Abstract:
A method for patterning an article, the article comprising a first layer of a first material, the method comprising providing a thread carrying a first species, e.g. a solvent in which the first material is soluble, and contacting the thread with the first layer to remove at least part of the first layer.
Abstract:
Powder spreaders suitable for use with layered manufacturing processes are disclosed in which a strip of flexible material of a width which spans the powder bed is used to spread, level, and, optionally, compact deposited powder to form a layer of the powder bed. The strip surface moves relative to the deposited powder it is spreading as the working portion of the strip, i.e., the portion of the strip that is in contact with the powder, traverses across the powder bed so that it can provide lift to the powder in front of it and, optionally, compaction to the powder below it. The working portion of the strip can be configured to have its leading and trailing surface contours to be different from one another, and, optionally, to have these contours and its bottom edge contour be independently adjustable. Layered manufacturing systems comprising such powder spreaders are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Equipment for changing a blade (43) in a coating device (51) changes several blades (43) arranged in a band (43). The equipment includes reels (11, 40) connected to the ends of the blade holder (45), for holding the reeled unused and used band (43); transfer devices (13, 20) for moving the band (43) in connection with the blade holder (45), and lifting devices (17) for lifting the band (43) up and lowering it into the blade holder (45). Indentations (44) at least the length of the hollow shaft (52) are arranged at regular intervals on the band (43), and are arranged to permit the blade (43) to be lowered into the blade holder (45).
Abstract:
The invention relates to equipment for changing a blade, which blade is intended to be placed in a blade holder (10) and which is preferably arranged as a flexible band (16). The equipment includes reels (14, 15) for keeping the band (16) reeled and transfer devices (18) for moving the band (16) in the blade holder (10) between the reels (14, 15). In addition, the equipment includes guide devices (17) for guiding the band (16) from a reel (14, 15) to the blade holder (10) and vice versa. The guide devices (17) are also arranged to turn the band (16) longitudinally to be essentially parallel to the blade holder (10). The closest guide member (20) of the guide members (20, 20null) belonging to the guide devices (17) is rotated to a position that essentially corresponds to the position of the blade holder (10) turned to the blade-changing position. The invention also relates to a method for changing the blade.
Abstract:
In a pull through doctor blade transfer system, the blade ends are slotted at their working edges. The slots are arranged and configured to accept complimentarily shaped portions of a connecting link used to detachably connect the trailing end of a spent or worn blade to the leading end of a fresh blade.