A supply of build material such as a spool or cartridge is instrumented with a data tag that includes information about the build material. A three-dimensional printer can read the information from the tag and determine how to use the build material during fabrication of a three-dimensional object.

The invention relates to a method for producing profiled plastic sections in an extrusion line consisting of multiple tools, wherein a starting material is plasticized and molded in an extruder and then cooled and calibrated in at least one drying calibration unit and at least one calibration tank. The material is then divided into individual profiled sections. The quality of the profiled sections is improved in that a central control unit is provided which is connected to the tools and obtains data from the tools for uniquely identifying the tool and data on the state of the tool and transmits back adjustment data for said tool and other tools.

An extruder or other tool head of a three-dimensional printer is instrumented to detect contact force against the extruder, such as by a build platform or an object being fabricated. The tool head may also be instrumented to detect deflection forces and the like acting on the tool that might indicate an operating error. The resulting feedback data can be used in a variety of ways to control operation of the three-dimensional printer during fabrication or diagnostics.

A method for closing a facility (1) for extrusion of a profiled element (2) comprising a roller (3) supported by a bearing (4), a tool module (10) intended to interact with the roller (3) so as to form an air gap (12) for shaping the profiled element (2), and at least a first head module (13) having a first extruder (14) comprises an engagement step (s1), during which the tool module (10) is urged against the first bearing (4) by a preload force (F_Z), in an engagement direction (Z), then a clamping step (s2) during which the tool module (10) is clamped between the first head module (13) and a second head module (23), on either side of the tool module (10), and by subjecting them to a clamping force (F_X), in a coupling direction (X) which is transverse to the engagement direction (Z).

A method of, and apparatus for, handling components for a sheet extrusion system including the steps of: obtaining a carriage configured to support different components each making up a part of a sheet extrusion system; placing a first of the different components in a supported staging position on the carriage; performing an operation on the first of the different components in the supported staging position to at least one of: a) transport the first of the different components; b) perform a maintenance step on the first of the different components; c) repair the first of the different components; or d) set the first of the different components up for installation; separating the first of the different components from the supported staging position on the carriage; and reconfiguring the carriage to maintain a second of the different components, that is different in configuration than the first of the different components, in a supported staging position on the carriage.

An extruder head assembly includes an extruder head having an extrusion line which is inserted in a cylindrical seat formed in said extruder head; the extruder head includes a locking means configured to hold the extrusion line in a working position; the locking means being actuated to release the extrusion line and allow the extraction thereof from the seat. The locking means include dowels that are radially movable between a locking position and a release position, the release position allowing the extraction of the extrusion line.

Various methods and systems are provided for mixing and dispensing viscous materials for the creation of additive structures. As one example, during a mixing and dispensing operation with a mixing and dispensing head of a multi-dimensional printing apparatus, linear movement of a mixing rod positioned within a mixing chamber of the mixing and dispensing head, at least along a central axis of the mixing chamber, is adjusted based on an operating condition of the printing apparatus and dispensing of mixed liquids from the mixing and dispensing head is stopped by stopping one or more pumps fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber and linearly moving the mixing rod upward and away from a dispensing nozzle of the mixing and dispensing head.

A method for identifying an angle of roll for a multi-nozzle extruder includes moving the extruder in a first process direction to form a first set of swaths of extrusion material using two nozzles in the extruder and moving the extruder in a second process direction to form a second set of swaths of extrusion material. The method further includes identifying a location of one nozzle relative to the other nozzle in two dimensions based on cross-process direction distances between the first and second sets of swaths and identifying the angle of extruder roll for the extruder based on the location of the one nozzle and a predetermined geometry of the extruder.

A method for manufacturing a vehicle seat element comprising the following steps: a. providing an armature of the seat element, b. providing a net and a frame, at least one portion of the net being surrounded by the frame and fastened to the frame, c. fastening the frame and/or the net to the armature, d. providing a padding comprising a 3D tangling of continuous thermoplastic fibers arranged irregularly forming loops welded together, and e. fastening the padding onto the net and/or onto the frame.

A method for manufacturing a vehicle seat element comprising the following steps: a. providing an armature of the seat element, b. providing a net and a frame, at least one portion of the net being surrounded by the frame and fastened to the frame, c. fastening the frame and/or the net to the armature, d. providing a padding comprising a 3D tangling of continuous thermoplastic fibers arranged irregularly forming loops welded together, and e. fastening the padding onto the net and/or onto the frame.