Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for dispensing filament adhesive onto a target substrate. A filament adhesive is applied on a target substrate according to a bead application plan, then the applied bead is checked against performance criteria. A second bead application plan is generated, and subsequent filament bead applied according to the second bead application plan.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a core-sheath filament. The core-sheath filament includes an adhesive core and a non-tacky sheath, wherein the sheath exhibits a melt flow index of less than 15 grams per 10 minutes. The present disclosure also provides a method of printing an adhesive. The method includes a) melting a core-sheath filament in a nozzle to form a molten composition, and b) dispensing the molten composition through the nozzle onto a substrate. Steps a) and b) are carried out one or more times to form a printed adhesive. The core-sheath filament includes an adhesive core and a non-tacky sheath. Further, methods are provided, including receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a digital object comprising data specifying an article; and generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process using a core-sheath filament, the article including a printed adhesive based on the digital object.

Abstract: Described are adhesive compositions containing a block copolymer component that includes a midblock segment and a plurality of end block segments, each end block segment comprising polystyrene, a (meth)acrylic functional additive having a glass transition temperature of from 50° C. to 160° C., a first tackifier compatible with the midblock segment and containing a hydrocarbon, and a second tackifier compatible with the end block segments and containing a polyphenylene ether. These compositions are useful in providing pressure-sensitive adhesives that are melt processible, display a high temperature resistance, and effectively bond to low surface energy substrates.

Abstract: A core-sheath filament having a non-tacky sheath and a hot-melt processable adhesive core, the sheath exhibiting a melt flow index of less than 15 grams per 10 minutes, is provided. Methods of making the core-sheath filament and methods of using the core-sheath filament to print a hot-melt processable adhesive onto a primer-treated substrate surface to provide a structural bond are described.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for dispensing a composition that includes a barrel having an inlet and outlet, an extrusion screw, and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the extrusion screw. The extrusion screw includes a shaft having a shank end for connection to the drive mechanism and a distal end opposite the shank end. A first helical flight extends around a first section of the shaft, and a second helical flight extends around a second section of the shaft. The second section is located distal to the first section and the first helical flight has a nominal outer radius less than that of the second helical flight, and optionally the first helical flight has a pitch shorter than that of the first helical flight.

Abstract: Methods of bonding a pressure-sensitive adhesive to a substrate are provided. The methods include heating a styrenic block copolymer composition to provide an adhesive melt composition, wherein the styrenic block copolymer composition contains a hard segment block with a glass transition temperature of from 90° C. to 220° C.; masticating the adhesive melt composition; delivering the adhesive melt composition onto the substrate at a temperature that exceeds the glass transition temperature of the hard segment block by from 20° C. to 150° C.; and cooling the adhesive melt composition to obtain a bonded pressure-sensitive adhesive. Optionally, the substrate can be a non-film substrate, or the styrenic block copolymer composition can be provided in a core-sheath filament that includes a styrenic block copolymer core and a sheath that is non-tacky at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A core-sheath filament having a non-tacky sheath and a hot-melt processable adhesive core, the sheath exhibiting a melt flow index of less than 15 grams per 10 minutes, is provided. Methods of making the core-sheath filament and methods of using the core-sheath filament to print a hot-melt processable adhesive onto a primer-treated substrate surface to provide a structural bond are described.

Abstract: A core-sheath filament including a crosslinkable adhesive core that can be cured using ultraviolet or visible light radiation. These crosslinkable adhesive core compositions can provide very high bond strength and are capable of replacing traditional mechanical fasteners in many industrial applications. Core-sheath filaments including such crosslinkable compositions, crosslinked compositions, articles containing these compositions, and methods of making the articles are provided. The crosslinkable compositions contain pendant aromatic ketone groups or pendant (meth)acryloyl groups that, upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation, result in the formation of crosslinks within the polymeric material. The crosslinked compositions can function as pressure-sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: A core-sheath filament having a non-tacky sheath and a hot-melt processable adhesive core, the sheath exhibiting a melt flow index of less than 15 grams per 10 minutes, is provided. Methods of making the core-sheath filament and methods of using the core-sheath filament to print a hot-melt processable adhesive onto a primer-treated substrate surface to provide a structural bond are described.

Abstract: A core-sheath filament is provided that includes a curable composition. The curable composition contains an epoxy resin and a photoacid generator. Methods of making the core-sheath filament and methods of using the core-sheath filament for printing and bonding are provided. The core-sheath filaments can be used to form a cured composition having structural bonding performance.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for dispensing filament adhesive onto a target substrate. A filament adhesive is applied on a target substrate according to a bead application plan, then the applied bead is checked against performance criteria. A second bead application plan is generated, and subsequent filament bead applied according to the second bead application plan.

Abstract: A core-sheath filament including a crosslinkable adhesive core that can be cured using ultraviolet or visible light radiation. These crosslinkable adhesive core compositions can provide very high bond strength and are capable of replacing traditional mechanical fasteners in many industrial applications. Core-sheath filaments including such crosslinkable compositions, crosslinked compositions, articles containing these compositions, and methods of making the articles are provided. The crosslinkable compositions contain pendant aromatic ketone groups or pendant (meth)acryloyl groups that, upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation, result in the formation of crosslinks within the polymeric material. The crosslinked compositions can function as pressure-sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: A core-sheath filament having a non-tacky sheath and a hot-melt processable adhesive core, the sheath exhibiting a melt flow index of less than 15 grams per 10 minutes, is provided. Methods of making the core-sheath filament and methods of using the core-sheath filament to print a hot-melt processable adhesive onto a primer-treated substrate surface to provide a structural bond are described.

Abstract: A core-sheath filament having a pressure-sensitive adhesive core and a non-tacky thermoplastic sheath that surrounds the core is provided. The pressure-sensitive adhesive core includes a) a silicone-containing block copolymer having multiple poly-diorganosiloxane segments plus b) a silicone tackifying resin. Additionally, methods of making the core-sheath filament and methods of using the core-sheath filament to print a pressure-sensitive adhesive are described.

Abstract: A core-sheath filament having a) a core that is a thermally conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive particles and b) a non-tacky, thermoplastic sheath is provided. The thermally conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive in the core includes a (meth)acrylate-based polymeric material and thermally conductive particles. Additionally, methods of making the core-sheath filament and methods of using the core-sheath filament to print a thermally conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive are described.

Abstract: Provided are systems for dispensing a filament adhesive. The dispensing systems include a dispensing head with a barrel including one or more heating elements, and a rotatable screw received in the barrel, the rotatable screw including at least one mixing element. An inlet extends through a side of the barrel for receiving the filament adhesive. An outlet at a distal end of the barrel for dispensing the filament adhesive in molten form. The dispensing system further includes a filament adhesive having a configuration to be received into the inlet of the dispensing head. Using the provided dispensing systems, and optionally with the assistance of a computer, adhesives can be precisely applied to pre-determined locations on a substrate.

Abstract: Provided are dispensing devices and methods for a filament adhesive. The dispensing devices use a barrel including one or more heating elements, and a rotatable screw received in the barrel, the rotatable screw optionally including at least one mixing element. An inlet extends through a side of the barrel for receiving the filament adhesive, the inlet including a beveled nip point to prevent breakage of the filament adhesive as it is drawn into the barrel. An outlet at a distal end of the barrel for dispensing the filament adhesive in molten form. Using the provided dispensing devices, and optionally with the assistance of a computer, adhesives can be precisely applied to pre-determined locations on a substrate.

Abstract: Described are adhesive compositions containing a block copolymer component that includes a midblock segment and a plurality of end block segments, each end block segment comprising polystyrene, a (meth)acrylic functional additive having a glass transition temperature of from 50° C. to 160° C., a first tackifier compatible with the midblock segment and containing a hydrocarbon, and a second tackifier compatible with the end block segments and containing a polyphenylene ether. These compositions are useful in providing pressure-sensitive adhesives that are melt processible, display a high temperature resistance, and effectively bond to low surface energy substrates.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a core-sheath filament. The core-sheath filament includes an adhesive core and a non-tacky sheath, wherein the sheath exhibits a melt flow index of less than 15 grams per 10 minutes. The present disclosure also provides a method of printing an adhesive. The method includes a) melting a core-sheath filament in a nozzle to form a molten composition, and b) dispensing the molten composition through the nozzle onto a substrate. Steps a) and b) are carried out one or more times to form a printed adhesive. The core-sheath filament includes an adhesive core and a non-tacky sheath. Further, methods are provided, including receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a digital object comprising data specifying an article; and generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process using a core-sheath filament, the article including a printed adhesive based on the digital object.

Abstract: Various embodiments of lightguides and illumination systems that include lightguides are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a lightguide can include first and second light extractors (330,340) that extract light that would otherwise be confined and propagate within the lightguide along the length of the lightguide primarily by total internal reflection. The first and second light extractors can form respective first and second patterns along a length of the lightguide. Light extracted by the first light extractors can exit the lightguide primarily along a first direction (306). Light extracted by the second light extractors can exit the lightguide primarily along a second direction (308) different from the first direction. A brightness of the total light extracted by the first light extractors can be larger than a brightness of the total light extracted by the second light extractors.