Abstract: A method for bending towpreg to yield a desired amount of axial force during bending to form a preform is provided including inserting towpreg into a bending die, applying an initial axial force to the towpreg, and moving the gripped end of the towpreg in an involute path using a cam, a cam follower and a gripper, the gripper disposed on the cam follower. Axial force between the gripped end and the stationary end of the towpreg from a point where the towpreg contacts a surface of the bending die is applied tangent to the surface of the bending die while bending the towpreg. An apparatus for bending towpreg to form a preform is provided including bending dies disposed in fixed positions, and a follower. Axial involute cam mechanism having a drive shaft, a cam, a cam follower that follows an involute path around the cam, a gripper and a clamp.

Abstract: A method for bending towpreg to yield a desired amount of axial force during bending to form a preform is provided including inserting towpreg into a bending die, applying an initial axial force to the towpreg, and moving the gripped end of the towpreg in an involute path using a cam, a cam follower and a gripper, the gripper disposed on the cam follower. Axial force between the gripped end and the stationary end of the towpreg from a point where the towpreg contacts a surface of the bending die is applied tangent to the surface of the bending die while bending the towpreg. An apparatus for bending towpreg to form a preform is provided including bending dies disposed in fixed positions, and a follower. Axial involute cam mechanism having a drive shaft, a cam, a cam follower that follows an involute path around the cam, a gripper and a clamp.

Abstract: A preform-charge fixture creates a preform charge, which is a partially consolidated assemblage of preforms that can be efficiently transferred to a mold to create a finished part in a molding process, such as compression molding. In the illustrative embodiment, the preform-charge fixture includes peripheral cleats that are movable towards a central cleat to create a small gap therebetween that receives and constrains preforms in a desired position. The fixture also includes clamps, which are operable to engage an uppermost layer of preforms in the gap and apply a slight amount of downward pressure thereto to assure that the preforms are properly seated. The fixture also accommodates an energy source that heats the preforms so that, in conjunction with downforce applied by the clamps and/or gravity, the preforms can be tacked together, forming the preform charge.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for assigning tasks to collaborators of a file through a contextual action. In one aspect, rendering of a file within an email application including a reading pane may be initiated. A task object may be created based on an input made with respect to the file. A reference point associated with the task object may be created within the file. The task object may be assigned to at least one collaborator of the file via the email application.

Abstract: A preform-charge fixture creates a preform charge, which is a partially consolidated assemblage of preforms that can be efficiently transferred to a mold to create a finished part in a molding process, such as compression molding. In the illustrative embodiment, the preform-charge fixture includes peripheral cleats that are movable towards a central cleat to create a small gap therebetween that receives and constrains preforms in a desired position. The fixture also includes clamps, which are operable to engage an uppermost layer of preforms in the gap and apply a slight amount of downward pressure thereto to assure that the preforms are properly seated. The fixture also accommodates an energy source that heats the preforms so that, in conjunction with downforce applied by the clamps and/or gravity, the preforms can be tacked together, forming the preform charge.

Abstract: A document history interface provides a visual document history. In particular, document history application provides for tracking, storing and presenting events occurring over a document lifecycle to provide a robust interface for visualizing and accessing the document's history. In aspects, an interactive document timeline with a scroll control is provided to roll back through the document history. The interactive document timeline includes visual indicators for events that occurred during the document lifecycle, including but not limited to authoring events, communication events, and document branching events. A play control is further provided with the interactive document timeline such that a time-lapse rendition of events occurring over the document history may be displayed. In some aspects, upon scrolling to particular points along the interactive document timeline, legacy versions of the document may be saved as new documents.

Abstract: A document history interface provides a visual document history. In particular, document history application provides for tracking, storing and presenting events occurring over a document lifecycle to provide a robust interface for visualizing and accessing the document's history. In aspects, an interactive document timeline with a scroll control is provided to roll back through the document history. The interactive document timeline includes visual indicators for events that occurred during the document lifecycle, including but not limited to authoring events, communication events, and document branching events. A play control is further provided with the interactive document timeline such that a time-lapse rendition of events occurring over the document history may be displayed. In some aspects, upon scrolling to particular points along the interactive document timeline, legacy versions of the document may be saved as new documents.

Abstract: A single communication application can display an initial modality view associated with the group communication on a canvas of a communication application user interface. The initial modality view can be one of multiple available views. The single communication application can receive a selection to display a different from the initial modality view. Each active user in the group communication can be on a different computing device with different active instances of the single communication application which are each configured to switch independently of each other active instances of the single communication application running on different computing devices to modality views that are different from the initial modality view. The communication application can display the selected modality view on the canvas by transitioning from the initial modality view.

Abstract: A single communication application can display an initial modality view associated with the group communication on a canvas of a communication application user interface. The initial modality view can be one of multiple available views. The single communication application can receive a selection to display a different from the initial modality view. Each active user in the group communication can be on a different computing device with different active instances of the single communication application which are each configured to switch independently of each other active instances of the single communication application running on different computing devices to modality views that are different from the initial modality view. The communication application can display the selected modality view on the canvas by transitioning from the initial modality view.

Abstract: A communication application displays a modality view that may be one of a collaboration, a gallery, or a messaging view on a conversation canvas. The application may display an initial view according a modality selection by the user. A user is enabled to select a next view from the set by providing a user action such as a tap, swipe action, etc. The application dynamically generates the next modality view according to the initial view. Common participants and common contexts are used to configure the next view. Subsequent to configuration, the application displays the next modality view on the conversation canvas by transitioning from the initial view. The application retains session information from the initial view to restore the initial view session if the user selects to return to the initial view.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for assigning tasks to collaborators of a file through a contextual action. In one aspect, rendering of a file within an email application including a reading pane may be initiated. A task object may be created based on an input made with respect to the file. A reference point associated with the task object may be created within the file. The task object may be assigned to at least one collaborator of the file via the email application.

Abstract: A document history interface provides a visual document history. In particular, document history application provides for tracking, storing and presenting events occurring over a document lifecycle to provide a robust interface for visualizing and accessing the document's history. In aspects, an interactive document timeline with a scroll control is provided to roll back through the document history. The interactive document timeline includes visual indicators for events that occurred during the document lifecycle, including but not limited to authoring events, communication events, and document branching events. A play control is further provided with the interactive document timeline such that a time-lapse rendition of events occurring over the document history may be displayed. In some aspects, upon scrolling to particular points along the interactive document timeline, legacy versions of the document may be saved as new documents.

Abstract: A communication application displays a modality view that may be one of a collaboration, a gallery, or a messaging view on a conversation canvas. The application may display an initial view according a modality selection by the user. A user is enabled to select a next view from the set by providing a user action such as a tap, swipe action, etc. The application dynamically generates the next modality view according to the initial view. Common participants and common contexts are used to configure the next view. Subsequent to configuration, the application displays the next modality view on the conversation canvas by transitioning from the initial view. The application retains session information from the initial view to restore the initial view session if the user selects to return to the initial view.

Abstract: A communication application displays a modality view that may be one of a collaboration, a gallery, or a messaging view on a conversation canvas. The application may display an initial view according a modality selection by the user. A user is enabled to select a next view from the set by providing a user action such as a tap, swipe action, etc. The application dynamically generates the next modality view according to the initial view. Common participants and common contexts are used to configure the next view. Subsequent to configuration, the application displays the next modality view on the conversation canvas by transitioning from the initial view. The application retains session information from the initial view to restore the initial view session if the user selects to return to the initial view.

Abstract: A communication application displays a modality view that may be one of a collaboration, a gallery, or a messaging view on a conversation canvas. The application may display an initial view according a modality selection by the user. A user is enabled to select a next view from the set by providing a user action such as a tap, swipe action, etc. The application dynamically generates the next modality view according to the initial view. Common participants and common contexts are used to configure the next view. Subsequent to configuration, the application displays the next modality view on the conversation canvas by transitioning from the initial view. The application retains session information from the initial view to restore the initial view session if the user selects to return to the initial view.

Abstract: Callers are enabled to choose among available communication modes based on information about a called party's mobile status. Mobile status information including whether or not the called party is in motion, their speed if they are in motion, a direction of their movement, as well as their location, can be received from sources such as a presence server, a GPS service, and other information sources. Inferences are made based on the received information and available and/or recommended communication modes suggested to the caller.