A surface of a workpiece has a smooth region, and a stepped region including a step. A three-dimensional object printing method includes first print operation of ejecting liquid from a head onto the smooth region, and second print operation, antecedent to or subsequent to the first print operation, of ejecting liquid from the head onto the stepped region. The amount of change in an angle of ejection, which is angle formed by a first normal line and a second normal line, during execution of the second print operation is larger than the amount of change in the angle of ejection during execution of the first print operation. The first normal line is a line normal to the ejection face. The second normal line is a line normal to the surface of the workpiece at a point of intersection with the first normal line.

A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a discharge unit having a nozzle and configured to discharge a material toward a stage; a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the nozzle; and a moving unit configured to move the discharge unit and the cleaning mechanism relative to the stage. The moving unit is configured to move the cleaning mechanism relative to the stage in conjunction with the movement of the discharge unit relative to the stage.

The present invention relates to a machine that enables the additive manufacturing of parts making use of high viscosity resins and which comprises a structure (1); a conveying module (2), with a movable support (3) and a displacement mechanism (5), to house and move the printing surface in a vertical direction; a light source (6), at least one reservoir (11) of material; a material supply module (8), connected to the reservoir (11) of material and intended for applying a layer of printing material on a conveyor substrate (9), which conveys the layer of printing material from the material supply module (8) to the printing surface (4), wherein it is cured; and a fastening system (10), to fasten and move the conveyor substrate.

An additive manufacturing system and method for making components having filaments formed by elastomeric materials. A liner includes the filaments formed by an elastomeric material and is adapted for a prosthetic device system. The filaments form an elastomeric lattice structure and solid layers or features and define a ventilated structure permitting a transfer of air and moisture from an interior volume of the liner to an exterior or ambient liner. The liner may incorporate an adhesive and a textile layer secured to the elastomeric lattice structure and further define recesses and other features for improving a liner.

An apparatus and device for creating a vertical strengthening feature within a 3D printed article of manufacture for improving mechanical performance in the Z-direction. Fill material is deposited in voids vertically crossing multiple layers during the build of 3D printing. The device includes a penetrating extension that fits within the void to create a vertical strengthening feature via heat and/or extruded fill material. The size and/or movement of the heated extension can impact the void side walls to reflow the build material and blend the layers together within the void side walls.

An apparatus and device for creating a vertical strengthening feature within a 3D printed article of manufacture for improving mechanical performance in the Z-direction. Fill material is deposited in voids vertically crossing multiple layers during the build of 3D printing. The device includes a penetrating extension that fits within the void to create a vertical strengthening feature via heat and/or extruded fill material. The size and/or movement of the heated extension can impact the void side walls to reflow the build material and blend the layers together within the void side walls.

A Z-Stage assembly for an additive manufacturing machine includes a Z-frame adapted to support a build table within an additive manufacturing machine, a first support element adapted to support the Z-frame, the first support element adapted to control the position of the Z-frame along an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis, a second support element adapted to support the Z-frame, the second support element adapted to control the position of the Z-frame along only the z-axis, and a third support element adapted to support the Z-frame, the third support element adapted to control the position of the Z-frame along the y-axis and the z-axis, wherein, each of the first, second and third support elements are adapted to selectively and independently move the Z-frame along the z-axis and to independently allow pivotal motion of the Z-frame relative to the first, second and third support elements.

An ejection device includes: an ejection unit provided with an ejection port configured to eject an ejection material; a piezoelectric element configured to cause the ejection material to be ejected from the ejection unit; a first liquid chamber connected to the ejection unit and configured to supply the ejection unit with the ejection material; a pressure control unit configured to control a pressure in the ejection unit by controlling a pressure in the first liquid chamber; and a detection unit configured to detect a wetness of an ejection port side surface.

An ejection device includes: an ejection unit provided with an ejection port configured to eject an ejection material; a piezoelectric element configured to cause the ejection material to be ejected from the ejection unit; a first liquid chamber connected to the ejection unit and configured to supply the ejection unit with the ejection material; a pressure control unit configured to control a pressure in the ejection unit by controlling a pressure in the first liquid chamber; and a detection unit configured to detect a wetness of an ejection port side surface.

Applied within an automated robotic manufacturing system that includes additive manufacturing capabilities, methods and enabling devices are disclosed for achieving precise multi-dimension positional alignment among a plurality of diverse took that are involved in collaboratively constructing a solid object. The enabling devices according to various embodiments include an automatically deployed contact sensing probe and a tool center point sensor that detects contact with tools in multiple axes. At least one disclosed method advantageously utilizes both sensing devices in complement.