Abstract: A bottle for holding liquids that is biodegradable and that is made from environmentally sustainable materials. The bottle includes a body, a shoulder, a neck portion, and a cap. According to one aspect, the neck portion of the bottle is made of bioplastic, and the shoulder and body of the bottle are made from thermoformed pulp. The bioplastic neck can mate with, and be adhered to, the shoulder, and the shoulder can mate with, and be adhered to, the pulp body.

Abstract: Methods of nanomanufacturing based on continuous additive nanomanufacturing at fluid interfaces (CANFI). This approach is a fabrication technique that involves, for example, photocuring or “printing” self-assembled layers. CANFI presents a fabrication capability with significant transformative potential improve (i) the spatial resolution, (ii) the speed, and (iii) the range of material compositions that can be printed. Various articles of manufacture can be made using the methods.

Abstract: There is provided an automated lamination system for embedding printed electronic element(s) in a composite structure. The automated lamination system includes a supply of composite prepreg material, a layup tool assembly, and a modified automated lamination apparatus laying up layer(s) of the composite prepreg material on the layup tool assembly, to form the composite structure. The modified automated lamination apparatus includes a section preparation pre-printing apparatus preparing section(s) on a top surface of a top layer of the layer(s), to obtain prepared section(s), and includes a non-contact direct write printing apparatus mechanically coupled to the section preparation pre-printing apparatus, and includes one or more supplies of electronic element materials, printed with the non-contact direct write printing apparatus, on each of the prepared section(s), to obtain the printed electronic element(s), that are embedded in the composite structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for additive manufacturing. In a method for additive manufacturing, a build sheet can be positioned on a print substrate of a printer. An object can be printed on the build sheet. The object can be detached from the build sheet. Advantageously, the build sheet can prevent the object from shifting on the build sheet during printing. Removing the build sheet from the object does not result in significant deformation or bending of the object. Damage to the object can be prevented. The object does not require additional cleaning or finishing for removing any residual or material. The build sheet can be ready for reuse. The build sheet can advantageously have mechanical strength to sustain removal of the build sheet from the object.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of improving paste flow during the manufacture of wind turbine blades are provided. When the first turbine blade half is aligned with the second turbine blade half, a gap is formed between the first shell and the bond cap. The assembly includes a first mold half corresponding to the first turbine blade half and a second mold half corresponding to the second turbine blade half. When the first mold is aligned with the second mold, a second gap is formed. A first barrier is disposed within the first gap and a second barrier disposed within the second gap thereby fluidly sealing a volume defined by the first gap and the second gap to direct adhesive paste flow along the blade span between the adjoining leading and trailing edges.

Abstract: A system for making highly contoured composite stringers, including a flexible stringer assembly to support an uncured composite stringer; and a contoured mandrel to contour the uncured composite stringer into a highly contoured shape, wherein the contoured mandrel comprises one or more curvatures with a radius of 100 inches or less along at least one of an x, y, or z axis.

Abstract: A method for identifying a fiber-reinforced plastic component includes the acts of providing a fiber preform, applying a label to the fiber preform and holding it in place, inserting the preform together with the label in a mold and closing the mold, and infiltrating the preform with a plastic compound and curing it in the closed mold. In order to reliably identify the plastic component, the label comes to rest on a flow aid portion formed on the inner mold wall which has at least one channel-shaped depression. The longitudinal extension of the flow aid portion projects beyond the label.

Abstract: A mold for molding a composite preform that has an outer edge thereabout and a plurality of tethers each attached at respective opposed ends thereof to the outer edge. The mold includes first and second mold halves defining a mold body and being configured to transition between an open position and a generally closed position, and a plurality of moveable members each having a moveable gage pin configured for being wrapped thereabout by a respective one of the tethers and a respective actuator configured for moving the moveable gage pin between a respective first position in which the respective moveable gage pin is disposed at a respective first distance from a center of the mold body and a respective second position in which the respective moveable gage pin is disposed at a respective second distance from the center of the mold body that is less than the first distance.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an additively manufactured component may comprise operating an additive manufacturing machine to form a first structure including an elongate portion having a blind design surface, operating the additive manufacturing machine to form a removal tool proximate the blind design surface, wherein the blind design surface and the removal tool are at least partially enclosed by and in contact with a support material, and translating the removal tool along the blind design surface to separate a portion of the support material from the blind design surface.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is provided. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform and at least one workstation. The build platform defines a continuous workflow path and is configured to rotate about a build platform axis. The workstation is spaced apart from the build platform along the third direction and at least one of the build platform and the workstation is configured to move along the third direction. The workstation includes at least one particle delivery device, at least one recoating device, and at least one consolidation device. The particle delivery device is configured to deposit particles on the build platform. The recoating device is configured to distribute the deposited particles to form a build layer on the build platform. The consolidation device is configured to consolidate at least a portion of the build layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a floor covering product includes the steps of forming a single- or multilayered substrate by extruding of synthetic material-based material in a layer shape; laminating at least one continuous film to the substrate; and impressing the at least one continuous film using a roller provided with a relief on its surface.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a method for producing a pellet and an apparatus for producing a pellet, including a conveyor belt that conveys a strand formed by melting a composition containing a thermoplastic resin and an additive and then ejecting the molten composition from a feeder, a liquid-spraying device spraying a liquid toward the strand conveyed, a gas-blowing device blowing a gas toward the strand conveyed, a strand cutter cutting the strand conveyed into a pellet, the liquid-spraying device, the gas-blowing device, and the strand cutter being disposed in this order in the conveying direction of the strand, a measurement device measuring a surface temperature of the strand, the measurement device being disposed upstream of the strand cutter in the conveying direction, and an adjustment mechanism adjusting driving of at least one of the liquid-spraying device and the gas-blowing device in accordance with the surface temperature measured.

Abstract: Method of moulding a moulding material to form a moulded part of carbon fibre-reinforced resin matrix composite material in which a sheet moulding compound is moulded which can provide panels, for example for use as vehicle body panels, which have the combination of very low thickness, very light weight, very low warping and surface defects, and very low anisotropy with regard to localised fibre and resin distribution and their associated appearance and mechanical properties.

Abstract: An assembly for preforming a reinforced fabric sheet may have at least one frame and a plurality of gripping devices. Each gripping device of the plurality of gripping devices may be suitable for gripping an edge portion of the reinforced fabric sheet. The assembly may have a moving system with a plurality of first moving devices. The movement of each first moving device may be independent of the other first moving devices. Each gripping device of the plurality of gripping devices may be associated with a first moving device. The first moving device may be suitable for moving each gripping device of the plurality of gripping devices independently of the others.

Abstract: A method includes forming a cutout in a bamboo pole, the cutout having a non-uniform perimeter, and in which the perimeter increases towards a region of the bamboo pole where fibers of the pole are stronger than other regions of the bamboo pole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (14) for assembling a reinforcement web (12) for use with a wind turbine blade (10) are provided. A pre-formed flange structure (20) to be integrated with laminate layers (58, 60) to form the reinforcement web (12) is clamped into position against a mould end surface (76) using one or more locating clamps (16). The locating clamps (16) include first and second clamp blocks (80, 82) that are shaped to provide an external profile that avoids resin collection and bridging during resin injection molding, while allowing for clamping to be applied to the flange structure (20) with an easily assembled and disassembled removable engagement of the clamp blocks (80, 82). The locating clamp (16) prevents undesirable dislodgment of the flange structure (20) during the assembly process for the reinforcement web (12), and without necessitating the use of complex or expensive molding equipment or processes.

Abstract: A method for cooling a mold used in the production of plastic parts is described. A capillary feeds liquid carbon dioxide to a channel present in the mold typically used in making plastic parts having thin gaps or thin open sections in the plastic part. The channel will be approximately the same size as the inner diameter of the capillary but will increase in size either stepwise or progressively as it passes through the mold, particularly at the location where cooling is desired therefore providing more effective cooling to the mold and slides and lifters present therein.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating Class-A components (CAC) include providing a molding precursor which includes a first and second skin layer each including a fiber reinforcing material embedded in a polymer matrix, a third layer between the first and second skin layers and including a third polymer matrix and a filler material interspersed therein. The fiber reinforcing materials include a plurality of substantially aligned carbon fibers having a plurality of low strength regions staggered with respect to the second axis. The method includes disposing a molding precursor within a die, compression molding the molding precursor in the die, wherein the die includes a punch configured to contact the second skin layer, opening the die to create a gap between the punch and an outer surface of the second skin layer, and injecting a Class-A finish coat precursor into the gap to create a class-A surface layer and form the CAC.

Abstract: The geometry of a toroidal balloon requires that a traditional cylindrical balloon to be rotated internally into itself and the ends of the cylinder be placed in close proximity for maximal balloon rotation and to allow an entrance port for inflation of the balloon and/or attachment to an associated medical device. Described within are various techniques for the creation of such toroidal balloons.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light emitting device includes: mounting a light emitting element on a substrate; disposing a light shielding frame on a sheet, the light shielding frame having an opening; disposing a plate-shaped light transmissive member in the opening, the plate-shaped light transmissive member having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, wherein an outer perimeter of the first face is smaller than an inner perimeter of the opening; forming a light guide support member by filling the space with a first light reflecting member; bonding the light guide support member by bonding an upper face of the light emitting element and the second face of the light transmissive member; and forming a second light reflecting member surrounding the light emitting element by filling the space between the substrate and the light shielding frame with a second reflecting resin.