Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structural member includes preheating a plurality of fibers to a first temperature, moving the preheated fibers along an assembly line, applying a binder having a viscosity lower than 25 centipoise to at least one of the preheated fibers, providing a die shaped to receive the preheated fibers, wherein the die moves together with the preheated fibers along at least a portion of the assembly line, maintaining a temperature of the plurality of fibers at a temperature substantially similar to the first temperature, and compressing the plurality of fibers within the die while maintaining a temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for molding a self-supporting silk fibroin catheter stent, which comprises preparing an excellent catheter stent by a mold casting and freeze-drying molding process using silk fibroin as a raw material. The raw material is silk fibroin extracted from natural mulberry silk; and the mold is a hollow tubular mold, having an outer shell that is a transparent polyethylene straw with a diameter of 6 mm and an inner core that is a fiber rod FRP with a diameter of 3 mm, with the two ends being closed. The mold casting and freeze-drying molding process comprises the steps of casting; pre-freezing; removing the mold and placing the mold onto a pre-frozen freeze-drying plate; and freeze-drying. The freeze-drying procedure comprises: (1) a pre-freezing stage; (2) a freezing-vacuum transition stage; (3) a gradient temperature-rising and freeze-drying stage; and (4) a secondary freeze-drying stage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additively manufacturing composite parts are disclosed. Methods comprise combining a plurality of pre-consolidated tows to define a macro tow and dispensing the macro tow in three dimensions to define the composite part. Each pre-consolidated tow comprises a fiber tow within a non-liquid binding matrix. The combining comprises actively altering a shape and/or size of a cross-sectional profile of the macro tow along a length of the macro tow as it is being defined.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a matrix reservoir, and a fiber guide configured to separately receive a plurality of matrix-wetted reinforcements from the matrix reservoir. The system may also include a die configured to receive the plurality of matrix-wetted reinforcements from the fiber guide and to cause the plurality of matrix-wetted reinforcements to converge into a ribbon. The system may additionally include a cure enhancer configured to cure the matrix in the composite material during discharge of the ribbon from the die, and a support configured to move the die in multiple dimensions during discharge of the ribbon.

Abstract: A concrete dowel placement system and methods for making the same. The system allows for accurate and easy substantially-parallel or parallel placement of slip dowels within sections of concrete so that adjacent sections of concrete may be allowed to undergo thermal expansion and contraction while remaining in a common plane without cracking or faulting. The system includes a coupler and a sheath. The sheath is configured to be slidably extensible over the coupler and may be held to the coupler by friction. Additionally, a method of constructing the concrete dowel placement system includes extruding material to form two tubes of different sizes. The tubes are then attached to each other, then material is extruded to form a sheath. Alternatively, construction may include extruding material to form a tube, then removing some of the material from the tube in order to form a coupler.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flow field plate includes mixing graphite and resin materials to provide a mixture. The mixture is formed into a continuous flow field plate, for example, by ram extrusion or one or more press belts. The continuous flow field plate is separated into discrete flow field plates. Flow field channels are provided in one of the continuous flow field plate and the discrete flow field plates.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite tube includes the steps of: braiding a plurality of strips to form a workpiece tube; bending the workpiece tube to form a bend; and extending the length of the workpiece tube by continuing the braiding step.

Abstract: A surge arrester has a discharge column formed of a stack of a plurality of varistor disks. The stack is stabilized with a fiberglass material. The fiberglass material is preimpregnated with a resin and the fiberglass material has glass fibers with a maximum diameter of 8 ?m. A surge arrester may be formed by wrapping a tape of such fiberglass material around a stack of varistor disks.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a blow-molded foam which has homogeneous foamed cells in size, is light in weight, and is excellent in surface smoothness, and a process for producing the same. The invention is directed to a blow-molded foam 1 having a wall portion formed in such a manner that a thermoplastic resin containing a foaming agent mixed therewith is subjected to blow molding. Herein, the wall portion has a closed cell structure in which a plurality of foamed cells are contained. The wall portion has an expansion ratio of not less than 2.0 times. The wall portion has an outer face having a center-line average surface roughness Ra of less than 9.0 ?m. The foamed cell has a cell diameter having a standard deviation of less than 40 ?m in a thickness direction of the wall portion.

Abstract: Provided is a production apparatus capable of producing a flexible tube whose hardness is naturally varied along the length direction thereof. This mixing valve includes: a first valve configured to distribute a first resin to a resin supply path and a resin discharge path; and a second valve configured to distribute a second resin to the resin supply path and the resin discharge path. In the mixing valve, the mixing proportion between the first resin and the second resin is increased or decreased in association with molding of the flexible tube, by changing a distribution ratio of the first resin in the first valve and a distribution ratio of the second resin in the second valve while keeping constant the total of the supply mounts of the first resin and the second resin supplied to a die.

Abstract: A three-dimensional netted structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces a left end surface, and a right end surface, including at least a plurality of filaments helically and randomly entangled and thermally bonded together, wherein the filaments are formed out of a thermoplastic resin by extrusion molding followed by cooling with a liquid; and the netted structure is four-surface molded, the upper surface, the lower surface and the two side surfaces being molded. An apparatus and a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional netted structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous casting nozzle assembly (10) for casting, in particular for upward vertical casting, of a metallic, in particular a non-ferrous, pipe, which is suitable for uninterrupted casting, which nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle (11), a mandrel (12) and a cooler (15). Surface roughness of at least part, in particular of the dwindling area (Z), of inner surface of the nozzle (11) of the nozzle assembly (10) is 1-8.0 Ra, advantageously 3-5 Ra.

Abstract: A structural filler is installed in a gap between at least first and second composite members by extruding a flowable filler material, placing the extruded filler on one of the composite structural members, and assembling the composite members.

Abstract: A melt spinnable fiber is provided that comprises a first component comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and a second component comprising thermoplastic starch where the second component is not encompassed by another component or components or if encompassed by another component or components then the second component encompasses a hollow core. A particular use of such a fiber is for removal of the second component in the presence of a solvent in order to produce fibers with desired properties. An agent may be present in the second component for controlling the rate of removal of the second component thereby allowing for physical manipulation of the fiber prior to complete removal of the component. The invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the fibers.

Abstract: The polymeric pipes reinforced with a metal casing are used for transporting oil and gas, acids, alkali products, drinking water and industrial water, and also in the transportation of aggressive and neutral pulps. A metal-containing polymeric reinforced pipe includes a welded metal casing and a polymeric matrix having an amorphous-phase-based molecular structure. The metal-containing polymeric reinforced pipe is produced by extrusion moulding with simultaneous feeding of a polymer melt and the reinforcing metal casing into the mould cavity, followed by intensive cooling of the internal and external surfaces of the pipe being moulded. The invention increases the quality and endurance limit in the radial direction of the metal-containing polymeric reinforced pipe, productivity of the process for manufacturing the pipe, and also the strength and technological effectiveness of a pipeline constructed from the pipes produced.

Abstract: A mold for coating a pipeline section with molten coating material from an injection molding machine, wherein the mold comprises a shell of impervious material reinforced by an exoskeleton of non-distensible material. An assembly for supporting a mold comprising a plurality of mutually separable shell bodies for coating a pipeline section, wherein the assembly comprises motorized opening and closing of the shell bodies in a straight line. An assembly for supporting a bent pipeline section wherein the assembly comprises a base and a pair of arms extending from the base, wherein each arm comprises a respective clamping collar for clamping a bent pipe section between the arms. A vehicle for induction heating a bent pipeline section, wherein the vehicle comprises: a helical induction coil; and wheels arranged to guide movement of both ends of the induction coil through a tubular inside face of a bent pipeline section.

Abstract: A brake hose 10 is produced by: an inner tube rubber forming step of extrusion molding a rubber tubular body 12A to form an inner tube rubber layer 12; a braiding step of forming a reinforcing yarn layer 13 on the rubber tubular body 12A to produce a braided hose body 12C; and an outer surface rubber forming step of coating the braided hose body with an outer surface rubber material to form an outer surface rubber layer 20. The outer surface rubber forming step heats the braided hose body 12C such that surface temperature Th of the braided hose body 12C is equal to or higher than 50° C. and coats the braided hose body 12C with the outer surface rubber material under an atmosphere set to a lower pressure than the atmospheric pressure, which is equal to or lower than 0.8 atmospheres, in a region where the braided hose body 12C is to be coated with the outer surface rubber material.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional netted structure, the apparatus including: drawing-down units, the drawing-down units being submerged or partly-submerged in a liquid, and a die with a mouthpiece having a plurality of holes, the die adapted to extrude the filaments downward at a speed lower than the filament dropping speed whereby the filaments drop in between the drawing-down units. The distance between the drawing-down units is smaller than the width of the assembly of the extruded filaments. The drawing-down units are adapted to contact four surfaces of the assembly of the filaments before or after the drawing-down units are submerged.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus for extruding multiple streams of extrusion material as extruded end-products and in the coating of substrates. A flow joiner in an extrusion head combines multiple metered streams such as from a gear pump, into a uniform extrusion flow.

Abstract: A composite hollow ceramic fiber includes a porous hollow core supporting a thin, dense sheath. The non-gas-tight core comprises a first ceramic material and an interconnecting network of pores. The gas-tight sheath comprises a second ceramic material. The fiber is made by extruding a core suspension of particles of the first ceramic material, a polymeric binder, and a solvent and a sheath suspension of particles of the second ceramic material, a polymeric binder and a solvent, respectively, from a spinnerette and coagulating the nascent hollow fiber to effect phase inversion of the polymeric binders. The resultant green fiber is sintered in a two step process. First, the binders are burned off. Second, the sheath is densified and the second ceramic material is sintered without fully sintering the first ceramic material. The first ceramic material of the core suspension has a median particle size greater than that of the second ceramic material of the sheath suspension.

Abstract: Processes for manufacturing hollow structures such as spars for helicopter rotor blades, fixed wings for aircraft, and other aerostructures can include the provision of a path for gases to exit the material from which the spar is formed as the material is heated and cured, to help eliminate voids within the material caused by the presence of such gases.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional netted structure, having a pair of opposing chutes located below the mouthpiece along the width direction of the filament assembly and vertical to the thickness direction of the filament assembly, the chutes being inclined so that the distance between each the chute becomes narrower downward and toward the center of the filament assembly, the cooling water is supplied on the surface of the chutes, the cooling water flowing on the chutes receives the filaments in a surface part of the filament assembly to form loops and make the adjacent continuous filaments contact and be entangled with each other, and a surface layer having a higher apparent density and an inner layer having a lower apparent density located inside the surface layer are formed by the conveyor.

Abstract: An endoscope flexible tube comprises: a tubular structure having flexibility; and a shell layer on an outer peripheral surface of the tubular structure, wherein the shell layer has a two-layer structure including a rigid resin layer of a rigid resin and a soft resin layer of a soft resin, and wherein the two-layer structure is maintained over the entire flexible tube in its length direction.

Abstract: Methods of making bioabsorbable stents with grooved lumenal surfaces for enhanced re-endothelialization are disclosed. Methods include molding grooves on the lumenal surface of coated bioresorbable and durable stents. Methods further include molding grooves on lumenal surfaces of a bioresorbable tube and forming a scaffold from the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carbon nanotube (CNT) extrusion. The method includes providing a carbon source, and extruding the CNT extrusion through an extrusion die. The extruded CNT extrusions can be spun into fibers, strands or the like in order to produce a final product. The carbon source can be mixed with a liquid prior to being extruded.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional netted structure by (a) extruding molten filaments of a thermoplastic resin downward from a die via a mouthpiece of the die having a plurality of holes such that the filaments drop under the force of gravity in between drawing-down units, (b) drawing down the assembly of extruded filaments at a speed lower than the filament dropping speed by the drawing-down units, and (c) cooling the resultant filaments with a liquid. The drawing-down units are submerged or partly-submerged in a liquid. The distance between the drawing-down units is smaller than the width of an assembly of the extruded filaments. Four surfaces of the assembly of the filaments are contacting the drawing-down units before or after the drawing-down units are submerged.

Abstract: A three-dimensional netted structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces a left end surface, and a right end surface, including at least a plurality of filaments helically and randomly entangled and thermally bonded together, wherein the filaments are formed out of a thermoplastic resin by extrusion molding followed by cooling with a liquid; and the netted structure is four-surface molded, the upper surface, the lower surface and the two side surfaces being molded. An apparatus and a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional netted structure.

Abstract: A three-dimensional netted structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces a left end surface, and a right end surface, including at least a plurality of filaments helically and randomly entangled and thermally bonded together, wherein the filaments are formed out of a thermoplastic resin by extrusion molding followed by cooling with a liquid; and the netted structure is four-surface molded, the upper surface, the lower surface and the two side surfaces being molded. An apparatus and a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional netted structure.

Abstract: A fluid transport structure, such as a hose, including a liner that includes a melt-processed fluoropolymer and a reinforcing sleeve received over the liner.

Abstract: A preventative maintenance method of strengthening the connection between high pressure, in situ piping. An encapsulation mold is installed over a properly functioning, non-leaking coupling or joint interconnecting pipe sections carrying gas in excess of 60 psi. A resin sealant having tensile strength in excess of 3000 psi fills the mold, so that it circumscribes the coupling and adjacent portions of the pipe sections extending from the coupling, forming a permanent bond to the coupling and pipe sections. The method prevents high pressure pipe connection pullout, which otherwise could lead to catastrophic failure.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.

Abstract: Processes for manufacturing hollow structures such as spars for helicopter rotor blades, fixed wings for aircraft, and other aerostructures can include the provision of a path for gases to exit the material from which the spar is formed as the material is heated and cured, to help eliminate voids within the material caused by the presence of such gases.

Abstract: A composite hollow ceramic fiber includes a porous hollow core supporting a thin, dense sheath. The non-gas-tight core comprises a first ceramic material and an interconnecting network of pores. The gas-tight sheath comprises a second ceramic material. The fiber is made by extruding a core suspension of particles of the first ceramic material, a polymeric binder, and a solvent and a sheath suspension of particles of the second ceramic material, a polymeric binder and a solvent, respectively, from a spinnerette and coagulating the nascent hollow fiber to effect phase inversion of the polymeric binders. The resultant green fiber is sintered in a two step process. First, the binders are burned off. Second, the sheath is densified and the second ceramic material is sintered without fully sintering the first ceramic material. The first ceramic material of the core suspension has a median particle size greater than that of the second ceramic material of the sheath suspension.

Abstract: A fabrication method of forming curved thermoplastic composite laminate parts with tailored and varying thickness in a continuous process. Automated equipment or hand lay-up are used to collate parts or components into a multi-layer stack. Each stack contains all plies, including ply build-up areas, tacked in the proper location to maintain orientation and location. Ply consolidation tooling contains all necessary part features and is coordinated to the customized multiple ply stacks to form a single integrated thermoplastic composite laminate potentially having areas of differing thickness from the multiple ply stacks.

Abstract: A co-extruded multi-layer plastic pipe and method of manufacture are disclosed in which a first extruder melts and extrudes a first plastic material into the outer annulus of a coaxial extrusion die to form an outer pipe layer, and a second extruder melts and extrudes a highly oxidation-resistant plastic material into the inner annulus of said coaxial extrusion die under a blanket of inert gas to create an inner pipe layer, whereby the outer and inner pipe layers are fused together under the protection of the inert gas blanket which prevents premature degradation of the oxidation-resistant inner layer until the finished extruded pipe has cooled and solidified.

Abstract: A melt spinnable fiber is provided that comprises a first component comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and a second component comprising thermoplastic starch where the second component is not encompassed by another component or components or if encompassed by another component or components then the second component encompasses a hollow core. A particular use of such a fiber is for removal of the second component in the presence of a solvent in order to produce fibers with desired properties. An agent may be present in the second component for controlling the rate of removal of the second component thereby allowing for physical manipulation of the fiber prior to complete removal of the component. The invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the fibers.

Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for producing a heat-shrinkable tube. An apparatus 100 includes a pair of pinch rollers 105 that can be moved along a feeding path of a tube 101 and that can be opened and closed with the feeding path therebetween, an air vent 104 that supplies air from an end of the tube 101 to the inside of the tube, a pair of pinch rollers 106 that is arranged closer to the air vent 104 than the pinch rollers 105 and that can be opened and closed with the feeding path therebetween, and a control unit 114 that adjusts inflation of the tube by supplying air in the tube while the pinch rollers 105 are closed and the pinch rollers 106 are opened, then closing the pinch rollers 106, and changing a distance between the pinch rollers 105 and the pinch rollers 106.

Abstract: A catheter including a catheter shaft formed from a polymer blend and/or a braid. The polymer blend may include polyoxymethylene added in the dispersion phase to a polymer blend. The catheter braid can be formed from at least two continuous wires that are woven together. The catheter braid can include a proximal braid section and a distal braid section. Each of the continuous wires has a proximal diameter corresponding to the proximal braid section and a distal diameter corresponding to the distal braid section. The distal diameter of each wire can be less than the proximal diameter of that wire. A catheter braid so formed can be included in a catheter.

Abstract: Described are tubular silk fibroin compositions and methods for their manufacture and use. Tubular compositions as described herein can be produced in a range of high burst strengths, can easily be made in a range of inner diameters, can be derivatized with functional moieties, and can be produced in a range of permeabilities suitable for particularized uses. In one aspect, the tubular compositions can be used in the repair or replacement of damaged or diseased blood vessels, including, but not limited to vessels smaller than about 6 mm.

Abstract: Copolyester ether elastomer compositions and methods for preparing copolyester ether elastomer compositions. Such compositions can comprise a copolyester ether, a thermoplastic elastomer, and a compatibilizer resin. Improved properties of such compositions can be useful in making various articles of manufacture, such as, for example, laboratory and medical application tubing.

Abstract: An insulating tube for an electrode lead for medical use, particularly a cardiac pacemaker electrode lead, defibrillator electrode lead, electrode lead for nerve stimulation or the like, including a base material made of at least one material of the group consisting of silicones, polyurethanes, polyimide, PTFE, ETFE, and copolymers made of silicones and polyurethanes. In order to improve the functionality of such an insulating tube during friction of the tube with friction partners, at least in one volume region, which preferably forms the lateral surface of the insulating tube, the tube, in addition to the base material, includes a fibrous and/or particulate filler material having a higher abrasion resistance than the respective base material. A corresponding electrode lead is also provided, and a simple and cost-effective method for producing such an insulating tube and such an electrode lead.

Abstract: A metal conduit pipe, which is covered with an extruded layer made of polyamide moulding compound, is used to produce a duct laid in water, wherein in the course of laying the duct, the coating is exposed to a shearing pressure load and/or a bending load due to laying method selected.

Abstract: A hollow fiber includes a lumen, a polymeric membrane defining the lumen, and a porous tubular substrate, a circumferential surface of which is in contact with a circumferential surface of the polymeric membrane. The polymeric membrane includes a first polymer having monomers each containing an imidazole group.

Abstract: A sheath and a method for making said sheath are provided. The sheath includes with an inner liner defining a passageway about a longitudinal axis extending longitudinally therethrough. A coil is fitted around at least a part of the inner liner. The coil has a series of windings that are locatable at a continuously smaller distance from the longitudinal axis to form a taper in a distal direction. The tube further includes an outer layer positioned longitudinally over the coil that is adapted to adhere to the inner liner. The coil may be spirally wound such that the windings are disposed at a continuously smaller distance from the longitudinal axis in a longitudinal direction. The sheath can have a tapered passageway or a passageway with a uniform diameter. The sheath preferably has a continuous taper along its outer surface from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a woven fabric layer composed of at least two woven fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: Insulated electrically conductive continuous fibers or microwires of sizes on the order of 1 mil (25 microns) diameter, so as to be suitable for processing into yarns or multi-microwire bundles, for example, for incorporation into conformable fabric products or for use as wearable electronic circuitry are made by coprocessing a core of a lower-melting-point metal within a sheath of a higher-melting-point polymer.

Abstract: A medical device includes a conduit for a fluid. The conduit has a wall formed of a hydrophobic polymer with a hydrophilic polymer layer extruded over it, and an antimicrobial substantially dispersed within the hydrophilic polymer. The antimicrobial compound may be a predetermined amount of phosphorus-based glass having a predetermined quantity of a metal such as silver substantially dispersed therein. The medical device may be an endotracheal tube made by providing a hydrophobic polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and an antimicrobial compound, forming the hydrophobic polymer, the hydrophilic polymer and the antimicrobial compound into a conduit, and forming a cuff on an end of the conduit.

Abstract: A drip irrigation hose and method of forming a drip irrigation hose is disclosed. The method includes selecting a field to be irrigated and determining a flow rate of irrigation water required for the selected field. In addition, the method includes providing a non-porous conduit material, providing at least one porous material, where the composition of the at least one porous material is different than the non-porous conduit material, and forming the drip irrigation hose with the at least one porous material and the non-porous conduit material, where the porous material forms a continuous and longitudinal strip along the length of the drip irrigation hose.

Abstract: Insulated electrically conductive fibers or microwires of sizes on the order of 1 mil (25 microns) diameter, so as to be suitable for processing into yarns or multi-microwire bundles, for example, for incorporation into conformable fabric products or for use as wearable electronic circuitry are made by coprocessing a core of a lower-melting-point metal within a sheath of a higher-melting-point polymer.