurality of reservoirs, and a personalized method for producing the transdermal delivery device. A prescription fill service receives electronic prescription data for a plurality of transdermal dosage formulations to be administered to a given patient. The prescription fill service deposits transdermal dosage formulations in two or more reservoirs of a transdermal device substrate via 3D printing of printable pharmaceutical agent. The electronic prescription data may include transdermal dosage formulations data used to select printable pharmaceutical agent deposited in respective reservoirs. The electronic prescription data further may include medication regimen data for administration of transdermal medications, such as timing data for release of selected transdermal dosage formulations. In an embodiment, a finished transdermal delivery device includes barriers formed at reservoir openings, a controller, and a controlled energy source that degrades the barriers to actuate release of reservoir contents.

Examples of a laser additive manufacturing system are described. The system comprises a laser configured to generate a laser beam, a fiber optic coupled to the laser to transmit the laser beam to a laser optic head that is coupled to the fiber optic and comprises a focus lens to focus the light beam. The laser optic head is configured to slide along a sliding mechanism in X-direction. A powder feeder is used to continuously move in Y-direction and dispense an uniform layer of powdered material onto a powder bad that is positioned on a build plate of the building chamber. The build plate is configured to move in Z-direction. The light beam generated by the laser is focused using the laser optic head onto a small region of the powder bed where the powdered material is positioned producing small volumes of melt pools that are then cooled and a new layer of powdered material is dispensed over it.

A spacecraft includes an additive manufacturing (A/M) subsystem and one or both of a thermal control arrangement and a contamination control arrangement. The A/M subsystem includes an A/M tool, feedstock and a workpiece and is configured to additively manufacture the workpiece using material from the feedstock. The thermal control arrangement is operable, in an on-orbit space environment characterized by near vacuum pressure and near zero-g force, to maintain temperature of at least one of the A/M tool, the feedstock, and the workpiece within respective specified ranges. The contamination control arrangement is operable, in the on-orbit space environment, to control outgassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

A 3D screen-printing apparatus for producing a shaped article includes: a printing table; a printing screen with a printing mask having a layer geometry for producing the shaped article layer by layer; an application unit to apply a printing material to the printing screen and to work it into the printing masks to produce a shaped-article layer; and a first positioning unit configured to increase the distance between the printing table and the printing screen by way of a first relative movement after the production of each shaped-article layer. The printing screen has printing masks, and the 3D screen-printing apparatus has a second positioning unit configured to perform a second relative movement between the printing table and the printing screen so different printing masks of the one printing screen can be positioned one after the other at a shaped-article position where an individual shaped article is to be built.