Abstract: A method for attaching a first object to one or more second objects of dissimilar materials, without any bonding material, using a molded attachment block is provided. Anchoring grooves are created and a constrained assembly is positioned at opposing sections on a surface of the first object. A tension is generated in tension bearing members anchored in the anchoring grooves and extended along a length of the constrained assembly. The constrained assembly is constricted between mold side members positioned perpendicular to the mold end members. The tension bearing members are clamped between bolt assemblies. A viscous liquid is poured and cured on the constrained assembly, the tension bearing members, the anchoring grooves, and the bolt assemblies for creating the molded attachment block with opposing ends of the threaded members of the constrained assembly extending outwardly from the molded attachment block for attachment to second objects without any bonding material.

Abstract: A process for producing a molded insulating part, a molded insulating part and a casting tool for the production of an inorganic pulp composed of water, glass fibers and/or mineral fibers and sheet silicate, introduction of the pulp into a cavity of a casting tool whose wall is at least partially water-permeable, which cavity has on at least one side the negative shape of the molded insulating part to be produced, removal of the aqueous fraction present in the pulp, opening of the casting tool and subsequent taking-out of the molded insulating part produced. The pulp produced using water for producing the molded insulating part comprised a glass fiber/sheet silicate mixture or mineral fiber/sheet silicate mixture has a proportion of exclusively synthetic sheet silicate (5) in the range from 0.5% to 2.5% and a proportion of glass fibers and/or mineral fibers (4) of from 0.3 to 1.5%.

Abstract: A monolithic airflow testing mold suitable for mating with a workpiece includes a platform portion formed from a first material having a first hardness. The mold further includes a workpiece mating portion surrounding by the platform portion. The mating portion includes a support region abutting the platform portion and formed from a second material having a second hardness, and a sealing surface positioned above the support region and formed from a third material having a third hardness. The sealing surface is configured to mate with and extend into a hollow portion of the workpiece. The first hardness is different from at least one of the second and third hardnesses.

Abstract: To provide a lighter weight and more robust component for use on a concrete mixer truck, a collector is formed of a non-metallic material which has more desirable characteristics. The collector is further strengthened by providing internal reinforcing structures and reinforced mounting structures so the collector can be effectively coupled to the concrete mixer truck. Additionally, the non-metallic material has desirable characteristics, such as low surface friction levels, high strength to weight ratios, and desirable puncture resistance. All of these characteristics combine to provide a lighter weight, more effective collector.

Abstract: A method for producing a thermoplastic moulding compound by means of an extruder (10), which comprises at least one feed zone (20), at least one mixing section (30), at least one venting section (40) and at least one discharge zone (50), wherein in the at least one feed zone (20) a water-containing first component and a second component are supplied, in the at least one mixing section (30) the thermoplastic moulding compound is mixed and contained water is evaporated, in the at least one venting section (40) water vapour is removed from the moulding compound and in the at least one discharge zone (50) the moulding compound is discharged. At least one of the mixing housings (31, 32) is kept at a temperature that is equal to or lower than the temperature of the moulding compound within the mixing section (30).

Abstract: A container treatment system (1, 13) that has at least two working areas (AP). Each of the working areas (AP) respectively comprises at least one exchangeable working tool (2) and/or one adaptable format part. Furthermore, the container treatment system (1, 13) comprises at least one automatic exchange machine (10) which is movable, in particular drivable, to the at least two working areas (AP), which automatic exchange machine (10) can be connected selectively to any of the respective working areas (AP), in particular using centering means (22, 32), and which automatic exchange machine (10) comprises tools for exchanging the working tools (2) and/or for adapting the format parts of the respective working area (AP). The invention further relates to an automatic exchange machine (10) for exchanging working tools (2) and/or for adapting the format parts of at least two different working areas (AP) of a container treatment system (1, 13).

Abstract: A mould tool assembly (10) has a mould tool component (14) having a temperature control face (24) arranged to be in thermal contact with a mould face (12), a temperature control arrangement (26) comprising a fluid outlet (32) directed towards the temperature control face (24); and a thermally conductive structure (40) extending from: (i) a first region in which the structure (40) is offset from the temperature control face (24) and the structure is in the path of a fluid jet (1) emanating from the fluid outlet (32) to (ii) a second region in contact with temperature control face, which second region is spaced from the first region. A diffuser (70; 80; 90) is also provided on the temperature control face for more event mould tool heating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a reinforced bladder are provided. The reinforced bladder comprises a bladder with a cross-sectional shape formed of a polymeric material and a number of reinforcements. Each of the number of reinforcements covers only a portion of the cross-sectional shape such that part of the cross-sectional shape remains uncovered by the number of reinforcements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an elastomeric grained skin which comprises at least an elastomeric skin layer and a coating layer overlying the skin layer. The skin has at least a portion which hasa grained surface, which comprises at least one elastomeric skin layer and which has at least one coating layer overlying the skin layer. To produce the skin a coating composition is applied onto at least a portion of a mould surface, which portion is grained, to produce said coating layer; and the elastomeric skin layer is moulded at least against a back side of said coating layer to produce said portion of the elastomeric skin. In order to accent the grain texture so that it stands out more clearly and so that the visibility thereof is less dependent on the direction of the incident light and the position of the viewer use is made of a coating composition which comprises effect pigment particles contained in a transparent or translucent medium.

Abstract: Processes, and systems for making a substantially smooth surfaced, dust agent free rubber or similar sheet product, are disclosed. To create the dust agent free sheet, a low-shrinkage thermoplastic textile fiber separator is inserted between layers of a calendered sheet so as to be able to separate layers of the sheeting after vulcanization. The use of the separator replaces the use of talc or dust that is commonly used to separate layers of sheeting during or after the calendering process and prior to a heating or vulcanization process.

Abstract: A method of forming a seal about at least a portion of an object comprises placing a form about at least the portion of the object, flowing a viscous substance into the form and about at least the portion of the object, and removing the form from the object by unwinding or unraveling the form to form the seal.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer film having an oriented dispersed material includes casting a multi-layer polymer solution having a first polymer solution layer and a second polymer solution layer where the second polymer solution layer is at least partially immiscible with the first polymer solution layer. The method further includes passing the multi-layer polymer solution through an electric field application zone, to thereby induce orientation of the dispersed material. A multi-layer polymer film can then be formed by drying the solvent from the multi-layer polymer solution. An apparatus for preparing polymer films includes a top electrode made from a flexible metal mesh coated with a non-stick, non-conductive coating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a membrane for an electro-acoustic transducer through spray coating of a liquid elastomer solution is provided. The method includes spraying the liquid elastomer solution, which may comprise a silicone, onto a mold having the desired membrane geometry, allowing the solution to cure and remove the membrane from the mold. The mold can be configured to hold other components of an electro-acoustic transducer that will be attached to the membrane after the curing step. Also provided is a membrane for an electro-acoustic transducer comprised of an elastomer and made using spray coating of a liquid elastomer solution.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll system for forming a hydrophobic polymer membrane surface includes a heated carrier belt, a repository of polymer material arranged to deposit the polymer material onto the carrier to create a heated polymer, an electrode belt positioned opposite the carrier belt, an electric field generator positioned to generate an electric field between the carrier belt and the electrode belt and to infuse a pattern into the heated polymer to form a patterned polymer film, and a solvent bath to rinse the patterned polymer film. A method of creating a hydrophobic polymer membrane surface includes depositing a polymer material onto a heated carrier, using the carrier, transporting the polymer material past an electrode that acts as an electric field generator, generating an electric field adjacent the carrier, using the electric field to infuse a pattern into the polymer membrane surface, and setting the pattern into the polymer membrane surface.

Abstract: An expansion device, including: an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the thermally expandable sheet placed on a placing unit with light; a conveyance unit configured to reciprocably convey the irradiation unit between a first position and a second position; an exhaust fan fixed to a housing and configured to discharge air from the housing; and an air supply fan which is movable with the irradiation unit and configured to supply outside air into the housing, wherein the exhaust fan is provided at a position where air can be discharged from the second position side when the irradiation unit is returned from the first position to the second position after being moved from the second position toward the first position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a molding system for preparing injection-molded articles. The molding system includes a molding machine; a mold disposed on the molding machine and having a mold cavity for being filled with a molding resin; a processing module configured to generate a mixed anisotropic viscosity distribution of the molding resin in the mold cavity based on a molding condition for the molding machine; and a controller coupled to the processing module. The mixed anisotropic viscosity distribution of the molding resin is generated by taking into consideration an extension rate distribution and a shear rate distribution of the molding resin. The controller is configured to control the molding machine with the molding condition using the generated extension rate distribution and the generated shear rate distribution of the molding resin to perform an actual molding process for preparing the injection-molded article.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a molded carpet laminate includes supporting a carpet layer in a molding tool that has mold dies that define a mold cavity. The mold dies are then moved from an open position to a partially closed position. In the partially closed position, a heated polymer material is injected into the mold cavity. The heated polymer material incompletely fills the mold cavity on the working side of the carpet layer. The mold dies are then moved from the partially closed position to a closed position to spread the heated polymer material and fill the mold cavity on the working side of the carpet layer to form a molded polymer wall. The molded polymer wall adheres to the working side of the carpet layer to form a molded carpet laminate. The mold dies are then moved from the closed position and the molded carpet laminate is cooled.

Abstract: An injection molding method includes the steps of positioning a core piece in a mold cavity through a plurality of positioning pins; injecting a molten plastic material into the mold cavity to surround and cover the core piece; maintaining the pressure inside the mold cavity at a predetermined maintaining time so that the core piece is positioned by the molten plastic material; retracting the positioning pins from the mold cavity when a predetermined retraction time is reached, so that spaces occupied by the positioning pins in the mold cavity can be filled with the molten plastic material; and completely curing the molten plastic material to form a finished product.

Abstract: A molded product and an electrical product comprising a molded article that includes a main body made of resin and a standing wall made of resin. The standing wall integrally stands up from the end portion of the main body. A decorative sheet includes a base film and a conductive circuit layer. The base film continuously covers from the main body front surface to a wall front surface. The conductive circuit layer is disposed between the base film and the main body front surface. The decorative sheet is integrated with the molded article to implement a decoration with the base film. A flexible printed circuit board is disposed between the molded article and the conductive circuit layer. The flexible printed circuit board is partially embedded into and integrated with the standing wall. The flexible printed circuit board is electrically connected to the conductive circuit layer.

Abstract: A casing component according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a decorating film and a casing part. The decorating film is formed on a base film by vapor deposition and includes a metal layer, fine cracks being formed in the metal layer by stretching the base film. The casing part has a decorated region, the decorating film being adhered to the decorated region.

Abstract: A mold platen includes a mold plate to which a mold is attached, a rear-surface plate provided opposite to the mold plate, coupling portions configured to be coupled to respective tie rods at four corners of the mold plate and the rear-surface plate, a cylindrical rib that is provided between the mold plate and the rear-surface plate and is located at a center part of the mold plate and the rear-surface plate, a diagonal reinforcing rib that is provided between the mold plate and the rear-surface plate and is configured to connect the cylindrical rib and each of the coupling portions, and a longitudinal/lateral reinforcing rib that is provided between the mold plate and the rear-surface plate and extends from the cylindrical rib along a position between the adjacent coupling portions.

Abstract: A front panel for on-board liquid crystal displays has a high hardness resin composition (B) on at least one side of a layer containing a resin (A) having a polycarbonate resin (a1). The front panel satisfies the following conditions (i) to (iv): (i) the thickness of the layer containing a high hardness resin composition (B) is 10 to 250 ?m, and the total thickness of the layer containing a resin (A) comprising a polycarbonate resin (a1) and the layer containing a high hardness resin composition (B) is 100 to 3,000 ?m; (ii) the high hardness resin composition (B) consists of any one of specific resin compositions (B1) to (B3); (iii) the retardation of the front panel is 3,000 nm or more; and (iv) the standard deviation of the second derivative of the irregular shape of the hard coat layer having irregularities is 0.1 or more.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to produce a double-sided carpet type skin-equipped hollow molded article so as to prevent degradation of aesthetic appearance of the hollow molded article. The double-sided carpet type skin-equipped hollow molded article includes: a hollow molded article main body made of a thermoplastic and having a front surface wall and a back surface wall; and skins integrally bonded to the respective front and back surface walls. A first skin bonded to the front surface wall is a napped-type skin. A second skin bonded to the back surface wall is a skin having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the first skin. A wall surface to which the first skin is bonded protrudes outward more than a wall surface to which the second skin is bonded in a parting line of the hollow molded article main body. The first skin has a large thickness and is a napped-type skin. Therefore, obtained is an effect that a nap raised after deburring and cutting masks a cut portion.

Abstract: A composite article assembly arrangement includes an all-in-one assembly station for supporting certain two-workpiece or composite article assembly methodologies with a view toward a preferred lid assembly application. The all-in-one assembly station includes a stationary main base plate, opposed intermediate compactor plates, and opposed outer plates, which compactor plates and outer plates are movable relative to the stationary main base plate. One or more continuous webs bearing thermoformed first and second workpieces are directed through the assembly station, which assembly station operates to both separate the first and second workpieces from the web(s) as directed therethrough and assemble the first and second workpieces in one clapping movement of the compactor plates and outer plates relative to the main base plate.

Abstract: A screen protector installation machine uses a screen protector laminate to apply a screen protector to a cell phone. The laminate comprise a web that carries the screen protector and a backing layer. The laminate is carried by a lid coupled to a base and closable over the base. An impression in the base receives the cell phone. A first slider is carried by the lid and comprises a spool rotatable with respect to the lid. A tab of the backing layer is coupled to the spool. As the slider slides over the cell phone, the spool rotates to wind the backing layer around the spool to expose the screen protector. The lid properly positions and orients the screen protector over the mobile device. The lid is automatically lowered onto the base, and the screen protector is automatically lowered onto the mobile device, by movement of the first slider after the backing layer is removed.

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

Abstract: Implementations described herein are directed to forming objects including one or more layers of a polymeric material that include a magnetic material. The objects can be produced by forming one or more first layers that include a first polymeric material. The one or more first layers can be free of a magnetic material. Additionally, the object can be produced by forming one or more second layers that include a second polymeric material having a magnetic material. For example, the one or more second layers can include a polymeric material embedded with magnetic particles. The one or more first layers and the one or more second layers can be formed by extruding the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material onto a substrate according to a pattern. A magnetizing device can be used to magnetize the magnetic material included in the one or more second layers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer and an operating method are provided. The three-dimensional printer includes at least one print head and a stage in which chemical ink injected from the print head may be layered. The three-dimensional printer includes a print head including a head chip injecting the chemical ink, wherein the head chip may include an ink chamber receiving the chemical ink, a heater generating a bubble in the ink chamber by applying heat to the chemical ink of the ink chamber, and a nozzle injecting the chemical ink according to an internal pressure of the ink chamber increased by the generated bubble.

Abstract: A system for producing three-dimensional objects forms fluid paths within the support structure to facilitate the removal of the support structure following manufacture of the object. The system includes a first ejector configured to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object, a second ejector configured to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body, and a fluid source that connects to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion of the support from the object.

Abstract: A stereolithography 3D printing method for multiple light modules includes following steps of: controlling a stereolithography 3D printer to retrieve a plurality of slice images and offsets respectively corresponding to different layers of 3D object data; selecting one of the slice images corresponding to one of the layers; adjusting an irradiation range of each of light modules according to one of the offsets corresponding to the same layer; the adjusted irradiation ranges of the light modules don't overlap with each other in a horizontal axis direction; controlling each light module to irradiate according to the adjusted irradiation range and the selected slice image; and, repeatedly executing aforementioned steps to generate a physical 3D model. Therefore, effectively implementing large size stereolithography 3D printing and manufacturing the physical 3D model without any obvious borderline can be achieved.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a first output unit that, when an instruction to perform image formation based on 2D image data is received, generates first image formation information for formation of images on respective recording media based on the 2D image data and outputs the generated first image formation information to an image forming apparatus; a second output unit that, when an instruction to perform 3D modeling based on 3D data is received, generates plural slice data by slicing the 3D data by plural respective planes, generates second image formation information for formation of a series of slice images on respective recording media based on the plural generated slice data, and outputs the generated second image formation information to the image forming apparatus; a generation unit that generates a series of control data as defined herein; and a storing unit as defined herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to material sets for 3-dimensional printing, 3-dimensional printing systems, and 3-dimensional printed parts. A material set can include a powder bed material of composite particles including glass beads coated with polyamide-12 polymer. The composite particles can have an average particle size from 20 ?m to 200 ?m, and the polyamide-12 polymer can include greater than 80 meq/g carboxylic end groups and less than 40 meq/g amino end groups. The fusing agent can include an energy absorber capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation to produce heat.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomously creating subsequent physical objects using a 3-dimensional printer. The system includes a build platform which is ejected with a printed object adhered to it, with a replenishing mechanism to place a blank build platform into the expected build area such that printing a subsequent object may occur autonomously. The replenishing mechanism may draw from a plurality of stored blank build platforms which may be reusable in some embodiments and disposable in others.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device and a build platform suitable for use within an additive fabrication device are provided. The build platform may include a build surface on which material may be formed by the additive fabrication device when the build platform is installed within the additive fabrication device. According to some embodiments, the build platform may include a flexible build layer and at least one removal mechanism configured to be actuated to apply a force to the flexible build layer. Such actuation may cause the flexible build layer to deform, thereby enabling separation of material adhered to the build surface from the build platform. According to some embodiments, the build platform may comprise a restorative mechanism that acts to return the flexible build layer to a flat state so that subsequent additive fabrication may form material on a flat build surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional work piece comprises a process chamber accommodating a carrier for receiving a raw material powder and an irradiation device for selectively irradiating electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the raw material powder applied onto the carrier in order to produce the work piece from said raw material powder by an additive layer construction method, the irradiation device comprising at least one radiation source and at least one optical unit with a plurality of optical elements. A heat transfer arrangement is configured to transfer heat generated by a heat source to the at least one optical unit of the irradiation device. The apparatus further comprises a control unit configured to control the heat transfer arrangement so as to adjust a temperature of the at least one optical unit of the irradiation device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and an apparatus for the fabrication of solid three-dimensional objects from liquid polymerizable materials.

Abstract: A support structure for an additive manufacturing system includes a support body with a support body material and an interface disposed on the support body with an interface material. The interface material has a ductile-to-brittle transition temperature that is higher than the ductile-to-brittle temperature of the support body material for selectively fracturing the interface material to separate an additively manufactured article from the support body.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a platform, a dispenser to dispense successive layers of feed material on the platform, a heat source above the platform, an energy source to emit a beam of energy to impinge a second region of the topmost layer, a sensor system to measure temperatures of the topmost layer of feed material and to measure a dimension of a melt pool in the second region, and a controller. The heat source is configured to deliver energy to a first region of a topmost layer of the successive layers of feed material to pre-heat and/or heat-treat the first region. The controller is configured to operate the heat source to heat the topmost layer of feed material based on the measured temperatures, and operate the energy source to fuse feed material in the topmost layer based on the measured dimension.

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

Abstract: A sonic label welding device for welding multiple labels together using ultrasonic welding is disclosed. The sonic label welding device comprises a digital controls main menu screen which includes touch screen buttons that are utilized to go to specific screens to program the device to perform in a certain manner. For example, a user can press the cut to length button if wanting to cut a label to a specific length, or the label weld count button to specify the number of labels being sonically welded. Further, the sonic label welding device comprises a head for allowing multiple labels to be assembled under pressure and an anvil for directing the high frequency vibrations. A method of manufacturing a multi-layer care label is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing power to more than one ultrasonic welding probe from M power supplies includes N multipoint units and a base. Each of the N multipoint units includes: a housing, a plurality of analog or digital inputs configured to carry distance information regarding probe distance of a plurality of ultrasonic welding probes, a dedicated high voltage input connector connectable via a high voltage cable to a dedicated high voltage output connector of one of the M power supplies, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to: direct power from the dedicated high voltage input connector to a corresponding one of the plurality of ultrasonic welding probes, and sample the distance information of the plurality of ultrasonic welding probes at a rate of at least once per millisecond. The base houses the M power supplies, wherein M and N are both integers greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding method for joining a first thermoplastic part and a second thermoplastic part without causing visible read-through on an exposed surface of the second part. The method includes arranging the first part on an inner surface of the second part. The inner surface is opposite the exposed surface. The first part has an interface portion contacting the inner surface. The method includes causing a horn of an ultrasonic welding stack to be pressed against the first part by applying ultrasonic energy oscillating at a frequency in a range of 45-70 kHz through the horn, to thereby join the first part and the second part together. The horn has at least one protruding distal portion configured to penetrate through the first part as the ultrasonic energy is imparted through the horn. The distal portion has a length longer than a thickness of the first part.

Abstract: Induction Weldable Pipe Connectors (IWPCs) (400) for electromagnetic induction welding with at least one plastic pipe (30). IWPCs (400) include a tubular induction weldable mounting (401) having an opposite pair of induction weldable sockets (404A, 404B), a tubular cover (406) externally mounted on the induction weldable mounting (401), and a tubular pipe tang (407) internally disposed in one induction weldable socket (404A, 404B) for destining an induction weldable socket (404A, 404B) as an induction weldable pipe socket (408A, 408B) for forced sliding insertion of a pipe end (31) thereinto. The cover (406) includes an opposite pair of thermally insulated induction weldable socket mouth rims (426A, 426B) for entrapping melted solder lining (412) inside the induction weldable mounting (401) during an electromagnetic induction welding operation, thereby ensuring improved welding.

Abstract: A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided for setting a press-in element into a workpiece at a predetermined location. The device includes main body; a fixing unit, which is attached to the main body and which is designed to fix the workpiece; and a processing unit, which is attached to the main body and includes: a boring unit, which is designed to create a bore in the workpiece fixed by the fixing unit; and a pressing unit, which is designed to press a press-in element into the bore. The method fixes the workpiece; creates a bore in the workpiece; positions a press-in element over the bore; and presses the press-in element into the bore, wherein a single device is used to carry out the method.

Abstract: A method can be used to attach a fabric member to a trim while forming a pattern in the fabric member. A trim has trim grooves formed in one side of the trim and a fabric member has a foam formed in one side of a skin material of the fabric member. A bonding member is coated to an outer surface of the foam and the fabric member is heated where the bonding member is coated. The heated fabric member is placed on the side of the trim where the trim grooves are formed. The fabric member is fixed to the trim by inserting edges of the fabric member into the trim grooves using insertion blades while pattern protrusions formed in a compression jig form a pattern by pressing the skin material of the fabric member.

Abstract: Cutting of a material, such as a textile or film, can damage the material. A tool is provided that utilizes vacuum pressure near a knife edge to increase a result of the cut. The vacuum pressure passes through a base portion of the tool that has a recessed portion effective to distribute vacuum pressure to one or more apertures extending around an insert of a core portion. The one or more apertures align with a void between the knife edge and the insert allowing for the void to transmit the vacuum pressure through the tool to the knife edge. A machine horn may then cut the material at the knife edge and couple the material with another material.

Abstract: A composite rotatable assembly for an axial flow compressor comprises a spool having a plurality of blade assemblies arranged in stages on the spool and attached thereto by a wound band. Each blade assembly comprises a blade and a base, with the base having a forward tang extending axially forward of a leading edge of the blade and an aft tang extending axially aft of a trailing edge of the blade. The band is wound over at least a portion of the forward and aft tangs of the plurality of blade assemblies to hold the blade assemblies to the spool under centrifugal loading. An abradable layer may be added over the wound band.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for laying up laminates. One embodiment is a method that includes laying up a multi-layer laminate of fiber reinforced material onto a surface, by: feeding a tape of fiber reinforced material to tape cutters which cut the tape into pieces, picking up pieces of the fiber reinforced material via pick-and-place devices at each of multiple lamination units that are in sequence in a direction of travel, and placing the pieces of fiber reinforced material via the pick-and-place devices to form a laminate as the surface and the lamination units change position with respect to each other and multiple pieces are laid-up concurrently.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for processing objects by applying different forces and/or pressure levels to different portions of surfaces of these objects. An apparatus may include a flexible wall and a contact member. In some embodiments, the flexible wall forms a bladder such that the contact member is disposed inside the bladder. During operation, the flexible wall may be pressed against an object using a pressure differential across the wall (e.g., by pressurizing the bladder). This creates a first force acting on a first portion of the object surface. Furthermore, the contact member may be forced against the flexible wall and apply a second force to a second portion of the object surface through the wall. The second portion of the object surface may be a subset of the first portion or an entirely different portion.