The invention relates to a method for forming a three-dimensional object by fused filament fabrication comprising the step of selectively dispensing a polymer composition containing a semi-crystalline copolyamide in accordance with the shape of a portion of a three-dimensional object, characterized that the semi-crystalline copolyamide comprises: a) At least 70 wt. % of aliphatic monomeric units derived from i. Aminoacid A, or ii. diamine B and diacid C, and b) At least 0.5 wt. % of further monomeric units derived from a cyclic monomer, wherein wt. % is with respect to the total weight of the semi-crystalline copolyamide. The invention relates also relates to objects attainable by this method and to the use of the said semi-crystalline copolyamide in fused filament fabrication.

Systems and methods control the operation of a blow molder. An indication of a crystallinity of at least one container produced by the blow molder may be received along with a material distribution of the at least one container. A model may be executed, where the model relates a plurality of blow molder input parameters to the indication of crystallinity and the material distribution and where a result of the model comprises changes to at least one of the plurality of blow molder input parameters to move the material distribution towards a baseline material distribution and the crystallinity towards a baseline crystallinity. The changes to the at least one of the plurality of blow molder input parameters may be implemented.

A method is disclosed for micro-molding articles. The method comprises melting and pre-pressurizing thermoplastic material to a first level, within a plasticizing barrel. The melt pressure of the thermoplastic material is manipulated to a second level, within a hot runner. The melt pressure of the thermoplastic material is manipulated to an ultra-cavity packing pressure within a valve gate nozzle.

A build material for additive manufacturing applications is disclosed. The build material includes a build composition in powder form. The build composition includes a semi-crystalline polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least 60° C. as measured by DSC and a minimum crystallization half-time of greater than 100 minutes as measured by SALS. A semi-crystalline polymer useful in additive manufacturing applications, an additive manufacturing method for producing a three-dimensional object and an additive-manufactured polymer article are also described.

A method of recycling a first polymer from a multi-component polymer product may include subjecting the multi-component polymer product that includes a first polymer and at least one additional component to conditions to melt the first polymer; and filtering the at least one additional component from the molten first polymer.

A method for producing a polyester film is provided. The method includes a resin alloy master batch preparation step and a film forming step. The resin alloy master batch preparation step includes melting and kneading a high temperature resistant resin material and a polyester resin material with a twin-screw granulator, and then forming a plurality of resin alloy master batches. In the resin alloy master batch preparation step, a twin-screw temperature of the twin-screw granulator is between 250° C. and 320° C., and a twin-screw rotation speed of the twin-screw granulator is between 300 rpm and 800 rpm. The film forming step includes melting and extruding the resin alloy master batches with to form a polyester film. The polyester film includes a heat resistant layer formed of the plurality of resin alloy master batches so that the heat resistant layer includes the high temperature resistant resin material and the polyester resin material.

Provided is a method of producing a film by cryogenically grinding polypropiolactone to form a powder, and extruding the powder to form the film. Provided herein are also polypropiolactone films having certain biocontent and compostability, as well as certain mechanical and physical properties. Such films may also be suitable for use as packaging materials.

Systems and methods control the operation of a blow molder. An indication of a crystallinity of at least one container produced by the blow molder may be received along with a material distribution of the at least one container. A model may be executed, where the model relates a plurality of blow molder input parameters to the indication of crystallinity and the material distribution and where a result of the model comprises changes to at least one of the plurality of blow molder input parameters to move the material distribution towards a baseline material distribution and the crystallinity towards a baseline crystallinity. The changes to the at least one of the plurality of blow molder input parameters may be implemented.

A method of printing a hollow part with a robotic additive manufacturing system includes extruding thermoplastic material onto a build platform movable in at least two degrees of freedom in a helical pattern along a continuous 3D tool path with an extruder mounted on a robotic arm, to thereby print a hollow member having a length and a diameter. The method includes orienting the hollow member during printing by moving the build platform based on a geometry of the hollow member wherein the movement of the build platform and the movement of the robotic arm are synchronized to print the part without support structures.

A method of 3D printing a part with an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system includes providing a filament having a semi-crystalline material as a majority component of a polymeric matrix to a liquefier having a liquefier tube having an overall length between an inlet end and an outlet end. An upper portion of the liquefier tube adjacent the inlet end has a first length and a first cross-sectional area substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and a lower portion of the liquefier tube adjacent the outlet end has a second length and a second cross-sectional area substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area. The method includes driving the filament into a melt zone located within the upper portion of the liquefier tube at a selected rate based upon a desired extrusion rate. The filament is melted within the melt zone forming a melt pool in the liquefier tube to provide the selected extrusion rate. The part is printed in a series of layers by extruding the melted filament having a majority of semi-crystalline material along tool paths representative of the part.