Abstract: A coinjection molding apparatus is disclosed that provides a skin material melt stream and a core material melt stream to a nozzle. The skin material melt stream forms an inner and outer layer of a molded article with the core material melt stream forming a core layer between the inner and outer skin material layers. A volume of the core material for forming the core layer may be manually adjusted between injection cycles to change a thickness of the core layer between a first molded article and a second molded article. Alternatively, a volume of the core material for forming the core layer may be automatically adjusted during an injection cycle to change a thickness of the core layer during formation of the molded article, such that the molded article will have a core layer with at least a first thickness and a second thickness.

Abstract: A structural body component, such as a rocker panel or rear spoiler, and a method of manufacture. The method may include heating a mixture having a polymer and a blowing agent, pressurizing a cavity of a mold, injecting the mixture into the cavity in a single shot such while exerting backpressure against the mixture as it is injected, and cooling the mixture in the mold to form the component.

Abstract: Ophthalmic lens molds made from one or more thermoplastic polymer having a low level of UV light transmittance (UV % T) ophthalmic lenses including silicone hydrogel contact lenses molded using these thermoplastic polymer having low UV % T, and methods of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses by cast molding a polymerizable composition in mold members formed of these thermoplastic polymers having low UV % T and curing the polymerizable composition using UV light are described.

Abstract: A tooling system may include an outer mold line (OML) tool and one or more inner mold line (IML) tools. The OML tool may have an OML tool surface. Each one of the IML tools may have an IML tool surface and may be receivable within the OML tool 202. Each IML tool may be formed of expandable material. Each IML tool may apply an internal compaction pressure to a composite assembly positioned between the OML tool surface and the IML tool surface when the expandable material is heated.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for manufacturing an interior trim component that features a special injection molding process and a selective back-foaming process.

Abstract: A tubular woven implantable graft having a tapered section is provided. The graft comprises a first diameter and a second diameter and has a generally constant number of warp yarns per inch adjacent both the first diameter and the second diameter. A method for producing an implantable woven graft is also provided. The method includes weaving a first section having a first diameter and a tapered diameter tapering from the first diameter to a second diameter. During weaving of the tapered section a number of warp yarns are dropped from the weave and compressive forces are applied to the fabric to narrow the width of the fabric.

Abstract: A vacuum barrier system for curing a composite part may include a bag carrier and a compliant, relatively thin film bladder formed over the bag carrier to function as a vacuum barrier. The bag carrier may be configured complementary to the composite part. The bladder may seal the bag carrier therewithin.

Abstract: Masonry units, such a blocks, are fabricated in a sequential process, using improved mold structures, such as within a production corridor of a corresponding fabrication system. A compressible masonry feedstock or formulated material, which can be de-agglomerated before use, is filled within a block mold having releasable elements. The feedstock or formulated material is then compressed within the mold structure. The compressed workpiece can be further processed, such as for any of final height adjustment, the establishment of a surface feature, or to remove cores. The block mold, having releasable elements or sides, such as using hinges or springs, is released from the formed block, wherein the formed masonry unit can be removed for curing, and wherein the block mold can be reused to fabricate a subsequent masonry unit.

Abstract: A holding device to hold a side portion of a conveyed workpiece; a running device to convey the holding device in a feeding direction along a rail; and a support mechanism to support the holding device at front portion and rear portions of the mechanism. Eccentric shafts are with the holding device at respective positions, at one position, one of front and rear portions is eccentric in the feeding direction by a predetermined amount relative to one drive shaft's axis included in the running device. At the other position, one of front and rear portions is eccentric crossing the workpiece feeding direction by a predetermined amount relative to one drive shaft's axis in the running device. The yawing occurring while the workpiece is conveyed, is corrected by rotating the axes of eccentric shafts axes such the holding device moves relative to the running device's position.

Abstract: Provided is a process for forming a sheet of thermoplastic material into a three-dimensional shape, the process comprising the steps of (i) forming the sheet at a temperature below its glass transition temperature to produce a first formed shape in the sheet, followed by (ii) raising the temperature of the first formed shape (20) to above its glass transition temperature whilst a male former (12), having at least a portion of its profile being substantially the same as that of the first formed shape (20), is positioned to substantially align at least a portion of its profile with that of the first formed shape (20), thereby restricting the first formed shape from shrinking back towards its original sheet form, followed by (iii) further forming the first formed shape (20) at a temperature below that of the glass transition temperature, to form a second formed shape (24), followed by (iv) raising the temperature of the second formed shape (24) to above its glass transition temperature whilst a male former (16),

Abstract: A method for making an orthopaedic implant, the method comprising: characterizing at least a portion of a bone corresponding to the bone to be replaced, said corresponding bone being on the contralateral side of the patient; providing a model of the orthopaedic implant based on a mirror image of the contralateral bone; and forming the orthopaedic implant based on the model.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic primary crown including mixing a source material including zirconia or alumina that configures a frame of a primary crown, a polymer for reducing viscosity and applying ductility upon injection molding, and a toner for providing the same or similar color as baby teeth, heating the polymer contained in the mixed source material to have ductility, injection molding the heated source material, extracting the polymer to reduce brittleness and increase ductility with respect to the injection-molded matter, removing fat to completely eliminate the polymer element from the injection-molded matter, from which the polymer is partially extracted through the polymer extraction, sintering the fat-removed body, from which the polymer is removed, to improve mechanical properties, and polishing an outer surface of the sintered body to provide gloss, and performing barrel-finishing to remove a burr.

Abstract: Absorbent members and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the absorbent member is a unitary absorbent fibrous web having a density profile through its thickness. In one embodiment, the density profile is relatively centered through the thickness of the web and the maximum density of the web is located between about 35% and about 65% of the distance through the thickness of the web. In one embodiment, the method involves subjecting a precursor web to at least one cycle (or pass) through a mechanical deformation process. Typically, the method involves subjecting the precursor web to multiples cycles (or passes) through a mechanical deformation process.

Abstract: A solid fuel grain suitable for use in hybrid propulsion systems has a generally cylindrical shape and defines a center port. The solid fuel grain is formed as a series of concentric layers arrayed around the center port. When incorporated into a rocket, an oxidizer is introduced into the solid fuel grain along a pathway defined by the center port, with combustion occurring along the exposed surface area of the solid fuel grain section adjacent to the center port. Each concentric layer has a surface pattern that serves to increase the surface area for combustion, a surface pattern that persists even as the fuel burns. To achieve such a construction, the concentric layers of the solid fuel grain are preferably manufactured using any one of several available freeform-fabrication machines capable of fabricating articles in a polymeric material suitable for a hybrid propulsion system.

Abstract: A method for preparing a porous fluoropolymer precursor includes combining a fluoropolymer and a removable additive to form a composition, the removable additive having a thermal decomposition temperature greater than a sintering temperature of the fluoropolymer, compressing the composition to form a preform, and sintering the preform to form the porous fluoropolymer precursor. A method for preparing a porous fluoropolymer includes disposing the porous fluoropolymer precursor in a removing agent, contacting the removable additive with the removing agent, and removing, by the removing agent, the removable additive from the porous fluoropolymer precursor to form the porous fluoropolymer, wherein the porous fluoropolymer comprises a plurality of pores formed by removing the removable additive.

Abstract: Method for producing a three-dimensional object in layers by way of a stereolithography machine (1) including a container (2) suited to contain a liquid substance (3), structure (5) suited to emit predefined radiation (4) suited to selectively solidify a layer (6) of the liquid substance (3) adjacent to the bottom (2a) of the container (2), and an actuator (8) suited to move the solidified layer (6a) with respect to the bottom (2a). The method includes selectively solidifying the liquid layer (6); separating the solidified layer (6a) from the bottom (2a) through a movement (11) suited to move them away from each other, including a plurality of shifts (12, 12a, 12b, 12c) for corresponding predefined lengths, spaced by corresponding intermediate stops (14, 14a, 14b) for corresponding predefined time intervals (15, 15a, 15b). The intermediate stops are carried out before the solidified layer has become completely detached from the bottom.

Abstract: A compression device, means for controlling the compression device, a drum having an inner chamber, means for rotating the drum, and first and second delivery devices for delivering first and second materials into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating. The compression device compresses the first and second material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device. The apparatus may include a stirring device; and a means for controlling the stirring device; wherein the stirring device is configured with respect to the drum so that the stirring device can be moved up and down to a desired depth within the drum and rotates within the inner chamber of the drum to stir the first and second materials in the drum while the drum is rotating.

Abstract: A preformed artificial nail, a nail kit including such a nail, and a method of forming such a nail, the nail including a nail bed portion formed of a first material and a free edge portion having an upper portion formed of the first material and lower portion formed of a second material disposed subjacent the first material, the free edge portion being adjacent to and distal the nail bed portion, and the first material being comparatively more flexible than the second material. The lower portion of the free edge portion may include a generally uniform thickness or a varied thickness such as a wedge shape, thickening toward the distal edge of the artificial nail.

Abstract: Provided is an inexpensive anti-reflection article with a sufficient anti-reflection property by using an anti-reflection article manufacturing mold plate manufactured at low cost. In a method of manufacturing an anti-reflection article manufacturing mold plate used to manufacture an anti-reflection article provided with an anti-reflection surface in which minute convex portions or minute concave portions are densely arranged and a gap between the adjacent minute convex portions or minute concave portions is the shortest wavelength or less of a wavelength band for anti-reflection, the method of manufacturing an anti-reflection article manufacturing mold plate includes: molding an uneven shape on a surface of a receptive layer by causing an anti-reflection surface of another anti-reflection article to come into pressure-contact with the surface of the receptive layer including a curable base; and curing the receptive layer in which the uneven shape is molded.

Abstract: Methods provide a non-eluting antioxidant doped UHMWPE in the form of an implant bearing component. The process includes the steps of: (a) providing a preform; (b) irradiating the preform with ?-irradiation to crosslink the UHMWPE; (c) doping the crosslinked preform by exposing it to an antioxidant composition at a temperature below the melting point of the UHMWPE; (d) removing the doped material from contact with the antioxidant composition; and then (e) annealing by heating the doped material at a temperature above 30° C. and below the melting point of the UHMWPE; followed by (f) making an implant bearing component from the doped material, wherein at least 1 mm but no more than about 15 mm of material are removed to make the component.