Abstract: [Object] A pneumatic tire that allows reduction of the occurrence of a TGC and, at the same time, allows reduction of rolling resistance, is provided. [Solution] The tire 12 includes a band 26 disposed radially inward of a tread 14, and a belt 24 disposed radially inward of the band 26. The band 26 includes a cord that is helically wound and extends substantially in a circumferential direction. The belt 24 includes an inner layer 24a, and an outer layer 24b that is layered over the inner layer 24a and disposed radially outward of the inner layer 24a. The inner layer 24a and the outer layer 24b each include multiple cords aligned with each other. The cords in the inner layer 24a and the cords in the outer layer 24b are inclined relative to an equator plane. A direction in which the cords in the inner layer 24a are inclined relative to the equator plane is opposite to a direction in which the cords in the outer layer 24b are inclined relative to the equator plane.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for fabricating an eyepiece from a lens blank including blank bodies that are bonded to each other. In an embodiment, the blank bodies are formed by injection molding and adhered to one another. Fabrication of the eyepiece includes variously machining the blank bodies to shape respective lens bodies of the eyepiece. One or more blocking structures are coupled to reinforce the lens blank during at least part of such machining. In another embodiment, any blocking structures that are to resist forces of a particular machining process are coupled only indirectly to one of the blank bodies.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object compensates for different rates of shrinkage during curing of dissimilar materials. The compensation is achieved by ejecting the different materials with reference to the shrinkage rates of the materials to enable the materials to be at approximately a same height following curing of the materials.

Abstract: In an injection molding system, a compression ratio of an image acquired by a molded article image acquisition means is changed based on a physical quantity related to injection molding and stored in a storage means. Thus, an image of a molded article is compressed and stored according to the compression ratio obtained based on the physical quantity.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a bladder having a first side formed from a first polymeric sheet and a second side formed from a second polymeric sheet. The first and second polymeric sheets define a closed volume between the first side and the second side. The second polymeric sheet at least partially defines an outsole at the second side of the bladder. The outsole includes a ground-contacting surface and a plurality of lugs. The first polymeric sheet includes a portion that extends from the first side of the bladder and is fused to the second polymeric sheet opposite the ground-contacting surface at the one of the plurality of lugs, and further defines the one of the plurality of lugs. A method of manufacturing the sole structure comprises forming the bladder and fusing the portion of the first polymeric sheet to the second polymeric sheet.

Abstract: An assembled mandrel for forming a hollow structure having a shape similar to that of the assembled mandrel, by layering a prepreg on the surface of the longitudinally oriented assembled mandrel, covering the same with a vacuum bag, heating while creating a vacuum inside the vacuum bag, and heat-curing the prepreg while pressing the same into the assembled mandrel, the assembled mandrel being characterized by being equipped with: two outer mandrel members (first mandrel members) extending in the longitudinal direction; a center mandrel member (second mandrel member) sandwiched between the two outer mandrel members, and capable of being withdrawn in the lengthwise direction from between the two outer mandrel members after the hollow structure has been formed; and a tape (detachable member) formed from a low-friction material and adhered to one or more of the contact surfaces between the two outer mandrel members and the center mandrel member.

Abstract: A sheet manufacturing device includes: a holder configured to hold a grown form of carbon nanotubes; a drawing unit configured to draw the carbon nanotubes from the grown form held by the holder; and a support unit configured to support the carbon nanotubes drawn by the drawing unit, the drawing unit including: a single drawing member configured to draw the carbon nanotubes; and a movable unit configured to move the drawing member, the drawing unit bringing the drawn carbon nanotubes to be supported by the support unit.

Abstract: A method for forming paper straps is provided. The method may include providing a paper strip from a base sheet and directing the paper strip through a first die to form an intermediate string. The method may further include directing the intermediate string from the first die through a second die, the intermediate string exiting the second die in a substantially non-twisted state. Related apparatuses and devices to form paper straps are also provided.

Abstract: A material deposition system for additive manufacturing including an extruder that defines a first input passage for supplying a first material, a second input passage for supplying a second material, a chamber for combining the first and second materials to form a combined deposition material, and an extrusion port for extruding the combined deposition material. The system further includes an adjustable sleeve that is movable between a first position and a second position to vary the interaction between the first material and the second material in the chamber. For example, the adjustable sleeve may be configured to separate the first and second materials in the chamber, and can vary the point at which the materials interface with each other prior to deposition based on the sleeve position. Such a system may enable a varying degree of infiltration, encapsulation, or other interaction between the first and second materials prior to deposition.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire of the present technology includes a tread portion, sidewall portions, bead portions, and a belt-shaped sound-absorbing member bonded to a region on a tire inner surface corresponding to the tread portion along the tire circumferential direction with an adhesive layer disposed between the tire inner surface and the sound-absorbing member. In such a pneumatic tire, an air agitation portion formed by an interruption in the sound-absorbing member is disposed in at least one location on the tire circumference.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming at least one curved polymeric microneedle, wherein the microneedle includes a base portion and an elongated body portion terminating in a sharp tip, said elongated body portion comprising a lower portion that is 15% to 25% of the height of the microneedle, said elongated body portion being connected to said base layer. The method comprises: heating an array comprising said base layer and at least a segment of said elongated body portion; passing the heated array against a fixed member to bend the microneedles; and allowing the bent, heated array to be cooled. The heat applied to the base layer and elongated body portion is sufficient to cause the heated microneedle to be at or above the glass transition temperature of the polymer of the microneedle, but below a temperature that would cause the lower portion to bend during the passing step.

Abstract: Performance on snowy roads is improved. Provided is a pneumatic tire, of which the mounting orientation on a vehicle is indicated. An outer middle land part is formed between a first major groove and a second major groove. The first major groove has first portions and second portions alternately formed in the tire circumferential direction, the second portions being wider than the first portions. The outer middle land part is provided with a plurality of middle inclined grooves not directly interconnected with either the first major groove or the second major groove, a plurality of outer middle lug grooves connecting the second portions of the first major groove and the middle inclined grooves, and inner middle lug grooves connecting the middle inclined grooves and the second major groove. The outer middle lug grooves are provided to different positions in the tire circumferential direction than the inner middle lug grooves.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire in which a tread part is provided with a pair of central main grooves extending continuously around the circumference of the tire on both sides of a tire equator C, and central thin grooves extending continuously around the circumference of the tire on the tire-axially inner sides of the central main grooves and having less groove width than the central main grooves. The central thin grooves include a linear first central thin groove running along the tire circumference, and zigzagging second central thin grooves. The first central thin groove is provided on the tire-axially inner sides of the second central thin grooves.

Abstract: A method of producing an undercover for a vehicle includes: placing a first component including a planar surface, second components including planar surfaces, and a third component including a cavity with an opening in a surface such that the third component is sandwiched between the second components with the surfaces of the second components and the surface of the third components opposed to the surface of the first component; placing the sheet that is softened between the first component and the second components; vacuuming the sheet with the first component until a first surface thereof is pressed against the surface of the first component; bringing the surfaces of the second components into contact with a second surface of the sheet; and moving the third component toward the first component until the cavity is filled with a portion of the sheet while maintaining the first component and the second components thereat.

Abstract: A method for removing substrate material from a part produced by a 3-D printer. The method includes providing a housing having a working chamber defined therein. The method further includes providing a spray header 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. Fluid contacts a part inserted into the working chamber and then flows to the bottom of the working chamber to a fluid outlet.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a block pitch length of an outer block row that is greater than a block pitch length of the inner block row. The dimensions in the tire width direction of the regions interposed between two circumferential grooves are smaller in the order of the rib, the outer block row, and the inner block row. The inclined grooves defining and forming the rib open only to the circumferential groove in the vehicle mounting inner side region defining and forming the rib.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object includes a fabrication stage and a flattener. A fabrication layer in which powder particles are bound together is formed layer-by-layer on the fabrication stage. The flattener relatively moves in a moving direction along a stage surface of the fabrication stage and flattens a surface of powder on the fabrication stage to form a powder layer. The fabrication stage and the flattener are arranged to be relatively movable in a height direction. In formation of the powder layer on the fabrication layer formed on the fabrication stage, the apparatus performs an operation to increase a distance between the flattener and the fabrication stage in the height direction when the flattener moves to a position near an edge of the fabrication layer in the moving direction.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a main groove (3) provided to a tread part (2). A groove bottom (12) includes a protrusion portion (13) that is convex outward in a tire radial direction. The protrusion portion (13) continues along the main groove (3). The width (W3) of the protrusion portion (13) in a direction perpendicular to a groove center line (G1) of the main groove (3) is 50% to 100% of the groove width (W1) of the main groove (3). The protrusion portion (13) juts outward in the tire radial direction from an imaginary groove bottom (12A) that connects an inner end (10i) of a first groove wall (10) and an inner end (11i) of a second groove wall (11) in a straight line, and the cross-sectional area of the protrusion portion (13) is 3% to 15% of the transverse cross-sectional area of the main groove (3).

Abstract: A device for additive manufacturing of components by selective irradiation of a powder bed, having a processing chamber—in which at least one powder bed chamber and at least one radiation source are arranged such that the radiation source can irradiate a powder in the powder bed chamber, and wherein the device includes at least one induction coil, so that a component which is produced by irradiation of the powder bed can be at least partially inductively heated, and wherein the induction coil is movable relative to one or more powder bed chambers. A method for additive manufacturing of components by selective irradiation of a powder bed, in which method the component being manufactured is inductively heated at the same time, wherein the position of one or more induction coils for inductive heating is determined and adjusted based on the geometry of the component to be produced.

Abstract: Tire comprising a tread (40) extending between an outboard axial edge (45) and an inboard axial edge (46), over a width L, in which the tread comprises at least 4 circumferential ribs (411-414) separated by grooves (421-423), in which the circumferential rib (411) adjacent to the outboard axial edge of the tread extends from the outboard axial edge over a width of at least 0.6·L and comprises a portion (411a) with a width of at least 0.1·L made from a first rubber composition and an axially adjacent second portion (411b) made from a second rubber composition, the first rubber composition having values for the elastic modulus at 300% deformation, the Shore A hardness and the complex modulus G* at 60° C. which are respectively comprised between 1.1 and 2.1 times, 0.95 times and 1.20 times, and 1.00 times and 2.10 times the corresponding values of the second rubber composition.