Abstract: A method for the surface treatment of a thermoplastic polyurethane texture to provide laminated deep and shallow impressions, includes first preparing an unfinished thermoplastic polyurethane sheet. Then, a surface of the unfinished sheet is roll pressed by a first embossed roller set so that a shallow impression is printed onto it to obtain a first embossed sheet. The first embossed sheet is double pressed by a second embossed roller set so that a deep impression is printed onto it to obtain a second embossed sheet with laminated shallow and deep impressions. Finally, the second embossed sheet is cut into predetermined lengths to provide the thermoplastic polyurethane texture.

Abstract: Protective coverings herein have a coated woven material with a first edge parallel with a warp direction and a second edge opposite the first edge, and have a first edge band proximate the first edge and a second edge band proximate the second edge. The coated woven material has a woven scrim made of a plurality of weft tapes and a plurality of warp tapes, but the warp tapes positioned in the first and second edge bands are high-shrinkage warp tapes and the warp tapes positioned in between the first and second edge bands have a shrinkage that is less than a shrinkage of the high-shrinkage warp tapes, and has a coating on at least one major surface of the woven scrim. The plurality of high-shrinkage warp tapes shrink upon application of heat. Methods of covering a load, such as stacked lumber, with the protective covering are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for welding a ball to another component. The method includes: providing a sonotrode which has a trough-shaped recess, in particular a spherical cap-shaped recess; pressing the ball against the other component by the sonotrode, the ball protruding into the trough-shaped recess; and vibrating the ball by the sonotrode such that material of the ball and/or material of the other component melts, and the ball is welded to the other component.

Abstract: A method is used for a pair of bonding composite materials that are each provided with a melting material and a heat-resistant material. Each heat-resistant material includes a heat-resistant member and a binder member. The ceramic separators have ceramic layers that face each other and that are bonded. An ultrasonic wave is applied to the composite materials while applying a pressure thereto with a processing member. Also heat is applied to the binder members with a heating member. Here, the heater heats the binder members to a temperature that is greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the binder members and less than the melting point of the binder members.

Abstract: A magnetic insert for enhancing the magnetic field of an induction heating device is provided. The magnetic insert is manufactured by use of a composition comprising a mouldable polymer matrix and a soft magnetic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for pre-assembling parts with the insertion of mastic, including surface preparation carried out by spraying cold plasma produced by a plasma gun carried by a preparation robot, onto the surfaces of the parts to be brought into contact, and deposition of fresh mastic on the prepared surfaces of at least one part, carried out using the preparation robot.

Abstract: A composite structural component includes a longitudinally extending elongated base element and a plurality of longitudinally extending elongated reinforcing members each secured to the base element along a length of the reinforcing member at spaced apart locations on the base element. The base element is of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a first modulus of elasticity. The plurality of longitudinally extending elongated reinforcing members are of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first modulus of elasticity, such that the composite structural component has an effective coefficient of thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction that is less than 25% of the first coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling assembly that includes a primary substrate having at least one aperture formed therein. A secondary substrate includes at least one mechanical interlock monolithically formed with the secondary substrate. The at least one mechanical interlock extends through the aperture. The mechanical interlock includes a main body and a head portion with a transition portion connecting the main body and head portions. The main body includes a bore formed longitudinally therein about a centerline of the aperture. The mechanical interlock joins the primary substrate and secondary substrate mechanically.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for compacting a charge of composite material across an edge are disclosed herein. The devices include a vacuum compaction device including a compaction force transfer structure, a sealing structure, and a vacuum distribution manifold. The compaction force transfer structure includes a first barrier structure, a second barrier structure, and a junction support that extends at least partially between the first barrier structure and the second barrier structure. The junction support is configured to maintain the first barrier structure and the second barrier structure at an angle with respect to one another and to permit limited angular motion of the first barrier structure and the second barrier structure relative to one another. The systems include composite structure fabrication systems that include the vacuum compaction device. The methods include methods of operating the vacuum compaction device.

Abstract: A device for positioning a first element relative to a second element which comprises: a horizontal panel on the upper face of which the first element is able to be disposed and which has a housing able to hold the second element; and first abutment against which the first element is able to come into abutment in a first adjusting direction and second abutment against which the first element is able to come into abutment in a second adjusting direction perpendicular to the first adjusting direction, the first and second abutment being mounted on the panel projecting from the upper face of the panel, The device comprising an arrangement for adjusting the position of the first abutment in the first adjusting direction and an arrangement for adjusting the position of the second abutment means in the second adjusting direction with respect to the position of the housing in the panel.

Abstract: A method of bonding materials may comprise defining a bond interface between two materials in a cure zone on a surface of an object, and non-conductively heating the bond interface without directly heating the surface outside of the cure zone. Non-conductively heating the bond interface may involve applying microwave radiation to the bond interface.

Abstract: A material deposition system for additive manufacturing including an extruder and a measuring device for measuring the viscosity and/or other rheological properties of a build material contained within the extruder. The measuring device may provide feedback to a controller for controlling one or more parameters depending on the measured viscosity and/or other rheological properties of the build material within the extruder. Two or more feed materials may be supplied to the extruder and a mixing device may be configured to mix the feed materials within the extruder to create a blended deposition material. The mixing device may be operatively coupled to the measuring device for simultaneously measuring the viscosity and/or other rheological properties of the materials during mixing. The controller may be configured to independently control one or more parameters associated with the materials depending on the viscosity and/or other rheological properties measured by the measuring device.

Abstract: A printing system is used to selectively print a layer material on a surface that is initially in a planar or two-dimensional shape. After the layer material is printed onto the surface, it is exposed to an amount of radiation from a radiation source and partially cured. Several layer materials may be placed on top of one another and are also partially cured. The flat surface may be reshaped into a nonplanar or three-dimensional shape, and the layer materials are again exposed to an amount of radiation and fully cured.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymerizable liquid composition useful for additive manufacturing, which composition may include: (i) a free radical photoinitiator; (ii) monomers and/or prepolymers (e.g., reactive diluents) that are polymerizable by exposure to actinic radiation or light, optionally wherein some or all of said monomers and/or prepolymers comprise one or more acid-labile groups; (iii) a chain extender, optionally wherein said chain extender comprises one or more acid-labile groups; and (iv) a photoacid generator, wherein at least one of said monomers and/or prepolymers, or said chain extender, comprises one or more acid-labile groups, and wherein said free radical photoinitiator and said photoacid generator are, or are selected to be, activated by light at different ranges of wavelengths or intensities. Methods of forming a three-dimensional object with the composition, and articles so formed are also provided.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to an apparatus including an extrusion nozzle. The nozzle includes an inlet end, an outlet end opposite the inlet end and an axis extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle is configured to rotate about the axis. The extrusion nozzle also includes a rotary drive engagement portion between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle further includes a cavity including an inlet opening at the inlet end and an outlet opening at the outlet end. The inlet opening has a different configuration than the outlet opening.

Abstract: A layered object manufacturing apparatus includes a nozzle that is provided with a body having an opening from which a laser beam is output and powder of a material is ejected.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. Improved optical systems supporting beam combining, beam steering, and both patterned and unpatterned beam recycling and re-use are described.

Abstract: A reinforced molding is formed having an internal continuous fiber reinforcement preform embedded therein. Continuous reinforcing fiber is deposited in a reinforcement volume to form a continuous fiber reinforcement preform, and the reinforcement preform is then located within a mold of a molding apparatus. The mold is loaded with flowable and substantially isotropic molding material, e.g., by injection with heated and/or pressurized resin. The molding material is hardened (by curing or cooling or the like) to overmold the continuous fiber reinforcement preform. The resulting reinforced molding surrounds the internal continuous fiber reinforcement preform with a hardened substantially isotropic molding material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing 2D layers and 3D structures is disclosed. The method includes dispensing a print material from a printhead assembly onto a base and curing the print material with a curing device assembly. The spacing between the printhead assembly and the curing device assembly can be adjusted to vary gloss levels in a printed feature. The printhead assembly can include at least one row of nozzles with colored inks and at least one row of nozzles with a clear structural print material.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabricating apparatus includes a fabrication chamber, a supply chamber, a flattening unit, and a controller. In the fabrication chamber, powder is layered to form a powder layer and bonded together in a desired shape to form a layered fabrication object. The supply chamber stores the powder. The flattening unit is reciprocally movable above the supply chamber and the fabrication chamber, to transfer the powder and flatten the powder in the fabrication chamber to form the powder layer. The controller is configured to control the flattening unit to move in a first direction to transfer and supply the powder from the supply chamber to the fabrication chamber. The controller is configured to control the flattening unit to move in a second direction opposite the first direction to form the powder layer and transfer an unused portion of the powder from the fabrication chamber to the supply chamber.

Abstract: Method for printing a three-dimensional part layerwise with an additive manufacturing system includes printing layers by depositing material from a print head onto a print foundation, incrementing a position of the print head relative to the print foundation after each layer is printed, and indexing the print foundation carrying the printed layers away from the print head along the printing axis after a number of layers are printed. Printing is performed with driven and fixed rails clamped against movement of the print foundation. Moving the print foundation includes moving the driven rails with respect to the fixed rails in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build plane. Additive manufacturing system includes a drive mechanism to index the print foundation on the printing axis using fixed and driven rails, the driven rails engaging the print foundation for moving the print foundation.

Abstract: A method of reducing the toxicity of a 3D-printed part is provided. The method includes exposing the part to ultraviolet light sufficient to reduce the toxicity of the part. The toxicity of the ultraviolet light-treated part can be based on a comparison with the toxicity of a similarly prepared part not exposed to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An integrated 3D manufacturing equipment comprises a housing, a printer and a computer both receiving in the housing. The computer is connected to the printer and located under the printer.

Abstract: A 3D printing method comprises accessing to a 3D printer; identifying a printing technique type of the 3D printer; identifying a specific model number of the 3D printer; generating a design printing mode of the 3D printer according to the identified printing technique type and specific model number; acquiring a three dimensional model; generating a print file in the design printing mode according to the three dimensional model.

Abstract: A 3D printing system and a 3D printing control method are provided. The 3D printing system comprises: a main controller configured to identify a 3D printer and output a print file suitable for the 3D printer, the main controller comprising: a main control unit configured to identify the 3D printer, and generate the print file suitable for the 3D printer according to a three dimensional model; and a first wireless transmission unit; and a printing transmitter configured to communicate with the first wireless transmission unit and control the 3D printer to print, the printing transmitter comprising: a second wireless transmission unit connected to the main controller by wireless; a transmission control unit configured to control the 3D printer to print according to the print file; and a printing connection unit configured to be connected to the 3D printer.

Abstract: A method of printing a three-dimensional structure onto a base having irregularities on the surface is disclosed. A sensing device determines the depth of the irregularity on the surface. A computing system receives an image file including a predetermined thickness of a layer to be printed onto the base. The predetermined thickness is adjusted based on the depth of the irregularity. A printing device prints a layer onto the base having the adjusted predetermined thickness print on the irregularity to make the surface substantially smooth.

Abstract: 3D printing material blends (110) are disclosed configured to be used in a 3D printer. The 3D printing material blends comprise a 3D printing material portion and a magnetic nanoparticle portion (S1, S2, S3, S4). The magnetic nanoparticle portion is embedded in the 3D printing material portion in such a way that the 3D printing material blend is encoded with a uniquely identifiable predetermined code. Furthermore, 3D printing units and systems having sensors for identifying 3D printing material blends and methods of encoding 3D printing material blends are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for collecting powder samples in real-time in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involves an ingester system for in-process collection and characterizations of powder samples. The collection may be performed periodically and uses the results of characterizations for adjustments in the powder bed fusion process. The ingester system of the present disclosure is capable of packaging powder samples collected in real-time into storage containers serving a multitude purposes of audit, process adjustments or actions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of a powder bed fusion additive manufacturing system that enables a quick change in the optical beam delivery size and intensity across locations of a print surface for different powdered materials while ensuring high availability of the system. A dynamic optical assembly containing a set of lens assemblies of different magnification ratios and a mechanical assembly may change the magnification ratios as needed. The dynamic optical assembly may include a transitional and rotational position control of the optics to minimize variations of the optical beam sizes across the print surface.

Abstract: A probe for an additive manufacturing system includes a probe body having a first air port therethrough between an inlet and an outlet, and a location sensing probe extending from the probe body. The location sensing probe includes a probe end and a probe bar, the probe bar coupled between the probe body and the probe end, and a channel surrounding the probe bar, the channel having an inner tube having an inlet proximate the probe body and an outlet proximate the probe end. A method of determining a position of an item being printed in an additive manufacturing system, includes probing the position with a location sensing probe having a resolution finer than a print resolution of the print head.

Abstract: A method for building a three-dimensional object containing an identification-tag insert, the method comprising performing a build operation to form layers of the three-dimensional object using a layer-based additive technique, placing the identification-tag insert on at least a portion of the layers during the build operation, and reading information from the identification-tag insert.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a three-dimensional object, including: a first step of placing and laminating a water-insoluble structural material and a support material each containing a water-soluble material and a fiber material to form a material layer; and a second step of bringing a portion of the shaped object including the support material into contact with a liquid containing water and a bipolar surfactant to remove the portion.

Abstract: A starter piece for printing a three-dimensional item includes a main body having a face surface, a keel coupled to the main body, a guide tab extending from the keel, and at least one retaining mechanism coupled to the main body. Printing a three-dimensional item with an additive manufacturing system having a print foundation, a print head configured to print the three-dimensional item, and a plurality of support rails includes printing a support structure for the three-dimensional item in a layer by layer manner along the printing axis along with the printing of the three-dimensional item. The support structure is printed to provide a support between the three-dimensional item and the plurality of support rails of the additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: Actuatable assemblies fabricated by deposition of solidifying and non-solidifying materials are described herein. The actuable assemblies can be formed by co-deposition of a solidifying material and a non-solidifying material.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing apparatus is disclosed has one or more troughs for receiving excess deposited particulate. Such troughs may be positioned to receive the excess deposited particulate into a particulate receiving chamber of the trough. An evacuation chamber is located at the bottom of each trough. A partition separates the evacuation chamber from the receiving chamber of the trough. The partition is selectively perforated to permit a desired amount of the particulate to flow into the evacuation chamber from the receiving chamber. The evacuation chamber is connected to a vacuum source to periodically or continuously draw ambient gas from a gas inlet to the evacuation chamber and/or from the receiving chamber through the perforations of the partition and then through the evacuation chamber toward the vacuum source to entrain an amount of the particulate and carry the entrained particulate out of the evacuation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing involve a multiple-chamber design achieving a high efficiency and throughput. The multiple-chamber design features concurrent printing of one or more print jobs inside one or more build chambers, side removals of printed objects from build chambers allowing quick exchanges of powdered materials, and capabilities of elevated process temperature controls of build chambers and post processing heat treatments of printed objects. The multiple-chamber design also includes a height-adjustable optical assembly in combination with a fixed build platform method suitable for large and heavy printed objects.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for collecting a powdered material after a print job in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involve a build platform supporting a powder bed capable of tilting, inverting, and shaking to separate the powder bed substantially from the build platform in a hopper. The powdered material may be collected in a hopper for reuse in later print jobs. The powder collecting process may be automated to increase efficiency of powder bed fusion additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A maintenance method for a three-dimensional printer includes operating a platform to move along a second track past a first position where the second track is coupled to a first track, and along the first track in a process direction to a position opposite an ejector head positioned opposite the first track. The method operates the platform to (1) perform an operation on the ejector head positioned opposite the first track, (2) move the platform along the first track to a second position that is past the ejector head in the process direction, and (3) operates a switch to selectively couple the first track to the second track at the second position. The method also operates the platform to move past the second position to enable the platform to return to the second track.

Abstract: A first compressed portion is formed by heating the plastic powder packed in a cavity of a metal mold and sintering a first portion of the plastic powder packed in the cavity in a first compression state. In addition, a second compressed portion is formed by sintering a second portion of the plastic powder packed in the cavity in a second compression state. A lot of interconnected minute voids are formed in the first compressed portion and a lot of interconnected minute voids smaller than the voids in the first compressed portion are formed in the second compressed portion. Such manufacturing work of a plastic sintered body is performed continuously in the metal mold. In addition, two types of porous portions including voids of different sizes are formed by sintering only one type of the plastic powder in the metal mold.

Abstract: A tooling apparatus may include a pair of elongated tooling dies independently rotatable about a common central axis. Each tooling die may have a layup surface including a web layup surface and at least one flange layup surface oriented non-parallel to the web layup surface and configured to receive at least one composite ply to form a stringer layup half having a web and at least one flange. The tooling dies may be rotatable into side-by-side relation causing the webs of the stringer layup halves to be positioned in back-to-back mating contact with one another.

Abstract: A device (10, 40, 50, 60) and a related method for selectively applying pressure to a fiber impregnated resin, where the device includes a thermally expansive material having a body (12) which extends in an axial direction from an upper terminal surface (14) to an opposite lower terminal surface (16), a first retaining member (18) affixed to one of the upper terminal surface and the lower terminal surface, wherein the first retaining member is configured to limit expansion of the thermally expansive material in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction when the thermally expansive material is subjected to an increase in temperature.

Abstract: A method for providing at least one component of a snowboard binding, comprising the steps consisting in: using a material of the SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) type, constituted by discontinuous fibers of carbon or glass or hybrid, arranged randomly and interposed between two layers of polymeric resin; arranging the material in a mold for a step of pressure molding by means of metallic mold parts; performing the pressure molding step at a temperature and a pressure that are higher than the ambient values, with a low or high flow of material to fill the cavity of the mold; extracting the component from the mold.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for molding and joining composite parts are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a tool base and a base mandrel removably coupled to the tool base, where the tool base and the base mandrel form a support structure base for a first radar assembly or a second radar assembly. A first part mandrel interchangeable with the base mandrel is removably coupled to the tool base, where the first part mandrel has first features to support a first antenna module during assembly of the first radar assembly. A second part mandrel interchangeable with the base mandrel is removably coupled to the tool base, where the second part mandrel having second features to support a second antenna module during assembly of the second radar assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a locally-reinforced profile component. The method includes the following steps: providing a primary profile to be reinforced which is made of fiber-reinforced plastic; providing a secondary profile made of plastic for local reinforcement of the primary profile; arranging the secondary profile on an outer surface of the primary profile to create the profile component; heating the profile component (IO); integrally-bonded connecting of the primary profile and the secondary profile by applying pressure to an outer surface and simultaneous use of a counter pressure to apply pressure to an inner surface of the profile component.

Abstract: There is provided a method for repairing or reinforcing a structure. The method includes the steps of: providing an adhesive sheet comprising an adhesive layer comprising at least a curable resin composition whose curing is promoted by irradiation with ionizing radiation and a curing aid which generates a basic substance by irradiation with ionizing radiation; attaching the adhesive sheet to a surface of the structure; and curing the adhesive layer of the adhesive sheet in a state where the adhesive layer is exposed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical element (100) having at least one functional region using a 3D-printer, comprising the steps: forming a three-dimensional structure (50) of the optical element (100) using a 3D-printer such that the three-dimensional structure (100) has at least one microfluidic cavity (4) for receiving a functional substance (6); and filling the at least one microfluidic cavity (4) with the functional substance (6) for forming the at least one functional region. In addition, the invention relates to a device for manufacturing an optical element (100) as well as a use of the device.

Abstract: A system for controlling a parameter relative to the quality of a tyre being processed includes at least one system for detecting a parameter relative to one or more tyres being processed. A control unit is programmed for comparing a succession of values of the parameter by comparing each value with at least one discard threshold and preferably with at least one warning threshold. The discard threshold divides a discard interval from an acceptable interval. The warning threshold belongs to the acceptable interval and defines one or more warning intervals. The control unit is also programmed for controlling the trend of the succession of values with respect to the discard threshold. A method for controlling quality of production of tyres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot plate structure of a press molding device, and a continuous molding method using the same. The continuous molding method continuously performs primary and secondary overlapping molding operations on the basis of a length unit which is smaller than a set length unit (cutting width) and accordingly cancels out a boundary part, thereby being capable of improving the thickness difference of the boundary part and thus enabling uniform physical properties to be obtained.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for controlling the primary drive of a hydraulically driven fine blanking press, the hydraulic circuit is simplified due to the elimination of hydraulic tubes, and the amount of hydraulic fluid is reduced, while increasing the number of strokes and achieving a simple design for the press.