Abstract: Implementations utilize deep reinforcement learning to train a policy neural network that parameterizes a policy for determining a robotic action based on a current state. Some of those implementations collect experience data from multiple robots that operate simultaneously. Each robot generates instances of experience data during iterative performance of episodes that are each explorations of performing a task, and that are each guided based on the policy network and the current policy parameters for the policy network during the episode. The collected experience data is generated during the episodes and is used to train the policy network by iteratively updating policy parameters of the policy network based on a batch of collected experience data. Further, prior to performance of each of a plurality of episodes performed by the robots, the current updated policy parameters can be provided (or retrieved) for utilization in performance of the episode.

Abstract: A system includes a neural network system implemented by one or more computers. The neural network system is configured to receive an observation characterizing a current state of a real-world environment being interacted with by a robotic agent to perform a robotic task and to process the observation to generate a policy output that defines an action to be performed by the robotic agent in response to the observation. The neural network system includes: (i) a sequence of deep neural networks (DNNs), in which the sequence of DNNs includes a simulation-trained DNN that has been trained on interactions of a simulated version of the robotic agent with a simulated version of the real-world environment to perform a simulated version of the robotic task, and (ii) a first robot-trained DNN that is configured to receive the observation and to process the observation to generate the policy output.

Abstract: A system for balance control of a humanoid includes a control input generation unit which determines Zero Momentum Position (ZMP) of the humanoid with respect to ground, and a control output generation unit which determines Center of Mass (CoM) position and velocity of the humanoid, wherein the control input generation unit and the control output generation unit determine the ZMP and the CoM position and velocity, respectively, by applying a discrete-time dynamics equation sampled by applying a non-pathological sampling frequency.

Abstract: A work robot system including a conveying apparatus that conveys an object in one direction; a robot that performs a predetermined task on a target portion of the object being conveyed by the conveying apparatus, a movement amount detector that sequentially detects the movement amount of the object moved by the conveying apparatus, and a force detector that detects a force generated by contact between a tool supported by the robot and the object. Then, when the predetermined task is performed, a controller performs force control based on a value detected by the force detector while performing control of the robot by use of information about the position of the target portion and a value detected by the movement amount detector.

Abstract: A robot control device that creates a control program for work of a robot with a force detector, the device includes a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: display a screen for displaying a plurality of options for selecting work including one or more force control operations; display a screen for setting work parameters related to selection work selected from the plurality of options; display a screen for displaying an operation flow of the selection work and editing the operation flow; set operation parameters of the force control operation based on the work parameters set for the selection work; and cause the robot to execute the selection work based on the work parameters and the operation parameters according to the operation flow.

Abstract: A robot control device that creates a control program for work of a robot with a force detector, the device includes a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: display an input screen including an operation flow creation area for creating an operation flow of work on a display device; convert the created operation flow into a control program; and execute the control program to control the robot, wherein the input screen is configured to display a plurality of operation objects indicating a plurality of operations including an operation using force control, and one or more conditional branch objects indicating a conditional branch, as options, and wherein the operation flow creation area is configured to create an operation flow including the conditional branch by graphically placing an operation object selected from the plurality of operation objects and the conditional branch object.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a robot control method, apparatus and a storage medium with the same. The method includes: obtaining a serial number and a rotational angle parameter of a first servo corresponding to a preset motion frame portion of a first motion; obtaining a serial number of a second servo located symmetrical to the first servo; receiving an instruction for mirroring the preset motion frame portion; performing a preset mirroring processing on a rotational angle parameter of the second servo according to the instruction; and storing the mirrored rotational angle parameter in a motion frame portion of a second motion; performing the first motion and the second motion. In the above-mentioned manner, the difficulty in adjusting the motion frame in the mirroring operation of the robot is largely simplified, and the accuracy and efficiency of the mirroring operation are improved.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically moving one or more parts between a bin at a source location and a destination using a robot is provided. The system includes a first vision system to identify a part within the bin and to determine the pick location and pick orientation of the part. A second vision system determines the location and orientation of a destination inside or outside of the bin, which may or may not be in a fixed location. A controller plans the best path for the robot to follow in moving the part between the pick location and the destination. An end effector is attached to the robot for picking the part from the bin, holding the part as the robot moves it, and placing the part at the destination. The system may also check the part for quality by one or both of the vision systems.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for collision-free motion planning of a first manipulator in a first working space and a second manipulator in a second working space, wherein the first and second working spaces at least partially overlap. The method includes the steps of importing a first dynamic roadmap for a first configuration space of the first manipulator, wherein the first dynamic roadmap includes a first search graph and a first mapping between the first working space and the first search graph, and importing a second dynamic roadmap for a second configuration space of the second manipulator, wherein the second dynamic roadmap includes a second search graph and a second mapping between the second working space and the second search graph. Furthermore, the motion of the first manipulator and the second manipulator are coordinated based on the first dynamic roadmap and the second dynamic roadmap.

Abstract: An automated airflow inspection system for airfoil blades or vanes includes an operator station for mounting the airfoil and a robotic station for pressure tapping the airfoil. The robotic station uses a robotic arm with a mounted vision system and pressure tapper. The system is monitored and controlled by a human to machine interface.

Abstract: A system includes a first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with a target object on stationary equipment; a second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the target object; and a task manager that can determine capability requirements to perform a task on the target object. The task has an associated series of sub-tasks. The task manager can assign a first sequence of sub-tasks for performance by the first robotic machine based on the first set of capabilities and a second sequence of sub-tasks for performance by the second robotic machine based on the second set of capabilities. The first and second robotic machines can coordinate performance of the first sequence of sub-tasks by the first robotic machine with performance of the second sequence of sub-tasks by the second robotic machine to accomplish the task.

Abstract: A method for calibration of work piece mounted in a predetermined manner to a work object and a robot system using the same. The work object has a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, and wherein the work object frame of reference is defined by a first coordinate line, a second coordinate line, and a third coordinate line at intersections of the first surface, the second surface and the third surface converging on a point.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for puppeteering in augmented reality. Generally, an augmented or virtual reality device for each user generates a virtual 3D environment comprising a virtual representation of a physical room and a 3D asset. An author can record a 3D path for a puppeteering animation of the 3D asset using a 3D interface. At the same time, a coordinated rendering of a corresponding 3D image moving along the 3D path is updated among author devices substantially in real-time. Distinct states of the 3D asset can be assigned to different portions of the 3D path, and authors can set behavior parameters to assign template behaviors such as obstacle avoidance, particle effects, path visualizations and physical effects. The behavior parameters are distributed among presenter and audience devices, and a coordinated rendering of an animation of the 3D image corresponding to the puppeteering animation is triggered.

Abstract: A communication robot controls a line-of-sight direction by changing at least one of an orientation of a head part and a position of a black eye. In the communication robot, in order to direct the line-of-sight direction to a reference direction of a communication target, when the reference direction is included in a specified range previously determined for a current line-of-sight direction, a control unit directs the line-of-sight direction to the reference direction by changing the position of the black eye without changing the orientation of the head part, whereas when the reference direction is not included in the specified range, the control unit directs the line-of-sight direction to the reference direction by changing both the orientation of the head part and the position of the black eye.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool for robot-assisted surface finishing. According to one embodiment, the machine tool comprises a first support plate and a second support plate. The first support plate is designed for mounting on a manipulator. An output shaft for receiving a rotatable tool is mounted on the second support plate. The machine tool additionally comprises a linear actuator that acts between the first support plate and the second support plate, as well as a motor which is mounted on the first support plate. The machine tool additionally comprises a telescopic shaft with a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion that can be displaced relative to said first shaft portion. The first shaft portion is coupled to a motor shaft of the motor, and the second shaft portion as mounted on the second support plate. The telescopic shaft is coupled to the output shaft by means of a gear mechanism.

Abstract: A system automatically loads a bin with a filled deformable container such as a sack of produce being conveyed along horizontal rollers. A movable support structure has a coupling end attachable to a robotic arm, and a lifting end supporting a plurality of parallel rods. By means of the robotic arm and a programmable logic controller, the plurality of parallel rods can be positioned between and parallel to the horizontal rollers, raised when the container is conveyed to a loading position above the parallel rods, moved to a predetermined position above the bin, and rotated to allow the container to slide downward along the parallel rods and into the bin under force of gravity. The loading sequence can be repeated a number of times, changing the predetermined position each time to stack a plurality of the containers in a desired configuration such as overlapping rows of offset sacks.

Abstract: Presented are embodiments of a modular transport robot for transporting consignments. The transport robot includes at least one base element for the structure of the transport robot, at least two expansion modules for the technical equipping of the transport robot, at least one consignment box for receiving consignments, and at least one control device. The base element and each of the expansion modules have corresponding connecting elements and are electrically connected to one another by an electrical connection. The base element has at least one wiring harness for electrically connecting the connecting elements of the base element to one another, and the base element and the expansion modules are designed correspondingly to one another such that the connecting elements of the expansion modules are selectively connectable directly to at least two connecting elements provided at different points, so as to form one common connection to the base element.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate cables to pass through moving, space-constrained joints and conveying power and/or signals to various robotic joint-associated elements utilize a unitary and flat laminated cable slack within the joint to accommodate the relative motion between mechanical elements of the joints. In various embodiments, the cable has multiple insulated sub-cables; each sub-cable is insulated and physically separable from all other sub-cables. Some of the sub-cables are separated from the cable and electrically connected to joint-associated components for conveying signals and power thereto without mechanically interfering with relative motion between mechanical elements of the joint.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for application in a robot joint. The sealing arrangement includes: a circular sealing assembly arranged between a swing and a base of the robot joint in a longitudinal direction, the circular sealing assembly defining a tubular cavity in a circumferential direction and having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; and an air channel coupled to the gas inlet and operable to continuously conduct pressured air flow into the cavity to maintain an air pressure inside the cavity above an air pressure outside the cavity, and thereby a high-speed airflow out of the gas outlet.

Abstract: A blade changeable knife includes a first holding member having a first holding portion and a first connecting portion and a second holding member having a second holding portion and a second connecting portion. The second holding portion and the second connecting portion is interconnected by a flexible portion. The second connecting portion is disposed on the first connecting portion. The second holding portion and the first holding portion are disposed oppositely. The second holding member is adapted to be flexed to a holding position and a releasing position in which the first and the second holding portions are disposed apart from each other. Further, a lock is movably engaged with the second holding member. The lock is disposed at a first position when the second holding member is in the holding position and at a second position when the second holding member is in the releasing position.

Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle and a blade. The handle includes a first portion and a second portion. The blade is pivotably coupled to the handle and is pivotable relative to the handle about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. The first portion of the handle includes one or more dovetail-shaped projections. The second portion of the handle includes one or more dovetail-shaped slots configured to mate with the one or more dovetail-shaped projections of the first portion of the handle, and thereby restrict relative movement between the first portion and the second portion in a direction parallel to the pivot axis of the blade.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a hair cutting apparatus includes a first blade having teeth extending along a first blade edge, and a second blade having teeth extending along a second blade edge. A distance between the first and second blade edges defines a blade gap. A yoke is coupled to the second blade and configured to convert motion of a drive into reciprocation of the second blade relative to the first blade to cut hair. A spring includes a spring base and at least one spring arm configured to reciprocate with the second blade. A guide assembly includes a guide and a spring retainer, the guide being positioned between the first blade and the second blade, and the spring retainer fixing the spring base relative to the first blade, wherein in response to moving the guide relative to the first blade, the blade gap changes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a position monitoring arrangement (30) for an automated hair processing system (10), the arrangement comprising a plurality of position sensors (32) arranged to be attached to a subject (12) whose hair is to be processed, a transmitter (34) that is operatively coupled with at least two position sensors (32) of the plurality of position sensors (32), and a position controller (42) that is arranged to detect a relative orientation between the at least two position sensors (32) of the plurality of position sensors (32), and that signals a misorientation state. The present disclosure further relates to an automated hair processing system (10), and to a method of operating an automated hair processing system (10).

Abstract: Consumer products, e.g., shaving systems and toothbrushes, are disclosed which have a replaceable portion, e.g., a shaving assembly or a toothbrush head, that is removably mounted on a handle. The consumer products described herein include keyed structures on the handle and replaceable portion, the relative placement of which creates a unique interaction between the two parts. This unique interaction may, for example, be used to provide a dedicated attachment system for each specific customer of the manufacturer of the consumer product.

Abstract: A system for converting and attaching material strips to a substrate includes a dispenser configured to advance an en elongated tape having length l1 and width w1 with l1>w1 relative to a surface of a substrate. A cutting tool cuts the elongated tape transversely along the width w1 of the tape to produce a strip having length l2 and width w2. During the cutting, a portion of the cutting Stool pushes a first surface of the strip against a gripper while cutting the tape. The gripper holds the first surface of the strip against the gripper while moving to position an opposing, second surface of the strip over the surface of the substrate. The gripper releases the strip after positioning the strip.

Abstract: A food log slicing apparatus includes a base, a frame mounted on the base, a loaf tray, a drive assembly, a shear bar and a slicing station mounted on the frame. The loaf tray and the shear bar are divided into a plurality of side-by-side lanes, each of which are configured to receive multiple food logs stacked in a column. Each lane has a base wall on which a lowest one of the food logs rests which is angled relative to horizontal ground. The drive assembly moves the food logs from the loaf tray to the shear bar and into the slicing station. The slicing station has a driven blade which is parallel to a planar downstream face of the shear bar, and cuts all of the food logs as the blade passes through the food logs.

Abstract: Impeller for a centrifugal food cutting apparatus, comprising a base plate and at least one set of paddle parts mounted on the base plate and provided for imparting centrifugal force to food products to be cut. Each set comprises inner and outer paddle parts defining at least a first stage and a second, cutting stage, the inner and outer paddle parts being offset from each other in radial and angular direction of the impeller, such that a safe compartment is defined for food product which is in the second stage.

Abstract: A highly portable, manually operated or power actuated, scoring and slicing apparatus for semi-rigid, fibrous, and/or resilient sheet and plank materials comprising a plurality of circular blades, each with a corresponding receiver and adjustment mechanism, a plurality of blade cartridges, removable guides, and latching mechanisms, drive wheels with drive lugs and corresponding lower blades, drive shafts and coupled gear trains, supported by a rigid frame constituting a plurality of rigid frame plates fastened to rigid spacers and pillow blocks, which in combination allow an operator to quickly adjust the present invention for making straight slices or score lines on materials of various widths and thicknesses, or with the removal of the guides, to make arbitrarily curved cuts on sheet or plank materials. The aforementioned device may further incorporate a storage compartment inside a structural frame with access via a hinged lid.

Abstract: A cutting machine comprising one or more form tubes that are divided in two in the longitudinal direction into a front form tube section and a rear form tube section—at least across a portion of its circumference, so that the two form sections can be moved from a pressing position in which they are aligned with each other into a loading position in which they are not aligned with each other, and in the loading position the rear form tube section can be loaded with a new meat strand while the rest of the previous meat strand is still being cut into slices and moved in the front form tube section. The blade may be disposed to simultaneously cut slices from a plurality of form tubes and may be disposed for motion in the longitudinal direction as well as a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus has a base having at least one counter component. The counter component has a length, LCC, and a nonlinear shape having a shape width, W. A support is operatively engaged with the base. A blade having a length, LB, is disposed on the support so as to cooperate in interacting relationship with the counter component. The blade has a plurality of teeth. A web material is perforated as it passes between the base and the support and the blade cooperates with the counter component. A driving means is associated with one of the support and the base to reciprocally shift the one of the support or the base for a distance, D, in a shifting direction. The distance, D, is at least the translational distance that one tooth travels to cover the shape width, W.

Abstract: A nick breaking device includes: a conveyor forming a transfer path on which a plate-shaped element having nicks formed thereon is transferred; and one or more pressing rollers provided on the transfer path of the nicks of the plate-shaped element so as to press the plate-shaped element such that the plate-shaped element is transferred while having a continuous wave shape and to break the nicks formed on the plate-shaped element.

Abstract: A heated wire cutting tool designed to cut desserts without making a mess. The heated wire cutting tool is a formless cutting wire, having a heating element operably connected to the wire designed to heat the wire. A power source is operably connected to the heating element and designed to provide power to the heating element. A switch is operably connected to the power source and designed to activate the power source and thereby activate the heating element. Insulated handles are on the formless cutting wire, thus allowing the user to hold the formless cutting wire. In this way, a user is able to cut a dessert, such as a frozen cake, without creating a mess.

Abstract: A power miter saw includes two linear guide mechanisms each including a first link including a bifurcated first end including two opposite first through holes; and a bifurcated second end including two opposite second through holes; a spring-loaded second link including a bifurcated first end having two opposite first through hole having a bearing recess, and a bifurcated second end including two opposite second through holes; two washers at outer ends of the first through holes of the second link respectively; a cylindrical lining in the first through holes of the second link; two bearings each at the bearing recess; and a pivot driven through the first through holes of the first link, the washers, the bearings, the cylindrical lining, and the first through holes of the second link to receive a portion of a complimentary pivot to pivotably secure the first and second links together.

Abstract: A flail chain link comprises a plurality of adjacent link sections including a pair of oppositely disposed end link sections. Each end link section has an internal surface, and a first axis passes through the center point of the link and the center of each end link section. A second axis, which is not coincident with the first axis, passes through the center point and the center of at least two link sections. The first axis and the second axis together define a central plane through the center of each link section. An orthogonal plane passing through each of the end link sections is perpendicular to the central plane. A radius of the internal surface of each end link section that is measured in the central plane is equal to a radius of the internal surface of such end link section that is measured in the orthogonal plane.

Abstract: The present description relates to in-plane isotropic products derived from cellulosic filament based compositions that are substantially free of binders; and comprising inorganic fillers with an average particle size of less than 5 ?m; and methods for producing these in-plane isotropic products. The method comprising providing a cellulosic filament substantially free of any binder; providing an inorganic filler comprising an average particle size of less than 5 ?m; mixing the cellulosic filament and the filler to produce a slurry; transferring the slurry in a preforming jig to produce a wet mat in the jig; and hot press compression molding the mat to produce the in-plane isotropic product. The inorganic fillers were uniquely shown substantially useful to accelerate the final dewatering (drying) in the hot press at 150° C./250 psi and to eliminate delamination issue insitu the molded products.

Abstract: A method for recycling concrete mass in a slipform casting process, where the concrete mass is first cast and compacted with a slipform casting machine comprising a restricted cross-section to form a concrete product to be cast and at least one concrete mass tank for feeding concrete mass to the restricted cross-section, and the cast concrete mass is removed from areas of the fresh cast portion of the concrete product, wherein the removed fresh concrete mass is conveyed and dosed back to the at least one concrete mass tank of the slipform casting machine. The invention also relates to a system and a casting machine for implementing the method.

Abstract: A plant for the production of slabs from a mixture of agglomerate comprises a station (50) with a mixture distribution unit (52) which pours the mixture onto the inner surface of a slab forming mould (11) present in the station. The mould (11) is provided with a sheet (15) of plastic protective material arranged above the inner surface of the mould and which forms the surface for contact with the mixture which is introduced into the mould by the distribution unit (52). The station comprises air suction means which are coupled/connected to suction ducts (54) which are present in the mould and which emerge with their front end inside the mould in a zone of the mould situated between the inner surface of the mould and the sheet (15), so as to allow the suction of air between the sheet and this inner surface and bring the sheet (15) against this surface by means of a vacuum. A method for the production of slabs is also described.

Abstract: A pallet feeder assembly for use with a concrete products machine of a type supporting a mold box within a production zone comprises a conveyor having a load/unload expanse configured to be disposed below the production zone, an upstream staging expanse upstream, and upstream and downstream ends. A plurality of sensors operative to detect a presence of a pallet on the conveyor are disposed along a length of the conveyor and include sensors disposed upstream and downstream of the load/unload expanse. Transport means on the conveyor move a pallet loaded on the transport means between the upstream and downstream ends of the conveyor. An open portion within the load/unload expanse is configured to admit a lifting means for raising the pallet from the transport means up into the production zone against an underside of a mold box during a production cycle of a concrete products machine.

Abstract: An intermediate member is a member which is directly or indirectly sandwiched between a first object and a second object. The intermediate member includes a plate-like supporting member having a lower surface which is one main surface opposed to the first object and a plurality of ceramic blocks fixed on an upper surface which is the other main surface of the supporting member in a state of being separated from one another. Thus, in a state where the plurality of ceramic blocks are collectively held by the supporting member having relatively high shape retention, by disposing the intermediate member between the objects, it is possible to easily arrange the plurality of ceramic blocks between the objects with high positioning accuracy.

Abstract: A device for mechanically removing material from a workpiece or bulk feedstock, thereby creating chips of removed material while producing a new surface on the workpiece or bulk feedstock. The device comprises a body and at least one round cutting insert that is tangentially mounted on the body. Location and orientation of the insert is characterized by a reference plane offset and an insert axis angle. The insert has an outwardly-facing rake surface on which chips are formed. A planar flank surface is oriented relative to a cutting motion so as to provide clearance between the cutting insert and the surface created by removal of a layer that is converted into chips. A circular cutting edge lies at the intersection of the flank and rake surfaces.

Abstract: Provided is an intermediate base material (incised prepreg) which has exceptional surface quality and mechanical properties when solidified and with which it is possible to obtain a fiber-reinforced plastic having excellent three-dimensional shape conformance properties. This incised prepreg has, in a prepreg that includes a resin and reinforcing fibers oriented in one direction, incisions substantially parallel to the orientation direction of the reinforcing fibers (the incisions substantially parallel to the orientation direction of the reinforcing fibers are referred to as parallel incisions) and incisions that cut across the reinforcing fibers (the incisions that cut across the reinforcing fibers are referred to as intersecting incisions).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating fibres, to an installation for treating fibres and thus obtained tape made of treated fibres. The treatment method comprises the steps of continuously supplying a bundle of fibres (1), applying a first resin (51) to the bundle of fibres (1) by electrostatic deposition of particles of the first resin (51), bonding the particles of the first resin (51) to the bundle of fibres (1) by heating, and applying a surface coating to at least one side of the bundle of fibres (1) by depositing filaments of a second resin (91), such that the thus obtained tape made of fibres has a minimum resin load in relation to the fibre used.

Abstract: A method for impregnating a fibrous preform by injection or infusion, the method including the steps of providing a mold having at least two portions, said mold presenting an inlet orifice and a vent orifice placed on opposite sides of the mold; placing a fibrous preform in a portion of the mold; placing a seal in a passage formed between an inside wall of the mold and the fibrous preform, said passage extending substantially along the direction extending between the opposite sides of the mold; closing the mold so that the two portions of the mold co-operate with the seal in such a manner as to shut off said passage; and impregnating the fibrous preform with an impregnation material.

Abstract: A mold for a wire grid polarizer includes a hard mold and a soft mold, in which the hard mold includes a main body, an oxidization layer provided on the main body, and a SAM layer provided on the oxidization layer and including an additive, the soft mold includes a substrate, and a protrusions and depressions portion including a polymerized releasing agent, and a region that is hydrophobic in the polymerized releasing agent is arranged on a surface of the protrusions and depressions portion.

Abstract: A liner for being cured by electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a curing range. The liner includes an outer portion. The outer portion includes a tube of impermeable material that is opaque to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the curing range. An inner portion includes a tube of felt internally coated with an impermeable coating that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the curing range. The inner portion is inside the outer portion. A middle portion includes a tube of impregnable material between the inner and outer portions. Curable polymer that is curable by electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the curing range impregnates the felt and the impregnable material. Methods of manufacturing and installing the liner are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving robust layer separation during the separation process of an imprint lithography process are described. Included are methods of matching strains between a substrate to be imprinted and the template, varying or modifying the forces applied to the template and/or the substrate during separation, or varying or modifying the kinetics of the separation process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to equipment covers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of making an equipment cover, the method comprising: moulding a cover from a substantially transparent or translucent polymer, optionally a thermoplastic polymer, to form a cover having a textured outer surface and a generally smoother inner surface; and applying a coating having reflective components to the inner surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a molding system for preparing a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite article. The molding system includes: a molding machine; a mold disposed on the molding machine and having a mold cavity for being filled with a composite molding material including a polymeric resin and a plurality of fibers; a processing module configured to generate an anisotropic stress distribution of the composite molding material in the mold cavity based on a molding condition for the molding machine; and a controller coupled to the processing module and configured to control the molding machine with the molding condition to perform an actual molding process for preparing the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite article. The anisotropic stress distribution of the composite molding resin is generated based in part on consideration of an integral effect of an elongational viscosity and a shear viscosity of the composite molding material.

Abstract: An injection moulding machine for producing fibre-reinforced plastic mouldings, having a closing unit and an injection unit, wherein the injection unit has a cylinder and a screw that can be rotated and displaced in the longitudinal direction in the cylinder, the screw having a backflow stop. In the cylinder, filling openings are provided for feeding in a plastic material to be melted and fibre material. To reduce fibre breakage and ensure good mixing, according to the invention a mixing part is provided downstream and/or upstream of the backflow stop, the mixing part being connected to the screw in a rotationally fixed manner for conjoint rotation therewith and having a cylindrical main body with drop-shaped mixing elements arranged thereon.

Abstract: A method and assembly for injection molding a part. The injection molding assembly has a frame and a core back assembly on the frame with a material controlling region. The core back assembly has first and second states with the material controlling region: i) in a first position with the core back assembly in the first state; and ii) in a second position with the core back assembly in the second state. First and second mold units are configured to be placed in operative relationship on the frame wherein the first and second mold units cooperate to form a mold cavity on the frame. The frame, core back assembly, and first and second mold units are configured so that the state of the core back assembly is changed as an incident of the first and second mold units being placed in the operative relationship.