Abstract:
An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional image, the apparatus including a cartridge that stores ink which a printing head discharges and which has a photothermal conversion property; a conveying unit that conveys a thermally expandable material so as to pass the thermally expandable material through a first position where the printing head faces and so as to form an image on the thermally expandable material with the ink discharged by the printing head; and a light irradiating unit that emits light toward a second position which is in a downstream side from the first position in a conveying path of the conveying unit, so as to perform photothermal conversion. The cartridge is disposed at a position which deviates from an extending line of an irradiation path of the light irradiation unit.
Abstract:
A three-dimensional image data generation system includes: an editing unit configured to edit grayscale image data in which a density level for specifying an foaming height of a thermally expandable sheet is set for each coordinate in a planar direction; and a conversion unit configured to, when the editing unit changes a size in the planar direction of an image region included in the grayscale image data, convert the density level in correspondence with a ratio of the image region between before and after the change.
Abstract:
A three-dimensional image data reviewing device includes a processor that obtains first distension data for causing a thermally distensible layer of a thermally distensible sheet to distend from one of a front surface and a rear surface of the thermally distensible sheet and that obtains second distension data for causing the thermally distensible layer to distend from another of the front surface and the rear surface, a display unit connected to the processor, wherein the processor causes the display unit to display, on a preview screen, an appearance of the thermally distensible sheet after the thermally distensible layer is caused to distend in accordance with the first distension data and the second distension data, the processor also causing the display unit to identifiably display, in a prescribed manner, an abnormal region of the thermally distensible layer where the thermally distensible layer is predicted to distend abnormally.
Abstract:
SLA-based additive manufacturing using radiation-curable foams enables the production by 3D printing of lightweight parts having desirable physical and functional attributes. A representative method of manufacturing such items includes processing a radiation-curable resin in liquid form to produce a stable, non-aqueous radiation-curable foam, on-demand deposition of the foam at a build layer of a build surface within a 3D printer, and then curing the non-aqueous radiation-curable foam to produce a layer of a 3D build item. Processing the resin typically includes agitation, mixing, shaking, gas injection, ultrasonic stimulation, or combinations thereof. 3D articles of manufacture made by the above-described manufacturing process are also provided.
Abstract:
A system for forming a structure on a print medium 1 includes: a print unit (print device) 10 for printing an electromagnetic wave-heat conversion layer for converting electromagnetic waves into heat, on a medium including an expansion layer that expands by heating; an expansion unit (expansion device) 20 aligned laterally with the print unit 10, for expanding the expansion layer by irradiating the medium with electromagnetic waves; and a top plate 30 covering the print unit 10 and the expansion unit 20 from above.
Abstract:
A vibratory sensor is fabricated as a three-dimensional batch-micromachined shell adapted to vibrate and support elastic wave propagation and wave precession in the shell or membrane and at least one driving electrode and preferably a plurality of driving electrodes directly or indirectly coupled to the shell to excite and sustain the elastic waves in the shell. The pattern of elastic waves is determined by the configuration of the driving electrode(s). At least one sensing electrode and preferably a plurality of sensing electrodes are provided to detect the precession of the elastic wave pattern in the shell. The rotation of the shell induces precession of the elastic wave pattern in the shell which is usable to measure the rotation angle or rate of the vibratory sensor.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a foam material containing natural plant fibers includes: providing a plurality of plant fibers, a foaming agent, a thickening agent, a filler, and a flame retardant in a mixing tank for mixing and stirring, so as to form a homogeneous mixture; filling or injecting the homogeneous mixture into a forming container or a forming mold; utilizing a pressurizing device for applying a predetermined pressure; and heating the homogeneous mixture to a temperature higher than the foaming temperature of the foaming agent, such that foaming of the foaming agent takes place, and consequently a large amount of gas is generated, the homogeneous mixture being transformed to a plant fiber foam material having a porous foam structure. The manufacturing method can be easily carried out through existing equipments, and the plant fiber foam material is made from the natural plant fibers capable of being decomposed naturally.
Abstract:
A periodically shieldable solar structure (10) comprises a cavity formed between a pair of light transmitting members (12). A foam insulation/shading system (14) is provided for periodically filling the cavity with degradable foam. The foam insulation/shading system (14) comprises a series of foam generators (28) mounted within the cavity and distributed therealong to provide multiple foam generating points therewithin. The foam generators (28) are operatively coupled to a source of pressurized air and a source of foaming solution.
Abstract:
A process for manufacturing a foamed laminar product in which the foam is obtained from thermoplastic material and additives. In order to improve the rigidity of the foamed laminar product, reinforcement fiber is added to a mixture of thermoplastic material and additives, so that the reinforcement fiber forms an integral part of the foamed laminate.
Abstract:
A process for producing an article in a flexible foamed polymer material, including treating a former with a coagulant; dipping the treated former in a latex foam mixture to form a layer of the mixture on the former that includes air cells; curing the layer to gel the foam mixture to a cross-linked open cell structure; and stripping the layer from the former; where the latex foam mixture includes a natural latex polymer as a primary polymer component, and a synthetic latex polymer as a secondary polymer component, which synthetic latex polymer is selected to enhance the evenness and/or fineness of said open cell structure.