A method for treating a polymer part comprising a step of bringing the part into contact with vapours of solvent(s), capable of at least partially solubilising the part, this contacting step being carried out under vacuum. Application of this method for modifying the roughness of the part and/or functionalising it.

A sponge type cleaning device includes a sponge type cleaning tank, a sponge capable of retaining a cleaning agent (a liquid substance), a sample retaining structure retaining a model material (a sample), a movement mechanism capable of moving the sample retaining structure freely forward and backward with respect to the sponge, a cleaning agent supply mechanism supplying the cleaning agent to the sponge type cleaning tank, a rinsing liquid supply mechanism supplying a rinsing liquid to the sponge type cleaning tank, a waste liquid containing tank containing water discharged from the sponge type cleaning tank, a liquid level sensor provided in the sponge type cleaning tank, and a control mechanism controlling each of the mechanisms.

A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid including a mixture of (i) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (ii) a second solidifiable component that is different from the first component; (c) irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer scaffold from the first component and also advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate having the same shape as, or a shape to be imparted to, the three-dimensional object, and containing the second solidifiable component carried in the scaffold in unsolidified and/or uncured form; and (d) concurrently with or subsequent to the irradiating step, solidifying and/or curing the second solidifiable component in the three-dimensional intermediate to form the three-dimensional object.

In a golf ball having a core and a cover of one or more layer encasing the core, an outermost layer of the cover is molded of a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyurea and mixtures thereof, and the surface of the cover is treated with a polyisocyanate compound that is free of organic solvent. A method of manufacturing the golf ball is also described. Such golf balls are endowed with an excellent spin performance and scuff resistance, in addition to which productivity of the golf balls is high.

An extrusion process for making a poly alpha-1,3-glucan food casing is disclosed.

An article and a method of forming an article are provided. The article includes a thermoplastic build material and a polymeric support material. The polymeric support material is selectively removable from the thermoplastic build material through immersion in a solvent. The method of forming an article includes forming a part through additive manufacturing with a thermoplastic build material and a polymeric support material, immersing the part in a solvent, selectively softening the polymeric support material with the solvent, removing the part from the solvent, and separating the polymeric support material from the thermoplastic build material. Another method of forming an article includes forming a part through additive manufacturing with a thermoplastic build material and a polymeric support material, immersing the part in a solvent, selectively dissolving the polymeric support material with the solvent, and removing the thermoplastic build material from the solvent.

The present invention relates to a method of finalizing a 3D printed dental prosthesis by subjecting the dental prosthesis to a pressurized water stream comprising glass beads. Also disclosed is a 3D printed dental prosthesis or component thereof prepared by the inventive method; and a method of providing a patient in need thereof with the 3D printed dental prosthesis or component thereof by inserting same into the oral cavity of the patient.

The invention discloses a process for the preparation of a biodegradable stent which involves deforming an extruded biodegradable polymer tube axially at a first predefined temperature by applying an axial force for a first predefined time interval. The process is followed by radially expanding the axially stretched tube at a second predefined temperature by pressurizing the tube with an inert gas in one or more stages, the pressure applied in each successive stage being higher than the pressure applied in a previous stage. The process further comprises laser cutting a specific pattern of scaffold structure on the expanded tube and then crimping the laser cut stent on the balloon of delivery catheter in a sterile environment in multiple stages.

A process for making poly alpha-1,3-glucan formate films by extrusion is disclosed. These films are translucent or transparent and can be used in packaging applications.

Described herein are lubricant compositions that include combinations of lubricant additives that are effective at improving the surface finish of a range of manufactured materials and equipment. In particular, friction modifiers and antiwear additives are employed to decrease surface roughness of additive manufactured (AM), e.g., 3D printed, materials and equipment in concert with maximizing energy efficiency.