Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for shaping an external nasal cast. A nasal cast bender may comprise a base; and a protrusion protruding upwards from the base portion, wherein the protrusion comprises a handle and a bending surface comprising a convex profile; wherein the bending surface is configured to shape an external nasal cast.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stretched molded article comprising a polymer A and a compound B, wherein the polymer A is a polyamide or a polyolefin and is at least partially oriented and comprises a crystalline phase and a non-crystalline phase, wherein the mass of compound B is from 0.25 to 10 mass % relative to the mass of polymer A, and wherein the compound B has a refractive index (nB) higher than the isotropic refractive index of polymer A (nA). The invention further relates to a process for manufacturing such stretch molded article, the use of such stretch molded articles and a product comprising such stretch molded article.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for creating a physical teeth model. The method comprises the following steps: providing a virtual three dimensional (3D) representation of a patient's dentition that comprises at least a region of the teeth that includes a tooth stump on which a crown is to be fitted or a region on to which a bridge is to be fitted; and preparing a physical model of the jaws of a subject from a blank, based on information from said virtual 3D image.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method is provided of forming an object via additive fabrication, the method comprising forming a first layer of the object by depositing a plurality of droplets of a first liquid and curing the first liquid to form solid material, the first layer including a region of a first solid material, and a region of a second solid material in contact with the region of the first solid material, and depositing a second liquid onto the region of the first solid material and at least part of the region of the second solid material, wherein the second liquid, once deposited, uniformly spreads over the region of the first solid material whilst exhibiting partial wetting over the at least part of the region of the second solid material.

Abstract: Performing shaping of a shaped object more efficiently. A shaping apparatus configured to shape a shaped object in three-dimensional, includes: ejection heads being object-shaping material heads configured to eject an object-shaping material constituting the shaped object; and an ejection head being a support material head configured to eject a support material being a material of a support layer. The support layer is removable by being immersed in a predetermined liquid, and in a case of forming the support layer, the shaped object is shaped while at least a part of the support layer is immersed in the predetermined liquid in at least a part of a period during the shaping of the shaped object.

Abstract: A method of producing a print product, the product including a print substrate bearing a printed image; and a fastener applied to said print substrate, includes using a jetting-type printer for printing both the printed image and the fastener onto the print substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a mixed-material 3D object, including forming, based on layer-print data of a target object, a layer-print product by one-by-one printing a plurality of pixels, using N0 types of main materials for the target object; forming a plurality of the layer-print products by repeatedly forming the layer-print product; and forming a mixed-material 3D object by stacking one of the layer-print products on another. Each of the plurality of pixels is printed by N1 types of the main materials and N2 types of auxiliary materials, N1?N0, and when N1<N0, N2?1, and each of the plurality of pixels is formed by ejecting a plurality of ink droplets.

Abstract: A method of making an article, the method including forming a plurality of layers of a polymer composition in a preset pattern, wherein multiple layers comprise the same polymer composition, and at least two adjacent layers comprise a first layer extruded at a first temperature A; and a second layer extruded on the first layer at a second temperature B, wherein the first and the second temperatures A and B differ by at least 5 C; and fusing the plurality of layers to provide the article. Further disclosed is an article made by the above process.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a method of making an article, the method including melt extruding a plurality of layers comprising one or more polymers in a preset pattern, wherein the extruded layers comprise one or more first layers comprising a first polymer composition A, and one or more second layers comprising a second polymer composition B different from polymer composition A, and fusing the plurality of layers to provide the article. Further disclosed is an article made by the above process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making an article, the method comprising: melt extruding a plurality of layers comprising one or more polymer compositions in a preset pattern, wherein the extruded layers comprise one or more first layers comprising a first polymer composition A, and one or more second layers comprising a second polymer composition B having a chemical composition different from the first polymer composition A, having a glass transition temperature (Tg) that is 5-100 degrees C. lower than polymer composition A, and which acts as a adhesion promotion layer between two layers comprising first polymer composition A; and fusing the plurality of layers to provide the article.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system has a light permeable base (2), a build carrier (4) for holding a workpiece (100) and a light source (5) which is arranged to emit light through the light permeable base (2). The light permeable base (2) and the build carrier (4) are positionable relative to each other in a build dimension in which the workpiece (100) is built up. The system further has a resin vat (3) in which the light permeable base (2) forms a wall portion thereof. The system further comprises a plurality of resin supplies (13, 15) for supplying different light hardenable resins in direct contact with each other in said vat (3). The system facilitates the rapid manufacturing of a dental restoration having a color gradation.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of forming a three-dimensional object, comprising: (a) providing a carrier and a fill level having a build region therebetween; (b) filling said build region with a polymerizable liquid comprising a mixture of (i) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (ii) a second solidifiable component; (c) irradiating said build region with light to form a solid polymer scaffold from said first component and also advancing said carrier away from said build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate having the same shape as, or a shape to be imparted to, said three-dimensional object and containing said second solidifiable component carried in said scaffold in unsolidified and/or uncured form; and (d) solidifying and/or curing said second solidifiable component in said three-dimensional intermediate. The solidifying and/or curing step (d) may increase the elasticity and/or decrease the rigidity of said intermediate in forming said three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A 3-D printer includes build and support material development stations that electrostatically transfer build material and support material to an ITB. The ITB transfers a layer of build and support material to a platen each time the platen contacts one of the layers on the ITB, to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers on the platen. A sensor is positioned to generate a topographic measurement of the layer on the platen, and an aerosol applicator is positioned to propel build and support material on to the layer on the platen. The aerosol applicator controls the build and support material being propelled, based on the topographic measurement from the sensor through a feedback loop, to adjust the amount and location of the build material and the support material propelled on to the layer, and thereby control the flatness of surface topology of the layers in the freestanding stack on the platen.

Abstract: A powder discharge unit for equipping and/or upgrading a device for generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a selective layer-by-layer solidification of building material in powder form includes a powder container for receiving building material in powder form and a filling chamber for filling in building material in powder form into the powder container. The powder discharge unit is configured to fluidise the building material in powder form in the powder container and the building material in powder form in the filling chamber independently of one another.

Abstract: A material dispensing unit (1; 10) for a three dimensional printing apparatus (100; 200) has a nozzle (3) for depositing particulate material (5; 220a, 220b; 224; 226) on a build surface (7), where the nozzle defines a through passage (9) for the material. The through passage has an inlet end (11) for receiving the material and an outlet end (15) for dispensing the material. A valve (21) is provided at least one of at, within or in fluid communication with the through passage for controlling flow of the material via the through passage, the valve being operable between open and closed positions. Flow of said material into the through passage is blocked when in the closed position and, when in the open position, flow of the material into the through passage is allowed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object comprising an operative surface, at least one supply hopper for depositing layers of powder onto the operative surface and an energy source for emitting at least one energy beam onto the layers of powder. The supply hopper and energy source are configured such that when a topmost layer of powder is being deposited onto an underlying layer of powder on the operative surface, the direction travelled by the supply hopper when depositing the topmost layer is different to the direction travelled by the supply hopper when depositing the underlying layer, and at least one energy beam is emitted onto the topmost layer and at least one further energy beam is emitted onto the underlying layer, simultaneously, to melt, fuse or sinter the topmost and underlying layers.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object, comprising an operative surface, an energy source for emitting at least one energy beam onto the operative surface and at least one supply hopper for dispensing powder onto the operative surface, wherein the powder is adapted to be melted by the energy beam. The supply hopper is configured such that powder being dispensed by the supply hopper has an airborne density when travelling from the supply hopper to the operative surface, and wherein the density provides that the powder is not melted by the energy beam when the powder is travelling to the operative surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides method and systems for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. A method for 3D printing may comprise providing a mixture comprising (i) a polymeric precursor, (ii) a photoinitiator configured to initiate formation of a polymeric material from the polymeric precursor, and (iii) a photoinhibitor configured to inhibit the formation of the polymeric precursor. The method may comprise exposing the mixture to (i) a first light to cause the photoinitiator to initiate formation of the polymeric material, thereby to print the 3D object, and (ii) a second light to cause the photoinhibitor to inhibit the formation of the polymeric material. During printing of the 3D object, a ratio of (i) an energy of the second light sufficient to initiate formation of the polymeric material relative to (ii) an energy of the first light sufficient to initiate formation of the polymeric material may be greater than 1.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a print bed (1) for regulating a temperature of the print bed (1). The print bed (1) comprises at least one Peltier element (2), each Peltier element having opposite first and a second surfaces (3a, 3b). The print bed (1) further comprises at least one heatsink (4). The at least one Peltier element (2) is arranged to have each respective first surface (3a) facing a print surface (5) of the print bed (1). The at least one heatsink (4) is thermally connected to the Peltier element (2) and arranged to transfer heat generated by the at least one Peltier element (2) and dissipate the transferred heat away from the at least one Peltier element (2). The present disclosure further relates to corresponding 3D-printers, methods, computer programs and modules.

Abstract: A system for scalable multiple-material additive manufacturing (SMAM) includes: an on-demand multiple material manufacturing (M3) unit configured to additively print a designed object, the M3 unit comprising a multi-functional ensemble head configured for multiple material printing, in-line metrology, in-line error corrective milling, and in-line quality inspection; a process control unit configured to autonomously control all functions of the system with remote operation interfaces; an expandable post-processing unit configured to perform heat treatment and polishing/deburring, following the printing; an environmental control unit including an oxygen removal system and particulate filters for additive manufacturing and post-processing; a protective housing providing structural stability and vibration isolation with power and electrical interfaces; a printing head assembly comprising a plurality of printing heads with a multiple feeding mechanism; a laser scanning metrology to monitor dimension discrepancy wi

Abstract: A 3D object forming device and a method thereof are provided. The device includes a tank used for containing a liquid forming material. A light source irradiates the liquid forming material to cure a 3D object layer-by-layer on a moving platform. In the irradiation process, when a target position currently irradiated by the light source is located on a first layer next to the moving platform, the light source is maintained to an original intensity; when the target position is not located on the first layer next to the moving platform, and when it is determined that a non-cured hollow layer exists in a predetermined number of layers at one side of the target position opposite to the light source according to the slicing data, the intensity of the light source is correspondingly decreased according to the number of layers between the hollow layer and the target position.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus is configured to build a manufacturing object by building of repeating formation of one of a sintered portion or a fused portion by selectively heating a thinly developed powder material within a working region on the basis of drawing data derived from three-dimensional data of the manufacturing object and further formation of a new thin layer on one of the sintered portion or the fused portion. The additive manufacturing apparatus includes one or more channels connecting the inside and the outside of the region, and introduces a fluid into a crack progressing into the un-fused powder material through the channel after completion of building to forcibly cool one of the sintered portion or the fused portion, and the un-fused powder material.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system, which can include a 3D printer, includes in at least one aspect: a build platform; a carriage and a rack configured to hold different manufacturing tools, including an extrusion tool; a heating device associated with the extrusion tool; a 3D motion system configured to move the carriage between the rack and a build space associated with the build platform, and to move the carriage within the build space associated with the build platform; and one or more computers programmed to trigger the heating device to begin pre-heating the extrusion tool at a point before mounting of the extrusion tool to the carriage by the 3D motion system, such that the material in the extrusion tool is melted by a point in the manufacturing process when the extrusion tool will be mounted on the carriage and in position to extrude material in the build space.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object production method according to the disclosure includes a step of allocating one of regions in a nozzle row (22) that is different from each other to each of pixel groups (25A, 25B) divided into a predetermined number n (n being an integer ?2) of groups among pixel rows constituting the unit layer (25), and a step of forming the pixel rows by nozzles (21) included in each region forming one pixel group (25A, 25B).

Abstract: To build an object more appropriately. A building apparatus for building an object in three-dimensional includes: an ejection head serving as a head for an object material that eject the object material constituting the object; an ejection head serving as a head for a support material that ejects the support material; and an ejection head serving as a head for a fluid material that ejects the fluid material. In a case of forming a support layer, part of the support layer is formed with the support material, and at least the other part of the support layer is formed with the fluid material.

Abstract: A support material for use in an additive manufacturing system to print a support structure for a three-dimensional part. The support material includes a base resin that is substantially miscible with a part material used to print the three-dimensional part, and has a glass transition temperature within about 10° C. of a glass transition temperature of the part material. The support material also includes a dispersed resin that is substantially immiscible with the base resin, where the base resin and the dispersed resin are each thermally stable for use in the additive manufacturing system in coordination with the part material.

Abstract: A method for joining a device to an object with the aid of a combination of ultrasonic vibration energy and induction heating, wherein the device includes a portion of a thermoplastic polymer and a susceptor additive wherein this portion is at least partly liquefied or plasticized through the ultrasonic vibration energy in combination with the induction heating and wherein the joining includes establishing a connection between the device and the object which connection is at least one of a positive fit connection, a weld, a press fit connection, and an adhesive connection. The induction heating is applied for rendering the device portion suitable for absorption of ultrasonic vibration energy than other device portions by raising its temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer. The ultrasonic vibration energy is used for liquefying or at least plasticizing the thermoplastic polymer of the named device portion.

Abstract: A printing process is used to print a pattern of hot melt adhesive onto a release paper. The adhesive pattern can be transferred from the release paper and used to bond two substrates together. The adhesive pattern preferably includes a repeating pattern of discrete features, with each feature having a minimum dimension in a range up to about 5 to 10 mm.

Abstract: A post-moulding station is described which is used in the manufacturing of a wind turbine blade. A blade shell forming part of a wind turbine blade is initially moulded in a blade mould, the blade shell subsequently transferred to a post-moulding station which allows for various post-moulding operations to be carried out on the blade shell away from the mould, thereby increasing the productivity of the blade mould in the manufacturing process. The post-moulding station may be operable to perform the closing of first and second blade shells to form a wind turbine blade, and may be formed from an adjustable structure which can provide relatively easy access to the contained blade shell for working thereon. Accordingly, the manufacturing equipment may be of reduced cost, combined with an increase in the overall productivity of the manufacturing system.

Abstract: Provided herein are apparatus and methods for film sealing dies, and in particular, to apparatus and methods for film sealing dies in form, fill and seal (FFS) processes. An apparatus for sealing plastic film materials includes a heating mechanism, the heating mechanism including a heating lip (110) arranged such that when a plastic film (120) is contacted with the heating lip (110), the heating lip (110) forms a hot seal on the plastic film (120); and a cooling mechanism, the cooling mechanism comprising a gas jet duct oriented to contact the hot seal on the plastic film (120) at a contact angle between 0 and 60° such that the hot seal formed on the plastic film (120) is cooled to a temperature of less than or equal to 40° C. in less than or equal to 5 seconds to form a sealed plastic film.

Abstract: A system for releasing an additive manufactured part from a build location is disclosed having a cure inhibitor transport system to resupply a cure inhibitor at a cure inhibited photopolymer resin layer where the additive manufactured part is built, the transport system comprises a cure inhibiting reservoir to initially hold the cure inhibitor, a cure inhibiting distributor layer adjacent to the cure inhibiting reservoir through which the cure inhibitor passes from the cure inhibitor reservoir to the cure inhibited photopolymer resin layer and into the adjacent photopolymer creating a cure inhibited photopolymer resin layer. Another system and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and associated systems for 3D printing on the surface of an acoustic hologram uses an array of sound-wave emitters to generate a three-dimensional acoustic hologram of an object to be printed. This hologram is composed of acoustic standing waves that exert invisible acoustic radiation forces in three-dimensional space that feel like surfaces of a solid object. The resulting hologram creates a tactile illusion of an object floating in space within a three-dimensional printing area. When a 3D-printing medium is applied to the surface of the hologram, the medium solidifies on the hologram's surface to generate a hollow shell in the shape of the object to be printed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the crystallization temperature an the melting temperature of a polyamide powder resulting from the polymerization of at least one predominant monomer, in which the reduction in the crystallization temperature is greater than the reduction in the melting temperature, said method comprising a step of polymerization of said at least one predominant monomer with at least one different minor comonomer polymerized according to the same polymerization process as said at least one predominant monomer, said at least one minor comonomer being chosen from aminocarboxylic acids, diamine/diacid pairs, lactams and/or lactones, and said at least one minor comonomer representing from 0.1% to 20% by weight of the total blend of said monomers(s) and comonomer(s), preferably from 0.5% to 15% by weight of said total blend, preferably from 1% to 10% by weight of said total blend.

Abstract: One or more layers of structured thermoplastic polymer are located within the interleaf zones of a preform or prepreg. The structured thermoplastic polymer is a film or membrane formed by: a) dissolving polyethersulfone or polyetherimide in a solvent to form a polymer dope; b) dispersing a curing agent for an epoxy resin in the polymer dope to form a curative-enriched polymer dope; c) casting the curative-enriched polymer dope onto a surface to form a dope layer; and d) removing the solvent from the dope layer to form a layer of structured thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses three-dimensional articles comprising flexible-composite materials and methods of manufacturing said three-dimensional articles. More particularly, the present system relates to methods for manufacturing seamless three-dimensional-shaped articles usable for such finished products as airbags/inflatable structures, bags, shoes, and similar three-dimensional products. A preferred manufacturing process combines composite molding methods with specific precursor materials to form fiber-reinforced continuous shaped articles that are flexible and collapsible.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a composite structure includes: providing first mandrels, each first mandrel including a base and a plurality of projections arranged longitudinally along and projecting vertically out from the base; providing second mandrels; providing first ribbon plies, each first ribbon ply including a sheet of fibrous material; arranging each first ribbon ply with a respective first mandrel, the arranging of each first ribbon ply including substantially covering each surface of each of the projections of one of the first mandrels with a respective first ribbon ply; mating each second mandrel with a respective first mandrel such that each first ribbon ply is sandwiched between a respective first mandrel and a respective second mandrel; and curing resin disposed with the first ribbon plies to consolidate the first ribbon plies together and form a fiber-reinforced composite core structure of an acoustic panel.

Abstract: A molding apparatus reduces waviness or deformation of fibers. The molding apparatus includes a fiber feeder (7) that feeds fibers (5) to a lamination area (32) long in a first direction, a resin composition feeder (11) that feeds a resin composition (9) to the lamination area (32), an impregnator (17) that impregnates the fibers (5) fed to the lamination area (32) with the resin composition (9), a curing accelerator (13) that accelerates curing of the resin composition (9) fed to the lamination area (32) while the fibers (5) fed in the lamination area (32) are being tensioned, and a transporter (15) that relatively moves the devices (7, 11, 17, and 13) in the first direction with respect to the lamination area (32). The resin composition (9) contains an epoxy resin (A), a cyanate resin (B), and an aromatic amine curing agent (C) that is liquid at 25° C.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a base board of a high-speed rail equipment cabin using a composite material is disclosed. The composite material includes: aramid honeycomb, PET foam, 3K twill carbon fiber flame retardant prepreg, unidirectional carbon fiber flame retardant prepreg, glass fiber flame retardant prepreg, aramid flame retardant prepreg, and 300 g/cm2 single component medium temperature curing blue epoxy adhesive. The process includes manufacturing a base-board main plate (1), a base-board handle (2) and two base-board sliders (3). While installation, the base-board handle (2) is stuck to one side of the base-board main plate (1), and the two base-board sliders (3) are respectively stuck to another two opposite sides of the base-board main plate (1). The weight of the base board made from the composite material is 35%-40% lower than the base board made from the aluminum alloy material, which leads to a good prospect of application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of coating a polyurethane pultrusion composite material, comprising: a) preparing a polyurethane pultrusion composite material by a polyurethane pultrusion process, the polyurethane pultrusion process comprising: impregnating a fiber reinforcing material with polyurethane resin, and then curing the impregnated fiber reinforcing material in a mold to provide a polyurethane pultrusion composite material; and b) drawing the polyurethane pultrusion composite material to leave the mold, and then on-line applying waterborne coating(s) to the polyurethane pultrusion composite material at a temperature ranging from 30 to 90° C. The method according to the present invention can achieve a good coating to the polyurethane pultrusion composite material.

Abstract: A device for producing textile planar structures formed of a plurality of portions deposited beside one another of fiber rovings. A supply device provides a fiber rovings at a transfer installation. A plurality of path guiding rails are disposed beside one another and above the depositing face. A gripper unit and a cutting unit are disposed on each path guiding rail. Each gripper unit and each cutting unit is movable and positionable along the path guiding rail independently of the gripper units and cutting units of the other path guiding rails. The gripper units grab the fiber roving from the transfer installation and move their free end to a desired terminal position. The cutting units severs the rovings at a cutting position. The gripper units and the cutting units have a downholder for pressing the fiber roving against the depositing face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material (10) comprising a layer of electrically conductive material (12) being provided on both sides with a lightweight fibrous veil (14), each veil (14) being coated on its surface remote from the electrically conductive material layer (12) with a curable thermosetting resin matrix material (16).

Abstract: Methods of repairing a manufacturing defect in a molded polymeric composite structure are provided. A polymeric patch may optionally be disposed over a defect on a first contoured surface of the molded polymeric composite structure having the defect. A heating element that defines a second contoured surface complementary with at least a portion of the first contoured surface is applied over the polymeric patch. The heating element includes an electrically conductive layer that includes a fabric and a thermoset polymer. The polymeric patch is heated with the heating element, where the heating element has a substantially uniform temperature across the second contoured surface so that the polymeric patch fills the defect. Methods of making the customized heating elements and the customized heating elements are also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing an optical connection component in which a surrounding of a plurality of bent glass fibers is integrally coated with resin. The method includes a step of preparing upper and lower molds for molding around a fiber array in which the plurality of glass fibers are arranged in a specified arrangement direction. The molds have two walls spaced apart from each other by a larger distance than the width of the fiber array. The method also includes a step of providing around the fiber array the molds such that each of the walls is disposed outside a corresponding one of two glass fibers that are included in the plurality of glass fibers and that are located at respective sides of the fiber array. The method also includes a step of supplying the resin into the molds.

Abstract: A tire includes a central region configured to be mounted to a wheel and a crown region including a circumferential tread and a shear element disposed below the circumferential tread. The shear element includes an upper reinforcement layer, a lower reinforcement layer, and an elastic region disposed between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer. A radial distance between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer varies along an axial width of the tire. The tire also includes an intermediate region extending from the central region to the crown region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-sealing tyre for vehicle wheels comprising at least one carcass ply, a tread band applied in radially outer position to said carcass ply in a crown zone, optionally a liner applied in radially inner position to said carcass ply, a sealing composite applied in radially inner position to the liner and axially extended at least at a part of the crown portion of the tyre; wherein said sealing composite comprises a self-supporting thermoplastic film comprising at least 50% by weight with respect to the weight of the film itself of at least one or more polyolefins, wherein the at least one polyolefin has a fluidity index (MFI) of less than 4 gram per 10 minutes, and a sealing composition layer associated with and supported by said self-supporting thermoplastic film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a self-sealing pneumatic tire, the tire having a tread width and a radially innermost surface having a residue deposited thereon, comprising the steps of: activating a laser to generate laser radiation; directing a pulse of laser radiation to impinge on an area of the innermost surface, the pulse of radiation having a pulse width and a fluence sufficient to remove at least part of the residue in the area to form a cleaned area; repeating the step of directing the pulse of radiation sequentially over the innermost surface to form a sequence of cleaned areas, the sequence of cleaned areas defining a stripe, the stripe following a continuous nonlinear path extending at least one circumference about the inner surface, the stripe having a stripe width W2; applying a bead of sealant in a continuous bead path extending at least one circumference about the inner surface, the bead of sealant at least partially overlaying the stripe.

Abstract: A transporter and a method are provided for retrieving at least one reinforcing ply and conforming the at least one reinforcing ply to a forming surface of a rotatable forming drum having one or more tire components disposed thereon.

Abstract: A plant (1) for looping annular anchoring structures (100) includes a looping device (2), a separation station (8a) and a coupling station (8b). A handling apparatus (3) is interlocked to the looping device (2) for managing the plant (1) by moving the plurality of annular anchoring structures (100) coupled to respective separation elements (300), the looped annular anchoring structures (200) coupled to respective separation elements (300) and the separation elements (300a). The separation elements (300) are fed, coupled to respective annular anchoring structures (100), along a feeding section (A1). The separation elements (300a) separated by respective annular anchoring structures (100, 200) are transferred from the separation station (8a) to the coupling station (8b) along a transfer section (T), stationing in at least a first intermediate station (11, 11a). The separation elements (300) are moved away, coupled to respective looped annular anchoring structures (200), along a moving-apart section (A2).

Abstract: An article of footwear including a compression molded upper is disclosed. A composite structure including several layers is placed under heat and pressure to form a laminate. One layer of the composite is an optical effect layer possessing an aesthetic that differs from one or more of the other layers of the composite structure. A plurality of holes are cut through one or more of the layers of the laminate to expose the optical effect layer.

Abstract: A press machine includes a machine body that is able to press a workpiece and a notifier that notifies an operator of the operation of the machine body or the state of the workpiece in advance using at least one of a sound and light selected in accordance with the operation of the machine body.