Abstract: A mould system for producing a tufted body having a curved outer surface, for example one hemispherical half of a spherical toothbrush head, the mould system comprising a mould form having a receptacle and an annular flange circumscribing an open end of the receptacle and at least one slot formed substantially radially in the flange and extending into a sidewall of the receptacle.

Abstract: A method for producing a fiber composite component is disclosed. A sensor device having a flexible circuit carrier and/or a sensor module is integrated in the fiber composite component. The method comprises: loading a tool configured to produce the fiber composite component with textile layers and the sensor device; closing the loaded tool and compressing the textile layers and the sensor device; introducing a liquid matrix into the closed tool and impregnating the textile layers to produce the fiber composite component; detecting an acceleration in relation to the closing of the tool and/or the introducing of the liquid matrix, using at least one of the sensor device and the sensor module of the sensor device; and determining a process state and/or a process parameter based on a spectral analysis of the detected acceleration in a frequency domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of plastic footwear (10; 100) of the “full plastic” type by means of moulding using a polyurethane mixture (M; P).

Abstract: A method for producing a functionally graded component layer-by-layer includes: depositing radiant-energy-curable resin on a build surface defined by a resin support, the resin containing filler including at least two groups of particles with different physical properties; allowing the filler to settle such that the groups of particles separate from each other, defining at least two regions within the resin; positioning a stage relative to the build surface so as to define a layer increment in the resin; selectively curing the resin using an radiant energy applied in a specific pattern so as to define the geometry of a cross-sectional layer of the component; moving the build surface and the stage relatively apart so as to separate the component from the build surface; repeating at least the steps of positioning and selectively curing for a plurality of layers, until the component is complete.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for additively manufacturing adhesive inlet and outlet ports are presented herein. Adhesive inlet and outlet ports are additively manufactured to include additively manufactured (AM) valves for reducing and/or eliminating sealant leakage and backflow. Robot end effectors are tailored to interface with the AM inlet and outlet ports and to provide an adhesive source and/or a vacuum source. AM inlet and outlet ports enable robust, lightweight, multi-material AM parts connected via adhesive joining.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of additive manufacturing is provided. The apparatus includes a light source configured to emit light between 0 and 500 nm in wavelength. At least one vessel is provided that includes a chamber and a transparent base. The chamber contains a volume of liquid print material. The transparent base being made of Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) through which the relevant wavelength can be received into the chamber to cure a portion of the volume of print material through at least one mask, the at least one mask being made of paper, polymer, glass, metal, composites, or laminated substrates, the at least one mask defining a series of patterns associated with layers of a three-dimensional (3D) object, the at least one mask being position-able between the light source and the transparent base, via a mechanism, wherein the at least one mask defines the pattern of the light that is received through the transparent base and into the print material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for composite-to-metal hybrid bonded structures compromising the laser surface treatment on titanium alloys to promote adhesive bond performance. For example, a computer may be programmed to set a laser path corresponding to a predetermined geometric pattern. A laser may be coupled to the computer and apply a pulsed laser beam to a contact surface of the titanium alloy along the predefined geometric pattern. The laser may generate an open pore oxide layer on the contact surface of the substrate with a thickness of 100 and 500 nm. The open pore oxide layer may have a topography corresponding to the predefined geometric pattern. The topography may contain high degree of open pore structure and promote adhesive bond performance. Adhesive, primer or composite resin matrix may fully infiltrate into the open pore structures. Adhesive and composite laminate may co-cure to form composite-to-titanium hybrid bonded structures.

Abstract: Methods for microwave melting of fiber mixtures to form composite materials include placing the fiber mixture in a receptacle located in a microwave oven. The methods further include microwave heating the mixture, causing a heat activated compression mechanism to automatically increase compressive force on the mixture, thereby eliminating air and void volumes. The heat activated compression mechanism can include a shape memory alloy wire connecting first and second compression brackets, or one or more ceramic blocks configured to increase in volume and thereby increase compression on the mixture.

Abstract: A method for producing a multilayer member having a first member containing a crystallizable thermoplastic resin, an adhesion layer, and a second member includes performing a dry treatment on a surface of the first member containing a crystallizable thermoplastic resin so as to satisfy conditions A and B, applying an adhesive to the surface of the first member to form an adhesive layer on the surface, and adhering the second member to the adhesive layer. (A) The ultimate temperature of the first member is lower than the peak temperature of endothermic peak obtained by DSC of the crystallizable thermoplastic resin. (B) The high temperature holding time of the first member is less than 3.0 seconds, which is when the first member is continuously held at a temperature not lower than a temperature at the starting point of the endothermic peak obtained by DSC of the crystallizable thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A method for making a connection between a pair of objects includes using a fixture to hold in place shims used to control the gap thickness between the objects. The gap may be subsequently filled with adhesive that is then cured. The fixture may be a flexible piece of material that is able to withstand the cure environment, for example being able to withstand heat used to cure the adhesive. The fixture may facilitate maintaining the proper gap by holding the shims in their proper places and orientation until the adhesive is cured and the shims are removed. The use of the fixture may improve the uniformity of the gap at less effort, and may reduce defects in the adhesive layer, for example by facilitating removal of the shims without disturbing or damaging the adhesive, such as by pulling the shims straight out of their locations in the gap.

Abstract: A tooling assembly for manufacturing a porous composite structure. The tooling assembly includes a first tooling member and a second tooling member. The first tooling member includes a first body that defines a first internal volume and a first inlet. The first inlet is fluidly coupled with the first internal volume. The first tooling member also includes a first tooling surface that defines a plurality of first perforations that are fluidly coupled with the first internal volume. The second tooling member includes a second body that defines a second internal volume and a second inlet. The second inlet is fluidly coupled with the second internal volume. The second tooling member also includes a second tooling surface that defines a plurality of second perforations that are fluidly coupled with the second internal volume.

Abstract: A spacecraft includes an additive manufacturing (A/M) subsystem and one or both of a thermal control arrangement and a contamination control arrangement. The A/M subsystem includes an A/M tool, feedstock and a workpiece and is configured to additively manufacture the workpiece using material from the feedstock. The thermal control arrangement is operable, in an on-orbit space environment characterized by near vacuum pressure and near zero-g force, to maintain temperature of at least one of the A/M tool, the feedstock, and the workpiece within respective specified ranges. The contamination control arrangement is operable, in the on-orbit space environment, to control outgassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Abstract: A method for the design, manufacture, and assembly of modular lattice structures composed of cuboctahedron unit cells.

Abstract: A reclosable package, and a machine and method for making that reclosable package that includes a tray for receiving a product and a substantially horizontal edge, wherein the horizontal edge extends circumferentially on an upper side of the tray and has a clamping portion releasably connected thereto. The package includes a top film across the tray, the edge and the clamping portion, and which may be releasably connected to the edge by a first sealed seam to seal the tray in a gas-tight manner. The top film may be connected to the clamping portion by a second sealed seam. A side face of the tray may include an undercut provided with a projection, the projection being suitable for locking the clamping portion in position when the clamping portion has been detached from the edge and is located between the projection of the undercut and the side face of the tray.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a honeycomb structure, including a vertical extrusion process, wherein the vertical extrusion process includes: an extrusion step of extruding the molding compound in the vertically downward direction from an extrusion die attached to an extruder; a honeycomb formed body receiving step in which a transfer pallet is placed at a position near the extrusion die, and a honeycomb formed body formed by continuously extruding the molding compound in the extrusion step is received and supported from below by the transfer pallet; and a pallet lowering step of lowering the transfer pallet while receiving and supporting the honeycomb formed body in synchronization with an extrusion speed of the molding compound from the extrusion die, and the transfer pallet is constituted of a laminate structure including: a pallet substrate; and a tabular mesh plate.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a molding method capable of molding a molded article having excellent strength and reducing manufacturing costs by shortening a molding cycle when obtaining a molded article from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin by compression molding. The present invention relates to a molding method which obtains a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin by kneading a thermoplastic resin and a reinforcing fiber (14), and a molded article from the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin by compression molding.

Abstract: This invention provides a de-molding system of ceramic parts manufactured by freeze-casting comprising a mold (9), wherein the mold (9) comprises an upper opening (95) and a lower opening (94), wherein the upper opening (95) is adapted to receive a colloidal suspension (92), and one of the openings is adapted to allow the passage of a manufactured ceramic part (92), characterized by comprising at least one main de-molding element (80) adapted to actuate a ceramic part manufactured (92) through an opening in the mold (9). In addition, the invention provides a mold cooling system for the manufacturing of ceramic parts by freeze-casting comprising: a source (1) of cooling gas; a cooling gas cooling medium (7) fluidically connected to the cooling gas source (1); and a cooling cell (5), fluidly connected to the cooling gas cooling medium (7), comprising a mold (9) in its interior, wherein the cooling cell (5) comprises a refrigerated cooling gas injection opening.

Abstract: Method for the additive production of a three-dimensional object (2) by selective exposure in successive layers and associated selective consolidation in successive layers of construction material layers composed of a construction material (3) that can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), wherein, as part of the additive production of the three-dimensional object (2) to be produced additively, a supporting structure (11) directly surrounding the three-dimensional object (2) produced or to be produced additively is formed by selective exposure in successive layers and associated selective pre-consolidation in successive layers of construction material layers composed of the construction material (3) that can be consolidated by means of the energy beam (4).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite fan blade with an outer part and a core includes laying up a plurality of continuous plies to achieve a stack, placing the core on a central portion of the stack of continuous plies to achieve an unfolded preform; folding the contin-uous plies about the core, such that the central portion of the stack folds about the core and the first portion is superimposed to the second portion, to achieve a folded preform; apply-ing pressure to the folded preform to achieve a consolidated curved folded preform; curing the consolidated curved folded preform to achieve the composite fan blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cellulose product having a flat or non-flat product shape by a pressure moulding apparatus comprising a forming mould. The forming mould has a forming surface defining said product shape, The method comprises the steps of: arranging a cellulose blank containing less than 45 weight percent water in said forming mould; heating said cellulose blank to a forming temperature in the range of 100° C. to 200° C.; and pressing said cellulose blank by means of said forming mould with a forming pressure acting on the cellulose blank across said forming surface, said forming pressure being in the range of 1 MPa to 100 MPa.