Abstract: A production method for a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin composite material, the method using a crosshead die (1) that has a maximum aperture height of 1 mm or more, wherein reinforcing fibers are supplied in a reinforcing fiber bundle to the crosshead die (1), the reinforcing fibers are conjugated with a melted thermoplastic resin, and the conjugate is brought into contact with a pressurization surface that is at or below the solidification temperature of the thermoplastic resin, is pressurized, and is shaped to have a thickness that is 50% or less of the aperture height.

Abstract: A method for removing substrate material from a part produced by a 3-D printer. The machine includes a housing having a working chamber defined therein. A spray header is disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the working chamber. A pump is configured and arranged to convey a fluid at varying pressures through the spray header. The fluid contacts the part and then flows to the bottom of the working chamber to a fluid outlet.

Abstract: Construction board is made by first hot-pressing particles in a continuous belt press to form a longitudinally extending, continuous and hot composite strand that is conveyed downstream from the press. Before substantial cooling of the boards and while it is at a predetermined temperature above ambient temperature, an edge of the strand is profiled into a nonsquare profiled contour. Then the strand is transversely severed to form a succession of boards.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes: a first upstream mold formed with a first gate opening into which a first molding material flows; a second upstream mold formed with a second gate opening into which a second molding material flows; a first injection unit configured to inject the first molding material; a second injection unit configured to inject the second molding material; and a downstream mold configured to be clamped to each of the first upstream mold and the second upstream mold. The first injection unit includes a plasticizing mechanism that plasticizes at least a part of a thermoplastic material containing a thermoplastic resin to generate the first molding material. The second injection unit includes a mechanism that mixes a resin and a curing agent to generate the second molding material that is a thermosetting mixture.

Abstract: A process for making a hermetically sealed package, which includes forming a sheet of wrapping made of plastic material, in particular having a thickness of less than or equal to 140 ?m. The process envisages: forming on the sheet a first, hollow, portion and a second, perimetral, portion, which delimits at least partially the first portion; inserting the product into the hollow portion obtained in the sheet of wrapping; applying a second sheet of wrapping in contact with the perimetral portion so as to close the hollow portion with the product inside; and welding the second sheet on the first sheet along the perimetral portion. Forming the first sheet includes providing on the second, perimetral, portion a series of pleats of the sheet, which are then sealed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tool for forming a composite part. The tool comprises a first layer, a second layer, spaced apart from the first layer, and a low-density core interposed between the first layer and the second layer. The low-density core has a density less than the first layer and the second layer and comprises a plurality of empty cells at least partially defined by the first layer and the second layer. The tool also comprises a heating source and one of: each one of the plurality of empty cells extends across a width or length of the first layer and the second layer; or adjacent ones of the plurality of empty cells are fluidically interconnected by a fluid port formed in the low-density core.

Abstract: A device and method for producing a component. The device is composed of two mold elements, wherein one of the mold elements has a cavity which communicates with the position of one side of a component to be produced. An inflatable tube which is fluidically linked to the surrounding atmosphere is provided in the cavity. A cover covers the first and the second mold element and seals the first and said second mold element in relation to the surrounding atmosphere. The tube is expanded by applying a vacuum within the sealed regions and the tube can shape or facilitate shaping the side of the component to be produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a 3D bioprinter. The 3D bioprinter, according to the present invention, comprises: a case inside of which a work space is provided; a printing plate installed inside of the case so as slide in the forward, backward, left, and right directions; a first nozzle installed inside the case for dispensing a biomaterial in a solid state on the printing plate; a second nozzle installed inside the case for dispensing a biomaterial in a liquid state on the printing plate; and a control unit for controlling the dispensing by the first nozzle and the second nozzle, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are used to print a single structure by stacking the biomaterial in the solid state and the biomaterial in the liquid state.

Abstract: A system and method for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures, including three-dimensional cellular structures, are provided. The system comprises at least one print head for receiving and dispensing materials, the materials comprising a sheath fluid and a hydrogel, the print head comprising an orifice for dispensing the materials, microfluidic channels for receiving and directing the materials, fluidic switches corresponding to one of the microfluidic channels in the print head and configured to allow or disallow fluid flow in the microfluidic channels; a receiving surface for receiving a first layer of the materials dispensed from the orifice; a positioning unit for positioning the orifice of the print head in three dimensional space; and a dispensing means for dispensing the materials from the orifice of the print head.

Abstract: This disclosure includes injection molds for reducing cycle times and related methods. Some molds include first and second mold portions movable relative to one another from an open position to a closed position in which each of one or more recesses of the first mold portion cooperates with a respective one of one or more recesses of the second mold portion to define a chamber. Each of the chamber(s) includes a first cooling body coupled to the first mold portion, a second cooling body coupled to the second mold portion, and first and second inserts removably coupled, respectively, to the first and second cooling bodies such that the inserts cooperate to define a mold cavity within the chamber that is configured to receive a thermoplastic material. Each of the cooling bodies has an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid cavity in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is an injection molding method for a degradable intravascular stent with a flexible mold core structure. The injection molding method includes the following steps: Step 1, winding a metal rod with a flexible metal film, and applying an inward bending stress to the flexible metal film; Step 2, fixing the flexible metal film to the metal rod, and processing a complementary structure of the degradable intravascular stent on the surface of the flexible metal film; Step 3, performing injection molding processing; Step 4, ending the injection molding, removing the mating body of the flexible metal film and the metal rod and the degradable intravascular stent formed on the surface of the flexible metal film by injection molding, performing cooling, separating the metal rod from the flexible metal film, withdrawing the metal rod, and then removing the flexible metal film to obtain a formed degradable intravascular stent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a multicomponent feedstock being delivered through a print head of a 3D printer. Multiple component lengths are produced from separate feedstocks and are aligned to form the multicomponent feedstock which is fed into the print head for extrusion. The method includes providing at least two sources of feedstock of different material, feeding a distal end of a first feedstock along a feed path, cutting the first feedstock at a pre-determined length to provide a length of first feedstock having a proximal end. The method includes feeding a distal end of a second feedstock along the feed path and aligning the distal end of the second feedstock with the proximal end of the length of the first feedstock. The second feedstock is cut at a pre-determined length to provide a length of the second feedstock serially aligned with the length of first feedstock, to form a length of multicomponent feedstock. The length of multicomponent feedstock is fed into the print head.

Abstract: A patty forming machine for forming heated food patties includes a plurality of mold plates connected together to form an endless loop and driven for circulation around the loop. Each mold plate has a cavity having open top and bottom ends. A manifold is above a lower run of the loop and supplies moldable food material to the cavity of the mold plates. A breather plate is positioned below the lower run and below the manifold. Upper and lower ovens are positioned downstream of the manifold and above and below a lower run of the loop. A knockout mechanism is mounted downstream of the upper oven. A lower heater plate may be positioned below and extend along a substantial portion of the lower run for supporting the food material in the mold plates traverse along the lower run. A wash station cleans the mold plates.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing method is provided. The method comprises selectively forming a three-dimensional structure from a polymer composition. The polymer composition comprises a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and exhibits a complex viscosity of from about 50 to about 1,000 Pa-s, as determined by a parallel plate rheometer at an angular frequency of 0.63 radians per second, constant strain amplitude of 1%, and temperature 15° C. above the melting temperature of the polymer composition.

Abstract: According to examples, a three-dimensional (3D) fabrication system may include a controller that may control an agent delivery system to deposit a fusing agent onto a fusing area of a layer of particles of build material. The controller may also control the agent delivery system to deposit an energy absorbing agent onto an unfused thermal support area of the layer of particles, the unfused thermal support area being located adjacent to the fusing area. The controller may further control an energy supply system to supply energy, in which supply of the energy is to cause the particles on which the fusing agent has been deposited to melt and a temperature of the particles in the unfused thermal support area to be raised to a level that is below a melting point temperature of the particles.

Abstract: A method and device for fabricating vascular networks in for tissue engineering. The vascular network is embedded in a porous scaffold and is created from a sacrificial wax template, according to one embodiment. A extrusion-based three dimensional printer is used to create the template, wherein the printer utilizes an extruder incorporating a mixer to maintain the consistency of the extrudate.

Abstract: In an example, a method is described that includes generating a model for fabricating an item via an additive manufacturing process. The model includes a first region defining the item and a second region defining a sacrificial artifact whose presence disguises a physical characteristic of the item. The item and the sacrificial artifact are then fabricated in a common build batch via the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for manufacturing artificial marble. According to the present invention, artificial marble having a stripe pattern similar to that of natural stone, such as striato, may be provided.

Abstract: According to examples, a three-dimensional (3D) fabrication system may include a controller to identify a feature of an object to be fabricated and based on the identified feature having a size that is smaller than a predefined size, determine a thermal support for the identified feature. The controller may also control fabrication components to form, through application of energy, the determined thermal support from a first set of particles, form an intermediate section adjacent to the formed thermal support from a second set of particles, and form, through application of energy, the feature adjacent to the intermediate section from a third set of particles, in which heat from the thermal support is to reduce a thermal bleed rate of the third set of particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for impregnating fiber structures with a matrix material includes a lower part having a bath for receiving the matrix material and a draining unit. The draining unit includes a wiper having a wiping edge, over which the impregnated fiber structure is guided during operation, and a surface inclined in the direction of the bath, by which matrix material draining from the fiber structure can return into the bath. The draining unit includes a cover on which a deflection unit, by which the fiber structure is pressed into the bath when the cover is mounted, is mounted. When the cover is mounted, a gap is formed between the cover and the lower part on the sides by which the fiber structure is guided into the apparatus and emerges from the apparatus. A method for impregnating fiber structures with a matrix material is also disclosed.