Abstract: A method of hard coating a surface with carbide. A first step involves positioning a temporary membrane a pre-selected distance from a surface of a work piece to be hard coated to create a insertion gap which is accessible from an upper end. A second step involves filling the insertion gap with carbide pieces, sized to fit the insertion gap in a selected orientation, by inserting the carbide pieces from the upper end of the insertion gap and allowing them to drop into the insertion gap by force of gravity. A third step involves filling spaces between the carbide pieces with bonding powder by inserting the bonding powder into the upper end of the insertion gap. A fourth step involves heating the powder until the carbide pieces are bonded to the surface. A fifth step involves removing the temporary membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for forming a composite part are provided. A method for forming a composite part may include placing initial composite material on a base tool, placing a tooling mandrel on the composite material, placing additional composite material over the tooling mandrel, covering at least a portion of the composite material that overlays the tooling mandrel with a composite forming tool, heating the composite material to at least partially cure the composite material, and permitting a first portion of the composite forming tool to change size during the heating of the composite material to a greater degree than a second portion of the composite forming tool. In this regard, the second portion of the composite forming tool is closer to the base tool than the first portion of the composite forming tool. A composite forming tool is also provided that permits differential expansion of different portions of the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of forming three dimensional arrays of aligned nanofibers in an open, loose structure of any desired depth. The arrays are formed according to an electrospinning process utilizing two parallel conducting plates to align the fibers and rotating tracks to distribute the fibers throughout the array. Arrays can be used as formed, for instance in tissue engineering applications as three dimensional scaffolding constructs. As-formed arrays can be combined with other materials to form a composite 3-D structure. For instance, composite polymeric materials can be electrospun to form composite nanofibers within the array. Multiple polymeric materials can be electrospun at different areas of the array to form a composite array including materially different nanofibers throughout the array. The arrays can be loaded with other fibrous or non-fibrous materials to form a composite array. Arrays can also be rolled to form a uniaxial fiber bundle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing structures having a plurality of stems extending away from a fenestrated base to undercut ends. Such structures include slidingly-engaging fastener portions, hook-and-loop hook portions, self-engaging fastener portions, and other structures with similar aspects. The method includes providing a set of partially bypassing dies to define a fenestrated common cavity contiguous with pluralities of undercut stem chambers, filling the cavity with a moldable material, and ejecting the resultant product. The resultant product includes a plurality of undercut stems spaced away from a base with undersides projecting over fenestrations in the base.

Abstract: A method of making a multiconductor cable assembly is disclosed. The method comprises arranging two or more coated wires and at least partially bonding the wires, wherein one or more of the coated wires comprises a conductor and a covering comprising a thermoplastic composition. The thermoplastic composition comprises a poly(arylene ether), a polyolefin and a polymeric compatibilizer, and may further comprise a flame retardant.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of manufacturing a textured surface may include providing a first thermally stable sheet, printing a pattern of material on the first sheet to form a three-dimensional textured surface, and curing the material, then using said first sheet to impart negative texture into Tedlar faced epoxy composite blanket, which is in turn used to impart texture into a decorative laminate.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of manufacturing toric lenses, apparatuses useful in the method of the invention, and lenses produced according to the method in which method the position of one mold half in relation to its complementary mold half is more precisely controlled so that tilting and rotation of the mold halves in relation to each other is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: To apply a resin impregnated fabric to a substrate, a device includes a surface having a layer of material and a first edge. The surface moves relative to the substrate and to conform to the substrate. The layer of material is compatible for use with the resin. The first edge is disposed at the front of the surface relative to the movement of the device to the fabric. The first edge is curved with a center portion of the first edge being relatively forward of a pair of side portions of the first edge.