Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method comprises forming a raft structure in contact with the build platform, the raft structure formed from one or more layers of material and comprising at least one removal pocket adjacent to the build platform and forming additional material in contact with the raft structure. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus configured to form a plurality of layers of material on a build platform is provided. The apparatus comprises the build platform, and at least one controller configured to form a raft structure in contact with the build platform, the raft structure formed from one or more layers of material and comprising at least one removal pocket adjacent to the build platform, and form additional material in contact with the raft structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an annular die (1) on an extrusion head for producing tubular or sheet-like preforms with an arcuate die gap and with a melt channel (4) delimited by a mandrel (2) and a die body (3), the cross-sectional profile of the melt channel (4) being variable by way of adjusting elements, the annular die according to the invention being distinguished by the fact that the outer circumference of the melt channel (4) is at least partially delimited directly by at least one radially adjustable slide (5), that the slide (5) is formed by a number of segments that can be adjusted together from at least one first position into at least one second position, and that the segments in each position form a respectively closed arc portion of the delimitation of the melt channel (4), the radius of the arc portion being different according to the position of the segments.

Abstract: A die expansion tool and method for expanding foil of a foil carrier connected to a frame is disclosed. In the embodiment, the die expansion tool has an inner body within a cavity formed by an outer body. The frame of the foil carrier can be positioned within the outer body and a wafer attached to the foil of the foil carrier can be positioned over the inner body. A pressurized fluid system, also within the cavity of the outer body, is positioned such that the pressurized fluid system can move the frame axially around the inner body and expand the foil.

Abstract: A multilayer stack of polymeric sheets can be used in thermoforming processes to make objects wherein each sheet has substantially the same shape. The stack includes at least one sheet of a thermoformable polymer, and can include many such sheets. A barrier layer is interposed between at least an overlapping portion at least two of the polymeric sheets in order to prevent fusion of the sheets in the overlapping portion during the thermoforming process. The barrier layer can include an adhesive that adheres the sheets in the overlapping portion. In formed articles including such an adhesive, the sheets can be manually peeled from one another if a suitable adhesive is selected. The stack (and object formed using the stack) can include polymeric sheets that are not thermoformable, but are adhered to the surface of a thermoformable sheet.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a single layer rotomolded article prepared from a blend of polyethylene, functionalized polyolefin and one or more resins selected from polyetherester or saturated polyester or polycarbonate or polyamide.

Abstract: A method of forming a material includes presenting a formable material to a space between opposing forming surfaces of opposed forming tools from when said material is carried as said opposing forming surfaces advance in a machine direction. The method includes pressurizing, as said opposing forming surfaces advance, said material between said opposing forming surfaces in a reduced space between said opposing forming surfaces defining at least in part a pressure forming zone, said reduced space between said opposing forming surfaces being maintained constant until a form of at least one of said opposing forming surfaces is profiled into said material and is retainable thereon. The method also includes releasing the profiled material from between the said opposing forming surfaces, as the space of the pressure forming zone increases between said opposing forming surfaces as the opposing forming surfaces advance.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an aerogel-containing composite, said method comprising the steps of: providing fibers, at least some of which are first fibers, such as mineral fibers, polymer fibers, cellulose fibers, or other types of fibers, in an amount of from 3 to 80 wt % of the total weight of starting materials, providing an aerogel particulate material in an amount of from 10 to 75 wt % of the total weight of starting materials, providing a binder in an amount of from 1 to 30 wt % of the total weight of starting materials, suspending the fibers in a primary air flow and suspending the aerogel particulate material in the primary air flow, thereby mixing the suspended aerogel particulate material with the suspended fibers, mixing the binder with the fibers and/or aerogel particulate material before, during or after mixing of the fibers with the aerogel particulate material, collecting the mixture of fibers, aerogel particulate material and binder and pressing and curing the mixture to provide a consolidated c

Abstract: A tire manufacturing method in which a vulcanizing mold (20) is provided with a tire molding portion (21) defining an outer surface shape of a tire (1), an extrusion preparing portion (22) in which an unvulcanized rubber member (5) that forms a tread portion (2) can be disposed, and a rubber inflow path (23) communicating between the tire molding portion (21) and the extrusion preparing portion (22), wherein vulcanization molding includes: loading a casing member (4) in the tire molding portion (21) and loading the unvulcanized rubber member (5) in the extrusion preparing portion (22); extruding the unvulcanized rubber member (5) to tread molding portions (21c), (21d) through the rubber inflow path (23), the tread molding portions formed in the tire molding portion (21) and defining an outer surface shape of a land portion of the tire; and vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber member (5) and casing member (4) together.

Abstract: A method of moulding a composite structure using a tool having a core support section and a plurality of tool sections surrounding the core support section to define a tool surface on which a composite material can be placed, the core support section being selectively retractable from the tool sections. The composite material is laid on the tool surface and enclosed by a flexible, substantially non-permeable membrane. The enclosed composite material is then cured. The flexible, substantially non-permeable membrane is removed after curing. The core support section is retracted from the tool sections, allowing the tool sections to be collapsed inwardly, thereby releasing the cured composite material from the tool.

Abstract: There is little fluctuation in amount of short fibers among individual products of fiber substrate. No damage is caused to a mold for the fiber substrate. Continuous production of the fiber substrates is possible. A method of manufacturing a fiber substrate includes the steps of: preparing slurry by dispersing short fibers in a dispersion medium; pouring the slurry into a cylindrical mold from above the cylindrical mold, the slurry being directed to a slurry diffusion member disposed in the center of the cylindrical mold and having an upward pointing conical or pyramidal shape; pouring the dispersion medium or water onto the slurry diffusion member from above the slurry diffusion member to cause the short fibers adhering to the slurry diffusion member to fall down, after the step of pouring the slurry; and discharging the dispersion medium from the cylindrical mold to accumulate the short fibers in the cylindrical mold to obtain a fiber aggregate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for separating an electrode for membrane-electrode assemblies of fuel cells from the decal transfer film and an apparatus for separating the electrode. In particular, during the electrode separating process, only an electrode is separated from the decal transfer film on which the electrode is coated, without any damage, by a freezing method for freezing the specimen on the deionized water surface, and thus, wasting the expensive MEA is prevented. Thus, mechanical properties of the pristine electrode can be rapidly quantified in advance, and therefore, long term durability evaluation period during developing MEA having excellent durability is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a container divided by a dividing member into a first chamber configured to contain a first liquid to be discharged from a discharge port and a second chamber configured to contain a second liquid; a supply unit configured to supply the second liquid into the second chamber in accordance with decrease of the first liquid contained in the first chamber; and a measurement unit configured measure flow of the first liquid into the second chamber.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an imprint device includes a holding unit, a mounting unit, a moving unit, a curing unit, a pressing portion, and a detecting portion. The holding unit holds template having a pattern portion pressed onto a transfer portion provided on a substrate. The mounting unit mounts the substrate. The moving unit is provided on at least either the holding unit or the mounting unit. The moving unit moves the holding unit and the mounting unit in directions approaching each other or directions away from each other. The curing unit cures the transfer portion onto which the pattern portion of the template is pressed. The pressing portion pushes the template pressed onto the transfer portion in a direction intersecting a pressing direction of the template. The detecting portion detects a position of the template pushed by the pressing portion.

Abstract: A method that can produce a high-performance stator by providing only an upper or lower fixed piece for latching a coil on an insulator and thus effectively suppressing loosening of the coil winding wire when resin is injected while improving the production efficiency of the insulator. The method includes producing an intermediate by disposing a coil around an insulator, which includes a tubular portion, a flange at one end thereof, and a fixed piece that, when the insulator is loosely fit around the tooth, extends in the radial direction of the tooth from an end side of the flange corresponding to an upper or lower end face of the tooth, and has a coil latching claw, and loosely fitting the insulator with the coil around the tooth; and placing the intermediate in a die and injecting resin from around a region where the coil is latched by the fixed piece.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a manufacturing process for a termination injection molding stress control module for cross-linked polyethylene insulated cable body, which comprises the steps of melting and cross-linking a cable factory insulation layer and a filling insulation; melting and cross-linking the cable factory semiconducting layer and a filling semiconducting layer; and melting and cross-linking the filling insulation and the filling semiconducting layer.

Abstract: A multifunctional BOPP cigarette packaging film comprises an upper layer (1), a middle-upper layer (2), a middle layer (3), a middle-lower layer (4) and a lower layer (5). The upper layer (1) is a binary copolymerized polypropylene surface layer, both the middle-upper layer (2) and the middle-lower layer (4) are homopolymerized polypropylene antibacterial agent layers, the middle layer (3) is a homopolymerized polypropylene stiffening agent layer, the lower layer (5) is a binary copolymerized polypropylene bottom surface layer. Also disclosed is a manufacturing method for the multifunctional BOPP cigarette packaging film. The packaging film acts as an effective barrier, has slip property and relatively low moisture permeability as well as low cost, and is suitable for a high-speed packing machine.

Abstract: A method for determining a bed temperature setpoint for use with a powder in a selective laser sintering machine is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a powder comprising a polymer for use in a selective laser sintering machine. The method further includes the step of determining a ratio of a liquid portion of the powder to a solid portion of the powder as a function of temperature within a temperature range. A bed temperature setpoint is selected in the temperature range corresponding to a desired ratio of the liquid portion of the powder to the solid portion of the powder. A temperature of a bed of a selective laser sintering machine is set to the selected bed temperature setpoint, and a part is built from the powder using the selective laser sintering machine.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the steam pressing apparatus generally comprises a substantially rectangular or square-shaped inner chamber (such as an autoclave) and an outer, generally rectangular or square-shaped structure. In one embodiment, the steam pressing apparatus comprises a hydraulic system used to compress and treat a working material with high efficiency, timing and precision. In one aspect, the steam pressing apparatus comprises a structure and system that allows modularity and scalability for manufacturing final products of varying dimensions. Further, the steam pressing apparatus can be designed to respond to computerized instructions relating to the pressure to be applied, steam to be applied, vacuum parameters, timing of the press operation, thickness of the resultant working material, and other informational inputs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus for molding an imprint material on a target region on a substrate using a mold to form a pattern on the target region, the apparatus comprising a heater configured to deform the target region by heating the substrate, a measurement device configured to measure an overlay state between the target region and the mold, and a controller configured to control the heater such that the overlay state falls within a tolerance.

Abstract: A mold for manufacturing a component is provided. A mold has a mold surface representing a negative image of the component. The mold has openings in the mold surface. Flow channels extending from the openings in the mold surface and are connectable to a suction device. Further, the mold has a periphery delimiting the mold surface. A bag is fixed to the periphery of the mold. The bag is inflated to a pressure level above ambient pressure. The pressure is released from the bag while sucking the bag to the mold surface using the suction device. Fabrics are layered onto the bag while the bag is kept sucked to the mold surface. Resin is introduced into the fabrics and then the resin is cured.