Abstract: A pin actuated printhead includes an orifice through which a material is ejected, a chamber to hold the material to be ejected, a channel connecting the chamber to the orifice, and an actuated pin, to enter the orifice and to eject the material from the orifice. The printhead is configured to eject a material with a viscosity of 10,000 cP or more at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The molding method of the present invention configures: a mandrel 2 being a mold for molding the material of a fiber-reinforced plastic 1 and having multiple pieces 21 to 24 adjacent to one another in a longitudinal direction D; and an angle material 3 formed of a material having a linear expansion coefficient approximate to the linear expansion coefficient of the fiber-reinforced plastic, and aligning the pieces 21 to 24 along the longitudinal direction D. The method includes: a mandrel disposing step S2 of disposing the pieces 21 to 24 with gaps G1 to G3 between one another; an angle material disposing step S3 of disposing the angle material 3 on the pieces 21 to 24; and a heating to cure and molding step S5 of molding the fiber-reinforced plastic by heating the material of the fiber-reinforced plastic while aligning the pieces 21 to 24 by the angle material 3.

Abstract: Described herein are an apparatus and a method for direct engraving an elastomeric printing plate by multiple laser beams simultaneously. In one embodiment, an elastomeric printing plate or sleeve is positioned on an imaging drum for direct engraving. The imaging drum is rotatable around its longitudinal axis. Such rotation defines a circumferential direction, also called the transverse direction. The axis of rotation defines an axial direction, also called the longitudinal direction. The printing plate has an body and a surface made of an elastomer (made of polymer or rubber). A drive mechanism provides relative motion between a plurality of laser beams and the plate in both the transverse and longitudinal directions.

Abstract: A molding device which can heat molding portions of dies by a simple structure while guaranteeing the durability of the molding portions of the dies, and a method of molding a product using the molding device are provided. A molding device 100 includes a first die 110 and a second die 120 for molding a product PR to be molded. The first die 110 and the second die 120 have a first molding portion 111 and a second molding portion 121 formed at central portions of the surfaces which face each other. Each of the first molding portion 111 and the second molding portion 121 has a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the surface shape of the product PR. Thermal/electrical insulators 113 and 124 are provided around the first molding portion 111 and the second molding portion 121 of the first die 110 and the second die 120.

Abstract: Aspects of the methods and apparatuses relate to making elastic laminates, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for applying elastic material in a curved path onto an advancing substrate. The elastic material may be in various forms, such as for example, elastic strands and/or ribbons. Apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may also provide for the application of viscous fluids, such as adhesives, in pre-determined patterns to the elastic material while being positioned on an advancing substrate.

Abstract: A tire curing mold comprises a plurality of vent holes provided on a side forming surface coming into contact with a side wall portion of a tire. The side forming portion is provided with a recess portion which is recessed toward an outer side in a tire width direction from a profile of the side forming surface. A diameter of a vent hole which is open within the recess portion is set to be larger than a diameter of a vent hole which is open on the profile of the side forming surface.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) drawing device having a housing configured for manipulation by a user's hand and to accept a feed stock that is, in certain embodiments, a strand of thermoplastic. The drawing device has a nozzle assembly with an exit nozzle and a motor connected to a gear train that engages the strand of thermoplastic feed stock such that rotation of the motor causes the feed stock to be extruded out of the exit nozzle to form a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A method for producing a carbon fiber, the method comprising: (i) subjecting a continuous carbon fiber precursor having a polymeric matrix in which strength-enhancing particles are incorporated to a stabilization process during which the carbon fiber precursor is heated to within a temperature range ranging from the glass transition temperature to no less than 20° C. below the glass transition temperature of the polymeric matrix, wherein the maximum temperature employed in the stabilization process is below 400° C., for a processing time within said temperature range of at least 1 hour in the presence of oxygen and in the presence of a magnetic field of at least 1 Tesla, while said carbon fiber precursor is held under an applied axial tension; and (ii) subjecting the stabilized carbon fiber precursor, following step (i), to a carbonization process. The stabilized carbon fiber precursor, resulting carbon fiber, and articles made thereof are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a printing platform supporting module and a three-dimensional printer using same. The printing platform supporting module comprises a supporting frame, the printing platform, a heating assembly, an adjusting module, and a printing plate. The heating assembly is disposed on the printing platform. The adjusting module is disposed on the printing platform and comprises a plurality of locking units. The printing plate has a working surface and a mounting surface opposite to the working surface. The mounting surface is urged against the heating assembly. The printing plate is removably disposed on the printing platform by means of a locking action and an unlocking action of the locking units.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model built with an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, and having a perimeter based on a contour tool path that defines an interior region of a layer of the three-dimensional model, where at least one of a start point and a stop point of the contour tool path is located within the interior region of the layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hemocompatible material comprising a synthetic substrate and animal biological tissue, according to which said animal biological tissue is dehydrated and adhered to said synthetic substrate by means of a dispersion of the material forming said synthetic substrate. According to the invention, the animal biological tissue is only dehydrated chemically by immersing said animal biological tissue in a bath consisting of a solution containing at least 80 wt % of polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article fabrication system having a plurality of material deposition tools containing one or more materials useful in fabricating the article, and a material deposition device having a tool interface for receiving one of the material deposition tools. A system controller is operably connected to the material deposition device to control operation of the material deposition device. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating an article using the system of the invention and a method of fabricating edible foodstuffs.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite material part using an integrated shape memory polymer (SMP) and caul tool comprises the steps of: placing a caul on a positive feature of a mold, deforming the SMP from a relaxed state such that the SMP integrates with the caul to form an integrated SMP and caul tool, placing composite material on the integrated SMP and caul tool, heating the composite material to cure the composite material to form a composite material part while the SMP remains deformed, and stimulating the SMP to return to the relaxed state such that the SMP separates from the caul and the composite material part.

Abstract: A device for producing an absorbent body includes crushers that are each configured to crush a supplied pulp sheet into fluff pulp and that each include a plurality of rotating blades, a duct in which the fluff pulp is carried by air, and a rotating fiber stacking drum that includes an adsorbent molding section that molds the fluff pulp carried by air from the duct into an absorbent body with a desired shape. Further, the crushers are staggered in an axis direction of the rotating blades.

Abstract: Embodiments of a solid free form printer and a discrete deposition head are disclosed. The solid free form printer may include one or more discrete deposition heads. A discrete deposition head includes a feeder configured to feed a target material in solid form to a deposition assembly. The deposition assembly is configured to create a deposition piece from the target material and dispense the deposition piece onto a portion of the printed object, wherein the deposition piece is in solid form within the deposition assembly. The discrete deposition head also includes a target heat source that heats the portion of the printed object where the target material is to be placed.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of: preparing a first suction-holding section and a second suction-holding section; positioning the first suction-holding section and the second suction-holding section in such a manner that respective surfaces of the first suction-holding section and the second suction-holding section are aligned side-by-side while facing the same side; suction-holding a forward surface of a main body of an developed module by the first suction-holding section, and suction-holding a rearward surface of the main body of the developed module by the second suction-holding section; closing the first suction-holding section and the second suction-holding section to fold the main body in half; and releasably joining superimposed portions of the developed module half-folded by the half-folding step.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus, kits and methods for the production of biomimetic constructs by plastically compressing a gel, such as a collagen gel, in a well using a plunger, which may be porous. The apparatus, kits and methods allow biomimetic constructs to be produced in a controlled and reproducible manner and are suitable for the production of multilayered constructs.

Abstract: Several embodiments of livestock guards are disclosed that utilize pre-fabricated forms that are transported to the installation site and are then either filled with a settable material such as concrete or a settable foam, or alternatively is assembled from basic guard units that are fitted together to define the assembled livestock guard.

Abstract: A method for using a tow incorporating a large number of fibers to form a composite part that has the quality of parts made with tows incorporating a small number of fibers is described. The method includes spreading the tows incorporating a large number of fibers to form a relatively wide, flat, and continuous, unidirectional fabric, holding the fabric under tension to maintain the orientation and flatness, subjecting the flattened fabric to melt-bonding while held under tension to maintain the flattened configuration, and slicing the melt-bonded, unidirectional fabric into a plurality of narrow fiber tows and subsequently using these to produce braided, woven, and other fabric forms.

Abstract: A method of making a sandwich-type, compression-molded, composite component having improved surface appearance is provided. Reinforced thermoplastic skins, first and second sheets of thermoplastic adhesive and a cellulose-based core of a blank or stack of sandwich materials are heated to a softening temperature of the thermoplastics. The heated blank or stack is allowed to cool in the mold cavity until inner surfaces of the skins are bonded to top and bottom surfaces of the core by the sheets to seal core cavities. Air in the sealed cavities urges softened portions of the sheets and portions of the core inwardly towards the cavities of the core as the air in the cavities cools to inhibit debossing and improve surface appearance of a first outer surface of the blank or stack.