Abstract: An implantable object (1000?) and a method (100) of fabricating an implantable object is disclosed. The method (100) comprises melting a powder (210) comprising at least nickel and titanium with an energy source (220) and iteratively forming a plurality of stacked metallic layers (330) from the melted powder using an additive manufacturing technique. The implantable object is biased to expand from a first configuration (501) to a second configuration (502) when at or above a transformation temperature.

Abstract: Extrusion of feed materials of a high temperature formable non-ferrous metal susceptible to embrittlement during air processing uses an extrusion system having a rotatable wheel and shoe covering part of the length of a groove around the periphery of the wheel to form an arcuate passageway, the shoe having an abutment which substantially closes a second end of the passageway and an extrusion die spaced from the abutment by a die chamber. The process includes pre-heating the feed material to not less than about 390° C. in a chamber defined by a feeder device, maintaining a protective atmosphere in the chamber of the feeder device while the feed material is heated. The pre-heated feed material then is passed to an inlet end of the passageway, and drawn along the passageway, to be forced by the abutment into the die chamber and through an extrusion orifice of the die to provide extruded product.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a porous cementitious product, which method comprises: forming a cementitious premix; casting the premix in a desired configuration; generating gas bubbles within the premix; and curing the premix, wherein gas bubbles are generated and/or collapsed at specific locations within the premix in order to produce a porosity profile along a cross-section of the product such that the product comprises a relatively low density core region and higher density outer regions.

Abstract: Extrusion of feed materials of a high temperature formable non-ferrous metal susceptible to embrittlement during air processing uses an extrusion system having a rotatable wheel and shoe covering part of the length of a groove around the periphery of the wheel to form an arcuate passageway, the shoe having an abutment which substantially closes a second end of the passageway and an extrusion die spaced from the abutment by a die chamber. The process includes pre-heating the feed material to not less than about 390° C. in a chamber defined by a feeder device, maintaining a protective atmosphere in the chamber of the feeder device while the feed material is heated. The pre-heated feed material then is passed to an inlet end of the passageway, and drawn along the passageway, to be forced by the abutment into the die chamber and through an extrusion orifice of the die to provide extruded product.

Abstract: The invention relates to blind rivets and to methods of joining therewith. The method of the invention is suitable for joining two or more workpieces with a blind rivet. The method includes the first step of positioning a blind rivet at a point of overlap of two or more workpieces, the blind rivet including a rivet body and a mandrel. The next step involves rotating the mandrel about a longitudinal axis thereof and contacting the mandrel with the overlapping workpieces, wherein the mandrel is rotated at a speed to cause plasticization of the overlapping workpieces. The method then involves causing the mandrel to penetrate through the plasticized overlapping workpieces and form an aperture therethrough. A further step of the method involves capturing a portion of the overlapping workpieces that is displaced upon the penetration of the mandrel and securing the rivet body within the aperture to join the overlapping workpieces. The invention also includes a workpiece penetrating and joining blind rivet.