Abstract: There is disclosed a method of applying activatable material to a member of an article of manufacture such as an automotive vehicle. According to the method, the activatable material is provided to an applicator followed by applying the activatable material to the member wherein the activatable material is attached by way of a mechanical interlock via one or more through-holes.

Abstract: Recycling of polyolefin materials from packaging materials, in particular food packaging, is carried out by treating the polyolefin material with at least one metal oxide such as CaO. The final extruded or injection molded product is free from bad smell.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus comprising an injection molding machine, a manifold, a closure valve pin, a first actuator having a linear or axial driver, a second actuator comprising a rotor interconnected to either the closure valve pin or to a second valve pin such that either the closure valve pin or the second valve pin is rotatably driven in unison with the rotor around the rotation axis, the closure pin or second pin being disposed and rotatable within the flow of injection fluid flowing through a flow channel leading to a mold cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment (1) for manufacturing a part (2) by injection moulding, including: a first cavity (10), a second cavity (20), and a supporting element (30), shaped such as to hold the part (2) in position in the equipment, and defining, together with the cavities (10, 20), an inner space of the equipment, the holding element (30) as well as the first cavity (10) and/or the second cavity (20) being movable relative to one another.

Abstract: Methods of making a golf ball that includes a lattice reinforced layer, which is a layer made of at least two materials with different properties, includes various injection and compression molding steps. In some embodiments, the lattice reinforced layer is manufactured using a shutoff molding technique so that the entire lattice reinforced layer is molded in the same mold. In other embodiments, a grid for the lattice layer is formed first, then filled using an injection molding technique.

Abstract: A seal molding system may include a mold body having a mold inner geometry formed complementary to a fitting outer geometry of a fitting. The mold body may have a mold base formed complementary to a panel surface. The mold body may include an injection hole for injecting sealant into the mold cavity, and a vent hole for venting air and sealant from the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electromagnetic wave shield housing that accommodates an electronic component and shields the electronic component from electromagnetic waves is provided, which includes: placing a resin plate inside a shielding metal plate, the shielding metal plate including a plate central area of the metal plate having a shielding property against the electromagnetic waves, and plate outer peripheral edges that are formed around the plate central area and stand up from the plate central area in standing postures, the resin plate including a central portion that overlaps with the plate central area, and stand-up portions that stand up from the central portion so as to conform to the standing postures and overlap with the plate outer peripheral edges, respectively; and injecting resin to the shielding metal plate, where the resin plate is placed, from outside the shielding metal plate to cover the shielding metal plate with the injected resin from outside.

Abstract: A method for sealing a fastener employs a mold which provided with an inlet port for molding material. The mold is then positioned over a fastener and the mold is sealed against a structure. A molding material is then injected into the mold. The mold is then removed to leave an in-situ molded cap formed over the fastener and sealed to the structure.

Abstract: A multilayer structure includes a clear polyolefin layer, a colored polyolefin layer, and a random polyolefin backing layer. The colored and backing layers are coextruded and are permanently bonded at a layer interface, which is exclusive of an adhesive. The structure has a DOI of 70 or greater and passes a gravelometer impact test per the GM9508P standard, with a 10 pint load, at a ?30° C. temperature, and at an impact angle of 30 degrees. Among other uses, the structures are appropriate for use as body panels in the motor vehicle industry. The structures display a “class A” finish and meet a variety of requirements for durability and weatherability. An ABA structured backing layer and a method of making it are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to screw elements (10, 10?) for multi-shaft screw-type machines having screw shafts (W, W?) rotating pairwise in the same direction, wherein said screw elements scrape off one another precisely and the screw shafts composed of said screw elements have two or more screw flights. The screw profiles (11, 11?) can be represented over the entire cross section by respective profile curves, each profile curve (11, 11?) having at least one inflection point (K, K?) lying inside an outer radius (RA, RA?) of the profile curve over the progression thereof. The inflection point is considered to be a position of an abrupt change of pitch or a geometrical discontinuity in the pitch of the profile curve.

Abstract: Preforms with a neck region and a preform body and having an enlarged geometry in comparison with the cavity of the injection mould are produced by injecting a polymer melt into the mould with a geometry of the cavity in the mould such that the radial extent of an inner space in the Preform body thereby produced is not greater than the radial extent of the inner space in the neck region, the preforms are removed from the open mould by a removal gripper, and the preforms in the removal gripper are inflated using positive pressure such that the geometry of the inflated preform body is larger than the cavity in the injection mould.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a handheld priming pump is disclosed. It is capable of being automatic production and increase production yield after being modularized. The production time may be shortened and the defect rate may be also reduced.

Abstract: A composite preform including a preform and a plastic member in close contact with the outer surface of the preform is made by preparing the preform made of plastic material and arranging the plastic member to surround the outer surface of the preform. Subsequently, the composite preform is heated and inserted in a blow molding die and undergoes blow molding in the blow molding die, by which the preform and the plastic member of the composite preform are inflated integrally and a composite container is obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold for forming a deep grip container, the mold having drive mechanisms opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. The drive mechanisms may be located entirely within the mold and may include a slotted cam. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip comprising: providing a mold hanger having an outer envelope and providing within the outer envelope a drive mechanism to drive moveable inserts into the mold after blowing molten plastic into contact with the mold. Further disclosed is a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip manufactured according to the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A system and method for hydraulic blow molding a plastic preform into a container. The system includes a nozzle having a nozzle body with a main bore extending therethrough and an outlet for ejecting molding medium into a preform positioned within a mold. A minimum internal diameter is defined within the body of the preform, which is bound on opposing ends between an open end and a closed end. To form the container, a liquid stream is injected into the preform. The liquid stream is defined by the outlet so as to have an external diameter that is less than the minimum inner diameter of the preform, allowing the stream to impinge upon the close end of the preform without impinging upon a transition of the preform, where the minimum inner diameter of the preform is reduced from the diameter of the finish.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastics connecting seam for the fluid-tight connection of at least two plastics surfaces. The plastics connecting seam is in the form of a plastics connecting seam that supports strength under a load in such a way that a load acting in a standard load direction increases the connection strength of the seam.

Abstract: In a method for operating an apparatus for transforming plastic preforms into plastic containers, the apparatus acts upon a flowable medium to plastic preforms in order to expand these plastic preforms to form the plastic containers, and the apparatus carries out this transforming operation while taking account of a plurality of process parameters. The plurality of process parameters is determined on the basis of a machine model, wherein a predefined number of input parameters are transferred to this machine model and at least one processor unit determines the process parameters and/or values characteristic of these process parameters on the basis of these input parameters.

Abstract: Described are methods of two-dimensionally and three-dimensionally forming an article of wear using vacuum forming in an automated process. In the two-dimensional method, the article of wear comprises a generally flat shape with three-dimensional features molded into the first material layer.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a structural component for motor vehicles by hot forming of a plate-shaped semi-finished product reinforced of thermoplastic material with embedded continuous fibers (“organo-sheet”) regions of the organo-sheet (2) provided for accommodating the organo-sheet (2) in a hot forming device (1) and/or portions (21, 22) of the structural component (5) manufactured from the organo-sheet (2), which are exposed to an increased load, are structured more strongly and/or are subjected to a particular thermal treatment during hot forming.

Abstract: An extruded air cooled blown film having a) a total thickness of 5 to 500 ?m, b) a mono-layer structure or 2 to 9 coextruded layers, c) at least one layer L containing a polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene random copolymers, hetero-phasic polypropylene block copolymers, or any mixtures thereof, said polymer having a melt flow rate, according to ASTM D-1238, of 0.1 to 10 dg/min at 230° C. and 2.16 kg, said layer L further containing 0.001 to 2%, relative to the weight of the polymer, of a particular nucleating agent, and optionally d) a Modulus according to EN ISO 527 enhanced by at least 10% versus a reference film without the nucleating agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imprint apparatus which performs an imprint process of forming a pattern in an imprint material on a substrate using a mold, the apparatus including a measurement unit configured to measure relative positions of the mold and the substrate by detecting a mark provided on each of the mold and the substrate, and a processing unit configured to perform alignment between the mold and the substrate based on a measurement result of the measurement unit, wherein if mark detection by the measurement unit shows an abnormality, the processing unit selects one recovery process from a plurality of recovery processes set in advance and performs the one recovery process in accordance with a time in which it is possible to perform the alignment in the imprint process.

Abstract: An embossing material that can be hardened and used for embossing lithography, comprised of a mixture of: at least one polymerizable main component, and at least one secondary component. The invention also relates to a use of the embossing material for the primary forming of an embossing form.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for embossing a pattern into a varnish on a sheet-like substrate are provided. The method applies a planar stamp using a roller, while the apparatus includes a roller having a planar stamp.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and system for cutting a polymeric stent including the use of a polymeric mandrel as a laser shielding device. The polymeric mandrel is allowed to roll freely within a polymeric tube that is cut into a polymeric stent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing an actuator capable of being repeatedly and reversibly shifted between two freestanding shapes (A, B) under stress-free conditions upon varying a temperature between a temperature Tlow and a temperature Tsep.

Abstract: Origami- and Kirigami-inspired assembly of predetermined three-dimensional forms is presented in comprehensive theoretical and experimental studies, with examples of a broad range of topologies and material compositions. The resulting engineering options in the construction of functional 3D structures have important implications for advanced microsystem technologies.

Abstract: An article of manufacture that has at least three layers of heat sealable material. There is at least one first heat seal between at least two of the layers in a first area effected at a first temperature. There is also at least one second heat seal between at least two more layers, where at least one of these two layers is distinct from the at least two layers joined by the first heat seal, in a second area effected at a second temperature, where the second temperature is different than the first temperature, thereby allowing for heat sealing of discrete areas of the article in discrete steps.

Abstract: A susceptor welding tape for use in thermoplastic welding. The susceptor welding tape comprising a thermoplastic film and a plurality of non-continuous susceptor conductors imbedded within the thermoplastic film. The plurality of non-continuous susceptor conductors allow a resulting thermoplastic weld formed by the susceptor weld tape to be tuned to a desired engineering characteristic. For example, the plurality of conductors allow the resulting thermoplastic weld formed by the susceptor weld tape to be tuned to a desired conductivity, a desired residual stress and/or a desired moisture barrier of the resulting thermoplastic weld.

Abstract: The present invention provides a joint structure having: a first panel comprising a first material; a second panel comprising a metal material different from the first material; a rivet having a head portion that is placed in contact with the first panel, a shaft portion that is passed through the first panel, and a joint portion that is disposed on the shaft portion side and is in contact with and joined by welding to the second panel; and a sandwiching portion that is disposed at the rivet and sandwiches between itself and the head portion the first panel from the second panel side.

Abstract: A fusion machine which can be top-loaded on very large polyolefin pipes and pipelines has jaws which consist of an upper half jaw and lower left and right complemental jaws which pivot on the half jaw. Left and right actuators connected between the complemental jaws and the half jaw operate in one direction to cause the complemental jaws to rotate to an opened condition in which the upper half jaw can be lowered onto and lifted from the pipes to be fused and in the other direction to cause the complemental jaws to rotate to a closed condition in which the pipes to be fused are gripped so substantially around their circumferences as to resist their deformation from round during manipulation by the machine. The top-loading machine minimizes the need for heavy equipment to load and unload pipe to and from the fusion machine.

Abstract: A manufacturing method uses a main body piece formed of an elastic fabric material and having a first portion having a first end, a second portion having a second end opposite the first end, and two side ends extending between the first and second ends. A bonding material is placed in contact with the first and/or second portions, arranged in lines extending in a direction between the first and second ends. The lines are spaced from each other in a second direction extending between the side ends. The main body piece is folded so that the first portion confronts the second portion, defining a fold line, where the bonding material is positioned between the first and second portions. The folded main body piece is then heat pressed and bent so the side ends are connected together to form a band having a tubular body defining a central passage.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an escape hole generator creates escapes holes designed to facilitate removal of support and/or unprinted material generated inside enclosed hollows of three-dimensional (3D) digital models during 3D printing. In operation, the escape hole generator identifies a hollow included in the three-dimensional model and then selects optimized locations for escape holes. Notably, the escape hole generator selects the locations to optimize placement heuristics, such as favoring locations closer to the bottom of the 3D model, while satisfying escape hole constraints (e.g., hole size and spacing requirements). The escape hole generator then perforates the hollow at the selected locations with geometries that provide channels from the outer surface of the hollow to the outer surface of the hollow.

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional article includes providing a polymer blend which includes a cycloolefin copolymer and another thermoplastic resin; and printing the polymer blend into the three-dimensional article. The articles exhibits superior performance in connection with at least one of the following properties: dimensional stability; optical transmission; gloss; or barrier properties as compared with a like article made by a like process made from the thermoplastic resin in the blend only. Articles may also be formed with cycloolefin copolymer elastomer which is optionally blended with another thermoplastic.

Abstract: A printer system may include a coaxial extruder head that extrudes a core, a bulk, and/or a core and bulk cladding to form complex structures without retooling. The coaxial extruder head may include a distribution channel with an entrance and an exit, a priming chamber that surrounds the distribution channel. The priming chamber may include an outlet and a first inlet, a heating element thermally connected to the priming chamber, and a nozzle connected to the outlet of the priming chamber. Further, the nozzle may converge from the outlet of the priming chamber to an orifice of the nozzle. In addition, the exit of the distribution channel may be disposed at the orifice of the nozzle. This structure facilitates extruding a core and cladding type composite from the extruder head.

Abstract: A robot system including a first motor capable of normal and reverse rotation, a second motor capable of normal and reverse rotation and spaced apart from the first motor, pulleys coupled to rotating shafts of the first and second motors, respectively, a frame, a moving arm including a mount slidably mounted on the frame and including a free end positioned opposite the mount in a longitudinal direction, a carriage mounted on the moving arm such that the carriage is slidable in a direction perpendicular to a slide direction of the moving arm, a belt wrapped around the pulleys and connected to the carriage, and a plurality of idlers for guiding the belt. It is possible not only to control a position of the carriage by resultant force of the first and second motors but also to precisely control the carriage by the simply structured moving arm having the free end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 3D printer inputs including filaments comprising separated layers or sections. These inputs particularly including filaments may be prepared by coextrusion, microlayer coextrusion or multicomponent/fractal coextrusion. These inputs and specifically filaments enable layering or combining different materials simultaneously through one or more nozzles during the so-called 3D printing process. These techniques facilitate smaller layer sizes (milli, micro, and nano) different layer configurations as well as the potential to incorporate materials that would otherwise not be usable in standard 3D printer methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing a droplet assembly, which apparatus comprises a droplet generator. A process for producing a droplet assembly, using an apparatus comprising a droplet generator is also described. The invention also relates to droplet assemblies comprising a plurality of droplets. Various uses of the droplet assemblies are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid including a mixture of (i) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (ii) a second solidifiable component that is different from the first component; (c) irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer scaffold from the first component and also advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate having the same shape as, or a shape to be imparted to, the three-dimensional object, and containing the second solidifiable component carried in the scaffold in unsolidified and/or uncured form; and (d) concurrently with or subsequent to the irradiating step, solidifying and/or curing the second solidifiable compone

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional printing by selective sintering comprises a first laser, a second laser, and a tank disposed between the first laser and the second laser. The system may further include hoppers in communication with the tank. The first laser, the second laser, and the tank may be aligned either horizontally or vertically.

Abstract: This relates to a method for manufacturing a shell-like structural component for a vehicle using additive layer manufacturing. In a step of the method, a first material is applied to a region of the shell-like structural component. In another step of the method, the region of the shell-like structural component is heated by a laser beam such that the first material is added to the shell-like structural component. The shell-like structural component comprising the first material is cooled in another step such that an internal stress is generated within the shell-like structural component resulting in a bending of the shell-like structural component. This further relates to a shell-like structural component which is manufactured by a method using additive layer manufacturing.

Abstract: This relates to a method for manufacturing an aircraft or spacecraft component comprising a crack stopper using additive layer manufacturing. In a step of the method, a shell-like structural component comprising a first material is provided. In another step, a hole in the shell-like structural component is provided. In yet another step of the method, a second material is applied to a first surface of the shell-like structural component by additive layer manufacturing such that a first elongated protrusion or a circular protrusion on the first surface of the shell-like structural component is generated to form a first crack stopper. This also relates to an aircraft or spacecraft component manufactured using additive layer manufacturing and to the use of an aircraft component as structural component in an aircraft.

Abstract: A 3D printer (1, 1a) includes a material rack (20, 20a). The material rack (20, 20a) includes a positioning plate (21) and a plurality of partition members (22). The partition members (22) are fixed to a door plate (12, 12a) and disposed in an inner area (120). The inner area (120) includes a plurality of material receiving compartments (121). A material tube (2) includes a pair of wings (3). The partition members (22) include positioning recesses (220) correspondingly. The material tube (2) is positioned by disposing the wings (3) on the positioning recesses (220) in a spanning manner. The material tube (2) is driven by a printing module (40, 40a) to move out of the material receiving compartment (121) and be positioned on the printing module (40, 40a).

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing apparatus including a housing, a platform disposed in the housing and having a printing region, a frame disposed on an inner side of the housing and an operating module is provided. At least one cylinder disposed on the frame has a body and a pair of wings extended therefrom. The cylinder is carried on the frame by the wings, and a first gap is provided below each of the wings and between the body and the frame. The operating module is disposed in the housing to move relative to the printing region and the frame, and the operating module includes a pair of catching arms. After the catching arms are inserted into the first gaps, the operating module moves in a first direction to carry the cylinder on the catching arms, and then moves in a second direction to move the cylinder out from the frame.

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: According to some embodiments, a method of optimizing an additive fabrication process for an object is provided, the method comprising obtaining a representation of an intermediate form of the object, the intermediate form being an expected shape of the object when partially fabricated by the additive fabrication process, simulating one or more forces expected to be applied to the intermediate form of the object during the additive fabrication process, evaluating one or more results of the simulating step against one or more criteria, and adapting the additive fabrication process based at least in part on a result of the evaluating.

Abstract: A printer system may include a coaxial extruder head that extrudes a core, a bulk, and/or a core and bulk cladding to form complex structures without retooling. The coaxial extruder head may include a distribution channel with an entrance and an exit, a priming chamber that surrounds the distribution channel. The priming chamber may include an outlet and a first inlet, a heating element thermally connected to the priming chamber, and a nozzle connected to the outlet of the priming chamber. Further, the nozzle may converge from the outlet of the priming chamber to an orifice of the nozzle. In addition, the exit of the distribution channel may be disposed at the orifice of the nozzle. This structure facilitates extruding a core and cladding type composite from the extruder head.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for control of 3D printing. The apparatus includes a color data generation unit configured to generate entity-specific color data representing a color of each entity forming a 3D object based on modeling information about the 3D object, a color quantization unit configured to convert the entity-specific color data to represent one of a plurality of output-able colors as the color of each entity, and an output file generation unit configured to generate an output file to be used for output of the 3D object from the modeling information and the converted entity-specific color data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for symbolic methods using algebraic geometry (e.g., based on a Gröbner basis of tangent space polynomials of parametric curves). For example, the design, optimization and verification of silicon photonic wave guides using parametric polynomials and/or Gröbner basis functions can be used to perform envelope generation, rectification, manufacturability checking, singularity detection, reticle and etch processing model generation, tapering loss minimization, and bend loss minimization. In one example, a method of analyzing a layout to be manufactured using a photolithographic process includes producing an envelope of a curve representing a layout object based at least in part on a Gröbner basis and performing one or more analysis operations for the envelope to perform verification and manufacturability checks.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses its extruder and build platform to properly orient the build platform within a working volume. In a multi-point leveling operation, the extruder is moved to the z-axis origin at a number of x-y positions within the plane of the build platform, and the height of the build platform is adjusted to meet the extruder at the origin. If the build platform is a meltable material such as a plastic, then this leveling process must be performed while the extruder is cool. A homing operation may be performed periodically after leveling in order to realign the z-axis positions of the build platform and extruder. A non-meltable contact point may be usefully provided so that homing can be performed while the extruder is hot, such as immediately before a build or between a number of builds.

Abstract: An additive three-dimensional fabrication process uses multiple build materials with different optical properties (e.g., color, opacity) at different surface depths to achieve grayscale-rendered images on exterior surfaces thereof.