Abstract: A method for fabricating fiber reinforced plastic structures includes a mold surface upon which can be supported a lay-up of one or more layers of a fibrous material, and over which can be placed a fluid impervious outer sheet with an inlet port and having its edges marginally sealed upon the mold surface to form a chamber. A vacuum outlet is connected to the chamber for drawing a vacuum there from. A resin distribution system is positioned between the lay-up and the fluid impervious sheet. The resin distribution system includes a resin distribution medium for receiving resin from the inlet port and a resin containment layer between the resin distribution medium and lay-up for preventing resin flowing from the resin distribution medium into the lay-up until the resin distribution medium is substantially filled with resin.

Abstract: A process for the provision of variedly colored incisions on a cosmetic product is described, that comprises the steps of superimposing a colored thin surface layer (8) onto the cosmetic product (1) and utilising a laser beam (5) directed towards said surface layer (1) and said cosmetic products (1) as an incident tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating fiber reinforced plastic structures is provided. The apparatus includes a mold surface upon which can be supported a lay-up of one or more layers of a fibrous material, and over which can be placed a fluid impervious outer sheet with an inlet port and having its edges marginally sealed upon the mold surface to form a chamber. A vacuum outlet is connected to the chamber for drawing a vacuum therefrom. A resin distribution system is positioned between the lay-up and the fluid impervious sheet. The resin distribution system includes a distribution sheet for receiving resin from the inlet port and at least one flat resin distribution line connected to the inlet port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding composite articles can include a pair of opposed hollow mold sections having first and second molding membranes which define a mold plenum therebetween. Each mold section can be filled with a substantially noncompressible, thermally conductive fluid. The temperature of the mold plenum can be controlled by regulating the temperature of the thermally conductive fluid. Sensing of various parameters during the injection and curing processes of the molding fluid, for example pressure, flowrate, temperature and filling of the plenum can be used to optimize the molding process.

Abstract: A plurality of joined members each made of thermoplastic resin and having a fluid flow path formed of a groove and/or a hole in a junction face are vacuum-packed in a state in which the joined members are joined to each other. After a wrapped body obtained by the vacuum-packing is heated to soften the joined members, the joined members are welded to each other through the junction faces by applying fluid pressure to an entire outer periphery of the wrapping to evenly pressurize the wrapping from a periphery. Then, the pressurization is cancelled to cool the welded joined members.

Abstract: A method of forming a resin composite part utilizing a mold surface for mitigating post-cure machining of the resin composite part. The method provides for forming a resin preform having a peripheral geometry similarly sized and configured as a configuration of the mold surface. The mold surface is sized and configured to receive the resin preform. The resin preform is then cured to form the resin composite part with the resin composite part being confirmed to the configuration of the mold surface for mitigating post-cure machining of the resin composite part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding molded pieces including left and right molds, a sheet material setting mechanism for inserting sheet material acting as a bonding medium between the left and right molds, a sliding blade portion that has a cutting blade disposed at a front end thereof for cutting the sheet material, the cutting blade being formed so as to be along outer circumferential surfaces of the molded pieces on a left side of the right mold and the sliding blade portion being movable to left and right inside the right mold, a driving mechanism for moving the sliding blade portion to left and right, a sliding blade bearing portion formed on a right side of the left mold such that the blade bearing portion and sliding blade bearing portion are movable to the left and right inside the left mold, and a spring member for pressing the sliding blade bearing portion to the right.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of chemical vapor deposited domes. The apparatus has a vapor deposition chamber with a plurality of sides, a base and a top where the base has a reactant port for receiving a flow of chemical reactants. A male mandrel is joined to one of a plurality of sides of the deposition chamber such that the flow of chemical reactants in the vapor deposition chamber does not impinge on the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sound insulating structure cover panel that compliments the sound attenuation material. The method of manufacturing the panel includes the steps of providing a laminated blank having an interior face which will be observable from the passenger compartment. The side opposite the interior face of the blank has a generally non-permeable polymeric layer adjacent to a primary backing and a secondary backing layer overlying the polymeric layer. In the preferred process, the previously described blank is elevated to a desired temperature and positioned in a closed forming mold such that the perimeter of the blank is retained in a fixed position. The forming mold is closed with a controlled pressure that is sufficient to expand the blank, conform it to the mold and render a panel having a desired permeability.

Abstract: A process is proposed for the fabrication of parts with large dimensions formed of a skin (10) and stiffeners (12, 16) such as aircraft fuselage segments made of a composite material with a thermoplastic matrix. After stiffeners have been made separately by lay-up, consolidation and shaping, these stiffeners are placed on a tooling (23) and the skin (10) is simultaneously fabricated and assembled to the stiffeners (12, 16) by diffusion welding. More precisely, the skin (10) is laid up and continuously consolidated by the lay-up head (36) such that the required part is obtained directly.

Abstract: In a process of engraving a bead of hematite (Fe2O3) in the form of specularite, a crystalline form with bright metallic luster, a pulsed laser beam is focused on the bead. The beam has a width of 0.005 to 0.006 inches, a wavelength of about 1064 nm and an intensity of 60 to 90 watts of power. The pulse rate is on the order of 2000 per second. The beam is moved in a controlled pattern to produce the desired engraving. Preferably the beam is moved at about 1.0 to 1.5 inches per second.

Abstract: A system and method for molding the shell of a medical device or other molded article is provided. The system includes a multi-axis rotational molding machine in which a mold is mounted. The mold has a cavity in the shape of the article to be molded. The mold seals to hold a vacuum. In operation, silicone or other molding material is inserted into the mold, vacuum is applied to the mold, the mold is rotated about at least two axes and a molding material coats the inside walls of the mold to form the shell or other desired article. A rotationally molded medical article is also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing a building material uses bast fibers and shives of bast fiber plants as a starting material. The bast fibers and the shives of bast fiber plants are loosened, are metered, and are subsequently fed to an applicator device for liquid additives and/or to a spreading system for solid additives. The bast fibers and the shives of bast fiber plants are subsequently spread in the form of a fleece or a cake.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing non-slip floor coverings made of mineral materials, such as, for example, natural stone, fine stoneware, artificial stone or ceramics. This method is carried out in a two-stage process, there being produced on the surface of the floor coverings or slabs, in a first process stage by means of pulsed laser bombardment, statistically distributed microcraters invisible to the human eye. The surface of the floor coverings or slabs obtained in this way is then, according to the invention, subjected to hydromechanical aftertreatment.

Abstract: A method for rotational molding uses a mold having first and second mold components defining therebetween a mold cavity. The first mold component includes a mold insert adapted to translate toward the second mold component. A spring-biased latch mechanism restrains the mold insert in the outward disposition, and a touch pad is struck to trigger the latch mechanism and urge the mold inwardly while the mold is rotating. In another aspect, the invention includes a method for rotational molding that employs the rotational mold described above. With the mold insert latched in the outward disposition, the rotational mold charged with thermoplastic material rotated biaxially and heated. After heating, while the mold assembly continues to rotate, the touch pad is struck to release the latch and cause the mold insert to move inwardly. The mold insert includes structural features that are moved more proximate to opposed mold portions.

Abstract: The catheter of the invention generally has component parts made of polymeric materials and a fusion bond between these catheter parts containing a compatibilizing material which enhances the miscibility of the polymeric materials to facilitate the formation of the fusion bond. The catheter parts formed of polymeric materials may not be sufficiently miscible to readily form a fusion bond. The compatibilizing material increases the miscibility of the catheter parts in the molten state to effect the fusion bond between the polymeric materials. Chemical primer and plasma surface treatments may be used to provide the catheter parts to be bonded with functional groups which improve miscibility with the compatibilizing material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing linear small tubular articles to provide tubular medical articles for minimal invasive percutaneous introduction into a mammalian body. The method involves forming layers on a wire mandrel and covering with a heat shrinkable tape.

Abstract: A process for forming molded articles from particulate thermoplastic material, the process comprising: (a) providing a track having a plurality of process stations, (b) providing a mold assembly comprising a base, at least one hollow mold upstanding from the base, and guide means on the base for moving the mold assembly on the track, (c) preheating the mold assembly at a preheat station on the track, (d) moving the mold assembly from the preheat station to a transfer station on the track, (e) transferring the mold assembly from the transfer station to a molding station, (f) forming the molded articles by fusing particulate material to the at least one mold at the molding station, (g) transferring the mold assembly with the molded articles thereon from the molding station back to the transfer station, (h) moving the mold assembly from the transfer station to a cooling station on the track, (i) moving the mold assembly from the cooling station to an unloading station on the track, (j) removing the mol

Abstract: A thermoplastic conformal tool/vacuum bag that is structured to substantially conform to a surface or a cavity in a composite structure is placed proximate to a uncured composite member to fabricate a composite structure. External heat and external pressure are applied to cure the member. The conformal thermoplastic tool/vacuum bag is removed from the cured assembly by reheating, if necessary, to facilitate removal of the tool/vacuum bag.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a porous elastic membrane that may be used in a balloon assembly of a balloon catheter is described. In the method, an elastic membrane material is expanded beyond an intended deployment expansion to a hyper-expanded state. Apertures are then formed in the hyper-expanded material. After contraction, the now-porous membrane can be used to form the outer wall of the balloon assembly. An aperture formed in the hyper-expanded membrane will have a smaller diameter than when the balloon is inflated to a smaller deployment expansion in the patient's body.