Embodiments relate to the methodology of direct manufacture of a customized labial/lingual orthodontic tube by using a ceramic slurry-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology. For example, a method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic tubes by additive manufacturing may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three-dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a virtual 3D CAD tube structure model for a single labial or lingual tube structure based upon said 3D CAD model, importing data related to the 3D CAD tube structure model into an additive manufacturing machine, and directly producing the tube with the additive manufacturing machine by layer manufacturing from an inorganic material including at least one of a ceramic, a polymer-derived ceramic, and a polymer-derived metal.

A system for additive manufacturing comprises a dispensing head for dispensing building materials on a working surface, a hardening system for hardening the building materials, a cooling system for evacuating heat away from the building materials, and a computerized controller. A thermal sensing system is mounted above the working surface in a manner that allows relative motion between the sensing system and the working surface, and is configured to generate sensing signals responsively to thermal energy sensed thereby. The controller controls the dispensing head to dispense the building materials in layers, the sensing system to generate the sensing signals only when the sensing system is above the building materials once hardened, and the heat evacuation rate of the cooling system responsively to the sensing signals.

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) objects, 3D printing processes, as well as methods, apparatuses and systems for the production of a 3D object. Methods, apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need for auxiliary supports. The present disclosure provides three dimensional (3D) objects printed utilizing the printing processes, methods, apparatuses and systems described herein.

Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a powdered build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), the apparatus (1) comprising a process chamber (8) and a stream generating device (9) configured to generate a gaseous fluid stream at least partly streaming through the process chamber (8), the gaseous fluid stream being capable of being charged with non-consolidated particulate build material, particularly smoke or smoke residues generated during operation of the apparatus (1), while streaming through the process chamber (8), wherein the stream generating (9) device comprises at least two separate stream generating units (13, 14) each being configured to generate a respective gaseous fluid stream.

Method for operating an apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, wherein irradiation data define at least two regions (8, 9) of object data relating to a three-dimensional object (2), which regions (8, 9) are irradiated based on at least two different irradiation parameters.

This invention provides a de-molding system of ceramic parts manufactured by freeze-casting comprising a mold (9), wherein the mold (9) comprises an upper opening (95) and a lower opening (94), wherein the upper opening (95) is adapted to receive a colloidal suspension (92), and one of the openings is adapted to allow the passage of a manufactured ceramic part (92), characterized by comprising at least one main de-molding element (80) adapted to actuate a ceramic part manufactured (92) through an opening in the mold (9). In addition, the invention provides a mold cooling system for the manufacturing of ceramic parts by freeze-casting comprising: a source (1) of cooling gas; a cooling gas cooling medium (7) fluidically connected to the cooling gas source (1); and a cooling cell (5), fluidly connected to the cooling gas cooling medium (7), comprising a mold (9) in its interior, wherein the cooling cell (5) comprises a refrigerated cooling gas injection opening. Thus, a mold cooling system is provided for the manufacturing of ceramic parts by freeze-casting comprising the stages of: refrigerating a cooling gas coming from a cooling gas source (1); and injecting a cooling gas that is refrigerated in a cooling cell (5) comprising a mold (9) in its interior.

Provided is an intelligent 3D printing method for a large 3D deep complex engineering geological model, including the steps of firstly, determining physical and mechanical parameters of the similar materials of the intact rock mass and the rock mass structure, and selecting a cementing agent; performing a small-scale 3D printing test at different material ratios and 3D printing parameters; determining the 3D printing similar material ratios and the 3D printing parameters; establishing a 3D digital model, planning printing paths, and determining pore diameters, number and combination form of the print heads; conveying the similar materials to the print heads; under the control of a 3D printing intelligent coupling control system, running each print head according to the planned and generated printing paths to complete printing; and finally, testing a printing effect of the model.

The invention relates to a production plant for producing concrete tubbing (500) for a tunnel lining system having at least one formwork (10) for producing the concrete tubbing (500), wherein the production plant is designed either as a carousel system, which has at least one production line (200) with at least two work stations (210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260) and with at least one transport route (110) between the at least two work stations (210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260), each for executing at least one operation step in the production of the concrete tubbing (500), or as a stationary plant with at least two stationary formworks (10), wherein the operation steps necessary for producing the concrete tubbing (500) are each executed on the formworks (10), and with at least one curing station (300), for curing a concrete filled in the formwork (10) for producing the concrete tubbing (500). At least one robot (140) is provided to execute the at least one operation step on one of the at least two work stations (210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260) or two formworks (10) are provided. At least one route (120) is provided which extends at least partially along or transverse to the at least one production line (200) or along or transverse to the formwork (10). At least one travel element (130) is provided on which the at least one robot (140) is arranged with a base (131) and with which the at least one robot (140) can be moved at least partially along or transverse to the at least one production line (200) or formwork (10).

A plant for manufacturing ceramic articles comprising two feeding devices, each of which is designed to contain a powder material of a respective type and to feed said powder material to a conveyor assembly; the plant further comprises an operating device which is designed to enable the output of the powder material selectively in the area of the feeding devices arranged successively and transversely to the feeding direction, and a control unit which controls the operating device depending on a desired reference distribution and how far the conveyor assembly feeds the powder material.

A method for realising ceramic slabs or tiles, comprising the following steps: laying a soft layer (SL) of granular or powder ceramic material on a support plane (P); pressing the soft layer (SL) in order to obtain a compacted layer (CL); firing the compacted layer (CL); prior to the pressing, applying an identification mark (M) onto the soft layer (SL), the identification mark (M) having an optical contrast with respect to the soft layer (SL), so as to enable an optical detection of the mark (M); subsequently to the pressing, acquiring an image of the mark (M); processing the image of the mark (M) detected so as to control one or more operating steps subsequent to the pressing.