The technology relates to a method of producing a moulded polyurethane hydrogel, for example a condom. The method involves forming a solution of at least one polyurethane having a molecular weight of between about 40000 to about 500000 in a water:organic polar solvent comprising less than about 40% (v/v) water; applying a layer of the solution to a mould; drying the layer of the first solution to form a polyurethane film on the mould; and contacting the polyurethane film with a swelling agent under conditions such that the film forms a polyurethane hydrogel with a swelling agent content of between about 1% to about 95%.

The present invention relates to a system (100) for automatically processing an additively manufactured part. The system comprises an inspection module (120) for determining at least one part parameter associated with a surface finish quality of the part, a processing module (118) for processing a surface of the part responsive to the at least one part parameter and controller (102) configured to modify a processing parameter of a surface finishing process, performed by the processing module, based on the at least one part parameter determined by the inspection module.

An apparatus for automated chemical vapor processing. The apparatus includes a chemical vapor processing chamber to treat articles with surface-smoothing chemical vapor and an article loading chamber to receive articles pending treatment by the chemical vapor processing chamber. The apparatus further includes an automated conveyor to move the articles between the article loading chamber and the chemical vapor processing chamber. The apparatus further includes an air lock to connect the article loading chamber to the chemical vapor processing chamber, and a controller to control the automated conveyor to move the articles between the article loading chamber and the chemical vapor processing chamber, and to control the air lock to seal the chemical vapor processing chamber from the article loading chamber when the automated conveyor is not moving articles between the article loading chamber and the chemical vapor processing chamber.

A process can be used for the surface treatment of three-dimensional objects which have been produced in additive manufacturing processes from at least one polymer. The process involves a) immersing the three-dimensional object in a substance mixture A, b) leaving the three-dimensional object in the substance mixture A for a time, and c) removing the three-dimensional object from the substance mixture A. The process then involves d) immersing the three-dimensional object in a substance mixture B, e) leaving the three-dimensional object in the substance mixture B for a time, and f) removing the three-dimensional object from the substance mixture B. The substance mixture A has a temperature (process temperature A) which is above the melting point of the polymer, and the substance mixture B has a temperature (process temperature B) which is below the melting point of the polymer.

A machine for washing and removing substrate material for parts produced by a 3D printer. The machine includes a housing having a working chamber and a disposal chamber. The machine has at least one inlet in fluid communication with the working chamber. The disposal chamber is disposed adjacent to the working chamber. A dividing wall is disposed between the working chamber and the disposal chamber. A pump conveys a working fluid to the at least one inlet in the working chamber. The disposal chamber and the working chamber are disposed in fluid communication via a passageway such that working fluid passes from the working chamber to the disposal chamber. The machine may also include an ultrasonic generator for generating ultrasonic vibrations within the working chamber and a heater for warming the working fluid.

A method of forming a sandwich structure including at least partially filling an open volume of an open cellular core with a sacrificial mold material, consolidating the sacrificial mold material to form a sacrificial mold, laying up a composite facesheet on each of at least two surfaces of the open cellular core, co-curing the composite facesheets by applying a consolidation temperature and a compaction pressure to the composite facesheets to form the sandwich structure, and removing the sacrificial mold. The compaction pressure is greater than a compressive strength of the open cellular core and less than a combined compressive strength of the open cellular core and the sacrificial mold.

Methods and systems for consolidating an additively manufactured piece. In one embodiment, methods include the step of combining the additively manufactured piece with another piece, for example with another additively manufactured piece or with a piece that is not additively manufactured (e.g. an insert, foam, etc.), so that during a consolidation step, those pieces are assembled or connected together.

Disclosed are a glass fiber tape, a surface modification method and an application thereof. The surface modification method includes the determination of an optimal decarburizing condition of the glass fiber tape, the decarburization of the glass fiber tape, and the coating of palmitic acid.

A method for post-treating a three-dimensional object produced by selectively solidifying, layer by layer, of a building material in powder form and/or post-treating unsolidified building material in which the three-dimensional object is embedded. The three-dimensional object and/or the unsolidified building material may be treated with a liquid. The liquid may comprises a liquid carrier substance and at least one further substance that reduces surface tension of the carrier substance.

A build plate for an additive manufacturing device and methods for the same are provided. The build plate may include a base and a sacrificial plate coupled with the base. The etch rate of the sacrificial plate in an etchant may be greater than an etch rate of the base in the etchant. A method for separating a 3D printed article supported on the build plate may include contacting the sacrificial plate with the etchant.