Systems and methods for using a non-stick conductive material to automate tool touch-off in an additive manufacturing process are provided. A substrate comprises a first conductive layer, an intermediate binder layer, and a second non-stick conductive layer. The non-stick conductive layer may comprise perfluoroalkoxy alkanes and carbon nanotubes. An electrical connection may be made between the first conductive layer and the second non-stick conductive layer. When used with an additive manufacturing device, when the nozzle of the device contacts the substrate, a circuit may close resulting in a detectable voltage drop. When the voltage drop is detected, a reference point for the additive manufacturing device may be set.

A laser welding system for joining first and second thermoplastic workpieces, and including a clamp, an actuator, and a laser source. The clamp includes first and second clamping structures positioned together to engage opposite sides of the workpieces when they adjoin each other. The first clamping structure has a non-flat or irregular surface, facing the first workpiece. The actuator causes the clamping structures to press the first and second workpieces together. The laser source applies laser radiation having a wavelength of 2 microns toward the workpieces to be joined, while they are pressed together by the clamp, to melt irradiated portions of the workpieces to one another. The first clamping structure transmits substantially all of the energy of the laser radiation through the material. The first workpiece has a non-flat or irregular surface facing the first clamping structure, which substantially conforms with the surface of the first clamping structure.

A laser welding system for joining first and second thermoplastic workpieces, and including a clamp, an actuator, and a laser source. The clamp includes first and second clamping structures positioned together to engage opposite sides of the workpieces when they adjoin each other. The first clamping structure has a non-flat or irregular surface, facing the first workpiece. The actuator causes the clamping structures to press the first and second workpieces together. The laser source applies laser radiation having a wavelength of 2 microns toward the workpieces to be joined, while they are pressed together by the clamp, to melt irradiated portions of the workpieces to one another. The first clamping structure transmits substantially all of the energy of the laser radiation through the material. The first workpiece has a non-flat or irregular surface facing the first clamping structure, which substantially conforms with the surface of the first clamping structure.

A laser welding system is directed to simultaneously joining respective layers of a first bag and a second bag. The system includes a first film layer adjacent to a second film layer for forming the first bag, and a third film layer adjacent to a fourth film layer for forming the second bag, each layer of the plurality of film layers being made of a thermoplastic material that absorbs laser radiation having a wavelength of about 2 microns. A non-absorbing carrier film layer is positioned between the second film layer and the third film layer, the non-absorbing carrier film layer being made of a material that transmits substantially all energy of the laser radiation. A laser source applies the laser radiation toward portions of the plurality of film layers to be joined, forming the first bag generally simultaneously with the second bag.

A laser welding system is directed to simultaneously joining respective layers of a first bag and a second bag. The system includes a first film layer adjacent to a second film layer for forming the first bag, and a third film layer adjacent to a fourth film layer for forming the second bag, each layer of the plurality of film layers being made of a thermoplastic material that absorbs laser radiation having a wavelength of about 2 microns. A non-absorbing carrier film layer is positioned between the second film layer and the third film layer, the non-absorbing carrier film layer being made of a material that transmits substantially all energy of the laser radiation. A laser source applies the laser radiation toward portions of the plurality of film layers to be joined, forming the first bag generally simultaneously with the second bag.

The present invention provides an apparatus for producing and putting on gloves capable of producing gloves that fit an individual hand shape and also putting the glove on the hands, and a method for producing and putting on gloves. The apparatus for producing and putting on gloves comprises welding and cutting means which welds and cuts a first elastic film and a second elastic film at a position on the outer side of a contour of a user's hand in a state in which the user's hand is sandwiched between the first elastic film and the second elastic film.

The present invention provides an apparatus for producing and putting on gloves capable of producing gloves that fit an individual hand shape and also putting the glove on the hands, and a method for producing and putting on gloves. The apparatus for producing and putting on gloves comprises welding and cutting means which welds and cuts a first elastic film and a second elastic film at a position on the outer side of a contour of a user's hand in a state in which the user's hand is sandwiched between the first elastic film and the second elastic film.

The present invention relates to formulations for use in 3-D printing using radiation from visual display screens. The formulations comprise titanocene photoinitators and co-initiators. The invention also relates to methods of forming 3-D objects using said formulations.

A solidification substrate assembly for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material includes a solidification substrate assembly. In certain examples, the solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the solidification substrate, and the tilting of the substrate and/or or the use of a peeling member facilitates separation of the substrate from the solidified material. In other examples, the solidification substrate assembly includes a film that is adjacent to a rigid or semi-rigid layer. The solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the film, and a peeling member peels the film away from the solidified material. Intelligent solidification substrate assemblies are also described in which a force sensor determines when to expose the solidifiable material to solidification energy and/or whether to use a peeling member to separate the solidification substrate from a solidified objection section.

A multi-layer elastomeric tooling for the manufacturing of composite structures is disclosed. The tooling comprises an elastomeric base material with an outer layer of fluoroelastomer. The base material can, in certain embodiments, be selected for its mechanical or thermal performance or low cost without the limitation of being a contact material. The outer material can, in various embodiments, have inferior mechanical properties, or durometers different than the base material or can be a contact or barrier material.