Abstract: A method for forming a fiber-reinforced cable tie includes placing at least one reinforcing fiber in a mold cavity, injecting a molten material in the mold cavity, wherein the molten material defines a melt front during injection, and maintaining a position of the reinforcing fiber within the mold cavity at the melt front during the injecting of the melt, whereby the fiber is substantially encapsulated by the molten material. A mold for forming a fiber-reinforced cable tie includes a mold cavity and a fiber guide movably supported within the mold cavity for maintaining a position of a reinforcing fiber placed within the mold cavity during injection of a molten material into the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method involves liquifying a composite material comprising a functional material and a flowable material. A field is applied onto the liquified composite material. The field is continuously variable in three-dimensions such that each voxel of the liquified composite material has a selectably different orientation of the functional material within the flowable material. The liquified composite material is deposited onto a build surface where the composite material cools and locks in the selectably different orientation of the functional material within the flowable material. The cooled composite material is layered to additively manufacture a part with the selectably different orientation of the voxels combining to create a three-dimensional directional property in the part.

Abstract: A cable tie is provided with a wedge disposed within a passage extending through a head. The wedge is compressed within the passage when tension is applied to the strap. As a result, the wedge compresses the strap against an inner surface of the passage to restrain the strap.

Abstract: A method for forming an article of manufacture using additive manufacturing, includes: a processor executing program instructions to: (a) rotate an object continuously about a horizontal axis using a first rotational stage, wherein the object is partially submerged in a bath of energy curable liquid formulation during the rotation; (b) control a rate of rotation of the object to achieve a desired radial thickness of a sub layer of uncured liquid formulation at a desired rotational location on the object; (c) direct an energy source to provide an energy dose onto the object at a desired rotational location, wherein the energy dose is configured to cure and solidify the sub layer; and repeat (a), (b) and (c) until a desired radial thickness of a cured liquid formulation layer is a achieved.

Abstract: A reinforced cable tie generally includes an elongate strap, a head attached to a first end of the strap and a continuous fiber reinforcement disposed in and extending substantially continuously along a path defining at least one of the strap and the head. The head has one or more apertures formed therein and a locking device disposed in the aperture of the head. The locking device is configured to permit a second end of the strap opposite the head to be inserted through the head aperture in a first direction and is further configured to prevent movement of the second end of the strap from the head aperture in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A co-extrusion die is configured to produce a multilayer extrusion comprising component layers of an electrochemical cell. The die comprises a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of pressurized fluids comprising at least a first metallic ink, a second metallic ink, and a polymeric ink. A plurality of channels are configured to separately transport and shape the plurality of fluids from the plurality of inlet ports to a merge section, such that the plurality of fluids flow together in the merge section to form the multilayer extrusion comprising a polymeric membrane layer disposed between and in contact with a first metallic layer and a second metallic layer. A thickness of each layer within the merge section is controllable by adjustment of a pressure of the plurality of pressurized fluids. An outlet port is configured to output the multilayer extrusion onto a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus has a dispensing unit that causes a feedstock to flow out of an orifice of the dispensing unit where the flow exits toward a build surface. The feedstock has a functional material and a flowable material. The build surface and dispensing unit are moved relative to one another such that the flow exiting the orifice additively manufactures a part. A field generator emits a field onto the fluid flow to align the functional material. The field changes over time such that functional material has selectably variable orientation within a volume of the part.

Abstract: A reinforced cable tie generally includes an elongate strap having a first end, a second end and an elongate planar strap body therebetween, a head having an upstanding central wall separating a first and a second elongate parallel passageway through the head for respective receipt of the first and second ends of said strap, a locking device supported in the head for retaining the first and second ends of the strap and a continuous reinforcement disposed in and extending substantially continuously along a path defining the strap. In a method for forming a cable tie, a continuous reinforcing strand is co-extruded within an elongate strap and a head is assembled to the strap.

Abstract: A cable tie includes a flexible elongate strap and a head attached to a first end of the strap. The head has a front wall, side walls and a rear wall defining an aperture. The front wall has at least one fixed tooth formed thereon and the rear wall has a flexural element formed thereon opposite the at least one fixed tooth, wherein the at least one fixed tooth and the flexural element are configured to permit a second end of the strap opposite the head to be inserted through the head aperture in a first direction and being further configured to prevent movement of the second end of the strap from the head aperture in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method for forming an article of manufacture using additive manufacturing, includes: a processor executing program instructions to: (a) rotate an object continuously about a horizontal axis using a first rotational stage, wherein the object is partially submerged in a bath of energy curable liquid formulation during the rotation; (b) control a rate of rotation of the object to achieve a desired radial thickness of a sub layer of uncured liquid formulation at a desired rotational location on the object; (c) direct an energy source to provide an energy dose onto the object at a desired rotational location, wherein the energy dose is configured to cure and solidify the sub layer; and repeat (a), (b) and (c) until a desired radial thickness of a cured liquid formulation layer is a achieved.

Abstract: A cable tie having a strain sensing device incorporated therein. In one embodiment, the strain sensing device is a fiber Bragg grating (FBG), which is preferably molded within the strap. In this case, the cable tie further includes a socket in optical communication with the fiber Bragg grating for coupling of the cable tie to an external light source. In another embodiment, the strain sensing device is a mechanical fuse that activates in the presence of a predetermined amount of strain on the cable tie. The mechanical fuse is preferably disposed on the strap and is made of a fuse material having a mechanical strength lower than a mechanical strength of the material of the strap so that the mechanical fuse will fracture or deform earlier than the material of the underlying strap when both the fuse and the strap experience the same increasing strain.

Abstract: A method for forming a fiber-reinforced cable tie includes placing at least one reinforcing fiber in a mold cavity, injecting a molten material in the mold cavity, wherein the molten material defines a melt front during injection, and maintaining a position of the reinforcing fiber within the mold cavity at the melt front during the injecting of the melt, whereby the fiber is substantially encapsulated by the molten material. A mold for forming a fiber-reinforced cable tie includes a mold cavity and a fiber guide movably supported within the mold cavity for maintaining a position of a reinforcing fiber placed within the mold cavity during injection of a molten material into the mold cavity.

Abstract: A cable tie is provided with a wedge disposed within a passage extending through a head. The wedge is compressed within the passage when tension is applied to the strap. As a result, the wedge compresses the strap against an inner surface of the passage to restrain the strap.

Abstract: A reinforced cable tie generally includes an elongate strap, a head attached to a first end of the strap and a continuous fiber reinforcement disposed in and extending substantially continuously along a path defining at least one of the strap and the head. The head has one or more apertures formed therein and a locking device disposed in the aperture of the head. The locking device is configured to permit a second end of the strap opposite the head to be inserted through the head aperture in a first direction and is further configured to prevent movement of the second end of the strap from the head aperture in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A reinforced cable tie generally includes an elongate strap having a first end, a second end and an elongate planar strap body therebetween, a head having an upstanding central wall separating a first and a second elongate parallel passageway through the head for respective receipt of the first and second ends of said strap, a locking device supported in the head for retaining the first and second ends of the strap and a continuous reinforcement disposed in and extending substantially continuously along a path defining the strap. In a method for forming a cable tie, a continuous reinforcing strand is co-extruded within an elongate strap and a head is assembled to the strap.

Abstract: A cable tie includes a flexible elongate strap and a head attached to a first end of the strap. The head has a front wall, side walls and a rear wall defining an aperture. The front wall has at least one fixed tooth formed thereon and the rear wall has a flexural element formed thereon opposite the at least one fixed tooth, wherein the at least one fixed tooth and the flexural element are configured to permit a second end of the strap opposite the head to be inserted through the head aperture in a first direction and being further configured to prevent movement of the second end of the strap from the head aperture in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A cable tie having a strain sensing device incorporated therein. In one embodiment, the strain sensing device is a fiber Bragg grating (FBG), which is preferably molded within the strap. In this case, the cable tie further includes a socket in optical communication with the fiber Bragg grating for coupling of the cable tie to an external light source. In another embodiment, the strain sensing device is a mechanical fuse that activates in the presence of a predetermined amount of strain on the cable tie. The mechanical fuse is preferably disposed on the strap and is made of a fuse material having a mechanical strength lower than a mechanical strength of the material of the strap so that the mechanical fuse will fracture or deform earlier than the material of the underlying strap when both the fuse and the strap experience the same increasing strain.