Abstract: A holding apparatus of the present invention for holding a mold, includes a chuck configured to attract the mold to hold the mold, including a plurality of holding units each of which is configured to hold the attracted mold, and including a support configured to support the plurality of holding units; and an actuator supported by the support and deforms the mold by applying a force. At least one of the holding units is supported by the support unit so as to be displaceable in the direction of the force applied by the actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing carbon nanotube fibers, which includes: a synthesis furnace that provides a space therein where a carbon nanotube fiber is synthesized; a raw material supplier that supplies a liquid-state raw material for a carbon nanotube into the synthesis furnace; a gas supplier that supplies a carrying gas into the synthesis furnace; a sub-synthesis furnace that is formed in the shape of a pipe and disposed at the upper portion in the synthesis furnace, and in which the raw material for a fiber flows along the inner side; a nozzle that sprays the raw material for a fiber supplied by the raw material supplier to the inner wall of the sub-synthesis furnace; and a heater that disposed along the outer side of the synthesis furnace.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer positions a tool such as an extruder in three-dimensional space using a passive, i.e., non-motorized, z-axis alignment technique that generates z-axis movement based upon motorized movements along another axis. In this manner, intermittent z-axis step movements such as those from layer to layer in a multi-layer fabrication process can be performed without the need for an additional, dedicated motor for z-axis movement. The passive system may employ a variety of different gearing techniques to convert x-axis or y-axis movements into a z-axis movement under various conditions. For example, the three-dimensional printing tool may move to a predetermined position along a first axis (e.g., an x-axis or y-axis) where a passive gear assembly engages a rack or the like. When in this predetermined position along the first axis, the tool can move along a second axis and create a resulting movement on a third axis (e.g., the z-axis).

Abstract: Molded rubber objects may be molded and de-molded by defining both a desired final form for the molded rubber object and a tab extending from the final form of the molded rubber object using a cavity in a mold. Rubber pellets may be dispensed in predetermined amounts at desired location(s) within the cavity to provide the rubber needed to form the molded rubber object. Heat and pressure may be applied to the mold to cause the rubber pellets to fill the cavity defining both the desired final form of the molded rubber object and the tab. After the heat and pressure has been applied, a gripping device may grasp the tab and move the tab in a direction and with sufficient force to peel the rubber object from the mold cavity. If desired, the tab may be removed from the molded rubber object.

Abstract: A method for making a wind turbine member wherein a plurality Of components are arranged in a mold. The inner side of the mold determines a surface of the wind turbine member. The components are connected to one another. At least one of the components is a prefabricated structural element which has a fixed geometry with an outer surface. The prefabricated structural element has a positioning projection protruding out of the outer surface and the mold has, on its inner side, a positioning receptacle. The positioning projection is inserted positively into the positioning receptacle to determine the disposition of the prefabricated structural element in the mold.

Abstract: A CIPP liner feeder system for efficiently feeding CIPP liner into an air inversion unit. The CIPP liner feeder system generally includes a feed roller attached to an air inverter unit that is adjustable to a first position for feeding a CIPP liner into the air inverter unit from the front or a second position for feeding a CIPP liner into the air inverter unit from the rear. A motor is connected to the feed roller to rotate the feed roller in a first direction when the feed roller is in the first position and a second direction when the feed roller is in the second position. A connecting structure is attached to the air inverter unit for connecting to a lifting/lowering structure of a tractor.

Abstract: An optical irradiation device is provided which includes a multimode optical fiber suitable for the central wavelength of a beam of light having a first beam profile which enters through an input connection for multimode guidance; a switching device, which can be switched between a first and second light conducting state and is configured to conduct the beam of light entering through the input connection in the first light conducting state to an output connection, such that the beam of light has the first beam profile on emerging from the output connection, and guides the beam of light entering the input connection to the output connection by the multimode optical fiber in the second light conducting state, so that the beam of light has a second beam profile different from the first beam profile on emerging from the output connection by the multimode guidance in the multimode optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for making a macro-scale carbon nanotube tube structure includes the following steps. A linear structure and a carbon nanotube structure are provided. The carbon nanotube structure includes at least one carbon nanotube film or at least one carbon nanotube wire. The carbon nanotube structure is wrapped around the linear structure to form a carbon nanotube composite structure. The linear structure is removed from the carbon nanotube composite structure, thereby forming the macro-scale carbon nanotube tube structure.

Abstract: A novel universal main feeder is described for cutting the large items into smaller items before they are fed into the feeder, hopper of the extruder. The sensor based control and the cutting device based resizing and quantity control enables a non-clog and smoother operation for recycling or waste management. The unique design of interchangeable cutting device enables the user to fit the pertinent cutting device blade, knives, shredders or hammer mills.

Abstract: An apparatus for spin casting lenses includes a rotatable tube, the rotatable tube defining a longitudinal cavity, wherein the longitudinal cavity is configured to receive molds. According to one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable tube is made of metal and includes a plurality of apertures configured to permit the transmission of actinic radiation.

Abstract: Several sole components and a method of manufacturing those sole components are disclosed. In general, each sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing element extending around a portion of the bladder. The reinforcing element is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some configurations, the reinforcing element is die-cut from a sheet of polymer material, and the reinforcing element may exhibit a layered configuration. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing element may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing element during the molding process.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for sealing and encapsulating Components on and within an annular Multi-Piece Insert. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic Lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel, and the Component includes a sealed and encapsulated Multi-Piece Insert portion.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer positions a tool such as an extruder in three-dimensional space using a passive, i.e., non-motorized, z-axis alignment technique that generates z-axis movement based upon motorized movements along another axis. In this manner, intermittent z-axis step movements such as those from layer to layer in a multi-layer fabrication process can be performed without the need for an additional, dedicated motor for z-axis movement. The passive system may employ a variety of different gearing techniques to convert x-axis or y-axis movements into a z-axis movement under various conditions. For example, the three-dimensional printing tool may move to a predetermined position along a first axis (e.g., an x-axis or y-axis) where a passive gear assembly engages a rack or the like. When in this predetermined position along the first axis, the tool can move along a second axis and create a resulting movement on a third axis (e.g., the z-axis).

Abstract: A powder removing apparatus includes a box, a stage moving mechanism, and a powder removing processing mechanism. The box has a main body with an opening and a stage movably provided in the main body. The box is capable of accommodating a molded object and non-bonding powder so as to arrange the molded object, which is formed using powder according to a rapid prototyping technique, on the stage together with the non-bonding powder. The stage moving mechanism is capable of moving the stage upward relative to the main body inside the main body. The powder removing processing mechanism is configured to remove the non-bonding powder existing around the molded object extruded by a driving operation of the stage moving mechanism via the opening.

Abstract: The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a method for producing microparticles. Provided is a method that is for producing microparticles and that is characterized by containing at least the following two steps: (I) a step for preparing a microparticle starting material solution by dissolving at least one type of microparticle starting material in a solvent using high speed stirring or ultrasonic waves, and (II) a step for precipitating microparticles by mixing the microparticle starting material solution and at least one type of precipitation solvent for precipitating the microparticle starting material in a thin film fluid formed between at least two processing surfaces that are disposed facing each other, are able to approach/separate from each other, and of which at least one rotates relative to the others.

Abstract: A printing system for forming three-dimensional objects includes two laterally spaced rails, each of the rails have an internal cavity extending through the rail along a longitudinal axis. The printing system further includes two heating devices, one heating device is connected to the internal cavity of one of the two laterally spaced rails and the other heating device is connected to the internal cavity of the other of the two laterally spaced rails to enable each heating device to heat a surface of the rail in which the heating device is positioned. The printing system further includes a platform configured to move along the laterally spaced rails. The printing system also includes at least one of a pair of scrapers, wiper pads, and wiper blades mounted to the cart.

Abstract: A method of RTM molding includes placing a reinforcing fiber substrate in a mold, placing resin distribution media exhibiting a resin flow resistance lower than a resin flow resistance of said reinforcing fiber substrate on both surfaces of said reinforcing fiber substrate, and after pressure in said mold is reduced by evacuation, injecting a resin into said mold through said resin distribution media to impregnate said reinforcing fiber substrate with said resin injected, wherein resin flow resistance of a first resin distribution medium placed on a first surface of said reinforcing fiber substrate is lower than resin flow resistance of a second resin distribution medium placed on a second surface of said reinforcing fiber substrate, and said evacuation is carried out through said second resin distribution medium while said resin is injected into said first resin distribution medium to impregnate said reinforcing fiber substrate with said resin injected.

Abstract: A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising providing first and second sheets of material. The first sheet of material is thermoformed over a first forming tool forming a first intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure is then thermoformed over a second forming mold to create a second intermediate structure. The second sheet of material is then sealing connected with the second intermediate structure forming an annular space. A vacuum is created in the annular space creating a vacuum insulated cabinet.

Abstract: A part is manufactured by introducing magnetic particles into a matrix material, and orienting the particles by coupling them with an electromagnetic field. The matrix material is solidified in patterned layers while the particles remain oriented by the field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ejection system for an injection molding apparatus comprising: a mold plate, housing a mold cavity consisting a molded material and a plurality of ejector pins arranged in such a way to extend sequentially through the mold cavity in order to push the perimeter of the molded material in a multi-stage sequence.