Abstract: A template and method of using the template is disclosed. The template can include a body with a first side and a second side, and an extension. The extension can include a first surface adjacent the body, a second surface, and a third surface between the first surface and the second surface, where the first surface includes a curvature and where a portion of the curvature of the first surface is interior to the third surface. The method can include dispensing a formable material over a substrate, where the substrate includes a non-uniform surface topography. The method can also include curing the formable material contacting the second surface of the extension to form a layer over the substrate while the formable material contacting the third surface of the extension remains in a liquid state, wherein curing is performed while the template is contacting the formable material.

Abstract: An imprint template and an imprint method are provided. The imprint template includes a base substrate, an imprinting pattern layer and a deformable layer; wherein the deformable layer is disposed on a surface of the imprinting pattern layer facing away from the base substrate, and a shape of a surface of the deformable layer facing away from the base substrate is identical to an equidistant expanded shape of a shape of a surface of the imprinting pattern layer facing away from the base substrate; the deformable layer is configured to have a variable thickness under an external stimulation.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a composite part. The apparatus comprises a sleeve that molds a composite material. The sleeve has a first face and a second face. The second face has features to mold the composite material. The first face comprises a first inclined surface having an angle less than about 90 degrees and greater than about 0 degrees.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of implantable prosthetic devices, and in particular, implantable prosthetic valves, and methods for making such devices. In one aspect, a prosthetic device includes encapsulating layers that extend over a fabric layer and secure the fabric layer to another component of the device. In particular embodiments, the prosthetic device comprises a prosthetic heart valve, and can be configured to be implanted in any of the native heart valves. In addition, the prosthetic heart valve can be, for example, a transcatheter heart valve, a surgical heart valve, or a minimally-invasive heart valve.

Abstract: Methods for producing at least a part of a sporting good, in particular a sports shoe, can include: (a) depositing a first material into a mold, and (b) vibrating the mold to modify the distribution of the first material in the mold.

Abstract: Forming systems and methods for drape forming a composite charge are disclosed herein. The forming systems include a forming die having a forming surface configured to receive the composite charge and a collapsible support having a support surface. The forming surface has a forming surface edge that extends along a length of the forming surface, and the support surface has a die-proximate support surface edge that extends along the length of the support surface. The forming surface edge and the die-proximate support surface edge define a gap therebetween. A shape of the die-proximate support surface edge corresponds to a shape of the forming surface edge such that a gap width of the gap is at least substantially constant along a length of the gap. The collapsible support is configured to transition from an extended conformation to a collapsed conformation. The methods include methods of utilizing the systems.

Abstract: A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on a first object in an opening provided on a second object. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. During the step of inserting the insert portion in the opening and/or during anchorage a clamping force is applied to opposing surfaces of the second object to prevent the second object from cracking or bulging.

Abstract: A blow molding machine includes a support member that supports a mold component and a moving mechanism that moves the support member to a projecting position toward the outside of the machine and to a storing position. The machine includes a first fixed fulcrum shaft. The support member includes a base end portion rotatably supported by the first fixed fulcrum shaft and a free end portion having a first movable fulcrum shaft. The moving mechanism has rotatably interconnected links. One link is rotatably supported by the movable fulcrum shaft. In the projecting position, the links are maintained linearly by a first angle fixing tool to serve as a leg portion that supports the support member's free end portion.

Abstract: A method for fusing thermoplastic composite structures includes placing a substructure on an inner surface of a skin that is laid up on a shaping surface of a tool configured to maintain the shape of an outer mold line. The method further includes applying at least one insulation layer over a flange of the substructure and over exposed portions of the inner surface of the skin not in contact with the substructure, and applying a vacuum bag to at least partly enclose the skin and the substructure. The method yet still further includes applying heat to the shaping surface to fuse the substructure to the skin such that the skin exceeds its melting point and at least a portion of a raised segment of the substructure does not exceed its melting point.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for a composite structure that allows for out of autoclave curing. Due to the layout of the composite structure, voids within the composite structure, formed out of autoclave, is reduced. The composite structure includes a composite laminate and one or more infusion films. The composite laminate includes a plurality of fiber tows that each include a plurality of fiber strands and a resin. The resin has a first viscosity within a first temperature range. The infusion film is disposed on a surface of the composite laminate and has a second viscosity lower than the first viscosity within the first temperature range. Methods of curing the composite structure are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminate charge, and a forming tool and apparatus for forming a laminate charge is disclosed. In a forming step, a suction force is generated between a forming tool and an impermeable sheet which causes the impermeable sheet to press the laminate charge against a male corner of the forming tool and into a female corner of the forming tool. The male corner of the forming tool is positioned between first and second parts of the laminate charge, and the female corner of the forming tool is positioned between second and third parts of the laminate charge. During the forming step, gas is injected between the forming tool and part of the laminate charge to create a gas cushion between the forming tool and the third part of the laminate charge. This gas cushion inhibits the third part of the laminate charge from becoming clamped against the forming tool as the laminate charge is pressed into the female corner of the forming tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for composite part fabrication. One embodiment is a method for fabricating a composite part. The method includes selecting an end caul comprising a structure of sintered material surrounding volumes of unsintered particles, creating a laminate comprising fibers within a resin matrix, placing the end caul in contact with an end of the laminate, and processing the laminate.

Abstract: There is provided a lay-up head for applying elongate fibre reinforcement material to an application surface. The lay-up head comprises a support head having a transverse axis, a dispensing mechanism carried by the support head for dispensing elongate fibre reinforcement material, and a roller for pressing elongate fibre composite material against the application surface. The roller is tiltable with respect to the support head such that the roller axis can be angled with respect to the transverse axis of support head. The lay-up head also comprises a holding mechanism operable to hold the roller in a central position in which the roller axis is parallel to the transverse axis of the support head.

Abstract: A node may be additively manufactured. The node may include a first surface and a second surface, and the second surface may bound a recess of the node. A structure may be inserted into the recess. A sealing member extend away from the second surface and contact the structure, such that a sealed space may be created between the node and the structure. An adhesive may be applied in the sealed space to at least partially attach the structure to the node.

Abstract: Described are a method for the manufacture of a shoe sole, the sole manufactured by the method, and a shoe including the sole. The method includes loading a pre-manufactured article comprising thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material into a mold; loading pellets of an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (eTPU) material into said mold; and connecting the pellets with each other and to the pre-manufactured TPU article by providing an interconnecting medium, wherein the material of the pre-manufactured TPU article either comprises an additive to increase the viscosity of the material of the pre-manufactured TPU article, or has been annealed.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an actuator having a support body, a movable body, a viscoelastic member adhesively bonded to one side member of the support body and the movable body by a first adhesive layer, and a magnetic drive circuit structured to relatively move the movable body may include, for adhesively bonding the viscoelastic member to the one side member by the first adhesive layer, a first step in which the viscoelastic member is disposed on a side of one face of a first jig, a second step in which the viscoelastic member and the one side member are overlapped with each other through an adhesive, a third step in which the adhesive is hardened to adhesively bond the one side member and the viscoelastic member to each other by the first adhesive layer, and a fourth step in which the first jig is separated from the viscoelastic member.

Abstract: A bonding device and a bonding method for an irregular-shaped curved cover plate and a flexible screen are disclosed. The bonding device includes a bonding body pressing the flexible screen, the bonding body includes: an adsorption component configured to adsorb the flexible screen, the adsorption component includes a plurality of sub-adsorption components arranged apart from each other; and an expansion component having a variable size, the expansion component includes a plurality of sub-expansion components arranged apart from each other. The adsorption component and the expansion component are cooperatively provided with a pressing surface having a shape adapted to a shape of an inner surface of the irregular-shaped curved cover plate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tool including assembling a stack-up that includes a plurality of precured composite laminates, the stack-up having an engagement surface, wherein each precured composite laminate of the plurality of precured composite laminates is flexible, and wherein an adhesive is positioned between adjacent precured composite laminates of the plurality of precured composite laminates, and placing the engagement surface of the stack-up onto a target surface of a substrate.

Abstract: To provide a sealing material sheet for a solar-cell module that has high productivity, and can also suppress unevenness in thickness at the time of integration as a solar-cell module. There is provided a sealing material sheet 1 in which there are two inflection point temperatures that are temperatures only around which a change rate of the linear expansion coefficient locally increases, a first inflection point temperature at a low temperature side of two inflection point temperatures is within a range of 55° C. to 70° C., and a second inflection point at a high temperature side of the inflection point temperatures is within a range of 80° C. to 95° C.

Abstract: Auto-aligning vacuum presses, that include a mobile assembly with a first platen, a vacuum docking station with a second platen, a first locating device to guide the mobile assembly to a desired location along the Y-axis as the mobile assembly moves along the X-axis into the vacuum station, and a second locating device to guide one of the first and second platens along the Z-axis into sealing engagement with the other platen.