Methods for post-processing photofabricated articles created via additive fabrication processes are described and claimed herein. Such methods include providing a photofabricated article, preferably an article that has been at least partially cured via cationic polymerization mechanisms, optionally, post-processing the photofabricated article, and base-washing the photofabricated article in an alkaline solution or dispersion to create a neutralized photofabricated article. In another embodiment, the methods include treating a photofabricated article having a residual acid or base species with a treatment composition in order to create a neutralized photofabricated article. Also described and claimed are the neutralized photofabricated articles created via the methods herein elsewhere described. Such articles are preferably biocompatible, especially as determined by their lack of cytotoxicity potential.

The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.

Systems and methods that prevent oxygen inhibition of a light-initiated polymerization reaction by forcing the oxygen away from the reaction surfaces. In some embodiments, oxygen is purged by bringing a planarizing surface (e.g., a thin transparent film and/or a transparent planar surface) into contact with a layer of UV curable material disposed on a workpiece and then moving the planarizing surface away from the workpiece one the UV material is cured.

A method of forming a balloon for a medical device is provided including extruding a cylindrical tube of silicone material, partially curing the cylindrical tube, inflating the cylindrical tube, and fully curing the balloon. The cylindrical tube is partially cured by exposing the cylindrical tube to a first ultraviolet light source. The cylindrical tube is inflated within a mold to form the balloon. The balloon is fully cured by exposing the balloon to a second ultraviolet light source.

A system for removing and evenly completing cure of residual collected uncured resin from within a 3D printed part, which includes an enclosure which shields UV electromagnetic radiation from entering a space positioned within the enclosure. The system further includes a rotator device positioned in the space within the enclosure and a 3D printed part positioned within the space and associated with the rotator device.

A component mounting system for mounting a component on a substrate, the mounting system comprising a component supplying unit configured to supply the component; a substrate holding unit configured to hold the substrate in an orientation such that a mounting face for mounting the component on the substrate is facing vertically downward; a head configured to hold the component from vertically below; and a head drive unit that, by causing vertically upward movement of the head holding the component, causes the head to approach the substrate holding unit to mount the component on the mounting face of the substrate.

There is provided a manufacturing method of a protective-component-provided workpiece. The manufacturing method of a protective-component-provided workpiece includes a step of dissolving a thermoplastic resin whose solubility parameter is equal to or higher than 8.5, in a liquid ultraviolet-curable resin, to prepare a liquid mixed resin, a step of supplying the mixed resin to a support surface of a support table to form a resin layer with a predetermined thickness, a step of irradiating the resin layer with ultraviolet rays and curing the resin layer to form a protective component with a sheet shape, and a step of heating the sheet-shaped protective component before or after one surface of the sheet-shaped protective component and one surface of the workpiece are brought into close contact with each other, and causing the sheet-shaped protective component to come into close contact with the workpiece and integrate with the workpiece.

The present disclosure is directed ion-exchange systems and devices that include composite ion-exchange membranes having 3D printed spacers on them. These 3D printed spacers can drastically reduce the total intermembrane spacing within the system/device while maintaining a reliable sealing surface around the exterior border of the membrane. By adding the spacers directly to the membrane using additive manufacturing, the amount of material used can be reduced without adversely impacting the manufacturability of the composite membrane as well as allow for complex spacer geometries that can reduce the restrictions to flow resulting in less pressure drop associated with the flow in the active area of the membranes.

A substrate processing apparatus that can radiate light on a composition in an optimum radiation amount based on acquired spectral sensitivity characteristics can be provided.

A substrate processing apparatus configured to perform pattern formation processing on a composition on a substrate includes a first radiation unit configured to radiate first light onto the substrate, a dispenser configured to apply the composition to a first position inside the substrate processing apparatus, a template holding unit configured to hold a template to be brought in contact with the composition on the substrate, and a controller configured to control a radiation amount of the first light to be radiated by the first radiation unit based on spectral sensitivity characteristics of the composition that are measured in advance.

The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.