Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for maintaining the inflation level of a bubble formed by nips in a moving roll of tubular film, to form a gusset in a final product produced from the film.

Abstract: A feed device for a conveyor system for preforms which transports the preforms coming in an ordered manner from an upstream module of the conveyor system to a downstream module of the conveyor system in which the preforms are separated into singles, wherein the feed device has at least two oppositely arranged transport rails, on which the preforms rest in each case with a support ring. The feed device additionally includes at least two oppositely arranged belt transport units which preferably engage with a threaded portion of the preforms and transport them in a transport direction to the downstream module of the conveyor system, wherein the belt transport units each have a drive which applies a torque to the preforms accumulated in front of the downstream module, which torque the individual preforms are able to be transferred in a more reliable manner from the feed device into the downstream module.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers is disclosed. Said apparatus comprises a conveying device on which a plurality of blowing stations are arranged. Each of said blowing stations encompasses a blow mold, within which a plastic preform can be shaped into a plastic container. The apparatus further comprises a clean chamber, within which the plastic preforms can be conveyed. According to the invention, the zone of the conveying device in which the blowing stations are arranged is located in the clean chamber, and at least one additional zone of the conveying device is located outside the clean chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a double-layered container which can be easily produced using molding equipment that is not much different from conventionally used equipment and which comprises: a rigid outer layer container part; and a flexible inner layer container part of which the capacity can be changed inside the rigid outer layer container part, wherein, when a pair of partial molds are brought close to each other in order to be combined to form a split mold, at least parts of the joining faces of the pair of partial molds pinch a small outer diameter portion of a parison so as to form a gap burr, and, when a cap is screwed on, a gap for introducing external air in the interlayer of the double-layered container is formed at the small outer diameter portion from which the gap burr has been removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the preferential heating of a thermoplastic hollow body having at least one portion to be heated and another to be superheated, the portion that is to be superheated initially having a radiation absorption coefficient substantially identical to that of the portion to be heated. The method includes, in succession: a first step of marking the portions of the hollow body that are to be superheated, during which step isolated marks are made in the thickness of the wall of the portion that is to be superheated so as to increase its absorption coefficient; a second step of preferential heating of the hollow body by uniform exposure of the portions that are to be heated and of the portions that are to be superheated to the heating electromagnetic radiation. Also disclosed is a preform marked in accordance with the first step of the method.

Abstract: A method for placing a piece of a composite material. The piece of the composite material is picked up from a source using an end effector. The piece is moved to a tool using the end effector. The piece is placed on the tool using the end effector. The piece is conformed to a shape of the tool using a roller system in the end effector, in which the roller system is moveable to conform the piece to a shape of the tool.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a paint roller manufacturing system and method uses a fabric-coating applicator to apply a fabric adhesive onto a portion of a perforated paint roller cover fabric material having a plurality of perforations through which adhesive may flow, and into the plurality of perforations and into interstitial spaces of the fabric material, to yield a length of coated fabric. An inner strip and an outer strip are wound about a mandrel in offset relation. A strip-coating applicator is used to apply a strip adhesive to the outer strip as it is wound about the mandrel. Simultaneously with the step of applying the strip adhesive to the outer strip, a portion of the coated paint roller fabric material is received at the outer strip and the length of coated fabric is wound about at least the outer strip to form a paint roller tube.

Abstract: An article has a curved surface. Disposed upon the curved surface is a plurality of patterns. Each pattern is defined by a plurality of spaced apart features attached to or projected into the curved surface. The plurality of features each have at least one neighboring feature having a substantially different geometry, wherein an average spacing between adjacent features is about 1 nanometer and about 1 millimeter in at least a portion of the curved surface. The plurality of spaced apart features are represented by a periodic function.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure through nano-imprinting, includes: a stamp preparation step in which a stamp formed with a convex-concave portion corresponding to a pattern of functional layers to be formed is prepared; a material formation step in which at least one material for forming the functional layers is formed to a thickness of several to dozens of nanometers on the convex-concave portion; a material stacking step in which the material formed on the convex-concave portion is stacked on a substrate; and a functional layer securing step in which the material is cured by applying pressure, heat and pressure, or light and pressure thereto such that the material can be converted into the functional layers.

Abstract: A 3D printing build material container outlet structure is described. The outlet structure comprises a valve element having an open configuration to enable a tube, when inserted in the outlet structure, to aspirate build material from the container; and a closed configuration to inhibit build material from exiting the container. The valve element changes from the closed configuration to the open configuration by at least one of: the tube being inserted in the outlet structure; and a vacuum force being applied to the outlet structure when the tube has been inserted in the outlet structure.

Abstract: A digital light processing system applied in a three-dimensional printing system includes a container set containing solidifiable material. A platform set in contact with a portion of the solidifiable material is included, together with a projector emitting a primary electromagnetic radiation. One or more optical component sets are between the projector and the platform. An optical component set can convert the primary electromagnetic radiation into a plurality of secondary electromagnetic radiations, and any of the plurality of secondary electromagnetic radiations can be projected on the solidifiable material contacting the platform set, to form a solid layer. A digital light processing procedure in a three-dimensional printing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a hopper for containing a feedstock, at least one helical drive positioned downstream from the hopper for receiving the feedstock therefrom, a heat source positioned proximate at least a portion of the at least one helical drive, and an outlet. The at least one helical drive is configured to advance the feedstock toward the outlet, the heat source is configured to at least partially liquefy the feedstock advanced by the at least one helical drive, and the outlet is configured to dispense the at least partially liquefied feedstock based on a desired toolpath. The at least one helical drive may include at least one of a screw, a bolt, an auger, or an Archimedean screw.

Abstract: A 3D printing device for recycling powders and an operation method thereof are provided. The 3D printing device for recycling powders has a base, a processing plate, an optical module, and a powder conveying module. The speed of production process of 3D printed workpieces can be increased, the waiting time in the production process can be reduced, and the process stability can be improved by disposing the powder conveying module.

Abstract: A carriageless print head assembly, for use in extrusion-based additive construction is disclosed. The carriageless print head features a cold end equipped with one or more timing belt attachment slots and bores for receiving bearings to achieve linear motion. The carriageless print head may be optionally equipped with some combination of an air conduit for cooling the top layer of the constructed product, a fluid channel for aiding in the regulation of the temperature of the print head cold end, and a thermal monitor for monitoring the temperature of the cold end of the print head. A computer-mediated method of monitoring the cold end of the print head to limit jams due to overheating is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object comprises a chamber, a transmission window, a blow-out port and a cover member, wherein a solidified layer is formed by irradiation of a predetermined portion of a material layer with a light beam, thereby allowing a sintering of the material in the predetermined portion or a melting and subsequent solidification of the material, the material layer being provided within the chamber. The transmission window is provided in the chamber, allowing the light beam to be transmitted therethrough. The blow-out port is located around the transmission window, and serves for blowing out an inert gas toward an interior of the chamber. The cover member, which is positioned below the blow-out port and also serves for surrounding the blow-out port, has an annular form. A gap through which the inert gas passes is provided between the cover member and the transmission window.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of optimizing an additive fabrication process for an object is provided, the method comprising obtaining a representation of an intermediate form of the object, the intermediate form being an expected shape of the object when partially fabricated by the additive fabrication process, simulating one or more forces expected to be applied to the intermediate form of the object during the additive fabrication process, evaluating one or more results of the simulating step against one or more criteria, and adapting the additive fabrication process based at least in part on a result of the evaluating.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus. A receiving unit receives a data of printing. An output unit outputs image data of each of plural elements which are parts of recording media, if the receiving unit receives print data including height information of a three-dimensional object at positions of each pixel of image data on a two-dimensional image is generated such that the three-dimensional object is formed by stacking the plural elements, and the image data is generated from the height information of the three-dimensional object at the positions of the each pixel.

Abstract: A method of forming a textured effect on a substrate, the method comprising steps of: (a) creating a data file of an image having a thickness to be formed as the textured effect on the substrate, the data file comprising print image(s) and a number of times specified for printing of the print image(s); (b) preparing the data file for surface deposition by a printer; (c) providing the substrate on the printer; (d) the printer printing the print image(s) in the data file on the substrate using a layer of clear ink; (e) the printer UV curing the layer of ink; (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for every print image of the print image(s) for the number of times specified in the data file such that the image formed as the textured effect on the substrate comprises a plurality of layers of printed and UV cured clear ink.

Abstract: In some examples, a request to print a first three-dimensional (3D) part is received. In response to determining that the first 3D part is not similar to any 3D part referred to by an information base, a representation of the first 3D part is extracted, an indication to conduct an operation to produce a design rule for the first 3D part is sent. In response to determining that the first 3D part is similar to a matching 3D part referred to by the information base, a design rule for the matching 3D part is retrieved to print the first 3D part, where the design rule for the matching 3D part specifies a dependency of a property of the matching 3D part on an aspect associated with printing the matching 3D part.

Abstract: A present disclosure relates to a system for automatic design and manufacturing of 3D printing units and 3D products. The system is configured to obtain specification of a target structure corresponding to a 3D product; automatically determine a design and a printing path of a 3D printing unit based on the specification of the target structure, wherein the 3D printing unit is a micronozzle unit configured to print the target structure of the 3D product; automatically determine a manufacturing procedure to print the 3D printing unit based on the specification of the target structure; and instruct a 3D printer to print the 3D printing unit according to the manufacturing procedure and the printing path of the 3D printing unit.

Abstract: A method of generating parameters to guide a spreading process of a three dimensional printer may include the following steps: determining one or more properties of an actual powder; generating a virtual powder model which mimics the actual powder; performing one or more virtual spreading simulations; experimentally validating virtual spreading; and using advanced regression techniques to generate spreading process map from a few virtual spreading simulations.

Abstract: A device for calibrating an irradiation system of an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional work piece includes a control unit to control the irradiation system so as to irradiate a radiation beam onto an irradiation plane according to a calibration pattern. The device also includes a sensor arrangement arranged in the irradiation plane to output signals to the control unit in response to being irradiated with the radiation beam according to the calibration pattern. The control unit generates a digital image of an actual irradiation pattern produced by the radiation beam incident on the sensor arrangement based on the signals output by the sensor arrangement, compares the digital image of the actual irradiation pattern with a digital image of a reference pattern so as to determine a deviation between the actual irradiation pattern and the reference pattern, and calibrates the irradiation system based on the determined deviation between the actual irradiation pattern and the reference pattern.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a component having a spatially graded property includes providing a first layer of particulate matter, the first layer having first material characteristics, and providing a second layer of particulate matter, the second layer having second material characteristics different from the first material characteristics. The method further includes providing an interlayer between the first layer and the second layer and heating the first layer, the second layer, and the interlayer to bond the first layer with the second layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a product viewing window in a container. The container has at least a body ply and a liner ply, wherein the body ply has at least one aperture therethrough. The liner ply is adhered to the inner surface of the body ply and has a portion extending across the aperture, forming a window into the container. The method involves providing a window-finishing machine that comprises at least two platens and, optionally, a machine pocket positioned between them, a heating element extending through at least one of the platens, and a pressurized air device that is adapted to release pressurized air into the container through at least one of the platens. The container is engaged between the platens in an airtight manner and, optionally, the container window is positioned adjacent the inside wall of the machine pocket.

Abstract: Techniques for providing universal interfaces between parts of a transport structure are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for joining first and second parts of a transport structure includes an additively manufactured body having first and second surfaces. The first surface may connect to a first part such as, for example, a panel. The second surface may include a fitting for mating with a complementary fitting on a second part.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to manufacturing a balloon envelope for use in a stratospheric balloon system. For instance, a stream of polyethylene mixture us extruded through an extruder in order to orient molecules of polymer chains of polyethylene and to provide an oriented film. The oriented film is passed through an electron beam and thereby crosslinking the polymer chains to provide a cross-linked film.

Abstract: A stereolithography 3D printer (10) includes: a transporting mechanism (1) having a translucent conveyor belt (11) with its top divided into a discharge area (13) and a receiving area (14); a discharging mechanism (2) installed in the discharge area (13) and including a first material box (21) and a discharge nozzle (22) corresponsive to the first material box (21), and the first material box (21) having a discharge port (211); and a recycling mechanism (3) installed in the receiving area (14) and including a second material box (31) and a receiving sucker tip (32), and the first material box (21) and second material box (31) being disposed adjacent or attached to the translucent conveyor belt (11), and the receiving sucker tip (32) being corresponsive to the second material box (31), and the second material box (31) having a receiving port (311).

Abstract: Disclosed are a new silicone cold-extrusion lamp belt and its manufacturing method. The manufacturing method includes the following steps. S10: Select a PCB and use the PCB as a substrate. S20: Set LED lamp bead spot-welding units arranged in an array formed on the substrate to obtain a target board. S30: Extrude a slurry which is formed by a food-grade silicone and coat the slurry on an outer surface of the target board to form a lamp skin. S40: Cut the target board into at least one lamp belt substrate. S50: Heat and bake the lamp belt substrate to obtain a lamp belt. This disclosure has the advantages of feasible design, low manufacturing cost, high resistance on cracking, wearing, yellowing, high/low temperature, good fire resistance, environmental friendly and harmless to human safety, high transparency, high light emitting efficiency of the lamp, and applicable for indoor/outdoor lamp belts.

Abstract: Polymer compositions containing polyethylene particles having a multi-modal molecular weight distribution are disclosed. The polymer compositions are well suited to producing porous substrates through a sintering process. Formulations made according to the present disclosure can produce porous substrates having improved flexibility demonstrated by an increased flexural strength while still retaining excellent pressure drop characteristics.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer are described herein. In one example, an agitation stimulus level such as an electrical agitation stimulus is applied to a lipid bilayer wherein the agitation stimulus level tends to facilitate the formation of nanopores in the lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, a change in an electrical property of the lipid bilayer resulting from the formation of the nanopore in the lipid bilayer is detected, and a nanopore has formed in the lipid bilayer is determined based on the detected change in the lipid bilayer electrical property.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing comingled yarn of carbon and thermofusible fibres comprises the steps of: feeding a tow of thermofusible fibres from a spool to a blending roller and between the spool and the blending roller, spreading the thermofusible tow; feeding a tow of carbon fibres from a spool to the blending roller; spreading the carbon fibre tow between the spool and the blending roller by applying a flow of air over the tow to urge the tow against a supporting surface over which the carbon fibres pass on their way to the blending roller; combining the thermofusible and carbon fibre tows at the blending roller.

Abstract: A flexible molding process and system for a magnetic pole protective layer. The molding process is as follows: assembling magnet steels at respective positions on a side wall surface of a magnetic yoke, laying a reinforcing material and a vacuum bag in the listed sequence on the magnet steel and the side wall surface of the magnetic yoke, wherein the vacuum bag, the magnet steels and the side wall surface of the magnetic yoke form a sealed system; performing an impregnation process, including vacuumizing the sealed system to allow the impregnation liquid to be injected into the sealed system, to achieve infiltration and impregnation; heating the sealed system and/or emitting ultrasonic waves to the sealed system while performing the impregnation process; and performing a curing process after the impregnation process, wherein the impregnation liquid and the reinforcing material are cured to form a protective layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for verifying the placement of tows by a robot. One embodiment includes a robot that includes an end effector that lays up tows, actuators that reposition the end effector, a memory storing a Numerical Control (NC) program, and a robot controller that directs the actuators to reposition the end effector based on the NC program, and instructs the end effector to lay up tows based on the NC program. The system also includes a sensor system comprising an imaging device that acquires images of the tows as the tows are laid-up, a measuring device that generates input as tows are laid-up by the end effector, and a sensor controller that receives images from the imaging device and the input from the measuring device, and updates stored data to correlate the images with instructions in the NC program, based on the input.

Abstract: A method of determining tow path surfaces associated with manufacturing a composite ply includes computing, from an initial tow path surface, a projected tow path surface corresponding to a projection of the initial tow path surface onto a layup surface. The method also includes determining, for particular start and end points, edge lengths of opposing sides of the projected tow path surface. The method further includes comparing a difference between the edge lengths of the opposing sides to a threshold, to determine if the amount of curvature along the projected tow path surface is acceptable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of molding a shell part of a wind turbine blade comprising the steps of providing a mold (64) comprising a mold cavity (66) with a root end (68) and an opposing tip end (70), arranging one or more preformed sheets (72a, 72b, 72c) in the mold cavity (66), wherein each preformed sheet comprises a mixture of fibre rovings (82) and a binding agent, wherein the fibre rovings are at least partially joined together by means of the binding agent, and injecting the one or more preformed sheets (72a, 72b, 72c) with a resin to mold the shell part. The present invention also relates to a shell part of a wind turbine blade obtainable by said method, to a preformed sheet for use in said method and to a method of manufacturing said preformed sheet.

Abstract: A textile reinforcement that can be used for the creation of composite components by pultrusion, including a reinforcing layer having lengths of fiberglass oriented randomly and coated in a polyester binder. The reinforcing layer includes at least one reinforcement layer formed of fibers structured as a weave or as a mesh, or as longitudinal and transverse filaments. The reinforcing layer includes at least one thickness layer, adjacent to the reinforcement layer, and based on the lengths of fiberglass oriented randomly and coated in a polyester binder. At least one first surface layer as a web of fibers forms a first external face of the textile reinforcement. A second external face of the textile reinforcement is formed by the reinforcement layer or by a second surface layer as a web of fibers. The polyester binder binds the layers of the textile reinforcement together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hybrid structure of a motor vehicle, including a step of assembling a structural element formed of a sheet of shaped metal material and a strip of composite material that includes at least one layer of fibres impregnated or embedded in a polymer matrix, covers a portion of a surface of said structural element, and is extracted from a large rectangular sheet including an upper edge and a lower edge which are parallel to one another, the strip of composite material being obtained by extracting a portion of the large sheet according to a first cut-out line and second cut-out line, each running from the upper edge to the lower edge. Each of the cut-out lines has a point of symmetry arranged equidistantly from the upper edge and the lower edge, such that any given point of a cut-out line is symmetrical, with respect to said point of symmetry, with another point belonging to said cut-out line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soft hydrogel contact lens, especially a silicone hydrogel contact lens, which has a capability of delivering a hydrophobic comfort agent into the eye of a wearer. The hydrophobic comfort agent includes without limitation a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a triglyceride, a glycolipid, a glyceroglycolipid, a sphingolipid, a sphingo-glycolipid, a phospholipid, a fatty acid, a fatty alcohol, a hydrocarbon having a C12-C28 chain in length, a mineral oil, a silicone oil, or a mixture thereof. It can be released from the soft hydrogel contact lens into the eye of a wearer when being worn so as to strengthen and stabilize the tear film lipid layer and alleviate the dryness of the eye.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an optical connecting device includes: preparing a product for an optical connecting device which includes first and second parts for a holder, and optical fibers extending in a direction of a first axis between first faces of the first and second parts, the first and second parts of the product being arranged in a direction of a second axis intersecting that of the first axis, the first faces of the first part and the first face of the second part extending in the direction of the first axis and a direction of a third axis, and the third axis intersecting the direction of the first axis and the direction of the second axis; and moving one of a processing device and the product relative to the other to process the product in the direction of the second axis so as to reach the optical fibers.

Abstract: A provisional lens structure has a grip tab region that allows the provisional lens structure to be supported and maneuvered, for example during subsequent manufacturing operations to produce a finished lens, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the provisional lens structure as compared to conventional approaches in which the provisional lens is supported and maneuvered directly by the edge of the provisional lens.

Abstract: A provisional lens structure has a grip tab region that allows the provisional lens structure to be supported and maneuvered, for example during subsequent manufacturing operations to produce a finished lens, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the provisional lens structure as compared to conventional approaches in which the provisional lens is supported and maneuvered directly by the edge of the provisional lens.

Abstract: A provisional lens structure has a grip tab region that allows the provisional lens structure to be supported and maneuvered, for example during subsequent manufacturing operations to produce a finished lens, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the provisional lens structure as compared to conventional approaches in which the provisional lens is supported and maneuvered directly by the edge of the provisional lens.

Abstract: A tube material is formed by continuously extruding a thermoplastic resin material in the shape of a cylinder that has a thickness of 100 ?m and a circumferential length of 800 mm. After that, in a polishing process, the tube material is rubbed with a lapping tape of #2000 while being rotated in one direction at a fixed speed, so that circumferential stripes are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tube material. Then, the circumferential stripes are thermally transferred by pressing the outer circumferential surface of the heated tube material against a mold surface that is finished in the shape of circumferential stripes by a thermal transfer process.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes: a tire frame member having a tire inner surface made of a resin material; and a sound absorbing body that is made of a thermoplastic resin material, that is configured to absorb sound, and that is coupled to the tire inner surface via a welded portion.

Abstract: A second stage tire building drum is disclosed. The tire building drum has two hubs with an inner sleeve mounted to a central shaft of the tire building drum and configured for axial movement. At least one of the hubs is configured for free axial movement. Preferably, each hub further include a sliding sleeve mounted on the inner sleeve for unconstrained sliding in the axial direction relative to the inner sleeve. Preferably, each hub has a bead receiving mechanism mounted on the sliding sleeve and comprised of one or more segments that are radially expandable. Preferably, each segment has a pocket with a curved surface for receiving a bead.

Abstract: A method of building a tire on a second stage tire building drum is disclosed. The method employs the steps of mounting a green cylindrically shaped tire carcass onto a tire building drum so that each bead are seated in a respective bead pocket segment, inflating the carcass under low pressure and expanding the carcass into engagement with tread and belt assembly while allowing the one or more of the hubs or one or more of the bead pocket segments to freely slide in the axial direction.

Abstract: A second stage tire building drum is disclosed. The second stage tire building drum comprises a first and second hub, wherein each hub is mounted on a central shaft of the second stage tire building drum. Each hub is axially movable and has a bead receiving mechanism. The bead receiving mechanism includes one or more bead segments, wherein each bead segment has a pocket.

Abstract: A method of forming a tire having a first and second bead on a tire building drum is disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying a green tire carcass onto the tire building drum, said tire building drum having a left and right hub, each hub having a bead pocket. The method includes the steps of placing the first and second bead onto a first and second respective bead pocket of the tire building drum and then inflating the carcass into engagement with a belt and tread package while moving at least one of the left and right hubs in the axial direction at a controlled velocity towards the other respective hub.

Abstract: A method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The method of building the tire carcass includes the steps of applying one or more tire building components onto a drum forming a cylindrically shaped tire carcass. Placing a first and second bead onto the tire building components on the drum so that the tire carcass ends of the tire carcass extend laterally between the beads. Radially expanding a first and second bead lock mechanism into engagement with a respective first and second bead. Inflating the carcass under low pressure into engagement with a belt and tread package while moving the beads axially inward. Moving the beads axially inward to the axial width of the widest breaker position; Turning up the outer lateral ends of the cylindrically shaped tire carcass about a respective first and second bead.

Abstract: A method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The method of building the tire carcass includes the steps of applying one or more tire building components onto a drum forming a cylindrically shaped tire carcass. A first and second bead is placed onto a respective bead pocket. Then the carcass is inflated under low pressure into engagement with a belt and tread package while the bead pockets are moved axially inward. The beads are continued to move axially inward to the axial width of the widest breaker position. Then the outer lateral ends of the cylindrically shaped tire carcass are turned up about a respective first and second bead.