Abstract: A molded fiber part former includes a first forming mold defining a first mold area and at least one fluid inlet. The molded fiber part former also includes a wall substantially surrounding the first mold area. The molded fiber part former includes a fluid channel disposed adjacent to and surrounding the wall, wherein the channel is fluidically connected to the at least one fluid inlet and defines a fluid channel outlet.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomously creating subsequent physical objects using a 3-dimensional printer. The system includes a build platform which is ejected with a printed object adhered to it, with a replenishing mechanism to place a blank build platform into the expected build area such that printing a subsequent object may occur autonomously. The replenishing mechanism may draw from a plurality of stored blank build platforms which may be reusable in some embodiments and disposable in others.

Abstract: A process for the realization of slabs of ceramic and/or stone material, including the following phases of: supplying at least one base material of the ceramic and/or stone type in the form of powder and/or granules and/or flakes; supplying at least one additional material of the ceramic and/or stone type in the form of powder and/or granules and/or flakes, different from the base material; delivering the base material onto a supporting surface to obtain a slab to be compacted having an initial thickness; pressing the slab to be compacted to obtain a compacted slab having a final thickness. Following the delivery and before the pressing, the following phases of: suctioning a portion of the base material to obtain at least one through groove which crosses the initial thickness along a determined path; and applying the additional material inside the groove.

Abstract: A molding device and an injection molding method thereof are provided. The molding device includes a first mold, a second mold and a sealing ring. The first mold includes a first body and at least one slide. The at least one slide is movably and detachably disposed on the first body, and has an undercut. The injection molding method includes operations of: engaging the first mold with the second mold of the molding device; filling a mold cavity defined by the first mold and the second mold with a gas, wherein the gas is blocked by the sealing ring disposed between the first mold and the second mold; injecting a molding material into the mold cavity; and opening the first mold and the second mold of the molding device.

Abstract: A multi-zone cementitious product, which includes a base zone made of a first cementitious material composition and forming a portion of the product. At least one facing zone is adjacent to and bonded to the base zone, the facing zone made of a second cementitious material composition and forming at least one exterior face of said product which is visible when the product is installed. A disrupted boundary layer is between the facing zone and the base zone, and includes material from both the facing zone and the base zone. The disrupted boundary layer bonds the facing zone to the base zone. The facing zone has a thickness sufficient to prevent the base zone from being visible when the product is installed.

Abstract: An extruded integrated fastener assembly comprising a plurality of fasteners cut to length from an extruded length of material. Unwanted areas of material are cut away leaving the individual fasteners, which fasteners are also connected together by an expanse of material that remains. The fastener assembly can be single durometer or double durometer. A profile with retention members and/or leg features are formed in the fasteners for connecting to a predetermined component. The process for manufacturing the extruded integrated fastener assembly includes providing fabrication tooling suitable to cut away the unwanted area between the fasteners. The fasteners are thereby able to be cut to any desired length.

Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects a molten material, which is a plasticized thermoplastic material, a plasticization section which includes a flat screw having a groove extending in a volute shape and a driving motor that rotates the flat screw, the plasticization section rotating the flat screw to thereby guide the molten material to the nozzle through the groove, and an ejection control mechanism that is disposed in a flow path between the flat screw and the nozzle, and controls an outflow of the molten material from the nozzle.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes architectural blocks configured to give the appearance of real cut stone. A fresh plaster composition may be applied to one or more surfaces of a block, such as a concrete masonry unit (CMU) to form an architectural block having the appearance of cut stone. The fresh plaster composition includes a cementitious component, such as white Portland cement, water, a limestone aggregate component, and optionally an adhesive component. The limestone aggregate component includes a fine sand portion and a coarse sand portion that effectively enable the appearance of cut stone after finishing of the hardened or curted plaster surface via sanding and/or polishing.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic object may include a robotic arm configured to dispense thermoplastic material, a support apparatus, a computing device and an imaging system. The imaging system may scan thermoplastic material dispensed by the first robotic arm and create a three-dimensional scan model. The model may be compared to a computer model profile to determine if the dispensed material requires adjustment. If the dispensed material requires adjustment, the computing device may adjust the robotic arm or the support apparatus.

Abstract: A plasticizing device includes a driving motor, a rotor rotated around a rotation axis by the driving motor and having a groove forming surface on which a groove is formed, a barrel having an opposed surface opposed to the groove forming surface, a communication hole into which a plasticized material flows being provided in the barrel, a housing section housing the rotor, a first restricting section fixed to the rotor and having a first contact surface facing the barrel side, and a second restricting section fixed to the housing section, opposed to the first contact surface, and having a second contact surface contactable with the first contact surface. Movement of the rotor along the rotation axis is restricted by the first restricting section and the second restricting section. The groove forming surface is separated from the opposed surface at a predetermined interval in a state in which the first contact surface and the second contact surface are in contact.

Abstract: Systems and methods can be used to produce fibers with external corrugations, internal corrugations, or both. These fibers can be used, for example, in hollow fiber membrane modules.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that contributes to improving the quality of a workpiece is provided. An injection molding machine configured to causes torpedo pistons to be slid in one way to thereby plasticize a resin material supplied to a first space of a cylinder, and causes a molten resin to flow into a second space of the cylinder and causes the torpedo pistons to be slid in the other way to thereby inject the molten resin. The injection molding machine includes pressurizing pistons inserted into the torpedo pistons so that the pressurizing pistons can be slid in such a way that an amount of protrusion of the cylinder into the second space of the cylinder with respect to the torpedo pistons is changed, and energizing means for energizing the pressurizing pistons toward the second space of the cylinder.

Abstract: A moulded part (1) for a mould (100). The moulded part (1) comprises at least one shell (11) for casting a product. A flange (12) is arranged on a frame of the moulded part (1) for sealing against abutment a sealing surface (13). The shell (11) has a first permeability for a fluid and the flange (12) has a second permeability for the fluid. The second permeability is less than the first permeability.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomously creating subsequent physical objects using a 3-dimensional printer. The system includes a build platform that melts or sublimates at a lower temperature and pressure than the glass-transition temperature of the printed object, allowing the printed object to become detached and removed from the build area with minimal force.

Abstract: The problem of wet-cast concrete products getting stuck or being uncontrollably ejected from a flexible mold during demolding is solved by moving the flexible mold through a passage, defined by both a mold-receiving surface and a rotatable mold-support distanced therefrom, while moving an edge of the flexible mold along an unsmooth path that includes at least one sharp point.

Abstract: A method for producing a foam-molded product by using a plasticizing cylinder, includes: plasticizing and melting the thermoplastic resin to provide the molten resin in a plasticization zone of the plasticizing cylinder; introducing a pressurized fluid containing the physical foaming agent at a fixed pressure into a starvation zone of the plasticizing cylinder to retain the starvation zone at the fixed pressure; allowing the molten resin to be in the starved state in the starvation zone; bringing the molten resin in contact with the pressurized fluid containing the physical foaming agent at the fixed pressure, in the starvation zone in a state in which the starvation zone is retained at the fixed pressure; and molding the molten resin having been brought in contact with the pressurized fluid containing the physical foaming agent into the foam-molded product.

Abstract: Provided is an additive manufacturing process that uses an upward-pointing illumination source, such as a laser, projected through a substrate so as to solidify particulate matter supported by the substrate. The process is then repeated to build a hanging part layer by layer, for example by replenishing particulate matter on the substrate, or by moving the part a second substrate that supports other particulate matter. The disclosed process eliminates the need for a large powder bed and also allows for sintering of different powders in a single layer so as to give rise to parts that include layers that are themselves made from multiple materials. Also provided are related methods, include methods of incorporated cured resins into parts made by fusing particulate matter.

Abstract: Flexible molds have an elastic membrane supported by modules, arranged next to one another along a horizontal longitudinal axis of the mold. Each module has traction units, each forming a respective group with a respective thrust unit, with the groups arranged opposite one another at a preset distance. Pairs of traction units are arranged opposite one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and the respective thrust units thereof are arranged therebetween. The modules hold the membrane with the mold via reinforced eyelets distributed on both edges parallel to the axis. Each traction unit has linear actuators arranged horizontally and another linear actuator arranged vertically, which together enable movement. The membrane is previously deformed according to an approximation of the prior design of a part to be molded, and prestressed according to a mathematical prediction of the deformation thereof after receiving a conglomerate in liquid or plastic state.

Abstract: In example implementations, an apparatus includes a housing, a movable base, a tab portion and a coupling mechanism. The housing is comprised of a microwave transparent material. The movable base is coupled to the housing to receive build material that is digitally printed. The tab portion is coupled to a bottom portion of at least one wall of the housing. The tab portion stops the movable base. The coupling mechanism is coupled to the housing to removably attach the apparatus to a three dimensional printer.

Abstract: A concrete form for holding a concrete product in place during a curing process with at least one side movable by a rotary driven power source and a actuator. A rotary power tool with a helical cutout combinable to a second adapter on the rotary driven power source to rotate the rotary driven power source to power the actuator and move the at least one side.