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: The EAFD stabilizer for returned concrete and mixer drum wash water includes various methods of using EAFD as a stabilizer in making concrete. The potentially hazardous stockpile of EAFD can be used in practical construction, which has a positive impact on the environment. A certain amount of EAFD is added to cement being mixed or to wash water and acts as a stabilizer, the wash water being used to make a cement mixture. This resultant EAFD stabilized concrete mixture stabilizes overnight.

Abstract: A forming system includes a frame and two forming walls. The two forming walls are positioned at a distance from each other to define a first vertical wall course. One forming wall is supported by the frame such that the one forming wall can be translated toward or away from the respective other forming wall. The frame can be raised to raise the two forming walls to be positioned to pour a second vertical course on top of the first vertical course. The translation of the one forming wall allows for the pouring of the first vertical course with horizontally extending rebar that extends through the one forming wall outside of the first vertical wall course, to tie in to a subsequently poured floor slab. The translation permits the vertical raising of the one forming wall, without striking the extending rebar, to pour the second vertical course on the first vertical course. A worker's platform is provided that is supported by the frame and vertically movable by raising the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tool is provided. A number of members comprised of a thermoplastic material is positioned within a hollow portion of a structure. The tool is formed within the hollow portion of the structure with the number of members positioned within the hollow portion of the structure. Heat is applied within a selected range to the number of members to reduce a size of each of the number of members. The number of members is removed from the tool such that the tool is left with a number of voids.

Abstract: A pressure-controlling foam molding method and a device thereof. The device includes a first mold and a second mold positioned on different levels. The first mold molds polymer material into a blank and is opened in a high pressure environment to limit the extent to which the molded blank foams. The foamed blank is compressed to have a volume approximately equal to or smaller than that of the second mold cavity of the second mold. Then the foamed blank is moved from the first mold pit of the first mold into the second mold pit of the second mold along a moving axis parallel to gravity line. Prior to transfer, with the plane on which the opening of the second mold pit is positioned as a projection face, the shape and position of the opening of the second mold pit correspond to vertical projective shape and position of the blank.

Abstract: This invention comprises a self-supporting, temperature-stable, indicia-bearing laminate of at least one layer of a non-oriented polyolefin film having an indicia array and a layer of a non-oriented polyolefin support film. The indicia layer laminate is formed by printing a carrier sheet with at least one layer of a printing ink comprising a mixture of particulate polyolefin, indicia material and a polyolefin-compatible resin. The polyolefin support film is printed as a layer over the indicia layer with a mixture of a polyolefin and a polyolefin-compatible resin. The printed layers are cured into non-oriented films, forming an indicia transfer. The transfer is used by removing the indicia-bearing laminate from the carrier sheet and applying the laminate to the inside surface of a rotational mold where it melts and fuses into the outer wall of a polyolefin product during the formation of the product in the rotational molding cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of casting in-situ a ferrocement ribbed slab with a spliced rack and a suspended formwork. The method comprises the following specific steps: step 1: machining at a plant a transverse plane truss girder, an incomplete longitudinal plane truss girder and an incomplete longitudinal plane truss; step 2: making a bottom formwork; step 3: splicing and constructing an on-site truss in a grid shape; step 4: suspending the bottom formwork; step 5: laying reinforcing mesh pieces; and step 6: performing in-situ casting. In the present method of casting in-situ a ferrocement ribbed slab with a spliced rack and a suspended formwork, the interspaced rack becomes a spliced rack and is applied to in-situ casting of floor slabs, such that a ferrocement ribbed slab is directly cast on site, and is cast as one with beams and columns, enabling the range of use of ferrocement ribbed slabs to be extended to the floor slabs of various buildings.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a funnel, a tool for carrying out the method, and a funnel of flat material, more particularly of plastic-coated paper. A receptacle for a pulverulent and/or liquid medium includes a funnel disposed in a pouring or discharging region. A blank of flat material is shaped to a funnel-shaped sleeve having an outlet opening, an inlet opening, and an opening angle, and the funnel shaped sleeve is swaged in at least one subregion to effect enlargement of the opening angle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structure, in particular an aircraft fuselage of composite materials comprising a skin (2) and V-section members fastened to the skin (2) referred to as stiffeners (4). The method comprises a step of positioning punches on a mandrel in order to form channels between the punches. The channels are disposed in at least two networks (6a, 6b, 6c), each channel of the same network (6a, 6b, 6c) meeting at least one channel of another network at a node (8). The method also comprises a step of positioning preforms for stiffeners in the channels such that at least two stiffeners (4) meet at said node (8) and a step of injecting resin so as to assemble the stiffeners (4). A structure made as a single piece is thereby obtained.

Abstract: A method for dry casting concrete block using a resilient mold having a cavity for forming a block face and a form having a block body forming cavity. The form may be offset from the mold to provide steps where the block face joins the body for aligning stacked blocks. Alternately, the form cavity may have a dimension smaller that the height of the block face and can be offset to form a step between the block face and either the top or bottom of the block. Alternately, an insert may be placed in the form adjacent the mold for forming a downwardly projecting lip along the back of the block. Blocks are formed using a dry cast concrete block machine. After casting, the form is removed from the block. The block remains supported on the mold until after it has cured.

Abstract: A method of making a masonry block employing a mold assembly having a plurality liner plates each having a major surface that together form a mold cavity having an open top and an open bottom, wherein at least one liner plate is moveable between a retracted position and a desired extended position within the mold cavity. The method includes providing a negative of a desired texture on the major surface of the moveable liner plate, moving the moveable liner plate to a retracted position, closing the bottom of the mold cavity by positioning a pallet below the mold assembly, filling the mold cavity with dry cast concrete via the open top, vibrating the mold assembly and dry cast concrete therein, and moving the moveable liner plate to a desired extended position during the vibrating.

Abstract: A method for constructing site-cast or precast concrete floors, roofs and decks by first forming one piece elongated foam forms having an elongated cavity for reception of concrete. A pair of elongated slots is formed along the bottom of each of the forms. Wooden members are placed into each of the elongated slots to form an assembled combination of the foam form and wood members. A plurality of the assembled combinations are placed in juxtaposition with respect to each adjacent assembled combination on a support surface, rebar is placed in the cavity of each assembled combination and then concrete in an uncured form if poured over the assembled combinations and into the cavities of the forms so that once the concrete has cured a concrete panel has been formed.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodologies for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Methodologies and apparatus for fabrication of concrete structure used in constructing the base support are also disclosed, with a focus on staves and various ring piece constructions.

Abstract: A method for arranging engagement means in a concrete body. These engagement means can come into contact with securing means, resulting in a coupling of considerable strength between the concrete part and the said securing means. The engagement means may comprise a screw thread, bayonet-like structure or the like arranged in the concrete. However, it is also possible for the engagement means to be designed as a separate component which is placed into the concrete material. This separate component is then provided with the engagement means proper in that it is provided with a screw thread, bayonet catch or the like. In this way, it is possible to secure construction parts to the concrete part, to hoist the concrete part and to carry out further actions with this part. It is also possible to adjust the concrete part with the aid of adjustment bolts which engage in the engagement means.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing precast concrete parts, in particular pylon segments. Concrete is poured into a casting mold with a planar bottom for producing a planar underside. After the concrete has reached at least a minimum strength an equalization layer is applied to a join surface of the precast concrete part that is opposite to the underside. As soon as the equalization layer has reached the minimum strength, the precast concrete part is placed on a horizontally oriented surface and the equalization layer on the top side is removed in a plane-parallel relationship with the underside.

Abstract: A method of forming a hollow composite construction member of the type suitable for use as building material includes providing an elongated inflatable mold assembly having a longitudinal axis. The mold assembly further has a flexible, substantially tubular bladder wall defining an elongated inflatable cavity, wherein the cavity is movable between a deflated condition, an inflated condition, and a plurality of partially inflated conditions. A reinforcing fabric is positioned concentrically around the flexible bladder wall. A flexible air-impervious outer layer is positioned concentrically around the fabric, with the bladder wall and the outer layer defining an elongated annular space. The fabric is positioned within the space. An intermediate member is inserted within the elongated annular space between the reinforcing fabric and the tubular bladder. A fluid is introduced into the cavity to at least partially inflate the mold and shape the fabric.

Abstract: A concrete footing is laid by a set of forms each with side walls forming an elongate area and transverse connecting elements with at least one lift element mounted for lifting by a fork lift system extending across the side walls. The forms include legs engaged into the ground and adjusted to a required height relative to the ground. After setting of the concrete the elongate frame members are lifted from the concrete using the fork lift system. Connecting members shaped to match the side walls are clamped on an inside surface so as to bridge between the frame members. The set is carried on a transport cradle which includes a pair of side walls on which a lowermost one of the set sits with a pair of transverse sleeves connected across the side walls by which the cradle is lifted by the forks of the fork lift system.

Abstract: A method of making custom glove formers for making custom-fit disposable gloves using a three dimensional camera or laser for taking the dimensions of a user's hand and making a mold therefrom for use in making the custom glove former. Alternatively, the method includes using an impression material for taking an impression of a user's hand to make a mold for use in making the custom glove former. In further embodiments, the method includes using a combination of a three dimensional camera or laser and impression material to make a mold for use in making the custom glove former. The custom glove formers are then used for making the custom-fit disposable gloves.

Abstract: Systems and cold rotational molding methods are provided for making hollow, foam-backed polymeric molded articles. The molded articles can be manikins or manikin parts, or other articles, such as frames (e.g. for mirrors and pictures), urns, fixtures, furniture, display props, and garden furniture, made of a thermosetting elastomeric material. The articles are more structurally rigid than previous molded articles utilizing the same amount of polymer material, lighter in weight than previous molded articles having the same structural rigidity, and more resistant to deformation under temperatures up to 180 to 185° F. The process of making a molded manikin part, from the first injection of polymer into the mold until demolding of the finished part, can be completed in as short a time as 18 minutes without the necessity for cradling of the demolded part, even when the part requires one or more flat surfaces.

Abstract: A method for forming a concrete wall structure is provided. The method includes providing a frame having a plurality of spaced-apart wall studs interconnecting opposing frame members within a casting bed. A plurality of blocks are positioned proximal the frame within the interior area of the casting bed. Concrete is poured and finished within the casting bed.