A method for additive manufacturing includes forming an object including depositing a first material including a first coloring component and a second material including a second coloring component, wherein both the first material and the second material further include a corresponding fluorescent component, scanning the object, including causing an emission of an optical signal from the object, wherein the emission of the optical signal is caused at least in part by an emission from the fluorescent components interacting with the first coloring component and the second coloring component as it passes from the fluorescent components to the surface of the object, sensing the emission of the optical signal, and determining presence of the first material and the second material based at least in part on the sensed emission of the optical signal.

Additive manufacturing processes, such as powder bed fusion of thermoplastic particulates, may be employed to form printed objects in a range of shapes. Formation of printed objects having various colors may sometimes be desirable. Thermoplastic particulates incorporating a color-changing material capable of forming different colors under specified activation conditions may impart different colors to a printed object. Such particulate compositions may comprise a plurality of thermoplastic particulates comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a color-changing material associated with the thermoplastic particulates, wherein the color-changing material is photochromic and thermochromic. Conjugated diynes, such as 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid or a derivative thereof, may be particularly suitable color-changing materials having photochromic and thermochromic properties for forming a range of colors upon a printed object. Nanoparticles, particularly silica nanoparticles, associated with an outer surface of the thermoplastic particulates may enhance the brightness of the color obtained under various activation conditions and afford coloration permanence.

A system and process for producing a homogenous extrudate powder coating composition having predetermined properties, the system comprising a color library database that is configured to store one or more input formulation data objects capable of use in controlling the inputs and operation of an electronically controlled homogenous extrudate mixer.

Additive manufacturing processes, such as powder bed fusion of thermoplastic particulates, may be employed to form printed objects in a range of shapes. Formation of printed objects having various colors may sometimes be desirable. Thermoplastic particulates incorporating a color-changing material capable of forming different colors under specified activation conditions may impart different colors to a printed object. Such particulate compositions may comprise a plurality of thermoplastic particulates comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a color-changing material associated with the thermoplastic particulates, wherein the color-changing material is photochromic and thermochromic. Conjugated diynes, such as 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid or a derivative thereof, may be particularly suitable color-changing materials having photochromic and thermochromic properties for forming a range of colors upon a printed object. Nanoparticles, particularly silica nanoparticles, associated with an outer surface of the thermoplastic particulates may enhance the brightness of the color obtained under various activation conditions and afford coloration permanence.

An aqueous composition for making dip-molded comestible hard capsules comprising a film forming capsule base material and one or more colorants each consisting of a hydrophilic coloring foodstuff concentrate.

A system for producing a homogenous extrudate powder coating composition having predetermined properties, the system comprising a color library database that is configured to store one or more input formulation data objects capable of use in controlling the inputs and operation of an electronically controlled homogenous extrudate mixer.

A system comprising: (1) a grinding unit configured to receive and grind recycled PET bottles into a group of polymer flakes comprising up to about ten percent colored polymer flakes and balance substantially clear polymer flakes; (2) a washing unit configured to wash the group of polymer flakes; and (3) an extruder configured to extrude material in a plurality of different extrusion streams. The extruder may be further configured to: (1) receive a concentrate-polymer mixture comprising a mixture of the polymer flakes and a color concentrate; (2) melt the concentrate-polymer mixture to produce a polymer melt; (3) reduce a pressure within the extruder; and (4) pass the polymer melt through the extruder so that the polymer melt is divided into the plurality of extrusion streams. The system may then filter the polymer melt through at least one filter and form the polymer melt into bulked continuous carpet filament.

A device for producing a dyed plastic melt and an undyed plastic melt includes a multi-shaft screw extruder, a first metering installation, a second metering installation, and a control installation for selecting between a first operating mode for producing the dyed plastic melt and a second operating mode for producing the undyed plastic melt. The first metering installation serves for feeding an undyed plastic material through a first infeed opening into a housing of the multi-shaft screw extruder, and the second metering installation serves for feeding at least one color granulate through a second infeed opening into the housing. The plastic material is fed exclusively by way of the first infeed opening such that residual color granulate or dyeing agent contained therein, respectively, which is still located in the second metering installation or in the region of the second infeed opening does not contaminate the undyed plastic melt.

The invention discloses a preform for a container comprising a polyester, titanium dioxide, and a light absorbing additive. In addition, a process for preparing a polyester-based container from such a preform is disclosed, as well as a polyester-based container obtainable by such a process. The opaque containers can for instance be used for storing light-sensitive solids and/or liquids. The optical properties of the preform result in improved properties during blow-moulding processes.

An apparatus and method for eliminating mold lines when molding a part having ferromagnetic pigments is provided. A mold assembly having a mold with a cavity and valve gates is formed. Pucks are fitted at the gates to collect residual cold plastic. The calculation of a specific sequence and timing of the opening of the valve gates is determined based on a calculation of the total number of valve gates needed to fill a part while maintaining acceptable injection molding pressure. Once calculated, the gates are positioned around the mold cavity to balance flow length ratio. A primary gate is chosen for initial injection. The time for the material to flow from the first to the second gate is established. The second gate is opened after the flow front reaches the second gate. This pattern continues until all valve gates are opened.