Printer control data is generated which includes a three dimensional model for a protective structure to be built around a printed object by a three-dimensional printing apparatus, which protective structure is configured to compensate for the distorting effects of uneven shrinkage during cooling. The three dimensional model for the protective structure comprises a plurality of side panels and at least one extensible member interconnecting two or more of the side panels, which extensible member is configured to be extensible in response to shrinkage of the plurality of side panels during cooling. A method and apparatus is disclosed which obtains object model data defining an object to be built by a three-dimensional printing apparatus and automatically generates a three dimensional model for a suitable protective structure that has extensibility as an integral feature of the design to compensate for uneven shrinkage.

A method for preventing detachment of a three-dimensional object from a printing tray of a printing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes printing a carpet of building material below and around the base of a three-dimensional object to be printed; and printing said three-dimensional object. The portions of the carpet that protrude out of the boundaries of the base of the three-dimensional object are coated with one or more layers of support material to help keep the carpet flexible and adhesive in texture.

Methods of producing an additive manufactured part with a smooth surface finish and customized properties include creating a compensated design that serves as a print recipe for an additive manufacturing process for a part, where the creating comprises modifying a desired design with a geometric offset correction to compensate for a first portion of an uncured surface finish material to be retained on the part. A spinning device is provided that has a platform. The part is formed with the additive manufacturing process and secured to the platform, where the part is at least partially wetted with the uncured surface finish material. The platform is rotated, where a second portion of the uncured surface finish material is removed due to forces imparted by the rotating. The uncured surface finish material is chosen to customize a property of the part.

Particular embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods for compensating for shrinkage of a polymeric material in a mold during curing operations. Embodiments of the method include providing a mold comprising a molding cavity defining an interior mold volume separated from an exterior environment and introducing a volume of polymeric material into the molding cavity. Such methods further include impeding the development of a void in the volume of polymeric material by, either: isolating the volume of polymeric material within the molding cavity from the exterior environment, or reducing the interior mold volume of the molding cavity to at least substantially consume a volume of polymeric material shrinkage. Such methods further include curing the polymeric material to form a molded polymeric form.

The present invention relates to a hitch step that may be secured to a vehicle in a hitch receiver, and a method of manufacturing the same, that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. The present invention provides a multi-step pressurization method that produces a strong, compact hitch step that is cost effect to manufacture.

A method for the preparation of a composite material having a pre-designed structure and properties according to the intended use of said composite material is provided. The method includes generating data for dispensing two or more different interface materials having different properties into at least two different phases; selectively depositing said two or more different interface materials having different properties from two or more corresponding dispensers to form layers according to the data generated, each interface material being dispensed from a different dispenser to form at least two different phases of interface materials; and curing or solidifying the dispensed layers to obtain a composite material with pre-designed structure and properties.

Device and method for producing a plurality of microlenses from a lens material. The method includes: applying lens material intended for the embossing of the microlenses to a plurality of first lens molds distributed on a first embossing side of a first die for embossing of the microlenses, moving the first die and a second die located essentially parallel, in an X-Y plane, and opposite the first die, on top of one another in a Z-direction running essentially perpendicular to the X-Y plane, embossing the microlenses by shaping and curing the lens material, the shaping taking place by moving the first and second embossing sides on top of one another, up to a thickness D.sub.1 of the lens material in the Z-direction, wherein the lens material of each microlens at least during curing is separate from the lens material of each microlens which is adjacent in the X-Y plane.

An example apparatus for fabrication of a co-cured composite assembly includes a layup tool body with a cavity, a thermal expansion insert inserted into the cavity of the layup tool body and a first uncured composite part of the composite assembly is positioned onto the thermal expansion insert, and a solid internal mandrel configured for insertion onto the first uncured composite part. During curing, the first uncured composite part compacts and reduces in thickness while the solid internal mandrel and the thermal expansion insert each increase in size to apply pressure to the first uncured composite part.

An example system for molding a photocurable material into a planar object includes a first mold structure having a first mold surface, a second mold structure having a second mold surface, and one or more protrusions disposed along at least one of the first mold surface or the second mold surface. During operation, the system is configured to position the first and second mold structures such that the first and second mold surfaces face each other with the one or more protrusions contacting the opposite mold surface, and a volume having a total thickness variation (TTV) of 500 nm or less is defined between the first and second mold surfaces. The system is further configured to receive the photocurable material in the volume, and direct radiation at the one or more wavelengths into the volume.

In an example method of forming a waveguide film, a photocurable material is dispensed into a space between a first mold portion and a second mold portion opposite the first mold portion. Further, a relative separation between a surface of the first mold portion with respect to a surface of the second mold portion opposing the surface of the first mold portion is adjusted. The photocurable material in the space is irradiated with radiation suitable for photocuring the photocurable material to form a cured waveguide film. Concurrent to irradiating the photocurable material, the relative separation between the surface of the first mold portion and the surface of the second mold portion is varied and/or an intensity of the radiation irradiating the photocurable material is varied.