Abstract: A robotic system may include an incremental encoder coupled to a joint of the system. The robotic system may include a memory configured to store representations of angular positions of the joint. The robotic system may include a motor coupled to the joint, where rotation of the joint while the motor is powered off (i) causes rotation of the motor such that electric power is generated, and (ii) updates the angular position of the joint. The robotic system may use the electric power to power on the incremental encoder and the memory while the robotic system is powered off. One or more processors may obtain, when the robotic system powers on after being powered off, the updated angular position of the joint from the memory, where the incremental encoder provides the updated angular position to the memory while the robotic system is powered off.

Abstract: A robot control device includes an operation axis setting unit that sets a axis rotationally moved according to an applied force as an operation axis and sets a rotational moving direction of the operation axis; a first operation force acquisition unit that obtains a first virtual force that is virtually applied to the operation axis to assume that the first virtual force is a first operation force; and an operation command unit that outputs an operation command for moving the operation axis set by the operation axis setting unit on the basis of an operation force determined from the first operation force. The operation command unit obtains a target moving direction and a target moving velocity of the operation axis on the basis of the first operation force and the rotational moving direction set by the operation axis setting unit, so as to move the operation axis.

Abstract: A control device includes a reception unit that receives first operation information and second operation information different from the first operation information; and a process unit that instructs a robot to execute operations based on the first operation information and the second operation information using a plurality of captured images of an imaged target object, the images being captured multiple times while the robot moves from a first posture to a second posture different from the first posture.

Abstract: A holding device (10) having a plurality of gripping devices (18) which are arranged displaceable relative to each other on a support structure (12) in such manner that by their displacement gripping devices (18) are adjustable to a free-form surface. The support structure (12) comprises a plurality of mutually associated movable support elements (22) on which are arranged gripping devices (18), wherein a plurality of support elements (22) are arranged in a row and are connected to form a carrying chain (24) such that the carrying chain (24) is form-adjustable by the movement of the support elements (22) relative to each other.

Abstract: A shaving unit includes a cap having an annular shaving track defining an axis. The shaving track is provided with hair entry apertures which have a V-shaped forward edge with a point directed in a cutting direction. Further, a rotary cutter has a plurality of cutter blades, where the rotary cutter is configured to rotate about the axis such that the cutter blades follow the shaving track in the cutting direction to cut hairs protruding through the hair entry apertures. The cutter blades have a V-shaped cutting edge, where a point of the V-shaped cutting edge is directed opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotary cutter.

Abstract: A cutting device includes a body and a cutting blade assembly. The cutting blade assembly includes a cutting blade having a cutting edge and is reciprocally secured to the body. Movement of the cutting blade assembly from a retracted position to an engaged position causes the cutting edge to engage a line, such as a monofilament trimmer line, to cut the line to a desired length. Tension may be created in the line prior to cutting by positioning the line in a non-linear trough in the body.

Abstract: A retractable safety cover for a slitting blade edge. This cover pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade edge. The cover is spring loaded in the open direction and is held in the covered orientation by a spring loaded moveable block. By retracting the moveable block the blade edge is exposed for use.

Abstract: A power tool having a housing, a motor, a tool holder driven about an output axis by the motor, and an output element for performing an operation on a workpiece. The tool holder has a locating feature including a tapered portion becoming narrower in a direction away from the surface of the tool holder. The output element has an aperture for receiving the locating feature and a face facing the surface of the tool holder when the locating feature is received. The power tool also includes a flange for transferring a clamping force for urging the output element towards the tool holder and a tab projecting from the flange for finger tightening the flange. A biasing member provides the clamping force toollessly. A gap is defined between the surface of the tool holder and the face when the tapered portion of the locating feature is fully received in the aperture.

Abstract: A cutting method and an apparatus are provided which enable a rim area or other part of a vitreous silica crucible to be cut off so as to leave a smooth cut surface without damaging the cut edge, etc. The apparatus for cutting the crucible comprises a disk-shaped cutting blade (10) disposed to be movable with respect to the crucible. Without rotating the crucible (20), the rotating cutting blade (10) is brought into contact with a surface of the crucible wall and pushed forward in the wall thickness direction to make a cut piercing the crucible wall. The cutting blade (10) is moved relatively to the crucible (20) in the circumferential direction of the crucible (20) while keeping the cutting blade in the state of piercing the wall. A rim area (25) of the crucible (20) is thus cut off.

Abstract: Polymer pellets are formed using air to influence the separation of polymer from a polymer melt. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a polymer material is extruded through a nozzle to form a polymer melt extending from the nozzle. A non-uniform thickness is generated in the polymer melt using a gas or gasses to apply a drag force to the polymer melt. This drag force reduces a thickness of a portion of the polymer melt adjacent the nozzle, and the polymer melt is fractured into discrete droplets at the reduced thickness. The discrete droplets are then solidified to form pellets.

Abstract: A method of preparing hollow metal or metal oxide nano- or microspheres is provided. The method comprises providing a suspension comprising monodispersed polydopamine nano- or microspheres, forming a layer of metal or metal oxide on the monodispersed polydopamine nano- or microspheres, and adding an alkaline solution to the suspension to dissolve the polydopamine thereby forming the hollow metal or metal oxide nano- or microspheres.

Abstract: A method for production of a molded article from a base substance in a device for mixing of the base substance with a solvent is provided. The method includes mixing a base substance to produce a molding solution with the solvent and at least partially removing the solvent from the mixture; and feeding the molding solution to a device for further processing of a product and diluting the molding solution before further processing. In embodiments, the diluent is introduced to the device before a discharge device and/or in the discharge device.

Abstract: A cavity insert for a mold stack is disclosed, the cavity insert being dimensioned to define a continuous annular cavity insert cooling chamber. The cavity insert also provides a first and second decompression chamber in fluid communication with each end of the cavity insert cooling chamber. Also disclosed is a chamber extension feature in fluid communication with the cavity insert cooling chamber to promote cooling in the downstream region of the cavity insert.

Abstract: A molding device (1) includes a temperature control section (4) and a temperature control sequence determining section (3) that corrects a temperature control sequence for instructing the temperature control section (4) to operate, the temperature control sequence determining section (3) including predicting means (31) for predicting a temporal shift of a thermosetting material (H) and correcting means (32) for correcting a temperature control sequence on the basis of the temporal shift. This arrangement prevents thermal runaway during a process of molding a thermosetting material.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a polyimide substrate. An acid solution is provided to a glass substrate to remove a first cation included in the glass substrate, and a source solution including polyamic acid is provided to the glass substrate. Then, the polyamic acid is cured to form a polyimide substrate on the glass substrate, and the polyimide substrate is separated from the glass substrate.

Abstract: A method for making a nano-scale film includes the steps of: (a) providing a suspension including an organic solvent and a number of nano-scale particles dispersed therein; (b) dropping/releasing the suspension into a liquid having a specific gravity greater than that of the nano-scale particles; and (c) forming a uniform film of nano-scale particles on the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: A compression molding machine includes a first spray device configured to spray an external lubricant to at least one of the inner surface of a die bore, the upper end surface of a lower punch, and the lower end surface of an upper punch, and a second spray device configured to spray a coating agent for blocking a strange taste or an odor of a molded product, or the like, to at least one of the inner surface of the die bore, the upper end surface of the lower punch, and the lower end surface of the upper punch.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a foamed, injection-molded component is provided. The method includes the step of plasticizing pellets including a first polymeric material and a second polymeric material within an injection barrel to form an injection material. The first polymeric material defines a first phase of the injection material and the second polymeric material defines a second phase of the injection material. The first and second phases of the injection material are immiscible. The injection material is injected into a mold to fabricate the foamed injection-molded component having microscale, microcellular voids. Upon tensile loading, submicron, secondary phase cavities are formed in the injection-molded component, resulting in improved ductility and toughness.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a two-color molded article, including a pair of primary forming molds, which constitute a primary molding unit for molding a primary molded body by a primary injection molding operation using a first injection unit, are opened while retaining the primary molded body by one of the pair of primary forming molds, and a second injection unit, which constitutes a secondary molding unit for molding a secondary molded body by secondary injection molding operation, is assembled in one of a pair of secondary forming molds with at least part of the second injection unit being accommodated in the one of the pair of secondary forming molds. A secondary molding cavity is formed between the pair of secondary forming molds so as to accommodate at least a part of the primary molded body retained by the above-described one of the pair of primary forming molds.

Abstract: A method of making a structural part having a thermal protection barrier is provided. The method includes: making a fiber structure; introducing the fiber structure into an injection mold having first and second chambers, the fiber structure being placed in the second chamber; placing a movable separator partition between the first and second chambers; injecting a first resin into the first chamber; solidifying the resin injected into the first chamber; withdrawing the movable separator partition; injecting a second resin into the second chamber containing the fiber texture; and hardening the resins present in the first and second chambers of the injection mold in such a manner as to obtain a part having a structural core made of composite material constituted by fiber reinforcement densified by an organic matrix, and a thermal barrier constituted by a layer of hardened resin.

Abstract: A utility glove formed of a glove blank of a fabric material in the shape of at least a portion of a hand having one or more areas of elastomeric material injection molded thereon to form one or more three dimensional molded portions, the three dimensional molded portions being the fabric material with the elastomeric material bonded thereto, wherein one or more three dimensional molded portions leave at least one area of fabric material of the glove blank without elastomeric material bonded to the fabric. The fabric material of the glove blank can be made from one or more fabrics, a treated fabric, a coated fabric or combinations thereof, or the fabric may have a portion with a coating on an area without elastomeric material.

Abstract: A tool and method for forming a container from a construct. The tool comprising a cavity for receiving a construct, a core operatively associated with the cavity and being operable to move into the cavity, an injection cavity for receiving injection-molding material and directing injection-molding material around at least a portion of the perimeter of the construct, and a clamping feature. The clamping feature is operatively connected to at least one of the cavity and the core and is for clamping a peripheral portion of the construct as the core moves into the cavity to form the construct into the container.

Abstract: A plastic overmold aluminum extrusion including at least one plastic overmold and aluminum extrusion. The aluminum extrusion is formed with sufficient cross sectional properties and features such as an internal web to help prevent undesirable collapses under injection or compression molding pressures. This improves part geometry and strength while minimizing weight. A plurality of protrusions and/or local deformations on an outer wall of the extrusion can be used to create strong mechanical interface to the plastic. Localized deformations can result from a combination of the applied plastic pressure under injection or compression molding pressures and the proximity of outer gaps of the internal web structure. A process of making the plastic overmold aluminum extrusion includes inserting at least one aluminum extrusion into a mold without mandrels and delivering plastic forming the plastic overmold.

Abstract: A monitor for maintaining a mold cycle count with an actuator sending a count signal to a processor following a mold operation. The monitor further includes a timer having an active mode and a sleep mode. The processor generates an average cycle time and an activity percentage of the mold taking into account active and sleep periods of the mold.

Abstract: A method for operating a molding machine includes steps of specifying a simulating domain corresponding to a genuine domain in a mold disposed on the molding machine; performing a virtual molding by using an initial packing pressure profile to generate an initial state waveform expressing a relationship between an in-mold pressure and an in-mold temperature of the molding resin; obtaining an updated packing pressure profile for applying a molding pressure to at least a portion of the genuine domain while taking into consideration the initial state waveform; repeating the virtual molding while taking into consideration the updated packing pressure profile to generate an updated state waveform of the molding resin; and setting the molding machine taking into consideration the updated packing pressure profile to perform an actual molding by applying an actual molding pressure to the at least a portion of the genuine domain to prepare the molding product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container (2) and preform(1, 1?) for blow-moulding the bag-in-container. An inner layer (11) and an outer layer (12) are used, wherein the preform forms a two-layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the obtained inner layer of said container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface (14) between the two layers. At least one of the inner and outer layers includes at least one additive allowing both inner and outer layers to reach their respective blow-moulding temperatures substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making a container having an integral handle, comprising the steps of: a) providing a preform (1) in a mould cavity (2); b) stretch-blow moulding the preform (1) to form an intermediate container (3); c) applying one or more inwardly moving plugs (5) to form one or more concave gripping region(s), whilst maintaining the pressure within the intermediate container (3) above 1 bar and whilst the temperature of the material in the gripping region of the intermediate container is at a temperature below the glass transition temperature, Tg; d) releasing excess pressure within the container, preferably prior to withdrawing the plug (5) from within the container; and e) ejecting the finished container(6) from the mould cavity (2,4).

Abstract: To effectively prevent a mouth portion of a preform from being deformed and enlarged in diameter during blow molding, provided is a blow molding device that includes: a blow mold inside which a cavity is provided for accommodating therein a preform, except for a mouth portion which is an orifice end of the preform, the preform being preformed in a bottomed tubular shape; a blow nozzle provided to supply a pressurized fluid into the preform through the mouth portion of the preform; a partition wall member that tightly surrounds an outer wall surface of the mouth portion of the preform; with space being formed between the partition wall member and the outer wall surface; and a pressurized fluid supply unit that supplies a pressurized fluid into the space during blow molding.

Abstract: Blow molding tools and a method of blow molding which provide that the tool have a retractable push up section in the base which allows for the article molded by the tool to have a recessed base internal to an otherwise hollow structure. As the push up is moveable, adjustment of the push up portion can be performed during an automated blow molding operation so as to allow release of the blow molded article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a resin bottle formed from a preform as a prototype by a blow molding process. The method comprises: a first step of measuring each of weights or wall thicknesses of a plurality of inspection parts set in a body portion of the preform; a second step of comparing each of the weights or the wall thicknesses measured by the first step with a preset set value, and thereby inspecting a difference between each of the weights or the wall thicknesses measured by the first step and the set value for each of the inspection parts; and a third step of adjusting a condition for blow molding in the blow molding process in accordance with an inspection result of each of the inspection parts.

Abstract: A device for expanding an end of a pipe made of a plastic having a shape memory includes a plurality of spreading elements movable in a radial direction from a starting position, in which the spreading elements are insertable by a predetermined distance into the end of the pipe, to an outward-extended position, in which spreading surfaces of the spreading elements are each brought into an effective position against an interior surface of the end of the pipe, so as to expand the end of the pipe. A mechanism is configured to move the spreading elements from the starting position to the outward-extended position. An actuator is configured to vary a maximum radial distance of the spreading surfaces in the outward-extended position from a center axis. At least one fastener is configured to lock the radial maximum radial distance set by the actuator.

Abstract: A transfer system including a frame having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, a transfer fixture connected to the upper end portion, the transfer fixture defining a channel and including an elongate transfer member positioned in the channel, the elongate transfer member including a web and a base flange connected to the web.

Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes at least one elongated tension member. A jacket covers at least some of the tension member. The polymer jacket comprises a polymer material including a melamine based geometry stabilizer that facilitates maintaining the jacket material near the tension member if the assembly is subjected to a high temperature condition.

Abstract: A heat assisted friction stir welding system and fastener for use therewith allows the joining a variety of dissimilar materials, including joining composites and plastics to metal, in which the fastener becomes part of the bond. The fastener can be constructed from multiple materials, allowing for the joining of dissimilar metals. Heating the materials to be joined reduces the clamping force and torque required by the friction stir weld process. The result is a bond that is stronger with less energy input.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing plastics containers (15) from thermoplastics with inserts (13) which, by exploiting the heat of plasticization, are connected during shaping of the plastics container (15) by a material bond and/or interlocking connection to the container wall (140), wherein the method provides the use of at least one opening (26) on the insert (13), which opening forms a melt duct or melt inlet and/or melt passage for plasticized or plastic material of the container wall (140), wherein the method is distinguished in that the opening (26) is monitored as a reference opening (26) by optical and/or sensory means during the production of the connection, wherein the degree of penetration of the opening (26) with thermoplastic from the container wall (140) is used as a measure of the quality of the connection.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method (1600) may involve additive manufacturing (1602) a walled structure (e.g., a shell or an enclosure) onto a print bed, positioning (1604) a support piece having a non-stick surface (e.g., a Teflon®) near or inside the structure, additive manufacturing (1606) a layer of material onto one or more walls and onto the support piece to create an overhang, and removing (1616) the support piece after the material making up the overhang has returned to a solid state or hardened.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods of fabricating neural interfaces using 3D projection micro-stereolithography.

Abstract: A Cartridge (2; 2?; 2?) for a stereolithography machine (1), including a container (3) provided with an access opening (4), a reservoir (5) for containing a base material (6), liquid or pasty, suited to be solidified through exposure to a predefined radiation (7), said reservoir (5) being permanently associated with said container (3), feeding means (8) suited to feed said base material (6) from said reservoir (5) towards said container (3), characterized in that the bottom (9) of said container (3) is at least partially transparent to said predefined radiation (7) and is situated opposite said access opening (4).

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: A method of fabricating a connecting rod (6) out of composite material using three-dimensional fabric of woven reinforcing fibers, the connecting rod (6) extending in a main direction. The method comprises the steps of: cutting out one or more base pieces (7, 8) from a three-dimensional fabric; cutting out one or more reinforcing pieces (9, 10) from a three-dimensional fabric; installing the various pieces (7, 8, 9, 10) on a support in order to shape them; securing the various pieces (7, 8, 9, 10) to one another by stitching (12, 13, 14, 15) using reinforcing fibers in order to constitute a reinforcing fiber preform; installing the preform on a mandrel; and injecting resin into the preform and polymerizing the resin.

Abstract: Composite layup tools for aircraft fuselage barrels, methods of assembling the layup tools, and aircraft fuselage barrels formed utilizing the layup tools are disclosed herein. A method of assembling the layup tools includes aligning an adaptor mating surface of a splice adaptor with a mandrel mating surface of a layup mandrel and initially attaching the splice adaptor to the layup mandrel at an initial attachment point. The methods further include attaching a lower lobe of the splice adaptor to a lower lobe of the layup mandrel. A method of forming a fuselage barrel assembly includes providing two fuselage barrel sections and a splice ring, aligning the two fuselage barrel sections, locating the splice ring within the two fuselage barrel sections, and attaching both fuselage barrel sections to the splice ring. The systems include a layup tool that is formed using the methods.

Abstract: An insert for forming an end connection in a uni-axial composite material, and an end connection comprising at least one insert, is disclosed. The insert comprises a sleeve which comprises a plurality of fibers having a multi-axial arrangement. At least a portion of the interior surface of the sleeve comprises a thread formation. A method of forming an end connection in a uni-axial composite material is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a sleeve comprising a plurality of fibers having a multi-axial arrangement and providing a thread formation on at least a portion of the interior surface of the sleeve. The sleeve is positioned and secured within the uni-axial composite material.

Abstract: Methods of making optical films and optical stacks are described. A method of making an optical stack includes providing a thermoform tool centered on a tool axis and having an external surface rotationally asymmetric about the tool axis; heating an optical film resulting in a softened optical film; conforming the softened optical film to the external surface while stretching the softened film along at least orthogonal first and second directions away from the tool axis resulting in a conformed optical film rotationally asymmetric about an optical axis of the conformed film where the optical axis coincident with the tool axis; cooling the conformed optical film resulting in a symmetric optical film rotationally symmetric about the optical axis; and molding an optical lens on the symmetric optical film resulting in the optical stack.

Abstract: In the method according to the invention for producing a pneumatic tire for heavy load, it is important that the following vulcanizing conditions are satisfied, the temperature for vulcanizing the tread region is 140° C. or lower, a vulcanization calorie given to the bead regions is a calorie corresponding to a time of 25 to 40 minutes in terms of the vulcanization calorie at a vulcanizing temperature of 140° C., and the ratio of a vulcanization calorie given to the front surface of the tread region to the vulcanization calorie given to the bead regions is 0.6 or more and less than 1.0, these vulcanization calories being each in terms of the vulcanization calorie at the vulcanizing temperature of 140° C.

Abstract: A tire tread with certain features and a method for manufacturing such a tire tread are provided. More particularly, a tire tread is provided that has layers of apertures where some layers remain covered until after a certain amount of tread wear has occurred. Such apertures can comprise, for example, sipes, grooves, or other apertured features in the tread. A method of making such tire tread is also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a turbine engine blade root out of composite material including fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix, the method including making a central fiber strip and two outer fiber strips from three sets of yarn layers interlinked by three-dimensional weaving, passing the two outer strips through the central strip with the two outer strips crossing each other inside the central strip, eliminating the portions of the two outer strips lying outside the central strip by cutting them off, shaping the fiber blank in order to obtain a preform having a main portion forming a blade-root preform integral with two secondary portions forming bearing-plate preforms, and densifying the preform densified by the matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting stalk material, having a feeding device for feeding material to be pressed, having at least one pair of press drums which can be driven in opposite directions and which each have circumferential receiving grooves and compression rings in an alternate manner alongside one another in the axial direction, wherein the compression rings of one press drum engage in the receiving grooves of the other press drum, wherein at least one press drum is provided with a cavity and wherein this at least one press drum has a multiplicity of radially extending press channels in a manner distributed over the circumference, said press channels in each case connecting the groove bottom of the receiving grooves to the cavity, provision is made for the compression rings to have a circumferential profile having protrusions formed for example by radially external teeth having tooth tips.

Abstract: A paperboard plate such as a paper plate includes a generally planar bottom portion, an upwardly and outwardly extending fluted sidewall, wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of sidewall flutes substantially around the outer perimeter of the plate to define a fluted perimeter. The flutes are suitably present at fewer than 3.5 flutes per inch; the plate has a radial profile with a single transition; and the diameter/flute length ratio is greater than 6. The plates are formed in a punch-through die cutting and forming tool from a plurality of paperboard web layers at increased productivities as compared with conventional heated press-forming.

Abstract: A free-standing multi-laminate hermetic sheet includes a first carrier film, a hermetic inorganic thin film formed over the first carrier film, and a second carrier film formed over the hermetic inorganic thin film. A workpiece can be hermetically sealed using the multi-laminate sheet, which can be applied to the workpiece in a step separate from a formation step of either the multi-laminate sheet or the workpiece.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure comprising a core and at least one face sheet. The core having a honeycomb configuration comprising an array of hollow cells formed between a network of walls. The or each face sheet having a plurality of outwardly directed protrusions. The or each face sheet being affixed to the core to cover the hollow cells with each said protrusion being received within a respective region of the core and bonded to the core.