A machine tool (100) is arranged to deliver at least one of an energy source and a media, through a processing head (300) onto a work-piece for material addition, inspection or data collection, wherein the machine-tool has a clamping mechanism (202) arranged to temporarily receive the processing-head and wherein the machine tool comprises a stop block (390) having a manifold arranged to deliver at least one of the energy and media and wherein the processing head comprises an anti-rotation arm (391) and connector (600) arranged to be connectable to the stop block and wherein the processing head further comprises a manifold arranged to engage with the stop block manifold when the processing head is connected to receive the energy or media. The machine tool may be a multi-axis machine tool and the stop block can be fixed to the machine tool or may be integrated therein.

A three-dimensional modeling device includes a modeling unit having a nozzle configured to eject a modeling material, a stage, a movement mechanism unit for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage, a measuring unit, a reference unit having a reference surface arranged at a position that corresponds to a deposition surface of the stage in an intersecting direction and where the reference surface can face the measuring unit, the reference unit being separate from the nozzle, and a control unit controlling the modeling unit and the movement mechanism unit. The control unit controls the measuring unit to measure a first distance between the measuring unit and the reference surface and a second distance between the measuring unit and the distal end surface, and decides a distance between a distal end surface of the nozzle and the deposition surface, based on the first and second distances.

A three-dimensional modeling device includes a modeling unit having a nozzle configured to eject a modeling material, a stage, a movement mechanism unit for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage, a measuring unit, a reference unit having a reference surface arranged at a position that corresponds to a deposition surface of the stage in an intersecting direction and where the reference surface can face the measuring unit, the reference unit being separate from the nozzle, and a control unit controlling the modeling unit and the movement mechanism unit. The control unit controls the measuring unit to measure a first distance between the measuring unit and the reference surface and a second distance between the measuring unit and the distal end surface, and decides a distance between a distal end surface of the nozzle and the deposition surface, based on the first and second distances.

An apparatus includes an electronic controller having a memory device and an extruding device connected to the electronic controller. The extruding device has a dispensing head configured to dispense a dielectric material though an orifice in the dispensing head as commanded by the electronic controller. A wire feed device is connected to the electronic controller and the extruding device and is configured to feed a conductive wire through the orifice as commanded by the electronic controller. A cutting device is connected to the electronic controller and the extruding device. The cutting device severs the wire after it is fed through the orifice as commanded by the electronic controller. An electromechanical device is connected to the electronic controller and to the extruding device. The electromechanical device is configured to move the extruding device, the wire feed device, and the cutting device within a 3D space as commanded by the electronic controller.

An apparatus includes an electronic controller having a memory device and an extruding device connected to the electronic controller. The extruding device has a dispensing head configured to dispense a dielectric material though an orifice in the dispensing head as commanded by the electronic controller. A wire feed device is connected to the electronic controller and the extruding device and is configured to feed a conductive wire through the orifice as commanded by the electronic controller. A cutting device is connected to the electronic controller and the extruding device. The cutting device severs the wire after it is fed through the orifice as commanded by the electronic controller. An electromechanical device is connected to the electronic controller and to the extruding device. The electromechanical device is configured to move the extruding device, the wire feed device, and the cutting device within a 3D space as commanded by the electronic controller.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes: a build surface for receiving and supporting the part; a material depositor operable to selectively deposit a bead of radiant-energy-curable resin on the build surface; one or more actuators operable to change the relative positions of the build surface and the material depositor, such that the bead is deposited along a build path; and a radiant energy apparatus operable to generate and project radiant energy on the deposited material. A method is provided for producing a component using the apparatus.

An implant includes a body having a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion. The leading edge portion includes a substantially smooth surface forming a substantial majority of a leading edge surface of the leading edge portion. The trailing edge portion includes a monolithic structure including at least one receptacle configured to receive an insertion tool. In addition, the intermediate portion includes a plurality of elongate curved structural members.

An apparatus is provided which extrudes a radiation-curable construction material above a support surface with a slot die to deposit a layer of extruded construction material above the support surface. Radiation is selectively projected with a projection unit to a construction region between the support surface and the slot die, thereby curing portions of the extruded construction material. The apparatus repeats these steps are repeated until a desired object is formed by the contiguous cured portions of the construction material extending across and between the layers.

An apparatus is provided which extrudes a radiation-curable construction material above a support surface with a slot die to deposit a layer of extruded construction material above the support surface. Radiation is selectively projected with a projection unit to a construction region between the support surface and the slot die, thereby curing portions of the extruded construction material. The apparatus repeats these steps are repeated until a desired object is formed by the contiguous cured portions of the construction material extending across and between the layers.

An example of a metal-based pellet extrusion additive manufacturing system is disclosed. The system may include a printing nozzle system with a turnable screw, an extruder body, and a nozzle end, wherein the turnable screw is configured to transport metal-based pellets from an extruder body towards a nozzle end. A method for fabricating an object using metal-based pellet extrusion system is also disclosed. In one example, the additive manufacturing system and method are utilized to form a fan wheel for a fan assembly. In some implementations, the fan wheel is a monolithic part without any welds or other attachment features joining fan blades of the fan wheel to the base of the fan wheel.