A method of generating printhead actuation data for printing a 3-D object, the method comprising the steps of: slicing, for a given 3-D object having 3-D object data corresponding thereto, the 3-D object data into a series of layers; and generating a 2-D vector graphics image associated with each layer, wherein the colour and/or the density of colour within the 2-D vector graphics image at a given point is used to determine at least one property of the material to be ejected, during printing, at that given point in the image.

A three-dimensional object manufacturing method includes a molding step of molding a first three-dimensional object, a second three-dimensional object and a first support part for coupling the first and second three-dimensional objects at mutually different positions on a base plate by an additive manufacturing, and a separation step of separating the first three-dimensional object, the second three-dimensional object, the first support part and the base plate from each other. In the separation step, the first and second three-dimensional objects are separated from each other by dividing the first support part after at least one of the first and second three-dimensional objects is separated from the base plate.

A tooling assembly and method of aligning a plurality of components for a repair process in an additive manufacturing machine includes positioning the plurality of components such that a repair surface of each of the plurality of components contacts an alignment plate, e.g., under the force of gravity or using biasing members. The method further includes surrounding the alignment plate with containment walls to define a reservoir around the plurality of components and dispensing a fill material, such as wax or a potting material, into the reservoir which is configured for fixing a relative position of the plurality of components when the fill material is solidified.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a build material volume transportation device is described. The build material volume transportation device includes a shuttle to transport a build material volume. The shuttle includes an opening therethrough to receive the build material volume. The build material volume transportation device also includes a build tray to raise the build volume into the opening in the shuttle. The build material volume transportation device further includes a latch assembly to releasably secure the build tray to the shuttle. A tip of the latch assembly extends to interface with the aperture to secure the build tray to the shuttle. The tip rotates independently of the piston.

A method, system, and apparatus for fabricating an acoustic metamaterial is provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an acoustic metamaterial includes determining at least one tuned physical property for each of a plurality of micro-resonators according to a desired acoustic property of the acoustic metamaterial. For a particular physical property, a value of the tuned physical property for at least one of the plurality of micro-resonators is different from a value of the tuned physical property for at least one other of the plurality of micro-resonators. The method also includes additively forming the acoustic metamaterial such that the acoustic metamaterial comprises a first structure and the plurality of micro-resonators embedded within the first structure. Forming the acoustic metamaterial is performed such that an actual physical property of each of the plurality of micro-resonators is equal to a corresponding tuned physical property for each of the plurality of micro-resonators.

A method, system, and apparatus for fabricating an acoustic metamaterial is provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an acoustic metamaterial includes determining at least one tuned physical property for each of a plurality of micro-resonators according to a desired acoustic property of the acoustic metamaterial. For a particular physical property, a value of the tuned physical property for at least one of the plurality of micro-resonators is different from a value of the tuned physical property for at least one other of the plurality of micro-resonators. The method also includes additively forming the acoustic metamaterial such that the acoustic metamaterial comprises a first structure and the plurality of micro-resonators embedded within the first structure. Forming the acoustic metamaterial is performed such that an actual physical property of each of the plurality of micro-resonators is equal to a corresponding tuned physical property for each of the plurality of micro-resonators.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods of simultaneously manufacturing two or more hydrogel constructs (e.g., tubular hydrogel constructs). In some embodiments, the method comprises one or more of the following steps: providing a vat comprising a bio-ink composition containing one or more monomers and/or one or more polymers; applying electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source to cure a layer of the hydrogel constructs (e.g., tubular hydrogel constructs); and applying electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source one or more additional times to produce one or more additional layers of the hydrogel constructs (e.g., tubular hydrogel constructs).

A method of making a foamed article comprises (a) injection molding a molten thermoplastic elastomer to form an precursor; (b) crosslinking the thermoplastic elastomer; (c) heating the thermoplastic elastomer to a first temperature to soften the thermoplastic elastomer; (d) infusing the thermoplastic elastomer with at least one inert gas at a first pressure that is sufficient to cause the at least one inert gas to permeate into the softened thermoplastic elastomer; and (e) while the article is softened, reducing the pressure to a second pressure below the first pressure to at least partially foam the precursor into a foamed article, wherein the foamed article is substantially the same shape as the precursor.

A method of making a foamed article comprises (a) injection molding a molten thermoplastic elastomer to form an precursor; (b) crosslinking the thermoplastic elastomer; (c) heating the thermoplastic elastomer to a first temperature to soften the thermoplastic elastomer; (d) infusing the thermoplastic elastomer with at least one inert gas at a first pressure that is sufficient to cause the at least one inert gas to permeate into the softened thermoplastic elastomer; and (e) while the article is softened, reducing the pressure to a second pressure below the first pressure to at least partially foam the precursor into a foamed article, wherein the foamed article is substantially the same shape as the precursor.

Herein disclosed is a method of making a fuel cell including forming an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte using an additive manufacturing machine. The electrolyte is between the anode and the cathode. Preferably, electrical current flow is perpendicular to the electrolyte in the lateral direction when the fuel cell is in use. Preferably, the method comprises making an interconnect, a barrier layer, and a catalyst layer using the additive manufacturing machine.