Abstract: An apparatus for dropletizing a flowable product, having an outer tube which is arranged in a rotatable manner on a core, wherein, in the core, a feed device for the product to be dropletized and a distribution apparatus bearing against the inner circumference of the outer tube are provided. A device for cleaning an outer circumference of the outer tube is provided, wherein the device has a cleaning spatula, a guide rail for the cleaning spatula, which guide rail extends parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the outer tube, and a first drive for moving the cleaning spatula along the guide rail.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure, a three dimensional (3D) printing system includes a printhead and an ink supply subsystem. The printhead is for ejecting drops of phase change ink to define a three dimensional article of manufacture. The ink supply subsystem includes an ink tube, a helical resistor, a return conductor, and an outer tube. The ink tube has an inside surface for contacting and transporting the phase change ink and an outer tubular surface. The resistor is helically wound around the outer tubular surface of the ink tube. The return conductor is helically wound around the resistor and has a resistance that is lower than that of the resistor. The outer tube surrounds and protects the resistor and the return conductor and provides insulation to the heated ink transport component.

Abstract: A thermally expandable sheet includes: a thermally expansive layer formed on a one surface of a base; a first ink receiving layer that is provided on the thermally expansive layer for receiving ink; a film provided on the first ink receiving layer; and a second ink receiving layer that is provided on the film for receiving ink; wherein the first ink receiving layer is formed of a material that provides a texture a different from a texture of the second ink receiving layer.

Abstract: A system for controlling the temperature of a film before and/or during application, the system including: a heat source for heating a film; and stretch rollers; wherein the heat source heats the film from an ambient temperature to a temperature from about 2° C. to about 40° C. above the ambient temperature, wherein the film is heated prior to or simultaneous to being stretched by the stretch rollers, and wherein the ambient temperature is below 15° C. A system for improving the application of film by transfer of electrostatic charge is also described. The preheating system and/or electrostatic charge system may be used to enhance binding and sealing properties of stretch films used for wrapping palletized products in a reduced temperature environment. Other embodiments of the preheating film system and electrostatic charge system, and methods for their use, are described herein.

Abstract: An example method for cooling a build volume is described. In one implementation, a heating mechanism is set to a temperature identified based on the build material information, and the build volume is heated using the heating mechanism for a time period identified based on the build material information.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a radar transparent cover may include steps of: injection molding a first transparent cover; inserting into a mold the first transparent cover made by the step of injection molding the first transparent cover and then, double injection molding a color resin on a back surface of the first transparent cover; and inserting into a mold the injection molded article made by the step of double injection molding the color resin and then, double injection molding a second transparent cover on a front surface of the first transparent cover.

Abstract: In an example, an apparatus for generating a three-dimensional object includes a build area platform, a build material distributor, a secondary material ejection device, a coalescing agent ejection device, and a controller. The controller may control the secondary material ejection device to eject a secondary material in a predefined pattern over the build area platform, control the build material distributor to distribute a layer of the build material around the ejected secondary material, control the coalescing agent ejection device to eject the coalescing agent onto the layer of the build material, and control an energy source to apply energy onto the ejected coalescing agent to cause the build material in contact with the ejected coalescing agent to coalesce and solidify.

Abstract: A method of producing a pre-impregnated fibrous material including a fibrous material of continuous fibres and a thermoplastic polymer matrix, wherein the pre-impregnated fibrous material is produced in a single unidirectional strip or in a plurality of parallel unidirectional strips, the method including the following steps: (i) impregnating the fibrous material in the form of a strand or a plurality of parallel strands with the thermoplastic polymer in the form of a powder in a fluid bed; and (ii) shaping the strand or parallel strands of the fibrous material impregnated as in step (i) by calendering by at least one heating calender in the form of a single unidirectional strip or of a plurality of parallel unidirectional strips, the heating calender, in the latter case, including a plurality of calendering grooves, and the pressure and/or a spacing between the rollers of the calender being regulated by an auxiliary system.

Abstract: A method for applying a sealant to the surface of an object includes forming an annular dose of synthetic plasticised material supplied from an extruder, depositing the dose on the surface of object and compression forming the dose to form a seal. The extruder includes an annular outlet which is opened and closed to deposit successive doses. Each dose that exits the annular outlet is separated from a supply of plasticized material in the extruder.

Abstract: A liquid blow molding method of molding a preform into a liquid-containing container includes: a first nozzle descending step of descending a blow nozzle to a first position at which the blow nozzle does not seal the mouth part; a gas-liquid replacement step of supplying a liquid into the preform from the blow nozzle at the first position and discharging air inside the preform to outside; a second nozzle descending step of descending the blow nozzle to a second position at which the blow nozzle seals the mouth part, after the gas-liquid replacement step; and a blow molding step of supplying the liquid into the preform from the blow nozzle at the second position to blow mold the preform into the predetermined shape.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, rotating the container relative to the build platform and moving the build platform relative to the container, thereby creating an effective fulcrum about an axis, wherein the rotating of the container and moving of the build platform causes the layer of material to separate from the container. According to some embodiments, the container may be configured to rotate about a fixed axis. According to some embodiments, moving the build platform may comprise moving the build platform toward the container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing are described. A method for additive manufacturing may include exposing a layer of material on a build surface to one or more projections of laser energy including at least one line laser having a substantially linear shape. The intensity of the line laser may be modulated so as to cause fusion of the layer of material according to a desired pattern as the one or more projections of laser energy are scanned across the build surface.

Abstract: An intelligent dripping pill machine for continuous liquid solidification comprises: a feeding device (1), a material combining device (2), a homogenizing device (3), a dripping device (4) and a de-oiling device (5) sequentially connected via a transmission channel. The intelligent dripping pill machine removes, via high-speed centrifugation, a cooling liquid attached to dripping pills, and each component device is connected compactly, thereby achieving a continuous manufacturing operation, and reducing an occupied space of the devices as a whole while ensuring the yield of the dripping pills.

Abstract: A method for producing a component having defined dimensions from a blank having the same defined dimensions or having dimensions which differ from the defined dimensions of the component, by carrying out a heat treatment. Furthermore, a device for carrying out this method is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for continuously preparing a polyolefin composition made from or containing a bimodal or multimodal polyolefin and one or more additives in an extruder device equipped with at least one hopper. The process includes the steps of supplying a bimodal or multimodal polyolefin in form of a polyolefin powder to the hopper; (a) measuring the flow rate of the polyolefin powder or (b) measuring the flow rate of the prepared polyolefin pellets; supplying one or more additives to the hopper; adjusting the flow rates of the additives supplied to the hopper in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin powder or adjusting the flow rate of the polyolefin powder in response to the measured flow rate of the polyolefin pellets; melting and homogenizing the polyolefin powder and additives within the extruder device; and pelletizing the molten polyolefin composition into the polyolefin pellets.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a walled structure using an injection molding apparatus. The apparatus has a molding space formed between a mold cavity and an inner core disposed within the mold cavity. The molding space defines a shape of the structure. The process includes injecting molding material into the molding space, moving or retaining a portion of a movable impression member protruding from the inner core within a portion of the molding space so as to create a recess within an inner wall of the structure, and retracting the impression member into the inner core such that the impression member is cleared from the molding space. Precision control in forming the impression member is provided by a closed-loop configuration using a sensor that measures a molding space parameter (e.g., temperature), optionally in combination with a servo drive for activating the impression member.

Abstract: An injection mold includes an upper mold core, an upper mold plate, a sprue bushing and an upper mold fixing plate. The sprue bushing is completely accommodated in the upper mold plate and the upper mold core, the sprue bushing defining a runner therein. The sprue bushing includes a mounting part and an extending part extending from the mounting part, the mounting part is received in the upper mold plate, the extending part is disposed through the upper mold core, and the runner runs through the mounting part and the extending part. The upper mold fixing plate is piled on and fixed to the upper mold plate, the upper mold fixing plate is provided with a through hole communicated with the runner, the upper mold fixing plate includes a flange extending inwardly from a side wall of the through hole, the flange abuts against the mounting part.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of forming a linear panel from a thermoformable fibrous material by a continuous process includes continuously drawing an elongate strip of thermoformable fibrous material through a heating station to heat the material, forming the heated material into a desired panel shape, and continuously drawing the material through a cooling unit in order to cool the material after the material has been formed into the desired panel shape.

Abstract: There is provided an imprint apparatus for forming a pattern of an imprint material on a substrate by using a mold, the imprint apparatus including a mold holding unit configured to hold the mold, and a substrate holding unit configured to hold the substrate, in which a particle is captured by generating a first region and a second region charged to different polarities in at least either one of a peripheral region of a region covered by the mold of the mold holding unit and a peripheral region of a region covered by the substrate of the substrate holding unit.

Abstract: A method of creating a hydrophobic polymer membrane surface includes depositing a polymer material onto a heated carrier, using the heated carrier, transporting the polymer material past an electrode field generator, generating an electric field adjacent the carrier, using the electric field to form a pattern in the polymer material to form a patterned polymer membrane, rinsing the patterned polymer membrane in a first bath, and setting the pattern into the patterned polymer membrane in a second bath.