Abstract: A ply transporting and compacting apparatus comprises a rigid frame, a top-layer sheet of flexible rubber material fastened to the frame, and a bottom-layer sheet of perforated flexible rubber material having openings. The apparatus also comprises a middle-layer sheet of flow media material disposed in a first plenum area that is defined between the top and bottom layer sheets. The apparatus further comprises a moving device coupled to the frame and arranged to lower the frame and sheets onto a composite ply at a trimming location to pick up the composite ply with a suction force when a vacuum is drawn in the first plenum area to create the suction force through the openings of the bottom-layer sheet.

Abstract: A blow mold system including a mold body and a base portion. The mold body includes a central bore extending from a first end of the mold body to a second end of the mold body along a longitudinal axis. The first end is configured to receive a mold preform. The base portion includes a recess, and the base portion is arranged at the second end of the mold body such that the central bore and recess define a blow mold cavity in which a container may be formed from the mold preform. In embodiments, the blow mold system has at least two interchangeable base portions that allow for containers with differently-sized or differently-shaped necks to be formed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic container by internal pressure forming including positioning a tubular preform between the die parts of a molding die having a die cavity; closing the molding die and forming or preforming a container from the preform using internal pressure, wherein a peripheral portion of the preform is pressed out of the die cavity through a die gap; laterally withdrawing the peripheral portion pressed out of the die cavity, as a result of which the container is divided into two container halves; and thermally separating plastic bridges and/or plastic threads which arise during the lateral withdrawal of the peripheral portion. Also disclosed is a molding die suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a body portion defining a mounting channel for receiving a vehicle flange. A base of the body portion defines an outer surface of the body portion with the outer surface defining a first axis of curvature adapted to correspond with a contour of the flange. The seal assembly further includes a sealing lip portion co-extruded with the body portion and defining a notch having a notch configuration, an element disposed in the notch and pre-formed to have an element configuration corresponding to at least a part of the notch configuration, and a molding material molded to a back surface of the element, secured to the sealing lip portion within the notch, and extending across the notch, with the element and the molding material defining a contour lip portion that in combination with the sealing lip portion defines an external sealing lip of the seal assembly.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic container may include locally heating a middle zone of a thermoplastic tube; gripping the tube on either side by using retaining members; pulling the tube apart, causing a middle zone to narrow; pushing the inner wall of the middle zone against each other to obtain a closure; and cutting through the closed-off middle zone to obtain two separate tubular parts. Further is provided a system for pulling apart a tube, the system may include a first retaining member which is provided for insertion into the first zone via the first end and a second retaining member provided for insertion into the second zone via the second end, each retaining member being adjustable between a first position in which the retaining member fits inside the tube and a second position in which, in use, the retaining member exerts a pressure on the inner wall of the tube.

Abstract: A pressure forming machine is provided. In one embodiment, the pressure forming machine integrates a heater in its pressure chamber, so the heater and pressure chamber are movable together with respect to a base of the pressure forming machine. The pressure chamber and base can contain locking mechanisms to create a seal between the pressure chamber and a plastic sheet used for forming. The base can also contain a separable air compressor component, so the air compressor can be physically distanced to reduce the noise experienced by a user. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sealable, flexible membrane for encapsulating a part to be isostatically pressed at an elevated temperature. The membrane includes at least one first layer of polymeric film having a melting point above the elevated temperature, and at least one second layer disposed on the first layer. The second layer comprising a metal. In one embodiment, the metal comes into contact with the part to be isostatically pressed. The membrane, which typically has a thickness ranging from 10 to about 500 ?m, and is impermeable to the flow of liquids and gases when sealed, can be used to warm press parts up to about 350° C. and pressures ranging from 5,000 psi to 100.000 psi. Methods to isostatically press parts using this sealable, flexible membrane are also disclosed. Bags made from the sealable, flexible membrane that are used in isostatic presses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for fabricating a component using 3D printing. A 3D printed piece is created including a body of the component, a support structure, and a first sacrificial interface region coupling the body of the component to the support structure. The body of the component is formed of a first metal or ceramic material and the first sacrificial interface region is formed at least partially of a second metal or ceramic material. The body of the component is then separated from the support structure by applying a chemical or electrochemical dissolution process to the 3D printed piece. Because the second metal or ceramic material is less resistant to the dissolution process than the first metal or ceramic material, the first sacrificial interface region at least partially dissolves, thereby separating the body of the metal component from the support structure, without dissolving the body of the component.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing plastic material preforms, includes at least two preform manufacturing devices configured for producing the plastic material preforms from a plastic material, wherein the preform manufacturing devices each having preform transport devices. The apparatus includes a main transport device which is configured for transporting the plastic material preforms produced by the preform manufacturing devices and transported by the preform transport devices continuously along a predetermined main transport path, wherein the plastic material preforms are transferred to the main transport device by the production devices after their production.

Abstract: A finishing/covering element for a component in a vehicle passenger compartment has a front surface facing, in use, the inside of the passenger compartment and a rear surface facing, in use, the component on which the finishing/covering element is fitted; the finishing/covering element is manufactured by moulding a thermoplastic material in a mould, which has a first and a second forming surface facing one another; the first forming surface forms the outline of the front surface and is embossed so as to form a corresponding embossing on the front surface, without further treatments and/or coating operations and/or processing on the front surface after the moulding; at the same time, the moulded thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane reinforced by reinforcement fibres.

Abstract: In this invention, a copper powder to which phosphorus (P) is added is developed such that a high-density laminated and shaped product can be obtained by a laminating and shaping method using a fiber laser as a heat source by appropriately reducing the electrical conductivity of copper, so a laminated and shaped product having a high density and a high electrical conductivity can be obtained. This invention is a copper powder for lamination shaping in which a phosphorus element is added to pure copper. The copper powder desirably contains 0.01 wt % or more of the phosphorus element. The copper powder more desirably contains 0.04 wt % or more of the phosphorus element. The copper powder desirably contains 0.30 wt % or less of the phosphorus element. The copper powder more desirably contains 0.24 wt % or less of the phosphorus element. No element other than the phosphorus element is desirably added to the copper powder.

Abstract: A blow molded monolayer article. The article has a hollow body defined by a wall. The wall has one or more regions comprising a first composition and one or more regions formed by a second composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for semi-continuous blow moulding of fiber-reinforced, thermoplastic, endless, hollow-profile-shaped components with longitudinally constant or varying cross-sections, consisting of at least one consolidation tool, which, in its closed state, encloses a preform enclosing an elastically moldable pressure chamber.

Abstract: The invention is in particular directed to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by successive deposition of uniform layers of a viscous material, the method comprising a prior calibrating operation comprising the following steps: positioning at least one calibration stop at a distance comprised between a first distance and a second distance from a working surface, the at least one calibration stop being configured to enable the triggering of a signal in case of contact between the at least one calibration stop and a proximity sensor linked to a recoater blade; moving the recoater blade (310) linked to the proximity sensor towards one of the at least one calibration stop; stopping the movement of the recoater blade as soon as a signal indicates a contact between the calibration stop and the proximity sensor; and estimating (320) the distance between the recoater blade and the working surface after stopping the movement, the at least one calibration value comprising the estimated distance.

Abstract: A nonwoven web is made by first depositing fibers as a nonwoven web in a deposition area, then conveying the web away from the deposition area in a web-travel direction, preconsolidating the web in the path, and passing the preconsolidated web between a pair of rollers that compress and final consolidate the preconsolidated web, One of the rollers is separated from the web such that final consolidation of the web at a starting level is stopped and at the same time or immediately beforehand upstream preconsolidation of the web increased. After separating the one roller from the web, another roller is engaged with the web at the consolidation station and then final consolidation is recommenced, whereupon upstream preconsolidation of the web is reduced back to the starting level.

Abstract: Provided is a method for heating plastic preforms, wherein the plastic parison are transported along a predetermined transport path and are heated during this transport, wherein at least one first heating section with at least one first heating element as well as at least one second heating section with at least one second heating element is arranged along the transport path, by a first temperature measuring device an actual temperature of the plastic preforms is measured in or before a start region of the transport path, and as a function of this actual temperature of the plastic preforms the at least one first heating element is controlled in such a way that the plastic preforms reach a predetermined target temperature after heating by this at least one first heating element.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus that forms a pattern on a substrate by using a mold, the apparatus comprises a supply unit configured to supply an imprint material to the substrate; a contact unit configured to contact the imprint material that has been supplied to the substrate with a mold; a substrate stage configured to move the substrate; a gas supply unit that is provided between the supply unit and the contact unit, and supply gas toward the substrate; and a flow volume adjustment unit configured to adjust a flow volume of the gas that is supplied from the gas supply unit, while the substrate stage moves the substrate from a supply position at which the imprint material is supplied by the supply unit to a contact position at which the imprint material is contacted with the mold by the contact unit.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, the device having a transport unit, at which a plurality of forming stations for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers is arranged, and an inspection unit that is arranged after the forming stations in a transport direction of the plastic containers and that determines a wall thickness of these plastic containers in at least one region of the plastic containers produced, includes the following steps: introducing at least one test container that has a predetermined and/or known wall thickness a least in sections, and determining a first wall thickness in at least one area of the container by the inspection unit.

Abstract: A molding device suitable for performing at least one of injection molding of preforms and blow molding of the preforms includes a pitch changing device including: N holding units capable of holding the preforms and arranged at a predetermined pitch in a predetermined direction, N being inter equal to or larger than 2; a coupling unit coupling the holding units adjacent to each other such that the pitch is changeable; a drive unit configured to generate a predetermined drive force; and a drive force transmission unit configured to transmit the drive force to each of one end-side and the other end-side, in the predetermined direction, of the coupled N holding units. The one end-side and the other end-side are configured to be moved in the predetermined direction by the drive force to change the pitch.

Abstract: A lamella block is provided for a calibrating device for calibrating an extruded profile, wherein the lamella block includes a lamella structure, which has a plurality of lamellae that are spaced apart from each other by grooves and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lamella block. The lamella structure has a variably designed division in the longitudinal direction of the lamella block. Further provided is a method for manufacturing the aforementioned lamella block, as well as a calibrating device, which includes a plurality of the lamella blocks mentioned above. Also provided is a system for additively fabricating the lamella blocks mentioned above, a corresponding computer program and a corresponding dataset.