An optical device includes a center section having a lens portion for modifying distribution of a first part of light emitted by a light source, and a peripheral section surrounding the center section and including a conical surface for modifying distribution of a second part of the light emitted by the light source. The conical surface includes ridges where total internal reflection takes place when a light beam arrives from the light source at one of side surfaces of each ridge, and surface penetration takes place when the reflected light beam arrives at the other side surface of the ridge under consideration. Thus, the conical surface acts both as a reflective surface and as a refractive surface for achieving a desired light distribution pattern.

An optical device includes a center section having a lens portion for modifying distribution of a first part of light emitted by a light source, and a peripheral section surrounding the center section and including a conical surface for modifying distribution of a second part of the light emitted by the light source. The conical surface includes ridges where total internal reflection takes place when a light beam arrives from the light source at one of side surfaces of each ridge, and surface penetration takes place when the reflected light beam arrives at the other side surface of the ridge under consideration. Thus, the conical surface acts both as a reflective surface and as a refractive surface for achieving a desired light distribution pattern.

A nozzle deposits a filament of viscous, molten glass onto a print bed, while the print bed rotates about a vertical axis and translates in x, y, and z directions. The deposition is computer controlled, such that the resulting deposited filament forms a desired glass object that is solid after it anneals. One or more motors rotate the print bed such that the direction of deposition of the molten glass is constant relative to the nozzle, even though the print bed is translating in different directions relative to the nozzle. Keeping the direction of deposition constant relative to the nozzle tends to prevent the extruded filament of molten glass from experiencing large, changing, tensile and shear forces that would otherwise occur and that would otherwise damage the filament.

Provided herein are novel tools and methods for the formation of vessels having sculpted interior and exterior forms. Novel high-temperature non-woven textile forms may be used to create a glass vessel having a three-dimensional sculpted interior of almost any shape. The non-woven textile forms may also be used as molds to artfully sculpt bottle exteriors. The invention allows for unprecedented control over the form of glass objects in an industrially scalable process.

Provided herein are novel tools and methods for the formation of vessels having sculpted interior and exterior forms. Novel high-temperature non-woven textile forms may be used to create a glass vessel having a three-dimensional sculpted interior of almost any shape. The non-woven textile forms may also be used as molds to artfully sculpt bottle exteriors. The invention allows for unprecedented control over the form of glass objects in an industrially scalable process.

3D printing of buildings consisting in deposition of the material of walls by a print head as the print head is moved along the 3D coordinates of future walls is achieved by simultaneous utilization of several print heads, simultaneous loading the material into the print heads, melting the material in print heads, dosed feeding of the melted material through an opening in the print heads as the heads are moved along the 3D coordinates, as the building is constructed.

3D printing of buildings consisting in deposition of the material of walls by a print head as the print head is moved along the 3D coordinates of future walls is achieved by simultaneous utilization of several print heads, simultaneous loading the material into the print heads, melting the material in print heads, dosed feeding of the melted material through an opening in the print heads as the heads are moved along the 3D coordinates, as the building is constructed.

The present invention relates to a method of fabricating an improved lithium silicate glass ceramic and to that material for the manufacture of blocks for dental appliances using a CAD/CAM process and hot pressing system. The lithium silicate material has a chemical composition that is different from those reported in the prior art with 1 to 10% of germanium dioxide in final composition. The softening points are close to the crystallization final temperature of 800° C. indicating that the samples will support the temperature process without shape deformation.

The present invention relates to a method of fabricating an improved lithium silicate glass ceramic and to that material for the manufacture of blocks for dental appliances using a CAD/CAM process and hot pressing system. The lithium silicate material has a chemical composition that is different from those reported in the prior art with 1 to 10% of germanium dioxide in final composition. The softening points are close to the crystallization final temperature of 800° C. indicating that the samples will support the temperature process without shape deformation.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lithium silicate crystalline or amorphous glass overlaying the top surfaces of zirconia and the manufacturing process thereof. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lithium silicate glass or lithium silicate crystalline glass with high light transmittance and good coloring characteristics and the manufacturing process thereof, which overlays the top surface of zirconia with high mechanical strength, frameworks, or copings. The lithium silicate crystalline or amorphous glass may include 10-15 wt % Li.sub.2O, 71.1-85.0 wt % SiO.sub.2, 2-5 wt % P.sub.2O.sub.5 working as nuclear formation agent, 1-5 wt % Al.sub.2O.sub.3 to increase glass transition temperature and softening temperature, as well as chemical durability of the glass, and 0.01-1.0 wt % ZrO.sub.2 which increases the binding strength of the zirconia substructure.