Abstract: An injection molding method that includes: (a) fitting an injection molding machine with an injection mold defining one or more molding cavities, with at least one mold plate provided with one or more channels for circulation of a tempering medium, (b) providing a feed of plastic material, (c) heating the molding cavities by circulating through the channels a first tempering medium, (d) injecting plastic material into the closed heated mold to fill the molding cavities, (e) cooling the molding cavities of the filled closed injection mold until at least partly solidifying the molded plastic parts by circulating through the channels a second tempering medium, (f) opening the injection mold by parting the injector plate from the ejector plate, (g) ejecting the at least partly solidified molded plastic parts by actuation of ejector pins of the ejector plate, and (h) repeating the cycle of steps (c)-(g).

Abstract: An injection mold that has an injector mold plate with a first injector mold plate face and an opposite second injector mold plate face, an ejector mold plate having a first ejector mold plate face and an opposite second ejector mold plate face, with the first injector mold plate face faces the first ejector mold plate face, at least one tempering medium channel connecting a tempering medium inlet of the injection mold to a tempering medium outlet of the injection mold, wherein the at least one tempering medium channel traverses an area of at least one of the second injector mold plate face and/or the second ejector mold plate face and defines a free opening in the respective mold plate face along at least a length of the at least one tempering medium channel.

Abstract: Provided is a molding condition diagnostic device which can diagnose appropriateness of a preset molding condition according to a measured value detected during continuous automatic operation, and which can then inform an operator when the molding condition is inappropriate. A molding condition diagnostic device (1) which determines appropriateness of a molding condition setting value and informs an operator of a result of the determination is provided in a molding machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coated preform of a biaxially stretchable plastic material, for use in the manufacture of a container and a coated. At least one coating layer (3, . . . ) comprised of polymeric coating is on the outside of the plastic preform (10) is applied. Which is remarkable in that said coating is formed with at least a base layer (3) which is made of polymers that have similar structures, esp polar. It also relates to the corresponding method for this purpose.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of at least one flexible plastic container, according to which method each container (10) comprises two separate walls (12, 13) facing one another joined at their circumference by a sealed peripheral edge (14), said separate walls defining a storage space of the container (10).

Abstract: A method for producing a sterilized container comprises: providing a preform having a hanger arranged on a bottom of the preform, heating the preform in a heating device, feeding the heated preform into a stretching and blowing apparatus, stretching and blowing the preform in the stretching and blowing apparatus such that the container for the infusion solution is formed from the preform, cleaning the formed container in a rinsing apparatus, and drying the cleaned container in a drying device, filling the cleaned and dried container at least with an infusion solution, via a filling opening present in the container, in a filling plant, closing the container by attaching a closure cap to the filling opening of the container, sterilizing the closed container in an autoclave, wherein the hanger of the preform is oriented and folded over by a bending apparatus prior to stretching and blowing in the stretching and blowing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of delivering a predetermined volume of a liquid product, defined as the liquid end product, formed by addition of a first and second liquid product, into a thermoplastic container formed from a heated preform positioned in a mold and having an opening opposite an injection head. Prior to injecting the second liquid product into the preform causing expansion of the container, the preform is at least partially, filled with the first liquid product.

Abstract: Mold hanger for supporting a bottle mold in a molding station, the mold hanger comprising a piston and piston sleeve fully contained within the mold hanger configured to push a moveable insert into the mold. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting an original rotatable blow molding module having multiple existing blow molding stations, each existing mold hanger defining an existing outer envelope. The disclosed method may include providing an improved mold hanger substantially contained within the respective existing outer envelope and including low-profile drive mechanisms configured opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip, the method including providing within a mold hanger a drive mechanism to drive a moveable insert into the mold. A bottle made by such methods is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. Repositioning is accomplished with a system comprising a series of polymeric shell appliances configured to receive the teeth and incrementally reposition individual teeth in a series of successive steps. The individual appliances may be formed from layers having different stiffnesses (elastic moduluses), and the stiffnesses of successive appliances may be different, or both.

Abstract: A system for making a banner having reinforced edges and grommets includes a self-contained banner making machine including a welding device and a grommet riveting device within the machine. A sheet of banner webbing material for is configured to be fed through the banner making machine. A first hem is created in a folding devices upstream from the welding device. A grommet is riveted through the hem having double thickness banner material by the riveting device. The banner making machine includes a banner material flowstream pathway, including first and second sides of the pathway. The welding device is between the entrance and exit of the machine. The riveting device or a first grommet riveter is also between the entrance and exit positioned downstream from the welding device.

Abstract: A mold includes a pattern portion in which a pattern is formed, and a concave portion formed in the back surface of the pattern portion and having a size to include the pattern portion in a planar view. The edge of the pattern portion has an almost rectangular shape in the planar view. The concave portion has an almost rectangular shape with four rounded corners in the planar view. The shortest distance from each point on a side of the edge of the pattern portion to the edge of the concave portion is constant.

Abstract: A method of applying protective sheeting of polymer material to a pipeline extending along a longitudinal axis and having a cutback bounded at opposite axial ends by two end portions of respective protective coatings of polymer material, the method including directly heating the free faces of the end portions; extruding and simultaneously winding about the pipeline a protective sheeting wide enough to cover the cutback and the end portions; and compressing the protective sheeting against the pipeline, the end portions included.

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing a thermoplastic liquid crystal polymer (TLCP) film having an improved thermo-adhesive property, a circuit board, and a method for producing the same. The production method of the TLCP film includes preparing a TLCP film as the adherend film and a TLCP film as the adhesive film; examining each of the prepared TLCP films for a relative intensity calculated as a ratio in percentage of a sum of peak areas of C—O bond peak and COO bond peak based on the total area of C1s peaks in the XPS spectral profile so as to calculate a relative intensity X (%) as for the prepared adherend film and a relative intensity Y (%) as for the prepared adhesive film; and controlling the TLCP film as the adhesive film to have a relative intensity Y by selection or activation treatment of the adhesive film so that the relative intensity X of the adherend film and the relative intensity Y of the controlled adhesive film satisfy the following formulae (1) and (2): 38<X+Y<65 ??(1) ?8.

Abstract: A welding apparatus for making an automotive light including light guides having an inlet which receives the fibres the laser beam produced by the laser emitting device and an outlet which propagates/transmits the laser beam collimated by said guides. The light guide has respective free ends mechanically separated from each other, wherein the light guides are configured so as to direct collimated light beams on adjacent and locally continuous portions of welding interface so as to obtain a homogeneous and uniform distribution of the light beams along the welding interface.

Abstract: A system for making a banner having reinforced edges and grommets includes a self-contained banner making machine including a welding device and a grommet riveting device within the machine. A sheet of banner webbing material for is configured to be fed through the banner making machine. A strip of reinforcement material is welded to the banner by the welding device in the banner making machine. A grommet is riveted through the banner material with the strip of reinforcement material welded thereto by the riveting device. The banner making machine includes a banner material flowstream pathway, including first and second sides of the pathway. The welding device or a first strip welder is between the entrance and exit of the machine. The riveting device or a first grommet riveter is also between the entrance and exit positioned downstream from the first strip welder.

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: One aspect of a method of manufacturing a honeycomb core includes positioning a first thermoplastic columnar cell adjacent a second thermoplastic columnar cell, modifying a thermoplastic property of the first thermoplastic columnar cell, wherein the modified thermoplastic property permits joining a circumferential surface of the first thermoplastic columnar cell to a circumferential surface of the second thermoplastic columnar cell. The method also includes joining the circumferential surface of the first thermoplastic columnar cell having the modified thermoplastic property to the circumferential surface of the second thermoplastic columnar cell resulting in the honeycomb core.

Abstract: A 3D printer has a casing, a nozzle for printing, an extruder, a heating element, and a print bed. The casing encloses a region above and around the print bed to form a printing zone. The apparatus has a plurality of micro motors for controlling movement of the nozzle during printing. Further, the 3D printer has safer components as compared with the prior art, ideal for use in home and education situations, and includes a rounded edge design of the printer, an improved small and enclosed area of the printer heating element, and a lower power system, reducing the risk of electrical shock.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) printer for building 3D objects with layer based, additive manufacturing techniques. The 3D printer can have an extrusion assembly including a hot end for heating consumable material and depositing the consumable material in layers on a printing bed. The hot end can be moved in a horizontal plane parallel the printing bed while the printing bed can be moved perpendicular to the horizontal plane to print the 3D object.

Abstract: A 3D printer has a casing, a nozzle for printing, an extruder, a heating element, and a print bed. The casing encloses a region above and around the print bed to form a printing zone. Further, the 3D printer has features adapted for low-noise operation, and is already suitably quiet enough for use in a low-noise environment because it does not generate loud sounds. Specifically, in a quiet office with 37-38 dB of noise, noise emissions were measured while the present invention constructed a 3D printed model, and at six inches from the extruder on the 3D printer, the noise emissions measured 39-58 dB, at three feet away measured 38-43 dB, and at six feet away measured around 37-40 dB.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object forming device for forming a three-dimensional object that is at least in part colored by an additive manufacturing method includes a head section, a main-scan driver, and a controller. The head section at least discharges ink droplets of a plurality of colored ink for coloring and transparent ink. The controller controls operations of the head section and the main-scan driver so as to form a first color region formed by the first colored ink and the transparent ink and a second color region formed by the second colored ink and the transparent ink on a surface layer part of a lateral side surface of the three-dimensional object. The first region is formed along the lateral side surface on the surface layer part. The second region is formed along the lateral side surface at an inner side of the three-dimensional object with respect to the first region.

Abstract: The apparatus includes: a head unit, a main scan driver, and a controller. The head unit has a plurality of nozzle arrays disposed next to one another in a main scanning direction and positions of nozzles in each of the nozzle arrays differ in an orthogonal direction from positions of the nozzles in other nozzle arrays. The controller is configured to set a two-dimensional printing mode and an object shaping mode. The main scan driver regulates a moving speed to a preset first speed and prompts the head unit to perform the main scan at the first speed when the apparatus is in the two-dimensional printing mode and regulates the moving speed at least at a certain timing to a second speed lower than the first speed and prompts the head unit to perform the main scan at the second speed when the apparatus is in the object shaping mode.

Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional object formation method for forming a three-dimensional object by at least repeating: forming a powder material layer using a powder material for three-dimensional object formation containing a base material coated with an organic material; and hardening a predetermined region of the powder material layer by delivering a hardening liquid to the powder material layer formed in the formation of a powder material layer, where the hardening liquid contains a cross-linking agent cross-linkable with the organic material.

Abstract: A nozzle and cover for use in 3D printing, including a nozzle body having a relatively flattened end; a nozzle tip protruding a small distance from the flattened end; a disk of material surrounding the nozzle tip, the disk being in contact with the flattened end; and wherein the disk of material prevents sticking of plastic and thereby prevents charring. The device further includes providing the disk of material being composed of PTFE or silicone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for real time monitoring and identifying defects occurring in a three dimensional object build via an additive manufacturing process. Further, the present invention provides in-situ correction of such defects by a plurality of functional tool heads possessing freedom of motion in arbitrary planes and approach, where the functional tool heads are automatically and independently controlled based on a feedback analysis from the printing process, implementing analyzing techniques. Furthermore, the present invention provides a mechanism for analyzing defected data collected from detection devices and correcting tool path instructions and object model in-situ during construction of a 3D object. A build report is also generated that displays, in 3D space, the structural geometry and inherent properties of a final build object along with the features of corrected and uncorrected defects.

Abstract: Dynamic cellular microstructure designs customize production in an additive manufacturing construction. A seamless mesh generated from an input shape, based on available scans and/or surface designs, is supplemented with curvature data derived from the input shape. Redesign of a base shape and/or group of base shapes within a seamless mesh enable customization in localized areas of the seamless mesh. The seamless mesh may also be retopologized according to localized feature attractor points. Base shape redesign includes cellular replication, subdivision, growth, and/or modification to adjust variable material properties. Modification changes relative opacity, stretch, drape, compressive strength, plasticity, yield strength, resilience, and Poisson's ratio specific to geometry of a base shape. Each base shape can also exhibit modifiable isotropic or anisotropic properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for optimizing printing parameters, such as slicing parameters and tool path instructions, for additive manufacturing. The present invention comprises a property analysis module that predicts and analyses properties of a filament object model, representing a constructed 3D object. The filament object model is generated based on the tool path instructions and user specified object properties. Analysis includes comparing the predicted filament object model properties with the user specified property requirements; and further modifying the printing parameters in order to meet the user specified property requirements.

Abstract: Dynamic cellular microstructure designs customize production in an additive manufacturing construction. A seamless mesh generated from an input shape, based on available scans and/or surface designs, is supplemented with curvature data derived from the input shape. Redesign of a base shape and/or group of base shapes within a seamless mesh enable customization in localized areas of the seamless mesh. The seamless mesh may also be retopologized according to localized feature attractor points. Base shape redesign includes cellular replication, subdivision, growth, and/or modification to adjust variable material properties. Modification changes relative opacity, stretch, drape, compressive strength, plasticity, yield strength, resilience, and Poisson's ratio specific to geometry of a base shape. Each base shape can also exhibit modifiable isotropic or anisotropic properties.

Abstract: An accelerometer is supported on a print head assembly to determine actual acceleration, and a computer system is used to obtain and store information about error in movement along a specified axis. The method used is to activate a motor for a selected axis at a particular location, then calculate an expected acceleration. The next step is to measure the actual acceleration data and then compute error data. Following that is a step to store error data in the memory as a function of position and error. These steps are repeated for N locations along each specified axis. Then, this error data is referred to during actual printing operations to reduce error.

Abstract: A dynamic manufacturing system such as for the additive manufacture of a fabrication item with multiformative capabilities presents a processor (29) that can refine movement, instructions, or data to achieve greater manufacturing efficiency and substantially uninterruptive change between formative process elements (24) or capabilities with simple user input (28) or indications. Optimization of movements, deposition of material, positioning, variant repositioning for next item layers during fabrication are provided in manners where the functions can be self contained such as in a 3D printer or the like and can be accomplished without significant interruptions to traditional processing times or even in shorter times through the improved transformations.

Abstract: A printbed for 3D printers and 3D printed objects has a hole size and thickness that facilitates release of the printed object, that is sufficiently strong to provide a stable base, and that does not cause warping of the printed object either during printing or during release of the object from the printbed.

Abstract: A method for printing three-dimensional parts with an additive manufacturing system, comprising printing successive layers having increasing cross-sectional areas, and printing layers of a three-dimensional part onto the previously printed layers, where a last layer of the previously printed successive layers has a cross-sectional area that is at least as large as a footprint area of the three-dimensional part.

Abstract: A powder removal device includes an air spray configured to blow an airflow including powder against a three-dimensional object including a plurality of fabrication layers, to remove unbonded powder from the three-dimensional object. Each of the plurality of fabrication layers includes bonded powder.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a spoke unit, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from a middle supporting portion to a first supporting portion along the front surface of the mandrel. Subsequently, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from the first supporting portion to the middle supporting portion along the back surface of the mandrel. Subsequently, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from the middle supporting portion to a second supporting portion along the front surface of the mandrel. Subsequently, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from the second supporting portion to the middle supporting portion along the back surface of the mandrel.

Abstract: A plurality of continuous fiber reinforced plastics is placed substantially in parallel on the outer circumferential surface of a mold for rim formation so as to be aligned with the direction of an axis of the mold to cover the surface. In addition, the continuous fiber reinforced plastics is applied and laminated on a continuous fiber reinforced plastic layer including the continuous fiber reinforced plastics placed on the outer circumferential surface of the mold, the continuous fiber reinforced plastics being substantially in parallel and aligned with the direction of the axis of the mold. Furthermore, a restraint material is wound around the continuous fiber reinforced plastic layer disposed at level difference portions of the mold using the axis as a winding center.

Abstract: Roughened tool surfaces for thermoset composite layups and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The systems include a first tool that includes a first tool body that defines the roughened tool surface and a second tool that defines a second tool surface. The roughened tool surface is shaped to receive and to form a plurality of plies of composite thermoset composite material, which defines a thermoset composite layup. A roughness of the roughened tool surface is within a predefined roughness range. The second tool surface is configured to receive a plurality of discrete thermoset composite layups and to be heated with the plurality of discrete thermoset composite layups to cure the plurality of discrete thermoset composite layups and define a thermoset composite structure. The methods include methods of forming the thermoset composite structure utilizing the first tool and the second tool.

Abstract: A material preparation device is provided. The material preparation device includes a bias-ply assembly, a feedstock assembly and an application head. The bias-ply assembly is configured to pass a bias-ply backing material along a first path. The feedstock assembly is configured to pass a feedstock along a second path that crosses the first path at a select angle. The feedstock includes resin pre-impregnated fiber-reinforced material (pre-preg) having the fibers at a first orientation relative to an edge of the feedstock. The application head is configured to transfer the pre-preg from the feedstock to the bias-ply backing material at a location where the first path crosses the second path to form a bias-ply with the fibers of the pre-preg having a second, different orientation relative to an edge of the formed bias-ply.

Abstract: A disclosed resin transfer molding process includes inserting a ceramic article within a bladder defining a part cavity, inserting the bladder including the ceramic article into a second cavity with a fixed geometry, and pressurizing the bladder against the ceramic article. The method further includes injecting resin into the ceramic article within the bladder with the bladder against the ceramic article to maintain resin within the ceramic article during curing.

Abstract: Self-sealing tire sealants are provided which contain fragments and/or residues of expanded solids, where the solids are selected from the group containing expandable graphite and microspheres. In some aspects, the microspheres include at least isobutane and/or isopentane as blowing agents. The microspheres may also have a shell containing at least one polymer, and in some cases the polymer is at least one copolymer of acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate. The self-sealing tire sealant may further include graphene structures. In some aspects the interior of a pneumatic vehicle tire has the self-sealing tire sealant disposed on the inner surface, opposite the tire tread, and the layer thickness of the tire sealant may be from 0.5 to 8 mm.

Abstract: A multi-chamber tire manufacturing mold, comprising an upper holding plate and a lower holding plate having an interval between the upper holding plate and the lower holding plate; a tire periphery forming slider, a tire inner chamber forming slider, an upper mold block, a lower mold block, and a central mold post are arranged in the interval; the upper holding plate is connected to the plurality of upper mold blocks, and the lower holding plate is connected to a plurality of lower mold blocks, forming an enclosed chamber; the tire inner chamber forming slider arranged in the enclosed chamber, forming a flexible portion chamber and a partitioned chamber, such that isolating chambers are formed in the flexible portion; the openings of which together with the tire periphery forming slider form an enclosed chamber via process sealing members and fill the forming outer body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving tire uniformity, for instance to reduce cavity noise and other effects caused by localized tire surface anomalies are provided. The localized tire surface anomaly can be manifested as a local peak of radial nm out or other uniformity parameter (e.g. radial force variation) for the tire. The local peak of radial run out can be within uniformity tolerances for radial run out, but can still contribute to cavity noise through the high harmonic effects caused by the local peak. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the location and/or other identifiable characteristics of a localized tire surface anomaly can be identified. An ablation device can be used on the tread of the tire to remove tire material at an azimuthal location associated with the localized tire surface anomaly to improve the uniformity of the tire.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving tire uniformity through identification of transient effects contributing to the non-uniformity of a tire are provided. More particularly, uniformity measurements can be obtained for a set of a plurality of tires. The uniformity measurements can include contributions from tire harmonic uniformity effects (e.g. effects attributable to tooling elements used during tire manufacture) as well as process harmonic uniformity effects (e.g. effects attributable to process elements used during tire manufacture). Certain of the tire harmonic uniformity effects can be transient effects that change from tire to tire. For instance, the effect attributable to a curing membrane used during the curing process can transiently change from tire to tire. Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to identifying transient effect contributions to uniformity measurements and improving the uniformity of the tire using the identified transient effect contributions.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tyre by the steps of producing and assembling the tyre structural elements on a toroidal support to form a green tyre, and the step of precuring at least an inner surface of the green tyre by heating the toroidal support. The radially inner surface of the toroidal support is provided with a plurality of protruding elements to reduce the time required for the outer surface of the toroidal support to reach a temperature which is suitable for ensuring a uniform and homogeneous precuring of the inner surface of the green tyre, preferably of the inner surface and the bead regions of the green tyre.

Abstract: A method for annularly mounting a band-like filler to the outer periphery of a bead core comprises a step for attaching the filler to the outer periphery of the bead core, a step for grasping the opposite ends of the filler and separating the opposite ends of the filler from the outer periphery of the bead core, a step for sequentially attaching the opposite end surfaces of the filler to each other from the inner peripheral sections of the opposite end surfaces toward the outer peripheral sections thereof, and a step for pressing the portion of the filler, which has been separated from the outer periphery of the bead core, against the outer periphery of the bead core.

Abstract: A method for making a vehicle tire in which a tire carcass is expanded radially on shaping drum, wherein the sidewalls arranged on the tire carcass are turned up by inflatable shaping bladders. This involves moving two pusher bells, which are arranged to the sides of the tire carcass, in the direction of the center of the blank, wherein the pusher bells are respectively mounted on a movable first and second carriage and are respectively moved in the axial direction by a first and second drive by way of a coupling, wherein the pusher bells are pressed laterally against the shaping bladders. When disequilibrium of forces on the two sides of the shaping bladders is set, the pressing positions of the two pusher bells are balanced, the two drives being arranged on a freely mounted third carriage.

Abstract: Device (100) for pressing organic material out of waste, comprising:—a pressing chamber (3) and a first pressing member (4) for compacting introduced waste;—a first feed opening (5) for feeding waste into the pressing chamber (4);—perforations (6) for allowing air, moisture and organic material pressed out of introduced waste to escape from the pressing chamber (3), which perforations (6) are arranged in a wall (9) of the pressing chamber (3) and debouch in a surface (7) bounding the pressing chamber (3); and—a discharge opening (8) for discharging from the pressing chamber (3) compacted waste from which air, moisture and organic material are at least partially removed and whereby the surface lies perpendicularly of the pressing direction of the first pressing member (4). Pressing perpendicularly of the surface (7) results in a more effective and efficient pressing.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for forming a flex-column includes a three-sided column having a triangular cross-sectional shape, an open first end, an open second end, and three corners, each one of the three sides including a flex line dividing each of the three sides into two portions, at least one perforation along an edge of each one of the two portions wherein the edge of each one of the two portions coincides with one of the three corners and at least one non-perforation along an edge of each one of the two portions.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an automated inflation device configured for inflating an inflatable structure, which can then be used—for example—as a protective packaging material. As described in detail herein, various embodiments of the inflation device are configured to be mounted on a wall for convenient installation and use. According to certain embodiments, the inflation device is configured to automatically inflate multiple inflatable chambers in the inflatable structure using an efficient inflation-at-a-distance method.

Abstract: A device for preventing warping of double-faced corrugated cardboard sheets has a conveyance section for bringing a belt into contact with the upper surface of a single-faced corrugated cardboard sheet while moving the belt in a specified direction when manufacturing a double-faced corrugated cardboard sheet by gluing the single-faced corrugated cardboard sheet, which is obtained from a corrugated medium and a single facer side liner, to a double facer side liner; a heating section below the conveyance section for contacting the lower surface of the double facer side liner; multiple pressing units for applying pressing forces toward the heating section through the belt; and a control unit for controlling the pressing units so that the assignment of pressing forces in the width direction differs between the upstream side and the downstream side of the belt movement direction.

Abstract: Nanopatterned surfaces are prepared by a method that includes forming a block copolymer film on a substrate, annealing and surface reconstructing the block copolymer film to create an array of cylindrical voids, depositing a metal on the surface-reconstructed block copolymer film, and heating the metal-coated block copolymer film to redistribute at least some of the metal into the cylindrical voids. When very thin metal layers and low heating temperatures are used, metal nanodots can be formed. When thicker metal layers and higher heating temperatures are used, the resulting metal structure includes nanoring-shaped voids. The nanopatterned surfaces can be transferred to the underlying substrates via etching, or used to prepare nanodot- or nanoring-decorated substrate surfaces.