Abstract: A wrench assembly for turning a central portion of a turnbuckle. The wrench assembly includes first and second wrenches that are substantially identical. Slots in body portions of each of the wrenches define open ends that are oppositely disposed to one another when engaging the central portion of the turnbuckle. The wrenches may be detachably secured together around the central portion of the turnbuckle. At least two spokes extend outwardly from a periphery of each of the body portions of the wrenches that are utilized to impart rotational movement to the central portion of the turnbuckle. In at least one configuration, a distal end of an elongated member is used to push and pull on the spokes to impart the rotational movement.

Abstract: A head of an open ended ratchet features outer face plates with voids that delimit a jaw space that is open at one end. Two gripping pieces face toward one another from opposing sides of the jaw space. A working side of each gripping piece features two working faces that lie at an oblique angle to one another to define an inner corner that fits over a respective outer corner of a fastener. The gripping pieces are displaceable along the plates into working positions reaching further into the jaw space. A force member is slidable along the plates to force the gripping pieces into the working position, in which the working faces frictionally engage peripheral faces of the fastener. A handle coupled to the head is pivotally movable in opposing directions to push and release the force member, thereby controlling engagement and release of the gripping pieces with the fastener.

Abstract: A screw driving device with adjustable countersink depth has a resilient depth adjustment sleeve that permits a depth to which a screw is driven by the device to be adjusted by rotation of the resilient depth adjustment sleeve. Rotation of the resilient depth adjustment sleeve is impeded by engagement of a detent in elongated axial stop grooves in an interior wall of the resilient depth adjustment sleeve so that an adjusted position is not lost during normal use.

Abstract: A handheld machine tool having an output shaft on which a tool holding fixture is developed, which has a multi-faced inner receptacle and a multi-faced outer receptacle, the multi-faced inner receptacle to connect to a tool insert, which can be locked using a locking device assigned to the tool holding fixture; the locking device having a locking sleeve which is displaceable for unlocking the tool insert against a spring force applied by an associated spring element in an axial direction facing away from the handheld machine tool, from a locking to an unlocking position, the locking sleeve has an operating element and a holding element connected to each other via a threaded connection, the holding element driven by the associated spring element in the direction of the locking position of the locking sleeve and the operating element enables displacement of the locking sleeve from the locking to the unlocking position.

Abstract: A top surface of a transmitter on a torque wrench is opposed to a position camera, and bolt holes to fix the transmitter to a wrench main body open on the top surface. The bolt holes are formed to four places so as to define a rectangle and extend in a thickness direction of the transmitter. The marker is attached to the top surface of a head of one of the bolts, which extends through a through bolt hole. When the transmitter is fixed to the main body using a bolt, the depth of a large diameter portion of the through bolt hole is larger than the total thickness of the bolt head portion and the marker. Therefore, the marker is disposed lower than an aperture surface of the bolt hole and the possibility of the marker being damaged during work is reduced.

Abstract: A holding tool for fixing bearings contains: a fixer, a rotary bar, and a plurality of positioning paws. The fixer includes a threaded hole and plural slots, one end of an inner wall of each slot communicates with the threaded hole, and each positioning paw is mounted on each slot. The fixer also includes a plurality of springs, each being fixed on each slot and each positioning paw has a stepped abutting rib and a tilted guiding face. The rotary bar includes a screwing section for screwing with the threaded hole, and the rotary bar also includes a conical contacting segment formed on a first end thereof and inserting through the threaded hole, wherein the contacting segment abuts against the tilted guiding face, after the rotary bar is screwed, such that each positioning paw is pushed by the contacting segment to expand outwardly.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in connecting a cover member to a retaining member coupled to a nut mounted to a shaft includes a body portion, arms, and a plurality of pressing members. The arms extend from the body portion relative to the nut such that contacting portions of the arms contact a rear side of the nut to connect the body portion to the nut. The plurality of pressing members extend from the body portion and is alignable with the plurality of tabs of a cover member when the cover member is located between the body and the nut. The body portion includes a press mechanism configured to cause a first pressing member of the pressing members to contact a first tab of the cover member to deform the first tab toward a retaining member coupled to the nut mounted on the shaft.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the application, a tool for driving a fastening element into an underlying surface comprises an energy transmission element for transmitting energy to the fastening element. The energy transmission element is preferably movable between an initial position and a setting position, the energy transmission element being situated in the initial position before the driving process and in the setting position after the driving process. According to another aspect of the application, the device comprises a mechanical energy accumulator for storing mechanical energy. The energy transmission element is then suitable particularly for transmitting energy from the mechanical energy accumulator to the fastening element.

Abstract: A flat-clinch-stapler including a base portion having upstanding bearing pieces at its rear end for supporting a first transverse pivot axis, and a floating clincher table; a magazine having a U-shaped cross section pivotably mounted at its rear end about the first pivot axis; a driver arm carrying a driver blade and being pivotably mounted at its rear end to the first pivot axis; and a handle member pivotably mounted about a second transverse axis in the bearing pieces offset relative to the first pivot axis in a direction to the front end of the base portion and acting on the driver arm at a position even further to the front end of the stapler.

Abstract: A hydraulic rotator converter for attachment to a hydraulic impact hammer having a hammer housing and a hydraulic piston. The converter has mounting brackets, a rotator housing, posts attached to the rotator housing and attachable to the mounting brackets, a hydraulic rotator assembly including a hydraulic rotator, a rotator wheel driven by the hydraulic rotator, and a rotator plate connected to the rotator wheel, the rotator plate having a central cutout region formed therein, and a rotator drill bit dimensioned to pass through a central cutout region of the rotator plate and to engage with the central cutout region so as to be rotatable by the rotator wheel while allowing the rotator drill bit to move in an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill bit.

Abstract: An improved hand tool includes an improved handle apparatus. The handle apparatus includes an elongated handle having a non-circular external cross-section and further includes an elongated support that comprises an elongated end extending from the handle and having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. A tool apparatus includes a tool and a socket, with the socket having an opening formed therein. The end of the handle apparatus is received with an interference fit in the opening formed in the socket to retain the handle apparatus and the tool apparatus together. A collar can additionally be provided about the socket to improve the aesthetic properties of the connection between the socket and handle and to increase the toughness of the connection therebetween.

Abstract: A toolbox comprises a rigid case having an open top side providing access to an internal case storage volume therein, and a rigid cover with an open bottom side open to a cover storage volume. The cover is fixed with the case at a plurality of hinges. A removable message board and marking implement are selectively fixed within the cover storage volume of the cover. The rear side of the case includes winding posts around which a power cord is wound that conducts power to a power strip circuit having a plurality of power receptacles fixed with the case. An audio system is fixed with the case and includes a plurality of speakers, a display interface, a wireless audio signal receiver, and a control circuit. An optional bottle opener and removable lamp device may be further included.

Abstract: An exoskeleton for applying force to at least one lower limb of a user includes a control system with a sensor interface for sensor signals; a power interface for transmitting control signals to the powered joint; a processor coupled to the sensor and the power interfaces; and a computer-readable medium storing a computer program executable on the processor with code sections for: estimating a configuration of a body of the user with respect to a gravity vector based on the sensor signals; computing a control torque for the powered joint that compensates gravitational dynamics of the user based on the configuration; calculating a gravitational energy gradient for the powered joint; attenuating the control torque based on the gravitational energy gradient; computing a final control torque based on the attenuated control torque, and configuring the control signals based on the attenuated control torque.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method of a robot including: calculating hardness information about the ground on which a wearer moves; and controlling the robot according to the calculated hardness information.

Abstract: A robot controller for easily moving a desired axis of a robot by applying a force to a front end of the robot, and a robot system including the robot controller. The robot controller has: a force measuring part which measures a force applied to the front end; an operation force calculating part which calculates an operation force for moving each axis based on the measured force; an operation commanding part which outputs a command for moving the robot; and an operation axis specifying part which specifies an operation axis to be moved in response to the force, and determines a direction of movement of the operation axis as a function of a direction of the force. When two or more operation axes are specified, the operation axis specifying part determines as to whether or not each operation axis can be moved, depending on a status of the movement operation.

Abstract: A control mechanism for maneuvering an end effector is provided. The control mechanism comprises multiple actuator assemblies, multiple arm assemblies, and the end effector. Each of the multiple arm assemblies connect the end effector and the multiple actuator assemblies respectively. Each multiple actuator assemblies controls the movement of the multiple arm assemblies independently. One of the arm is rotated by a tool actuator where the rotating motion of the rotating arm drives a tool attached at the end effector. The control mechanism positions the tool actuator away from the end effector, thereby operating the tool at a remote location away from the end effector.

Abstract: A robot may include: a multi-tool module having redundancy, the multi-tool module including a guide tube and a plurality of tools configured to operate while interacting with the guide tube and extended from the guide tube; and/or a controller configured to generate a control signal regarding motion of the multi-tool module in a joint space based on motion instruction information regarding distal ends of the plurality of tools in a task space. The redundancy may reflect that a number of degrees of freedom of the multi-tool module in the joint space is greater than a number of degrees of freedom of the task space. The control signal may be generated using the redundancy.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for training and controlling of e.g., robotic devices. In one implementation, a robot may be utilized to perform a target task characterized by a target trajectory. The robot may be trained by a user using supervised learning. The user may interface to the robot, such as via a control apparatus configured to provide a teaching signal to the robot. The robot may comprise an adaptive controller comprising a neuron network, which may be configured to generate actuator control commands based on the user input and output of the learning process. During one or more learning trials, the controller may be trained to navigate a portion of the target trajectory. Individual trajectory portions may be trained during separate training trials. Some portions may be associated with robot executing complex actions and may require additional training trials and/or more dense training input compared to simpler trajectory actions.

Abstract: Device coordinated robotic control technology is described. A network of robotic devices is established. An anthropomorphic motion is sensed from an operator. One or more signals are generated that are representative of at least a portion of the anthropomorphic motion. The one or more signals are converted into a collective set of commands to actuate the network of robotic devices. The collective set of commands is functionally equivalent to the anthropomorphic motion.

Abstract: In a self-propelled vacuum cleaner (1), a housing operation management section (51) and an image transmission control section (53) receive a stop instruction for stopping a transmission operation of an image from a user. In a case where the stop instruction is received, the image transmission control section (53) stops the transmission operation of the image and sets a command non-reception mode. Upon receipt of the stop instruction for stopping the transmission operation of the image, the command control section (56) notifies, to a login terminal device which has transmitted a command of the transmission operation of the image, that the command non-reception mode in which reception of the operation command from the login terminal device is refused has been set in the self-propelled vacuum cleaner 1.

Abstract: There is provided a carrier device that has a linkage arm mechanism, in particular, a carrier device that cools the linkage arm mechanism and can reduce the impact of radiation heat from a work that is in a high temperature state. A carrier device is a carrier device that includes a linkage arm mechanism and a pivot shaft, and the linkage arm mechanism includes lower arms and upper arms, and one ends of which are respectively connected to the lower arms, and horizontal movement members that support a work that is connected to the other ends of the upper arms, and cooling plates are respectively arranged between the upper arms, and the horizontal movement members.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. In one example, the apparatus includes a feed arm operative to transfer food from the food compartment to an individual; and, a sensor(s) used in part to determine the quantity or type of the solid or liquids in the food compartment or container. Determining the quantity and/or type of food in the food compartment prior to and after the individual has ceased consuming food from the food compartment the amount or quantity of the food can be determined. Based on such knowledge the nutritional value of the food may be determined and if needed transmitted to a remote location. In addition, sensors may also monitor an individual's physical data and communicate such data to a remote location.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a clutch system for use in controllably transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft. The clutch system has a torque transmission fluid that has a viscosity that changes based on the strength of an electromagnetic field passing through the fluid. A number of sensors are placed at different radial locations on the torque transmission disks to detect the strength of the electromagnetic field. Based on the strength of the electromagnetic field, the amount of torque being transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft can be adjusted. Also disclosed is a distributed actuation architecture that uses this clutch system. The distributed actuation architecture allows for the use of a single drive motor in conjunction with multiple instances of the clutch system to actuate a mechanical linkage, such as a robotic arm.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for cutting tubing generally includes first and second arms pivotally coupled together such that the first arm can pivot relative to the second arm, and a blade releasably coupled to the first arm and/or the second arm and oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the blade is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first arm. The blade is removable from the first arm and/or the second arm by sliding the blade longitudinally in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the first arm. A release mechanism operates to selectively allow the blade to be removed from the first arm and/or the second arm.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a cutting apparatus for cutting a strap to a desired length. The cutting apparatus includes a handle body with first and second handles and a head affixed to the handle body. The head includes an attachment mechanism to allow a strap to be cut to be releasably secured to a first end the head. The cutting apparatus further includes a blade disposed proximate to a second end of the head. The length of the head or the distance between the first end of the head and the blade approximates a device body length. The present disclosure further includes a method of using a handheld cutting apparatus for cutting a strap to a desired length, such that the combined length of the strap and a device to be attached to an object, approximates the circumference of the object.

Abstract: A saw guide can include pivotally connected arcuate sections having a plurality of slots formed therein to receive and guide saw blades as they cut a workpiece, such as a pipe or tube. The slots are of varying width so that the saw guide can be used with different saws. For example, the saw guide can include a first slot sized to receive and guide the blade of a reciprocating saw, and a relatively narrower second slot, sized to receive the blade of a portable band saw. The saw guide can include a locking mechanism to securely hold the saw guide on the workpiece, and a stopping mechanism for preventing the saw blade from cutting into the saw guide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a reciprocating kneader. A primary rotational gear is attached to a gear box primary shaft and rotates in concert therewith and engages a secondary rotational gear. The primary rotational gear drive provides a primary source of rotation for a kneading screw and for the secondary gear as a secondary source of rotation. An adjustable eccentric is coupled to the secondary oscillation gear and rotates in concert therewith for reciprocation motion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the pretreatment and subsequent conveying or plastification of plastics, with a container with a mixing and/or comminution implement that is rotatable around an axis of rotation, wherein, in a side wall, an aperture is formed, through which the plastics material can be removed, a multiscrew conveyor being provided, with at least two screws rotating in a housing, wherein the imaginary continuation of the longitudinal axis of the conveyor in a direction opposite to the direction of conveying passes the axis of rotation, where, on the outflow side, there is an offset distance between the longitudinal axis of the screw closest to the container, on the outflow side, and the radius that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, and in that the screws co-rotate.

Abstract: An induction-heated mold, including at least one lower portion and one upper portion defining a cavity inside of which a molding material is to be brought to a temperature Ttr greater than 20° C., which is introduced and then shaped, at least one of the mold portions having an area for transferring heat with the molding material, the heat transfer area including at least one sub-area consisting of at least one ferromagnetic material the Curie point Tc of which is between 20 and 800° C. and which is in contact with the molding material and/or with a non-ferromagnetic coating having a thermal conductivity greater than 30 W.m?1.K?1. A method for manufacturing a plastic or composite material product via of the molds according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a method that (i) allows for creating micro and/or nanostructures on either planar or non-planar three-dimensional surfaces in a single molding step, and (ii) allows for the molded production of complex high-aspect ratio micro and/or nanostructures including but not limited to cylinders, conical structures, low aspect-ratio channels, bumps, or posts. An example of such a complex structure are high aspect ratio pillars with enlarged “mushroom-shaped” or undercut tips which demonstrate enhanced, repeatable adhesion and shear strength on a variety of substrates when compared with other micro and/or nanostructures and unstructured materials. The mold of such a material requires an “undercut” feature that cannot be produced using typical micro/nano-molding processing techniques.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for conditioning a polymeric stent after sterilization, and/or after crimping and before packaging, such that the properties of the polymeric stent fall within a narrower range of values. The stent is exposed to a controlled temperature at or above ambient for a period of time after radiation sterilization and/or after crimping and before sterilization. As a result, the polymeric stent properties, particularly radial strength and number-average molecular weight of the polymer of the polymeric stent, fall within a narrower range.

Abstract: Molded rubber objects may be molded and de-molded by defining both a desired final form for the molded rubber object and a tab extending from the final form of the molded rubber object using a cavity in a mold. Rubber pellets may be dispensed in predetermined amounts at desired location(s) within the cavity to provide the rubber needed to form the molded rubber object. Heat and pressure may be applied to the mold to cause the rubber pellets to fill the cavity defining both the desired final form of the molded rubber object and the tab. After the heat and pressure has been applied, a gripping device may grasp the tab and move the tab in a direction and with sufficient force to peel the rubber object from the mold cavity. If desired, the tab may be removed from the molded rubber object.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system for manufacturing a core of a vacuum insulation panel, the system comprising: a plurality of molding cast parts disposed along one direction, and providing a molding space for core material to be supplied and press-molded; a plurality of raw material suppliers distanced from one another, and supplying core material to the molding space; a press-molder disposed between the raw material suppliers, and receiving the molding cast part where the core material is supplied through the raw material supplier, and pressing the molding space; and a carrier transferring the molding cast part after the core material is supplied by the raw material supplier and the molding space is press-molded by the press-molder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a materials handling system, a patterned product, and process of fabricating a patterned product. The materials handling system includes an agitation portion having one or more agitators, the agitators arranged and disposed to mix colored particles into a substantially uniform distribution. A processing portion includes a receiving portion arranged and disposed to receive the substantially uniform distribution of the colored particles to form a product with a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern is a long-grained, striated or jaspe-grained color pattern. The process includes fabricating a product having such a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern is through-patterned as to include colors and textures distributed uniformly throughout the thickness of the product.

Abstract: Method of calendering the continuous ply of reinforcing threads, during which: said ply of reinforcing threads is positioned between a continuous upper sheet of rubber and a continuous lower sheet of rubber, said sheets of rubber having a width greater than the width of the ply of reinforcing threads, so that the two lateral parts of said sheets of rubber which are not vertically aligned with the ply of reinforcing threads form selvedges. The assembly formed in the preceding step is introduced into the nip of a calendering comprising at least two rolls, so as to cause the rubber to penetrate the spaces between the reinforcing threads. Prior to the ply of reinforcing threads and the sheets of rubber being introduced into the nip of the calender, the two selvedges of one of the sheets of rubber are turned up on themselves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a golf ball. The method comprises mixing a polyisocyanate crosslinker with a base TPU cover material, wherein the polyisocyanate crossliker is aliphatic, miscible with the base TPU cover material and has functionalities greater than or equal to 2. The method further comprises dipping a golf ball in a catalyst solution, wherein the catalyst solution is allowed to absorb into a cover of the golf ball and heating the golf ball to allow continued diffusion of the catalyst solution into the cover of the golf ball.

Abstract: An insert for a water sports board, wherein the insert includes a pre-preg flange extending outwardly from an injection molded central housing to provide enhance structural properties of the insert, as well as enhanced intermediate bonding between the injection molded central housing and a surface polymer. The pre-preg flange further improves the strength to weight ratio when compared to conventional inserts.

Abstract: In an injection mould, a plastic injection-moulded product is manufactured. The plastic injection-moulded product comprises a tubular body, a neck part and a head part. The injection mould comprises three mould parts, which are displaceable with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position. The first mould part comprises a first mould cavity for producing the neck part and the head part. The second mould part comprises a second mould cavity for producing the tubular body. The third mould part comprises a core body. In the open position, a neck label is arranged in the first mould cavity of the first mould part and a peripheral label is arranged in the second mould part. Subsequently, the mould parts are moved to the closed position to form a closed mould cavity. By supplying plastic, the plastic injection-moulded product is produced. The labels are integrally formed in the plastic injection-moulded product (“in-mould labelling”).

Abstract: Filter element (1) has opposing end sections (3A, 3B) of a filter material sheet (2) that are connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner, wherein a molded or extruded plastic casing (5) encloses the end edges (4A, 4B) of the end sections (3A, 3B). A method for producing a corresponding filter element (1) includes the encasing of opposing end edges (4A, 4B) of end sections (3A, 3B) of a filter material sheet (2) with a plastic casing (5) so as to form a continuous bellows.

Abstract: A mold-clamping mechanism in which top and bottom tie bars extend between a pressure-receiving platen and a fixed platen fixed to a bed, a movable platen is movably attached to the tie bars, a toggle link extends between the movable platen and the pressure-receiving platen, the movable platen is moved toward the fixed platen by the toggle link, and a mold is clamped by the movable platen and the fixed platen. The pressure-receiving platen includes a bottom part surrounding a central cavity, and a ceiling part for joining respective top ends of left and right wall parts provided upright from both ends of the bottom part. An opening via which the cavity communicates with the outside is provided to the bottom part and the ceiling part.

Abstract: A machine base of an injection molding machine on which a mold clamping mechanism and an injection mechanism are mounted includes a plurality of struts. At least one of these struts are constituted by arranging and coupling two members (strut elements) each formed by bending a metal plate and having a C cross section, thereby providing a structure to withstand vibrations of the mold clamping mechanism and the like mounted on the machine base.

Abstract: A drive mechanism of an injection molding machine includes a position adjustment part capable of adjusting a relative position between a rear plate and a motor fixing member. The position adjustment part includes a plurality of screw holes formed in the motor fixing member, a plurality of bolts threadedly engaged with these screw holes, and an abutting part that abuts on these bolts. These bolts are rotated to abut on the abutting part, so that the relative position between the rear plate and the motor fixing member can be adjusted.

Abstract: A method for regulating an injection molding process in which process setting variables of an injection molding machine are controlled via a regulating module, which receives data from a process-internal sensor system of the injection molding machine, data on the fabricating sequence of the injection molding component parts from an external sensor system and/or data on the quality of a fabricated injection molded component part from an online component part control, evaluates these data in a quality prognosis module and, as a function of the data evaluation, performs a change in the process setting variables of the injection molding machine, because of the change in the process setting values, the working point of the injection molding machine being changed so that the quality features of the injection molded component parts fabricated using the changed working point lie within the specified tolerances of the quality of the injection molded component parts.

Abstract: System and method for producing plastic products from a recycled plastic mix of unidentified, unclean and unsorted mixed plastic waste comprises the thermal and mechanical processing of the recycled plastic waste using continuous extrusion foaming, two-phase cooling, continuous metering of the pulling strength and automatic adjustment of the pulling speed and extrusion speed.

Abstract: The present invention can save space. A rubber extrusion device (1) containing a rubber extruder (2) for kneading rubber and extruding same from a discharge port (7), and a gear pump (3) connected to the discharge port (7) of the rubber extruder (2). The rubber extruder (2) has a cylinder part (4), which houses a rubber extrusion screw (5), above the floor surface on which the rubber extruder (2) is placed. The gear pump (3) contains an electric motor (8), a decelerator (9) linked to the electric motor (8), and a gear pump main body (10) linked to the decelerator (9). A pair of gears (11) which meshes with one another is installed in the gear pump main body (10). The electric motor (8) and the decelerator (9) are disposed in a space below the gear pump main body (10) or the cylinder part (4). Moreover, the output shaft (9b) of the decelerator and one of the gears (11) are linked by means of a wrapping transmission means.

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 method and apparatus is presented. Layers of composite material are laid down on a forming tool. A respective bend is formed in each of the layers to form the composite filler comprising bent layers on the forming tool. The composite filler comprising the bent layers is placed into a gap formed by at least one composite structure.

Abstract: A bend fixture for bending a medium pipe comprises a body part comprising a tubular support to receive a section of a medium pipe therein, an inner bend support to allow the medium pipe to be bent about the inner bend support, and an outer bend support to support the medium pipe from an outer side of the bend to keep the medium pipe bent. The outer bend support is coupled to the body part via a hinge and is turnable between an open position to allow the section of the medium pipe in substantially straight state to be inserted into the tubular support, and a closed position to keep the medium pipe bent about the inner bend support. The bend fixture comprises a pipe coupling arrangement for coupling together the outer bend support, in its open position, and the medium pipe outside the section in the tubular support.

Abstract: An imprint method of forming a pattern of a resin on a substrate held on a holding surface. An uncured resin on the substrate is brought in contact with a mold. A partial region of the substrate is thermally deformed by irradiating the region with light so as to change an outer circumferential shape of the region. The uncured resin is cured on the region by irradiating light having a wavelength different from the deforming light. The mold is released from the cured resin on the region in contact with the mold. In at least a portion of a period during the deforming step, a region different from the region is held at a first suction force, while the region is held at a second suction force less than the first. The first suction force and the second suction force act between the substrate and the holding surface.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a nozzle sprays foam, layer by layer, to fabricate a fabricated object according to a CAD model, and a subtractive fabrication tool removes material from the fabricated object according to a CAD model. The fabricated object comprises a mold or an interior form. The foam may be low-density, high strength and fast-curing. The foam may be used for large-scale 3D printing. For example, the foam may be used to 3D print molds for walls of homes. The foam molds may be left in place, after casting concrete in the molds, to serve as insulation. Or for example, the foam may be used to 3D print on site an internal form for a large wind turbine blade. The wind turbine blade may then be produced on site by depositing fiberglass on the outside of the internal form.