Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method includes preparing a polishing pad, determining a first load to be applied to a conditioning disk during conditioning of the polishing pad and a first indentation depth at which tips of the conditioning disk are inserted into the polishing pad when the first load is applied to the conditioning disk, preparing a conditioning disk, and positioning the conditioning disk on the polishing pad and conditioning a surface of the polishing pad by using the conditioning disk while applying the first load to the conditioning disk.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CMP abrasive pad conditioner, comprising a bottom substrate; an intermediate layer located on the bottom substrate, the intermediate layer including a hollow portion and an annular portion surrounding the hollow portion, the annular portion being provided with a plurality of bumps; and a diamond film located on the intermediate layer, and forming a plurality of abrasive projections corresponding to the bumps of the intermediate layer; in this case, a top surface of the abrasive projections is formed with a patterned configuration and the top surface is provided with a center line average roughness (Ra) between 2 and 20.

Abstract: The wafer polishing system is disclosed. The wafer polishing system may comprise a polishing unit; a slurry distribution unit mounted on the polishing unit and distributing a slurry flowing into the polishing unit for wafer polishing; a slurry tank connected to the slurry distribution unit and storing the slurry; a slurry pump connected to the polishing unit and the slurry tank for transferring the slurry from the slurry tank to the polishing unit; a first circulation line in which one side is connected to the slurry tank; a second circulation line in which one side is connected to the other side of the first circulation line and the other side is connected to the slurry distribution unit; and a cleaning liquid supply unit connected to the second circulation line for supplying a cleaning liquid flowing through the second circulation line.

Abstract: A water-abrasive cutting system includes a cutting head (2) which includes a fixing device (16, 18, 20) for fixing the cutting head (2) on the wall to be cut as well as a nozzle head (10) disposed on the cutting head (2). At least one cutting nozzle (12), for an application of a cutting jet (14), is disposed in the cutting head (2). A cutting monitoring device (26) includes at least one hydrophone (30) and at least one further sensor. The cutting monitoring device (26) is configured to detect a complete penetration and/or cutting-through of the wall on the basis of the sensor signals of the hydrophone (30) and the at least one further sensor.

Abstract: A screwdriver and a ratchet mechanism thereof are disclosed. A ratchet mechanism includes: a main body base having blocking portions; a ratchet elastic sheet having abutment portions corresponding to the blocking portions; two blocking sheets retained on the blocking portions and abutted the abutment portions to be positioned between the blocking and abutment portions; a pinion having a gear portion between the blocking sheets to allow the gear portion and the blocking sheets to be adjusted between engagement/disengagement states; a positioning elastic sheet having an operating portion; a ratchet direction adjuster having contact members corresponding to the blocking sheets and an operated portion corresponding to the operating portion. The operating portion operates the operated portion, the contact members contact the blocking sheets and the blocking sheets being operated by the contact members to be in disengagement state with the gear portion to adjust the rotational direction of the gear portion.

Abstract: An electric ratchet wrench includes a driving member rotatably mounted in a body for driving a fastener. A pawl device is pivotably mounted to the driving member. First and second ring gears are rotatably mounted around the driving member and mesh with the pawl device. A direction switching rod is pivotably mounted to the driving member. A spur gear is mounted on a transmission shaft rotatably received in the body and meshes with the first and second ring gears. A clutch member is mounted on the transmission shaft and is releasably coupled with another clutch member coupled to a motor. The transmission shaft can be driven by the motor to drive the spur gear, the first and second ring gears, and the driving member.

Abstract: There is provided a tightening operation analysis apparatus configured to analyze a tightening operation performed by a worker using a tightening tool. The tightening tool includes a head configured to be able to engage with a tightened member, and a main body configured to pivotally engage with the head and turn when a tightening torque for tightening the tightened member reaches a preset torque value. The tightening operation analysis apparatus includes a motion information acquisition unit configured to acquire motion information indicating a turning motion of the main body, from the tightening tool, and an analysis unit configured to output a result of analysis of a load condition of the tightened member during the tightening operation, based on the motion information acquired by the motion information acquisition unit.

Abstract: A driving tool including a driver configured to drive out a fastener, a piston to which the driver is connected, a cylinder in which the piston is disposed so as to be reciprocated, a head valve which is slidably mounted to an outer circumferential side of the cylinder and controls a flow of compressed air into the cylinder, and a seal portion which is provided to face an opening edge of the head valve. The seal portion includes a lip portion protruding along an outer circumferential surface of the head valve.

Abstract: The durability of the driver is further improved. The nail driver for driving a nail into a material to be driven includes: a plunger moved in a first direction parallel to a driving direction of the nail by bias caused by a coil spring and moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction against the bias of the coil spring (25); and a weight moved in the second direction by bias caused by a coil spring and moved in the first direction against the bias of the coil spring. The weight (24) is moved in the second direction when the plunger is moved in the first direction and is moved in the first direction when the plunger is moved in the second direction, and the plunger and the weight are moved in the first direction and the second direction so as to be independent from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hammer assembly includes a hammer with a head portion and a handle portion with a cavity, and a nail holder assembly that includes a holder component and a sliding component, wherein the nail holder assembly is configured to be removably stored in the cavity of the handle portion of the hammer.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a prime mover disposed in the housing, a first cylinder formed with a first chamber, a first rotating member rotatable with respect to the first cylinder about a first axis under the driving of the prime mover, a first piston movable in a direction parallel to the first axis when the first rotating member rotates relative to the first cylinder. The first cylinder and the first rotating member are disposed within the housing. The first piston is disposed within the first chamber The first rotating member is formed with a first transmission structure to drive the first piston The first piston is formed with a second transmission structure capable of cooperating with the first transmission structure to rotate the first rotation member to drive the first piston.

Abstract: A power tool includes a tool handle and a tool head. The tool handle includes a housing having a grip portion and defining a longitudinal axis, a motor disposed within the housing and including a drive shaft having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a trigger positioned adjacent the grip portion for selectively activating the motor, and a handle interface. The tool head is selectively coupleable to the tool handle and includes a head interface for coupling with the handle interface of the tool handle, a transmission driven by the drive shaft of the motor when the tool head is coupled to the tool handle, and an output member coupled to the transmission. The output member defines an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: In order to provide an electric tool with good operability that can extend the life of and suppress breakage of a switching element for controlling energization of a brushless motor, a control unit (50), after an operation switch (5) is turned off, does not immediately turn off an inverter circuit (43) (does not set the duty of a PWM signal to 0), and instead normally operates the inverter circuit (43) with a low-duty PWM signal and waits until a rotation speed of a brushless motor (6) reaches a predetermined rotation speed or less to turn off the inverter circuit (43) (to set the duty of the PWM signal to 0).

Abstract: A power tool includes an output shaft for outputting torque, a transmission mechanism for driving the output shaft, a motor for driving the transmission mechanism, and a housing for containing the motor. The transmission mechanism includes a ring gear being capable of rotating relative to the housing, locking pins for limiting the rotation of the ring gear, a locking ring for limiting the locking pins to rotate with the ring gear, and biasing elements for biasing the locking pins so as to move toward the locking ring. The ring gear is formed with apertures going through the ring gear in an axial direction of the output shaft and the locking pins pass through the ring gear through the apertures and contact with the locking ring. The locking ring is formed with locking protuberances for contacting and engaging with the locking pins.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool includes an electric motor, a housing, and a housing cover. The housing includes an opening located in the vicinity of carbon brushes of the electric motor, such that the carbon brushes can be removed through the opening in the housing. The housing cover includes air inlets through which cooling air can flow into the interior of the housing. The opening in the housing is detachably closed by the housing cover.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a power output element for outputting power, a motor for driving the power output element to output power, and a surface light source device for providing illumination. The surface light source device is mounted on the housing and the surface light source device includes a light exit surface allowing the surface light source device to emit light.

Abstract: A tool bit storage and retrieval device includes a housing, a caddy configured to slideably engage an interior of the housing and to removeably receive a plurality of tool bits, and a magnet affixed to the caddy and configured to attract the plurality of tool bits. The caddy is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The closed position is defined by the caddy being substantially contained by the housing. The open position is defined by the caddy being translated outwardly from the housing. The plurality of tool bits are moveable between a first position when the caddy is in the open position, and a second position when the caddy is in the closed position.

Abstract: A removable, universal, multi-bit holster and method for storing multiple bits, for example, on a hand-held drill. The removable multi-bit holster comprises a cylindrical housing having a first surface and a second, opposing surface and a substantially sold volume there between. The housing comprises a center aperture and a plurality of cavities therein. The plurality of cavities are configured to each receive a drill bit therein. The aperture is configured for engagement with a bit-holder portion of the hand-held drill, such that the cylindrical housing is removably securable to the bit holder of the hand-held drill.

Abstract: A robot fixing system includes a base member having a front surface in which an insertion hole is formed; a power transmission member configured to supply a rotational driving force to a movable part, which is supported on the base member in a rotatable manner about a first axis of rotation, by rotating about a second axis of rotation while opposing the front surface, a through hole being formed in the power transmission member to extend parallel to the second axis of rotation in a penetrating manner at a position separated from the second axis of rotation by a distance equal to a distance from the second axis of rotation to the insertion hole; and a fixing pin configured to be simultaneously inserted into the through hole and the insertion hole.

Abstract: A robot includes a robot main body including an A-arm which rotates around an A-rotation axis, a B-arm which is cantilevered off the A-arm and rotates around a B-rotation axis, and a C-arm which is connected to the B-arm, to which an end effector is attached, and which rotates around a C-rotation axis. The A-arm includes a first restriction that is not exposed to the outside of the robot main body. The B-arm includes a clamp which is connected to the end effector and restricts a position of a flexible wiring or pipe, a second restriction that is not exposed to the outside of the robot main body and contacts on the first restriction, and a hole through which the wiring or the pipe is inserted. The C-arm includes a through-hole which penetrates the C-arm along the axial direction of the C-rotation axis.

Abstract: An automated lumber handling method for transferring various size boards from multiples board storage stations to a common board-receiving area uses a trolley that carries at least two board pickers that can operate independently. The method provides several operating modes. In a first mode, a first board picker retrieves single boards from various stations, while a second board picker is inactive. In a second mode, two board pickers retrieve two individual boards from a single station. In a third mode, one board picker retrieves one size board from a first station, and s second board picker retrieves a different size board from a second station. The two different boards can be released simultaneously at the board-receiving area. In some examples, the lumber at each station is laser scanned to determine the number of boards at each station, and a worker is notified if a station needs to be restocked.

Abstract: A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.

Abstract: A robot system includes at least one robot, a first sensor, at least one second sensor, and circuitry. The at least one robot is to work on a workpiece. The first sensor is to detect a three-dimensional shape of the workpiece. The at least one second sensor is to detect a three-dimensional position of the workpiece. The circuitry is configured to control the at least one robot based on teaching data. The circuitry is configured to correct the teaching data according to the three-dimensional shape detected by the first sensor. The circuitry is configured to correct the teaching data according to the three-dimensional position detected by the at least one second sensor.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to a robotic system configured to provide feedback. In particular, the robotic system may determine a model of an environment in which the robotic system is operating. Based on this model, the robotic system may then determine one or more of a state or intended operation of the robotic system. Then, based one or more of the state or the intended operation, the robotic system may select one of one or more of the following to represent one or more of the state or the intended operation: visual feedback, auditory feedback, and one or more movements. Based on the selection, the robotic system may then engage in one or more of the visual feedback, the auditory feedback, and the one or more movements.

Abstract: A dynamic multi-objective task allocation system within robotic networks that assigns tasks in real-time as they are detected, the system including a sensing device that detects a trigger event, the trigger event being associated with a task to be performed, and transmits a broadcast signal to a designated robotic network, the robotic network including one or more robots, the broadcast signal including information associated with the task to be performed, the trigger event, the task to be performed, and a location where the task is to be performed; and a distribution robot that receives broadcast signal from the sensing device, assigns itself a self-score associated with performing the task, transmits, to one or more receiving robots within the robotic network, a request for submission of an assessment score of each one of the one or more robots, and determines which robot is assigned to perform the task.

Abstract: Provided is a robot system includes a conveyor; a conveyor speed detection unit for detecting a movement speed of the conveyor; a robot for performing a task on the workpiece; a worker state input unit for inputting a collaboration state of a worker; and a control unit for controlling the robot based on the movement speed and the collaboration state of the worker. The control unit calculates a first speed based on the movement speed of the conveyor, calculates a second speed of a distal end of an arm of the robot, in a direction intersecting a direction of the first speed, causes the distal end of the arm to move at a speed combining the first speed and the second speed, and limits the second speed, when the collaboration state of the worker is input.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a robotic pick and stow storage system with a built-in consolidation function that increases the storage density. The system can include a stowing robot, a consolidation robot, and individual containers. The stowing robot may pick an item, identify a free space in the container large enough for the item, and then place the item in the free space. The items placed in the container may have a space between it and a neighboring item or items (referred to herein as a stow buffer) due to uncertainties or inaccuracies in the stowing process. The embodiments herein describe a stow and consolidation action that reduces the stow buffers thereby providing additional space in the container for more items. The consolidation robot can tilt and vibrate the container such that the items move closer together thereby generating free space for additional items in the container.

Abstract: A teaching system includes: a teaching-data generator configured to generate teaching data of a robot having a joint in a virtual environment, the virtual environment including a work tool, the robot, and a workpiece to which a plurality of working points is preliminarily set, the teaching data causing the robot to move one of the work tool and the workpiece passing through approach points corresponding to the respective working points to cause the work tool to relatively reach and separate from the working points; a determiner configured to determine whether a virtual line interferes with another of the workpiece and the work tool, the virtual line connecting the approach points of the consecutively worked working points together; and a teaching-data updater capable of changing a position of the approach point on the virtual line.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one of a first robot and a second robot to collaborate within a system, the first robot and the second robot being physically separate to one another, the method including: receiving sensed data associated with the second robot; determining position and/or orientation of the second robot using the received sensed data; determining an action for the second robot using the determined position and/or orientation of the second robot; and providing a control signal to the second robot to cause the second robot to perform the determined action to collaborate with the first robot.

Abstract: A remote controlled, tele-operated welder includes a multi-axis robot arm, video cameras, sensors a specialized control station that allows an operator to perform flood-fill welding operations at a remote location to avoid the heat, smoke and other environmental effects produced through typical flood-welding operations. The operator accesses the control unit (OCU) using a GUI and mouse, keyboard, joystick, or other custom controls, and observe the piece via the cameras (visual, thermal, or other) placed in the welding station via a feed displayed on the OCU display(s). Audio, video, and/or tactile feedback may be provided to indicate arm, welder, or other system status, for collision warning and arm motion singularity avoidance. Augmented reality informational graphic/textual overlays may provide guidance to an operator, and the apparatus may further include the ability to repeat series of steps needed to handle flood-weld on a given piece, repeatedly across many pieces.

Abstract: A robot includes an instruction receiving unit that receives a calibration initiation instruction, and an arm that changes a positional relationship between a marker which indicates a reference point and a capturing unit when the calibration initiation instruction is received, in which the calibration of a coordinate system of the capturing unit and a coordinate system of the robot is performed on the basis of an image in which the marker is captured by the capturing unit after the positional relationship between the capturing unit and the marker changes.

Abstract: A positioning system using a robot, capable of eliminating an error factor of the robot such as thermal expansion or backlash can be eliminated, and carrying out positioning of the robot with accuracy higher than inherent positioning accuracy of the robot. The positioning system has a robot with a movable arm, visual feature portions provided to a robot hand, and vision sensors positioned at a fixed position outside the robot and configured to capture the feature portions. The hand is configured to grip an object on which the feature portions are formed, and the vision sensors are positioned and configured to capture the respective feature portions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for instructing a robotic arm to perform various actions on a touch-sensitive display screen of a mobile device based on captured images of the display screen. A camera can capture an image of the display screen while the mobile device is mounted in a mounting station with the display screen facing the camera, and the captured image can be analyzed to determine the relationship between the pixel locations in the image captured by the camera and the physical locations to which the robotic arm can be instructed to move. Based on the relationship, the system can instruct the robotic arm to touch and activate various on-screen objects displayed on the display screen of the mobile device based on the pixel locations of such on-screen objects in the images captured by the camera.

Abstract: Robotic system includes a control system and a slave device which is controlled by the control system. The slave device has a robotic grasping device formed of a rigid base and at least one finger which is movable to facilitate grasping of objects. At least one sensor is provided which senses a force applied to the finger. A cutting tool having a cutting jaw is also attached to the base. The cutting jaw is arranged to pivot on a pivot axis responsive to a pivot motion of the finger. The forces exerted on the cutting jaw are sensed with the sensor during a first predetermined range of finger motion associated with a cutting mode of operation.

Abstract: An example robot includes: a motor disposed within a housing at a joint configured to control motion of a member of a robot; a controller including one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) disposed within the housing and including a plurality of field-effect transistors (FETs) disposed on a surface of a PCB of the one or more PCBs facing the motor; a rotary position sensor mounted on the controller; a shaft coupled to a rotor of the motor and extending therefrom to the controller; and a magnet mounted within the shaft at an end of the shaft facing the controller.

Abstract: An automation component or clamping device includes a basic housing, at least one jaw movably guided in a jaw guide of the basic housing, and a piston movably guided in the basic housing, wherein the piston has a piston surface, wherein the piston is coupled in terms of movement to the jaw, and wherein a piston rod extending on the piston transversely with respect to the piston surface, wherein the centroid of the piston surface is spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis of the piston rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a nozzle to a fluid dispensing system and a tip to the nozzle. In one illustrative example, the fluid dispensing system may be moved by a robotic device towards a nozzle retaining structure having nozzle retaining areas holding nozzles. A nozzle may be selected for use based on a nozzle identifier element corresponding to each of the nozzles. The robotic device may move the fluid dispensing system to the nozzle selected to attach the fluid dispensing system to the nozzle selected. Further, the fluid dispensing system may be moved by a robotic device towards a tip retaining structure having tip retaining areas holding tips. A tip may be selected for use based on a tip identifier element corresponding to each of the tips. The robotic device may move the fluid dispensing system to the tip selected to attach the nozzle to the tip selected.

Abstract: An electric pole-type automatic warehouse robot comprises a frame; mecanum wheels and drive wheels provided at a bottom of the frame, with the mecanum wheels being located at four corners thereof and the drive wheels being located at the middle of tow opposite sides thereof; a drive motor provided on the frame and connected to the drive wheels; a barrier module provided at a head of the frame; a rotating pallet module provided at an upper portion of the frame; a rotating motor provided within the rotating pallet module; electric poles provided on the frame and located at a bottom of the rotating pallet module; a hole provided in the frame; a first camera arranged above the hole; a second camera arranged below the hole. The robot provides an automatic operation mode with simplified mechanism design of robot, so as to increase the reliability, load-bearing capacity, running speed and security of the robot.

Abstract: A cutting device is disclosed. The cutting device has a body member, a cutting member that is removably attachable to the body member, and a cover member that is movably disposed on the body member, the cover member including a protrusion. The body member has a recess configured to receive the protrusion. The recess includes a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A knife structure allowing rapid and safe replacement, and secure positioning of, a blade disposed along with its handle structure; wherein the knife structure includes the blade, an engaging and pushing plate, and an engaging and positioning base; a first connecting member is fixed to the engaging and pushing plate and is movably engaged in the blade and the engaging and positioning base; an engaging block is fixed to the engaging and positioning base and is movably engaged in the blade and the engaging and pushing plate; and the first connecting member is locked to the engaging and positioning base upon assembly of the knife structure. Once unlocked via a pushing and unlocking key, the first connecting member can be used to push the engaging and pushing plate and the blade simultaneously, allowing the blade to be pushed out of engagement with the engaging block and then detached for replacement.

Abstract: A cutting tool is disclosed with an elongated, hollow first handle. An extension mechanism fixed with the first handle's distal end features a housing with a blade slot and blade connected with gears rotationally fixed with the housing. The proximal end of the housing's extension rod slides within the first handle, and its distal end terminates at a rigid hook with a first gear rack that engages the pinion gears. The cutting tool is suited for safety and ease-of-use in small, tight or otherwise difficult to reach environments.

Abstract: A food cutting guide for safely holding a food item and allowing for essentially uniform thickness cuts to be made through the food item has a base with a pair of opposing jaws pivotally attached to the base. Each jaw has a series of spaced apart teeth such that the jaws articulate between a closed position wherein the teeth of each jaw intermesh with one another and an open position wherein the teeth do not so intermesh. A spring mechanism holds the jaws in a normally closed position while an actuation trigger articulates the jaws to the open position against the bias of the spring mechanism. A guard plate is located at an end of the pair of jaws to protect a user's hand from errant knife travel.

Abstract: A cutting device for spiral cutting a vegetable includes a mounting surface that engages the vegetable and is rotated using a motor, which causes rotation of the vegetable. The mounting surface may be moved toward a cutting surface using a lever arm that transmits only a portion of a manual force applied to the lever arm in a direction toward the mounting surface, facilitating precise movement of the mounting surface and a consistent size and shape of the resulting vegetable strands. Movement of the vegetable relative to the cutting surface may pass the vegetable through a slotted blade and a secondary blade. The spacing of cutters in the slotted blade determines the width of vegetable strands produced by the cutting apparatus, while the placement of the secondary blade determines the thickness of the strands. The position of the secondary blade may be adjustable to control the thickness.

Abstract: An adjustable punch body assembly and method of adjusting a punch body assembly that includes a punch body that has a driver engagement end and an opposite cutting end, and a longitudinal inner bore the extends between the driver engagement and cutting ends. The driver engagement end includes a first adjustable engagement. A driver is configured to adjustably couple to the punch body. The driver includes a base that has a second adjustable engagement corresponding to the first adjustable engagement of the punch body to establish an axial position of the driver with respect to the punch body on a longitudinal axis thereof. A stem extends from the base for mating with a punch head. A locking mechanism is provided at the driver engagement end of the punch body for locking the axial position of the driver.

Abstract: A handheld work apparatus has a combustion engine with a cylinder. A removable cover is fixed via a closure. The closure includes a tensioning element rotatable about a rotational axis and, in the locked position of the closure, is supported on a tension contour. The closure has a damping element. The damping element is held on a section of the cylinder in the axial direction of the rotational axis. During rotation from unlocked into locked position, the tensioning element is moved by the tension contour in the axial direction of the rotational axis. In the locked position of the closure, the tensioning element clamps the section of the cylinder in the axial direction of the rotational axis between a first abutment and a second abutment of the damping element. In the unlocked position of the closure, the tensioning element is held on the damping element on the cylinder.

Abstract: A set square for manual ceramic cutters, including a ruler intended to be rotatably mounted and secured to a base of a manual ceramic cutter, defining various angles; a stop that is mounted on the ruler and can be moved longitudinally; and a tightening element for securing to the ruler. The cross-section of the ruler includes two oblique planes that converge towards an intermediate surface provided with a longitudinal recess having a generally T-shaped cross section, for mounting the tightening element. The lateral stop includes two oblique planes facing the ruler and having the same slope as the oblique planes of the ruler, and which converge towards an intermediate surface that has an opening to mount the tightening element.

Abstract: A process and associated system for creating color effects in extrudable material, such as plastic and metal for example, are presented. Flows of first and second viscous materials of respective colors are provided and then combined in a predetermined pattern to form a stream of combined viscous material. In a first aspect, the flow rate of the first viscous material is caused to vary over time in order to vary an amount of the first viscous material in the stream. In a second aspect, which may be used alone or in combination with the first aspect, the first and second viscous materials have distinct viscosities to reduce an amount of color blending between the first color and the second color in the stream of combined viscous material.

Abstract: A built-in and process-adaptive formulation of antimicrobial commodity thermoplastic resins with mixed compositions comprising of a polymer, a backbone linker, and a non-labile antifouling and biocompatible coupling agent which is melt-processable and enabled to be manufactured into finished products in the form of solid, monolith, tube, composite, fiber, film, sheet and varnish without the prerequisite of biocides or antimicrobial additives is disclosed. The said formulation is adapted to thermoforming and thermal curing processes including but not limited to melt compounding, spinning, extrusion, molding, compression foaming and drawing. The antimicrobial property is attributed to the persistent formation of a non-stick bacteria-repellent tethered layer in which the antifouling component of the said formulation is heterogeneously phase separated and/or surface migrated to the surface after product forming in order to minimize adsorption and/or colonization of bacteria.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for drying thermoplastic resin prior to molding into plastic parts comprises a continuous loop liquid circuit for furnishing liquid at a prescribed temperature to a mold in which the plastic parts are fabricated; a continuous loop air circuit for passing heated dry air through a hopper containing the thermoplastic resin thereby drying the thermoplastic resin to a prescribed level of dryness; and a coupling thermally connecting the two circuits for heat transfer from the liquid to the drying air; the liquid is selected from the group comprising water and ethylene glycol; microprocessor control facilitates generation and retention of custom water temperature and resin dryness/temperature optionally based on machine learning principles.

Abstract: An improved guide rail in particular for a transport device or stretching unit is distinguished inter alia by the following features—the cooling device comprises at least one cooling duct which extends in a zigzag shape inside the guide rail and which is formed by connected transverse bores, and/or—the guide rail comprises at least two half-shells or halves between which a flexible tube is arranged in a sandwich-like manner to form at least one cooling duct, and/or—at least one cooling duct is arranged outside the guide rail so as to extend parallel thereto, and, in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, in each case bores extending transversely thereto are made, into which bores outwardly projecting heat lines and/or heat pipes are inserted.