A method of additive manufacturing (AM) includes dispensing a first building material formulation to form an outer region, and dispensing a second building material formulation to form an inner region, the outer region surrounding the inner region, the inner and outer regions being shaped to form a layer of the object; exposing the layer to a first curing condition, repeating the dispensing and the exposing to sequentially form a plurality of layers of the object and collectively exposing the plurality of layers to a second curing condition. The selections are such that the first building material formulation is hardened to a higher degree than the second building formulation. The outer regions form a hardened coating that at least partially encapsulates the inner regions. The second curing condition is other than the first curing condition and is selected to increase the degree that the inner region is hardened.

A polymerization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a light irradiator; and a polymerization vessel. The light irradiator includes a first casing and a light source assembly. The first casing includes a light source chamber defined by cylindrical side walls, a ceiling, and a floor including a light-transmissive window member. The light source assembly includes a base having a light-emitting surface on which a plurality of light-emitting diodes is disposed in a predetermined pattern and a heat-dissipating surface to which a heat sink is joined, and the light source assembly is disposed within the light source chamber so that the light-emitting surface faces the light-transmissive window member. The polymerization vessel includes a polymerization cup and a second casing. The polymerization cup has a frustoconical or substantially frustoconical shape that opens upward and increases in diameter upward, and is capable of housing an object therein. The second casing is a bottomed cylindrical or box-shaped casing having an opening at the apex thereof, the polymerization cup being attachably/detachably housed in the second casing via the opening. In this polymerization apparatus, light that has been emitted by the plurality of light-emitting diodes of the light irradiator and has passed through the light-transmissive window member is applied to the inside of the polymerization cup of the polymerization vessel.

Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the additive manufacturing methods comprise increasing the temperature of a plurality of foam particles with actinic radiation under conditions effective to fuse a portion of the plurality of foam particles comprising one or more thermoplastic elastomers. Increasing the temperature of the foam particles can be carried out for one or multiple iterations. The disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that exhibit differing degrees of fusion between the foam particles, thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

An example system is configured to photocure a photocurable material to form a polymer film. The system includes a first chuck configured to support a first substantially planar mold, a second chuck configured to support a second substantially planar mold, and an actuable stage coupled to the first chuck and/or the second chuck. The actuable stage is configured to position the first chuck and/or the second chuck so that the first and second molds are separated by a gap. The system also includes a sensor arrangement for obtaining measurement information indicative of a distance between the first and second molds and/or a pressure between the first and second chucks at each of at least three locations. The system also includes a control module configured control the gap between the first and second molds based on the measurement information.

The present invention is directed to a method for post processing a 3D printed part, to a three-dimensional part fabricated in a method according to the present invention, and further to the use of a liquid in the post processing of a three-dimensional part fabricated in a 3D printing method.

A frame curing template for imprinting formable material on a substrate and a system and a method of using the frame curing template. The template may comprise: a patterning surface on a mesa on a front side of the template; a recessed surface surrounding the mesa on the front side of the template; a recessed surface coating on the recessed surface. A first transmittance from a back side of the template through the recessed surface coating to actinic radiation may be below a first threshold transmittance. A first frame window may be inset within the recessed surface coating and surrounds the mesa. A second transmittance of the template from the back side of the template through the first frame window to the actinic radiation may be above the first threshold transmittance.

Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the disclosed methods comprise selectively depositing a binding material on foam particles in a target area such that the binding material coats at least a portion of defining surfaces of the foam particles with the binding material. The binding material is then cured to affix foam particles in the target area to one another. In various aspects, the disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that differential levels of affixing between the foam particles, and thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

A radiation curable article includes a silicone composition including a silicone oligomer and a photoactive catalyst, wherein the silicone oligomer comprises at least one alkenyl group and at least one hydride group, the radiation curable silicone oligomer having a viscosity of less than about 100,000 centipoise prior to cure. Further included is a method of forming a radiation curable article includes providing a silicone composition including a silicone oligomer and a photoactive catalyst, wherein the silicone oligomer includes at least one alkenyl group and at least one hydride group, the silicone oligomer having a viscosity of less than about 100,000 centipoise prior to cure; and irradiating the silicone composition with a radiation source.

The invention relates to a cationically curable composition with at least one cationically polymerizable component, a first photoinitiator releasing an acid when irradiated with actinic radiation of a first wavelength λ.sub.1, and a second photoinitiator releasing an acid when irradiated with actinic radiation of a second wavelength λ.sub.2, wherein the second wavelength λ.sub.2 is shorter than the first wavelength λ.sub.1, and wherein the second photoinitiator, after irradiation of the composition with actinic radiation of the first wavelength λ.sub.1, shows an absorption of actinic radiation of the second wavelength λ.sub.2 in the composition that is sufficient to activate the second photoinitiator and fix the composition. Furthermore, a method is described for the joining, casting, molding, sealing and/or coating of substrates using the cationically curable composition.

A method of sealing surface imperfections on a sanded surface of a repair to a vehicle body is provided that includes an uncured layer of a formulation being applied to sanded cured body filler on the vehicle body. The formulation includes a polyester resin, a crosslinking agent, a solvent, and a particulate filler. The uncured layer is exposed to actinic radiation to induce cure of the uncured layer to form a sealing coating. The resulting seal coating has able to seal surface imperfections. A surface imperfection sealing formulation is also provided that includes a polyester resin and a multifunctional crosslinking agent. A solvent is provided. A photoinitiator renders the formulation curable upon exposure to ultraviolet light exposure. A particulate filler is also present in an amount to result in a formulation with an uncured viscosity of between 2600 and 3000 centipoises.