Abstract: A calibration device for calibrating an extruded film tube, above the frost line, forms an annular gap between the calibration device and the film tube. The calibration device includes a plurality of calibration segments and at least one blowing nozzle. The plurality of calibration segments are distributed around a longitudinal axis and form a central feed through opening for feeding through the film tube along the longitudinal axis. The calibration segments are adjustable for adjusting the diameter of the feed through opening. The at least one blowing nozzle for each calibration segment, feeds a calibration gas to the feed through opening. The at least one blowing nozzle is formed such, that the calibration gas is guided to the annular gap substantially parallel to a surface of the film tube and that the calibration gas flows through the annular gap in a single flow direction.

Abstract: A method of operating a mold assembly having a plurality of liner plates forming a mold cavity. The method includes driving a master drive element back and forth in a continuous loop about at least a portion of exterior perimeter sides of the mold cavity to provide a first and second linear forces in first and second directions substantially in parallel with each perimeter side of the mold cavity about which the primary drive element is routed, and driving a secondary drive element, which engages the at least one moveable liner plate, with the first and second linear forces to drive at least one moveable liner plate toward and away from the interior of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) printing apparatus including a base, a printing head module and a control unit is provided. The base has a carrying surface. The printing head module is disposed above the base. The printing head module includes a body and a discharge outlet switching component. The body includes a material supplying channel. The discharge outlet switching component is movably disposed at the body. The discharge outlet switching component includes a plurality of discharge outlets. Diameters of the discharge outlets are different from each other. The control unit is configured to choose one of the discharge outlets according to the diameters and connect the chosen discharge outlet to the body, such that the material supplying channel is connected to the corresponding discharge outlet.

Abstract: A slot die includes a material distribution chamber configured to distribute a casting solution supplied to the material distribution chamber, and a lip in which a slot including an expansion portion is defined and through which the casting solution distributed in the material distribution chamber is discharged, where a width of the expansion portion taken in a first direction is expanded from one side of the expansion portion to a lip end facing the one side and the one side of the expansion portion is apart from the lip end by a predetermined length taken along a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and substantially parallel to a flow direction of the casting solution.

Abstract: An extrusion machine with improved structure, comprising an internally hollow extrusion cylinder, at least one heating element associated with the extrusion cylinder, at least one cooling fan which engages the outer surface of the extrusion cylinder, and at least one temperature probe which is inserted in the extrusion cylinder, the temperature probe facing the cavity of the extrusion cylinder and the temperature probe being adapted to be in direct contact with the extrusion material contained in the cavity of the extrusion cylinder.

Abstract: A device for sealing an extruded plastics material profile in at least one of an inlet region and an outlet region of a tank is disposed at an end face of the tank. The device includes a rigid element and a closed annular cross section formed of a resilient material and including a cavity. An outer peripheral shape of the annular cross section is disposed against the rigid element. The annular cross section is alterable by applying a vacuum to the cavity, wherein the annular cross section is configured to be applied to an outside of the plastics material profile. A stretching device is disposed against the rigid element and is configured to stretch the resilient material along an extrusion axis during an alteration of the annular cross section.

Abstract: A molding die includes a die having a mold plane; and gloss control granules composed of 50 to 80 pbw of a shape retention fixation base material such as a thermosetting resin; 30 to 80 pbw of a diffuse reflecting surface formation core material such as a ceramic powder; and 5 to 10 pbw of a roughness enhancement material such as an inorganic fiber, adhered to the mold plane in a spaced-apart manner. The gloss control granules are each independently adhered in the spaced-apart manner to form gloss control projections on the mold plane of the die so that a surface of a molded product molded on the die forms a surface having a small specular reflection or a diffuse reflection, and the gloss control projections having fine, uneven surfaces with recesses and projections are formed on the mold plane at a coating rate of 40 to 80%.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are wheat gluten based compositions having improved mechanical properties as well as articles formed therefrom, and methods of making the same. More particularly, the compositions also include fibrous reinforcing material and may be formed into a variety of products, including but not limited to particle board.

Abstract: A laser processing system includes a metal platform having a metal surface wherein at least a portion of the platform surface is substantially planar with a substantially smooth topography. A laser source is configured to generate a laser beam having a focal point that is directed toward a substantially planar portion of the platform surface. A motion mechanism is configured to move at least one of the metal platform and the focal point along at least one axis. A restraining mechanism restrains a film against the platform surface such that an adjoining surface of the restrained film remains in intimate contact with the surface. A controller is configured to operate the laser source, the motion mechanism or both to cut the restrained film in a predetermined pattern with a generated laser beam such that the cut does not extend through the adjoining surface of the restrained film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a body part shaped mold, for example for creating a test breast, a customized bra or a test body part and a method for using such a mold. The mold is characterized in that it is made of a formstable material having a predetermined shape forming at least one cup. The cup is having a breast like appearance or a body part appearance with a specific size and shape and is adapted to be fitted to a patient's chest or corresponding body part, It is also adapted to be filled with a hardening mixture in a cavity formed between the mold and the chest or corresponding body part. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to try out a suitable size and shape of a breast or other body part, before an implantation is made.

Abstract: A printer (106) for building a three-dimensional model by sequential deposition of a plurality of cross-sectional layers by using a thermal print head (1) movable relative to a material bed (102) over a deposited layer. A protective sheet (3) is disposed between the thermal head (1) and deposited layer. Temperature control of the material bed (102) to prevent warping of the model is provided by an independently heatable cover (52, 58) in contact with the surface of the material bed (102) e.g. via the protective sheet (3).

Abstract: A page-width printing platform comprises a plurality of inkjet head structures collaboratively defined as at least one page-width array printing unit. The inkjet head structures comprise respective inkjet chips disposed on the printing platform and arranged in plural rows and in a staggered form, so that a printing width of the inkjet chips is larger than or equal to a width of a printed pattern. Each of the inkjet chips comprises at least one liquid supply slot, wherein a plurality of liquid ejectors are located at one or two sides of the liquid supply slot along a long axis of the liquid supply slot. At least one monochromatic print liquid is introduced into the construction chamber from the plural inkjet head structures and printed on a construction material within the construction chamber, so that a rapid prototyping width-page printing operation is performed.

Abstract: A process for producing a solid dispersion of an active ingredient which comprises feeding the active ingredient and a matrix-forming agent to an extruder and forming a uniform extrudate, wherein the extruder comprises at least two rotating shafts (2), each of the shafts (2) carrying a plurality of processing elements disposed axially one behind the other, the processing elements defining (i) a feeding and conveying section (R; A), (ii) at least one reverse-flight section (D), and (iii) a discharging section (E), wherein the processing elements defining the reverse-flight section (R; D) comprise at least one reverse-flight element (14) which is based on a screw-type element having a conveying direction being opposite to the general conveying direction of the extruder.

Abstract: The screw is intended for the extrusion or mixing of elastomers or plastic products. It comprises: a support, at least one sleeve having at least one relief projecting from an external face of the sleeve, and at least one split annular securing member, the member being clamped between the sleeve and the support in a radial direction with respect to an axis of the screw so as to secure the sleeve rigidly to the support. The member and the sleeve have frustoconical faces in mutual contact.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for the fabrication of 3D polymeric fibers having micron, sub-micron, and nanometer dimensions, as well as methods of use of these polymeric fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for differential cooling of a plastic film tube. The apparatus and method includes the use of a blown film extrusion die that extrudes a plastic film tube upward. An air cooling system applies cooling air across one or more surfaces of the plastic film tube. One or more throttling valves are coupled to a pressurization pump that provides a pressurized working fluid, preferably water. The throttling valves are positioned to project the pressurized working fluid from outlets of the throttling valves towards circular arcs of the plastic film tube, the circular arcs of the plastic film tube being less than the circumference of the plastic film tube to provide a blown film tubular plastic film with controlled gauge variation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reworking a structure. A compaction blanket comprising a number of magnets is placed on the structure. A heat source is applied on the compaction blanket, wherein the compaction blanket is between the heat source and a rework of the structure and heat is conducted from the heat source through the compaction blanket to heat the rework.

Abstract: A 3D printing system may print a desired 3D object. A fusible powder may fuse when subjected to a fusing condition. A deposition system may deposit portions of the fusible powder on a substrate. A fusing system may apply the fusing condition to the deposited fusible powder. Inhibitor material may not fuse when subjected to the fusing condition. An insertion system may insert a portion of the inhibitor material between portions of the deposited fusible powder after having been deposited by the deposition system, but before being fused by the fusing system, so as to form a boundary that defines at least a portion of a surface of the desired 3D object.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff. The systems include a rotatable drum provided with mold holders that accept removable molds that are filled with the mass of foodstuff to form the three-dimensional products. The method includes use of the system to fill removable molds in filling operations to form the three-dimensional products.

Abstract: A three dimensional printer with a removable, replaceable extrusion nozzle is disclosed.