Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first vertically-extending support leg, a second vertically-extending support leg, and a gantry supported on the first and second support legs. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a work table movably supported beneath the gantry, a print head supported on the gantry, and a trim head supported on the gantry with the print head.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a graphitic sheet is used to obtain the graphitic sheet with similar characteristics to graphene. The method includes forming an octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) layer on a substrate to obtain a composite. The composite is annealed at 250-400° C. for 30-90 minutes, forming the graphitic sheet on the substrate via self-assembly of octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) in the OTS layer. The annealed composite is immersed in water, followed by being sonicated for 2 minutes with a frequency of 40 kHz and a power output of 200 W, to separate the graphitic sheet from the substrate.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing fiber composites comprise a bundle of elongate fibers and a matrix material that holds or encompasses the elongate fibers of the additive manufacturing fiber tow. The matrix material includes an energy-emissive dopant that emits a curing energy in response to receiving an activating energy. The curing energy effects curing of the solidifiable matrix material so that it solidifies to a rigid or semi-rigid matrix material. Methods of additively manufacturing an article include dispensing an additive manufacturing fiber tow, a solidifiable matrix material, and an energy-emissive dopant to form a solidifiable composite, and applying the activating energy to the energy-emissive dopant to activate the energy-emissive dopant to emit the curing energy. Systems to additively manufacturing an article may be configured to employ such additive manufacturing fiber composites and/or methods.

Abstract: A method of controllably coating a fiber preform has been developed. The method includes infiltrating a fiber preform with a first solvent to form a solvent-filled preform. After the infiltration, a slurry is applied to one or more outer surfaces of the solvent-filled preform to form a slurry coating thereon. The slurry coating comprises particulate solids dispersed in a second solvent having a vapor pressure higher than that of the first solvent. The slurry coating and the solvent-filled preform are dried. During drying, the second solvent evaporates from the slurry coating before the first solvent evaporates from the solvent-filled preform. The slurry coating dries to form a porous surface coating comprising the particulate solids on the one or more outer surfaces of the solvent-filled preform. The drying of the solvent-filled preform continues after formation of the porous surface coating to remove the first solvent.

Abstract: A machine for making absorbent sanitary articles including an absorbent pad with at least one discrete layer of superabsorbent polymer material includes a unit for forming and applying a succession of absorbent pads, which includes a drum for forming the pad, a duct for feeding a charge of superabsorbent polymer material to the drum and intermittent valve mounted along a stretch of the duct and driven by an actuator. A device detects the superabsorbent polymer material and sends a signal to a control and drive unit connected to the device indicating that the superabsorbent polymer material has been detected. The control and drive unit is configured to drive the actuator to bring the valve into phase with the rotation of the drum when the deviation of the signal from a reference signal exceeds a defined threshold value.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a three-dimensional joint and/or formation thereof, such as by 3D-printing the joint. The joint is provided with an interface region having a curable material in a curable state. The joint is positioned with the interface region in contact with a joinable member, and the interface region is cured to form a bond between the joint and the joinable member. Such an approach may, for example, involve forming a mechanical and/or chemical bond with the joint. Further, by utilizing such a joint (e.g., in a 3D-printed form), complex structural components can be formed from a curable material that can be partially cured with structures formed therein, and cured further to create the bond.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing organic material is disclosed which breaks down the inedible components of fruit and vegetables (core, skin, pips, pithy material) into an edible substance with a cream-like consistency. The apparatus includes a piston in a barrel for pressurizing the material and forcing it through a passage having a number of end-to-end sections which are at right angles to one another. There is an impact surface at the end of each section on which the flowing material impacts. The sections can be between a sleeve having sections of different diameters and a bobbin the outer surface of which is stepped to match the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of forming channels within a substrate includes: (a) molding a sacrificial component directly into the substrate; (b) igniting the sacrificial component to cause a deflagration of the sacrificial component, thereby forming a channel in the substrate; and (c) cleaning the channel in the substrate to remove byproducts of the deflagration of the sacrificial component. The sacrificial component includes a combustible material with a protective shell, and the substrate includes a polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus that performs imprint processing of forming a pattern of an imprint material on a substrate using a mold, the apparatus including an image sensing unit configured to sense at least one of the mold and the substrate and obtain an image, and a determination unit configured to determine normality/abnormality of the imprint processing, wherein the imprint processing includes a first step of supplying the imprint material onto the substrate, and a second step of bringing the mold and the imprint material on the substrate into contact with each other, and the determination unit changes a reference of determination of the normality/abnormality of the imprint processing for each step of the imprint processing and determines the normality/abnormality of the imprint processing based on the image sensed by the image sensing unit.

Abstract: A control device of an injection molding machine, for controlling operations of multiple elements operating during the period of mold closing or mold opening, includes: an operation starting condition setting unit for, concerning at least part of the elements, setting an operation starting condition of one of the elements that operates in conjunction with another one thereof by an operator operating an operation unit; a group setting unit for classifying the elements based on the operation starting conditions so that elements operating in conjunction with each other belong to the same group; an operation sequence setting unit for setting order of the operations of the elements belonging to the same group based on the operation starting conditions; and a drive command generator for generating drive commands for driving the injection molding machine so as to cause the elements belonging to the same group to operate in the set order.

Abstract: Presented are manufacturing control systems for composite-material structures, methods for assembling/operating such systems, and transfer molding techniques for predicting and ameliorating void conditions in fiber-reinforced polymer panels. A method for forming a composite-material construction includes receiving a start signal indicating a fiber-based preform is inside a mold cavity, and transmitting a command signal to inject pressurized resin into the mold to induce resin flow within the mold cavity and impregnate the fiber-based preform. An electronic controller receives, from a distributed array of sensors attached to the mold, signals indicative of pressure and/or temperature at discrete locations on an interior face of the mold cavity. The controller determines a measurement deviation between a calibrated baseline value and the pressure and/or temperature values for each of the discrete locations.

Abstract: A method for generating a personalized scaffold for an individual includes acquiring images of an anatomy of interest corresponding to an intended scaffold location and acquiring test results related to the anatomy of interest. One or more functional specifications are generated based on the images and test results and one or more scaffold parameters are selected based on the functional specifications. A final scaffold may then be generated using the one or more scaffold parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus comprising a deforming unit configured to deform a pattern surface by applying a force to a mold, a measuring unit configured to measure a deformation amount of the pattern surface, a control unit configured to control the measuring unit to measure the deformation amount in each of a plurality of states in which a plurality of the forces are applied to the mold, a calculation unit configured to calculate a rate of change in the deformation amount as a function of a change in the force applied to the mold, and a calibration unit configured to calibrate a control profile describing a time in the imprint process, and the force applied to the mold, based on the rate of change in the deformation amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for additive manufacturing wherein a fiber composite filament having an arbitrarily shaped cross section is softened and then flattened to tape-like form factor for incorporation into a part that is being additively manufactured.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for forming a fiber-reinforced polymer component. The method includes impregnating a first fiber tow with a polymerizable liquid contained within a reservoir to form a first impregnated fiber tow. The method also includes positioning the first impregnated fiber tow within a build region of the reservoir. The build region has a shape and size corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the fiber-reinforced polymer component. Furthermore, the method includes irradiating the build region of the reservoir to form a polymerized solid from the polymerizable liquid within the build region. The polymerized solid encases a portion of the first fiber tow to form at least a portion of the fiber-reinforced polymer component.

Abstract: Methods for extrusion of polyolefins (112) that control specific energy input to the extruder (102) for gel reduction. Disclosed herein is an example method for forming plastic products (120, 208) with reduced gels, comprising: melting a polyolefin resin (112) in extruder (102) to form a melt; adjusting specific energy input in the extruder (102) to reduce gels in the melt; and forming the melt into a polyolefin product (120, 208). Disclosed herein is also an example method for forming plastic products (120, 20) with reduced gels, comprising: melting a polyolefin resin in extruder (102) to form a melt; selecting a throttle valve (104) position for gel reduction; setting the throttle valve (104) at the selected throttle valve (104) position to restrict flow of the melt out of the extruder (102); and forming the melt into a polyolefin product (120, 208).

Abstract: A device for pastillating a flowable product, in particular a melt. The device has a revolving belt and a drop former, and the drop former deposits product drops on an upper run of the belt. The product drops, in the course of transportation on the upper run of the belt, solidify to form pastilles, and an arrangement for wetting the belt with a liquid release agent is provided upstream of that region in which the product drops are deposited on the belt. The release agent prevents or reduces the adhesion of the product drops to the belt, and a proportional metering pump is provided for continuously mixing the release agent from at least two liquid components during the operation of the device.

Abstract: A tool for installing a liquid shim material into a clearance formed between an assembly first and second component includes a body having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a planar surface and the second end includes a first surface and a second surface arranged at an angle to the first end and to one another. At least one hole is formed in the body. The at least one hole extends from the first end to the second end and is configured to provide a passageway through the body. The tool is arranged adjacent the assembled first and second component such that the passageway formed by the at least one hole is arranged in fluid communication with the clearance.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing composite parts has been developed which offers the ability to produce composite parts in an infusion resin process without the use of expensive preforms or tools. In addition, the methods of manufacturing composite parts described herein offer the ability to produce composite parts having complex structures without the need for complex tooling. The method of manufacturing and systems described herein typically include printing a part skeleton using an additive manufacturing process followed by infusing the part skeleton with resin and curing the resin infused part skeleton to form the composite part.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes preparing a surface to receive a 3D printed layer, 3D printing a conductive layer comprising a plurality of overlaid layers of conductive material to the surface, and 3D printing conductive diamonds to the conductive layer. Preparing the surface includes one or more of texturing the surface and chemically treating the surface. The texturing is performed in order to not adversely impact regularity of the surface and limit variations in the height from the surface of conductive diamonds. Chemically treating the surface reduces films or coatings that may impact adhesion between the surface and the conductive layer, without degrading the conductive layer.